Plantain and Eggplant Curry (From Sri Lankan Kitchen)
Plantain and Eggplant is a wonderful combination for making curries which I learnt recently. I learnt this tasty curry from one of my friend called Shalini, from Sri Lanka. She is my neighbor and a good cook. This is a simple dish with lots of flavors. Coconut milk plays an important part and I would prefer homemade coconut milk for making this dish since it is fresh and lighter than the store bought ones. Check out my recipe for homemade coconut milk. If you are unable to make fresh coconut milk, try substituting canned coconut milk. Enjoy this dish and let me know your comments. Ingredients: Indian or Chinese eggplant or brinjal – 3 Plantain – 1 (medium size, about 5″) Chopped green chilies – 2 tbsp Sliced onions – 1/3 cup Curry leaves – 7 to 8 leaves...
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Cabbage Peas Stir Fry / Cabbage Peas Poriyal
The Cabbage Peas Poriyal is the one which is served in all the special occasions in Southern India. This is the easiest stir fry and adding peas to the cabbage gives extra taste to the dish. Time of Preparation : 20 minutes No of Servings : 3 to 4 Spice level : 2 Ingredients: Oil – 2 tsp Mustard Seeds – 1/2 tsp Asafoetida – a pinch Curry leaves – a few Split Urad dal – 1 tbsp Channa dal – 2 tsp Green Chillies – 4 (slitted lengthwise) Onions – 1/4 cup (finely chopped) Cabbage – 3 cups (thinly chopped) Peas – 1 cup (Ive used frozen peas) Salt – to taste Method of Preparation: Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds. When it splits add the asafoetida, curry leaves, channa dal, urad dal and...
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Spicy Okra Fry
Spicy Okra Fry is yet another simple side dish in Indian Cuisine. Okra fry can be made in so many different ways and this is one among them. Okra/vendakkai/bhindi is my favorite vegetable. When I was pregnant with Vinay I ate okra almost every single day. It has some very good nutritional value. When we were kids my mom used to say “If you eat okra/vendakkai your brain development will be good and you will get good marks in maths”. That’s how I started eating okra… to get good marks in maths 🙂 My math scores were a different story. Try this recipe and let me know you like it. Also try some other okra recipe s from our kitchen here. Preparation Time: 30 minutes No of servings : 2-3 Spice Level : 3 out of 5 Ingredients: Okra/Vendakai/Bhindi : 2 cups...
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Thakkali Kuzhambu for Idly / Tomato Curry
My mom got this recipe from one of our family friends in Salem and then she used to make this Tomato Curry often. I love this Thakkali Kuzhambu especially with dosa and Kuzhipaniyaram. This is very simple to make and will be different from regular chutneys. Time of Preparation : 20 minutes Spice level : 3 No of Servings : 3 to 4 Ingredients: Roma tomatoes – 6 (chopped) Pearl Onions – 15 Red Chillies – 8 to 10 (according to spice level) Garlic – 6 cloves (pressed) Coconut – 1/4 cup (grated) Split dalia – 1 tbsp Oil – 2 tbsp Salt – to taste Coriander leaves – for garnishing For Seasoning: Mustard seeds – 1 tsp Cinnamon stick – 1″ Cloves – 2 Curry leaves – a few Method of Preparation: Heat oil in a pan and...
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Andhra Mutton Curry / Lamb Curry
This is the first time I am making this style of mutton curry. Recently I had the Andhra style mutton curry at one of my friends place and I got the recipe from her. I’ve made some small changes from the recipe and tried it. It’s a very tasty recipe and it has become one of my favorites now. Ingredients : Mutton/ lamb : 600 gms Onion : 2 (medium) (finely chopped) Tomato : 3 (finely chopped) Oil : 4 tbsp Curry Leaves : 6-7 Coriander Leaves : for garnishing Ginger & Garlic Paste : 1 1/2 tbsp Turmeric powder : 2 tsp Cumin seeds : 1/4 tsp Masala To grind : Cloves : 3 Cinnamon : 1″ Bay Leaves : 1 Cardamom : 3 Coconut : 1/4 cup (shredded) Coriander Powder : 1 tbsp Whole red chilies :...
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Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani
Hyderabadi Biryani is a Hyderabadi dish based on basmati rice and goat meat. Popular variations use chicken instead of goat.The blending of Mughlai and Telangana cuisines in the kitchens of the Nizam, ruler of the historic Hyderabad State, resulted in the creation of Hyderabadi Biryani. (From wikipedia) I’ve have had great luck with this biryani recipe in the past but this is the first time I gotta chance to take step by step pics to share it with you. I’ve already posted a different version of Dum Biryani before that required and electric oven but you can make this just on a stove top. There are many different types and versions of regional biryani recipes. And Hyderabadi Dum Biryani is one of the most popular of all. The secret to this version of biryani is to make sure you...
