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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Cabbage Stir Fry
This is one of the easiest south Indian Side dishes. You can make it with so few ingredients and in such less time. There are lot of ways to make cabbage fry and this is one among them. My mother-in-law made this fry and it tasted soo good. I just love the flavor of cabbage. Try this simple cabbage fry recipe and let me know how it turned out for you. Preparation Time: 30 minutes Spice level : 2 out of 5 No Of servings : 2-3 Ingredients: Cabbage : 1 small head (washed and chopped in to small pieces) Onion : 1 small ( chopped) Chana dal : 1/2 tbsp Mustard seeds: 1 tsp Urad dal : 1 tsp Green Chilies : 3-4 (according to your spice level) Tomato : 1/2 (chopped into pieces) Method Of Preparation...
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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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Puri Masala / Indian Puffed Flat Bread with Potato Curry
In general everyone loves puri. When I was a kid I love to have puri on every sunday. The best combo is puri and potato masala. Potato masala is very easy to make and still I like to have it for sunday breakfast :). Time of Preparation : 45 minutes (for poori and masala) No of Servings : 3 Spice level : 3 Ingredients: For Puri: Wheat flour – 2 cups Rava – 1 tbsp (optional) Salt – 1/2 tsp Water – 1/2 cup (aprroximately) Oil – For frying For Masala: Potatoes (boiled) – 3 Onion (thinly sliced lengthwise) – 1 Tomato (small roma tomato) – 1 (finely chopped) Green chillies (slitted lengthwise) – 3 (according to spice level) Ginger – 1 tbsp (grated) Garlic – 2 cloves (pressed) Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp Channa dal – 2 tbsp...
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Potato Stew
Potato stew is a typical Keralite dish and it is very easy to make. It will be very tasty and it goes well with Aapam and Idiyappam. In a typical stew, they wont add tomatoes. My husband is not a big fan of stew. So I tried making the stew by adding tomatoes. It came out well and now he likes to have it. Preparation time: 15 minutes No of Servings : 3-4 Spice level: 2 out of 5 Ingredients: Coconut milk-1 1/2 cup Potato-1(boiled) Green chillies-5(according to spice level) Garlic-6 cloves Onion-1(finely chopped) Tomato(small size)-1(finely chopped)(optional) Cinnamon-1/2″ Cloves-2 Curry leaves Oil-2 tsp Salt-to taste Method of Preparation: Heat oil in a pan and add cinnamon, cloves,curry leaves, garlic, green chillies followed by the chopped onions and salt. Fry them till they become translucent and add the chopped tomatoes....
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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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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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Potato Podimas – Potato curry
Potato Podimas is a very simple recipe. You can make it in 15 minutes. It’s one of the classic South Indian dish that goes very well with Poori (a fried dough dish) or Chapathis. My mom used to make for all the festivals. I would say it’s one of our family-favorite dish 🙂 Ingredients: Potato : 3 (medium) Onion : 1/2 cup Oil : 2 tbsp Mustard seeds : 1 tsp Urad dal : 2 tsp Chana dal: 1 tsp Cumin seeds : 1 tsp Curry Leaves : 5-6 leaves Green chilies : 3-4 (finely chopped) Garlic Pods : 4 (pressed) Turmeric Powder : 1tsp Coriander Leaves : For garnishing Salt : to taste Method Of Preparation: Boil the potatoes and peel the skin off. Cut half of them into small cubes and slightly mash the remaining potatoes with...
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Baingan Bhartha – Roasted Eggplant Curry
Baingan Bhartha is a traditional North Indian dish and a vegetarian delight. Traditionally Baingan Bhartha is made from roasted eggplants mashed into the consistency seen in the picture. My husband hates Eggplants but this time I made him try this and I think I’ve seen a little change of heart towards eggplant from him. I love eggplant dishes and this is one of them. If you like eggplants too, this is a great recipe to try. Ingredients: Egg plant : 1(big) Cumin seeds : 2 tsp Onion : 1/2 cup(finely chopped) Tomato : 1 cup ( finely chopped) Garlic : 5-6 ( pressed) Ginger : 1 tbsp Green chilies : 4 Red chili powder : 2 tsp Coriander Powder : 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder : 1/2 tbsp Coriander Leaves : 2 tbsp (for garnishing) Method Of Preparation: Apply...
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Masala Vada – Spicy Lentil Dumplings
I was wondering what to cook on saturday because I felt like eating some spicy snack with hot tea. I soaked some chana dal to make some urundai kozhambhu but suddenly I remebered this uber-popular South Indian that goes great with tea – Masala vada. Masala vadai is a staple food in all breakfast menu as well in a lot of festival platters. It is even more popular as street food and is usually available in any street corner tea shop. Having Masala vada with hot tea on a rainy day is pure bliss. Ingredients: Oil : 2 cups ( for deep fry) Chana dal/Black gram dal : 11/2 cup Dry red chilies : 7-8 (according to your spice level) Urda dal : 1 tbsp Cumin seeds : 2 tsp Garlic : 3-4 Onion : 1 1/2 cups (Finely...
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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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Appala poo Kozhambu / Papad Curry
Bored of having sambar and rasam???… Here is something different for you, Appala poo kozhambu. When I got married my grandmother wrote all her recipes and gave it to me. When I wanted to try something different, this recipe came into my mind. I tried this and it’s now super hit. Everyone who have tasted this liked it a lot. It’s a simple dish and goes well with rice. Preparation time: 25 minutes No of Servings: 3-4 Spice level: 3 out of 5 Ingredients: Appalam Poo : 10 or Plain Appalam (Pappad): 7 Onion : 1 chopped finely Tomato : 1 chopped Seasoning vadam/ Vengaya vadagam : 1 tsp (optional) Ginger garlic paste : 2 tsp Sambar powder : 2 tsp Salt : to taste Oil : 1 cup Coriander leaves : 2 strings Masala to Grind: Coconut-3 tbsp...
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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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Mint (Pudhina) Chutney
I love to make dishes with mint leaves because it always gives such an mouthwatering flavor to the dishes. And Mint has such awesome qualities like it could be used as a refreshing and a cleansing facial wash. In South India, we call this recipe as “Pudhina Thoghayal”. It goes great with a lot of dishes like Dosa, Idlies, or even with rice and sambhar, rice and vathakuzhambu, etc. Ingredients: Mint Leaves : 1 bunch (separate the leaves from stem) Coriander Leaves : 1/2 bunch Vegetable Oil : 1 tbsp Red Chilies : 6-7 (According to your spice level) Grated Coconut : 3 tbsp Urad dal : 1tbsp Asafoetida : 1/4 tsp Ginger : 1tbsp Tamarind Juice: 1/2 cup Method Of Preparation: Heat oil in a pan add Urad dal and asafoetida, fry them till urad dal turns light...
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Indian Diwali Snack Murukku (Chakali) Recipe
Murukku is one of the most popular snacks in South India and it is even more popular at Deepavali (aka Diwali) festival time. It has been long been the tradition at most homes to make delicious snacks such as Murukku, Thattai, etc. along with some special Indian sweets for Deepavali. I am going to be spending over 3 months with my family in India starting next week. But, don’t you worry! I am going to learn, experiment and continue making more variety of Indian dishes and will be sharing my experiences and recipes in the coming months straight from India! So stay tuned. So, I wanted to make some special Diwali snacks for my hubby and made Murukku. It came out very nice (as you can see), crunchy and tasty. 🙂 Although like most things we haven’t tried, making...
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Potato Fry
This is one of the easiest potato fry recipe. When I got married and started to learn cooking Potato fry was one of the few recipes that I’ve mastered. I’ve learned this recipe from my husband. He used to make this all the time when he was a bachelor as it is something very quick to make as well as tasty. Also it goes as a great side for plenty of dishes like sambhar rice, Porichakuzhambhu rice. Ingredients : Potatoes : 2 (medium) OIl: 1/4 cup Chili powder : 4 tbsp ( According to your spice level) Mustard seeds : 2 tsp Urad dal : 2 tsp Curry leaves : 5 to 6 Salt : required to taste Turmeric powder : 1/4 tsp Method of Preparation : Cut the potatoes in  half and pressure cook them for 2 whistles...
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Okra Fry
Okra/vendakkai fry is most popular side dish in south India. Okra is a love or hate thing for many. Some people love em (me) and some people hate em (hubby). But, if you are looking to convert those who hate it, Okra Fry is probably your best bet. Okra fry would make for a great side dish for a variety of rice dishes. My recipe is a simple and easy version, you can make it spicy and crispy and it will go great with Sambar/Rasam. Ingredients: Okra/Ladies finger : 2 cups (sliced into small discs) to thin circles) Onion : 1 medium Green chilies : 4 Curry Leaves: 6 Salt : required to taste Oil : 3 tbsp Yogurt : 2 tbsp Urad dal : 3 tsp Mustard seeds : 2 tsp Method Of Preparation : Heat oil in...
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Plantain Masala Fry
Plantains tend to be firmer and lower in sugar content than dessert bananas. Bananas are most often eaten raw, while plantains usually require cooking or other processing, and are used either when green or under-ripe (and therefore starchy) or overripe (and therefore sweet). In south India plantain leaves are used like plates for serving food. In Kerala, a food preparation called “Ada” is made in plantain leaves. – (Wikipedia) This is the first time I’ve made Plantain curry after my marriage. I love plantain my mother use to make lots of dishes using Plantain. After my mother-in-law visited us this summer our food habit changed a lot. Finally we are eating a lot of vegetables now  🙂 . She used to make this fry with her own magical touch. I got the recipe from her and it came out...
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