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Egg adai kozhambu – Omelete curry
I have moved to Arkansas recently. I got some new friends and here is the chance to learn more new dishes. One of my friends here made this Egg adai kozhambu. Usually I will make the egg curry with eggs. When my friend made this, I feel it is very different and I asked her the recipe. It is very easy to make and I tried this. It came out very well and we can have it with rice or dosa. Preparation time: 20 minutes No of Servings: 2-3 Spice level 3 out of 5 Ingredients: Eggs-3 Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp Curry leaves-a few Onion-1/2(finely chopped) Turmeric-1/4 tsp Oil-1 tbsp Masala to grind: Cumin seeds-1 tsp Pepper-1/4 tsp Red chillies-3 to 4 Split roasted gram(Dalia)-2 tbsp Coconut-2/3 cup Method of preparation: Heat 1tsp oil in a pan and fry cumin...
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Mirchi Masala – Spicy Chili Curry
My husband is a huge fan of spicy food. We went to a restaurant and we had this Mirchi masala. We both liked it a lot and I wanted to try this since then. I tried it and it came out well. Those who likes spicy food are going to love this Mirchi masala. It goes well with Chapathi and rice. Preparation time: 40 minutes No of Servings: 6 Spice level: 5 out of 5 Ingredients: Long green chillies or Jalapeno: 10(slitted in the middle) Mustard seeds:1 tsp Cumin seeds:1 tsp Fenugreek seeds:1/2 tsp Onion: 1(finely chopped) Turmeric powder:1/2 tsp Gingergarlic paste:1 tbsp Red chilli powder:1/2 tsp Coriander powder:1/2 tsp Cumin powder:1/2 tsp Yogurt: 1/2 cup Tamarind paste:1 tsp Salt: to taste Masala to grind: Cinnamon:1″ Cloves:2 Red chillies:4 Coriander seeds:2 tbsp Peanuts:2 tbsp Sesme seeds:2 tbsp Coconut:2 tbsp Oil:2...
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Pepper Mushroom Fry
I adapted this recipe from a South Indian TV show. It’s very simple yet tasty. I love mushroom and this recipe is easy to cook and you don’t need a lot of ingredients. If you eat spicy food this is the perfect recipe for you. It goes well with fried rice or even with chapathi. Ingredients: Mushroom : 1 cup Olive oil : 5 tbsp Cumin seeds : 2 tsp Garlic : 7-8 (Finely chopped) Onion : 1 1/2 cup ( finely chopped) Whole Black pepper : 10-14 (Coarsely powdered)(according to your spice level) Salt : according to your taste Method of Preparation: Heat oil in a pan after that add cumin seeds fry them for a minute and chopped garlic . Fry them for 2 – 3 minutes. After that add the chopped onions sautee them till it...
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Egg Curry
Egg is a versatile cooking ingredient. Many people who dont eat meat like eggs. Eggs can be cooked in many ways. This time I have made Egg curry which goes well with chappathi or rice. Preparation time: 30 minutes No of Servings: 3 Spice level: 4 out of 5 Ingredients: Eggs : 4 Onion : 1(finely chopped) Tomatoes : 2(chopped) Ginger garlic paste : 2 tsp Cumin seeds : 1 tsp Red chilli powder : 2 tsp Coriander powder : 1 tsp Cumin powder : 1/2 tsp Garam masala powder : 1/2 tsp Chicken masala powder : 1/2 tsp(optional) Oil : 1 tbsp Salt : to taste Coriander leaves : 3 strings Method of Preparation Boil the eggs for 15 to 20 min. Peel the shells and cut them vertically into two halves. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin...
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Beetroot Poriyal/Curry
I was not very fond of Beetroot for a long time. But when I was in India recently, my mother-in-law made this easy and yummy Beetroot curry and after that I got hooked on to it. It’s very easy to make and healthy too. It goes well with white rice and chapathi. Just mix it with white rice, voila! you have Beetroot rice ready for lunch with some crisp papad or potato curry. Ingredients: Beetroot : 2 cups (grated) Onion : 1 (finely chopped) Oil : 2 tbsp Green chilies : 4-5 (according to your spice level) Mustard seeds : 2 tsp Urad dal : 2 tsp Curry leaves : 4-5 Shredded coconut : 1/4 cup Method of Preparation: Heat oil in a pan add mustard seeds and urad dal after it sputters add onion. Fry them till it...
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Sai Bhaji/Spinach and Mixed Vegetable Curry
Sai Bhaji is a typical Sindhi food. The greens and veggies in it make it a healthy meal choice. I went to my cousin’s place for the vacation. She made this sai bhaji for me and it was very tasty… It is also very nutritious and it is easy to make. So I tried it and it has come out really well. Preparation time: 30 minutes No of Servings: 6-7 Spice level: 3 Ingridients: Channa dal : 200g Cumin seeds : 1 tsp Garlic : 5 cloves Methi leaves : 1/2 bunch Onions : 2(medium size) chopped Tomatoes : 2 chopped Carrot : 1(small cube size) Beans : 10(chopped) Potato : 1(large cube size) Bottle gourd : 200g(large cube size)(optional) Spinach :1/2 bunch Oil : 2 tsp Masala: Turmeric powder : 1/2 tsp Chilli powder : 2 tsp Coriander powder...
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Chole Bhatura
Chole Bhatura is a mouth watering dish and is the bigger cousin of a well-known Indian breakfast dish – Poori. Chole Bhatura is a combination of Chick Peas dish (chole) and the fried bread made from maida flour (bhatura). My memory of Chole Bhatura growing up in South India has been that it is one of those exotic dishes that you can eat at a restaurant. I still remember the big puffed up dish served hot with fresh cut onions and a sliver of lime. It turns out that even though it takes a little bit of time, Chole Bhatura can be made at home! And I am here to share that secret with you. Although I have to give a special mention to our friend Archie, who gave away his secret to making the perfect Bhatura! Read on.....
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Jack fruit seeds and Eggplant Curry
When I started writing this recipe I was a little curious about jack fruit seeds calories and nutrient facts. It is 70Kcal/50gm and the nutrient factors are its is a rich source of vitamins like vitamin A, C and certain B vitamins, and minerals like calcium, zinc, and phosphorous. Jack fruit cultivation is pretty popular in most south part of India. My mom used to make a lot of dishes in jack fruit seeds. When I say seeds, remember this is Jack Fruit – the seeds are almost the size of orange slices! But, it tastes so good and I really miss them here in the US. My eldest sister made this recipe she sent me the picture and recipe of this dish. I don’t get jack fruit seeds here, I wish I can get some. Doesn’t the dish...
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Crab Curry
 Crab is one of my most favorite non vegetarian dishes. Growing up in a town close to the Bay of Bengal, we had no shortage of fresh seafood. In fact, my mom used to make crab atleast once in every 2 weeks.Crab can be made into delightful dishes in various forms and recipes. Crab Curry has to rank amongst the top contenders there. And this is another one of my sister’s (Suja) recipe and as usual it turned out to be a mind blowing entree. If you have a love for crab meat, I welcome you to try this recipe and let me know how it turned out. If you made your own modifications to it, also share it with me. After all cooking is part experimentation + part personalization (kai pakkuvam in Tamil). Ingredients: Crab : 2...
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Spicy Mutton Chukka
I am sure you have one of these obscure things in the vast array of food that we consume, that just hits the spot with certain dishes. Mutton chukka is one of those dishes for me. Being a southie, it tastes heavenly with rice dishes like Sambar rice, Rasam rice & even Briyani. If you make it a little not-so-dry you can even have it paratha or rotis. Ingredients: Oil : 1/4 cup Mutton : 1/2 kg (cut into small pieces) Onion :Â 2 cups Tomato : 1/2 cup Chili Powder : 2 tbsp Green chilies : 2 to 3 Turmeric Powder : 1/4 tsp Ginger : 2 tbsp garlic : 3 Cumin seeds : 1/2 tsp Fennel seeds : 1/2 tsp Cloves: 3 Bay leaves : 2 Cinnamon : 1/4 “ Curry leaves : 8 to 10 Method...
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Aloo Methi Sabji(Potato With Fenugreek Leaves Curry)
This is the first time I’ve tried methi leaves and it has already become one of my favorites.I’ve always thought that it had a bitter taste and haven’t tried it so far.Last week, while shopping at the local Indian store, some fresh methi leaves caught my eyes and I bought them. Now that I had methi leaves, I didn’t know what to do with it. So, I called up my sister, and got this recipe for a sabji… We ate this with chapathi’s and tasted excellent. Preparation Time: 45 minutes No of servings: 3-5 Spice Level: 2.5 out of 5 Ingredients: Potato : 2(Medium) Methi Leaves : 1 cup Oil : 1 tbsp Onions: 1(cut lengthwise) Tomato : 2 Curry Leaves : 5 to 6 Garam Masala Powder : 2 tsp Red chili powder : 1tsp Turmeric powder :...
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