Authentic Recipes from the Kitchens of Shriya, Nithu & Arthi!

Set Uthappam / Ivory Lentil Pancakes

Posted by on Sep 21, 2012 in Breakfast Menu | 4 comments

Uthappam or Ooththappam or Uthappa is a dosa-like dish made with Dosa batter. Unlike dosa, which is crisp and crepe-like, Uthappam is a thick pancake. When I think of the name “Saravana Bhavan” , 7 Set Uthappam comes to my mind. I have tried some 5 different types of Uthappam and here is the recipe. Time of Preparation : 6 to 8 minutes (for one) Ingredients: Plain Uthappam: Dosa Batter – Required amount Oil – as required Method of Preparation: Heat the tawa or turn on the griddle at 350 F Take half a laddle of batter and pour it. Need not spread the batter. Add very little oil around it. When pores appear slightly turn to the other side. Now the top side should be of golden brown. Leave it for 3 minutes. When the other side also...

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Ammini Kozhukkattai

Posted by on Sep 18, 2012 in Appetizers, Indian Festival, Slideshow, Snacks, Vinayagar Chaturthi | Comments Off on Ammini Kozhukkattai

Ammini Kozhukkattai is made from the left over kozhukkattai dough. I am not sure why it is called so, may be because they are mini or small…:) Whenever we make Kozhukkattai we end up with some leftover dough which is what is generally used for making Ammini Kozhukkattai and Paal Kozhukkattai. I have also used leftover kara puran (ulundhu puran) in this recipe which adds more taste. You can even add some idli podi to this dish which I learnt from Jeyashri’s Kitchen. This is a healthy dish and can be made quickly. So you can even make it on a regular day as a snack. Perfect for kids and adults. Ingredients: Kozhukkattai dough – 1 cup Oil – 1 tsp Mustard seeds – 3/4 tsp Urad dal – 1 tsp 2 to 3 curry leaves A pinch of asafoetida...

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Kara Kozhukkattai for Ganesh Chaturthi

Posted by on Sep 18, 2012 in Appetizers, Indian Festival, Slideshow, Snacks, Vinayagar Chaturthi | 1 comment

Kara Kozhukkattai also known as Uppu Kozhukkattai or Ulundhu Kozhukkatai is another version of Indian rice dumpling filled with spicy puran. The filling consists of steamed and spiced urad dal along with coconut. I know!! it does sound a little different but belive me it tastes wonderful. For a long time being a sweet addict I have never touched the spicy version (kara kozhukkattai) inspite of my mom forcing me to eat. But after I started making these, I liked it so much (not as much as the sweet though…!) What a selfish act!!! Sorry mom.. Okay! Coming back to the dish… this is one of those dishes offered to Lord Ganesh on Ganesh Chaturthi or any regular day. The spicy filling is very easy to make. You can refer my Sweet Puran Kozhukkatai for making the dough. I have...

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Ginger Rasam / Inji Rasam

Posted by on Sep 12, 2012 in Soups, Veggie Entrees & Sides | 3 comments

Almost everyday we prepare Rasam. I feel bored to have the same Milagu Rasam everyday. So I want to try different varieties of Rasam and today I made Ginger Rasam. I loved the flavor of ginger in the rasam. Guess everyone will like it :). Time of Preparation : 25 minutes No of Servings : 4 Spice level : 3 out of 5 Ingredients: Toor Dal – 3 tbsp Tomatoes(medium size) – 2 (Chopped) Tamarind – Gooseberry size Green Chilly – 1 (slitted lengthwise) Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp Oil – 1/2 tsp Salt – to taste Ghee – 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp Coriander leaves – 2 tbsp Asafoetida – a pinch Masala to Grind: Oil – 1/2 tsp Red Chillies – 3 Toor Dal – 1/2 tsp Channa Dal –...

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Veg Chapati roll

Posted by on Aug 30, 2012 in North Indian recipes | 7 comments

We had a potluck recently and I wanted to make something different with chapati. So I tried veggie chapati rolls for the potluck and they came really good. These Veg Chapati Rolls is a easy lunch box menu too. We can use any veggies for stuffing and we can use any masala according to our taste. My husband who does not like carrots and cabbage liked these rolls :). Time of Preparation : 1 1/2 hours Spice Level – 3 No. of Rolls – 12 Ingredients: For Chapati Wheat Flour – 1 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour – 1/4 cup Salt – 1/2 tsp Oil – 1 tbsp Water – 1/2 cup + 3 tbsp (adjust accordingly) For Stuffing: Carrot – 2 cups (grated) Cabbage – 2 cups (grated) Onions – 1/2 cup (finely chopped) Green chillies – 6...

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Channa Dal Curry / Kadalai Paruppu Kuzhambu

Posted by on Aug 23, 2012 in Kootu/lentil Stew | 7 comments

My bro-in-law Ashwanth called me and asked for a recipe without any veggies. This Channa Dal Kuzhambu came into my mind and I told him the recipe. Then I also prepared the same dish. This is a very easy recipe and if there is nothing to cook we can make this Kuzhambu. This curry will be good both with rice and Chappati. Time of Preparation : 40 minutes No of Servings : 3 to 4 Spice Level – 3 Ingredients: Channa Dal – 1/2 cup Onion (medium size) – 1 (finely chopped) Tomato – 1 (finely chopped) Ginger – 1 tsp (grated) Garlic – 1 tsp (grated) Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp Asafoetida – a pinch Green Chillies – 3 (slitted lengthwise) Sambar powder – 2 tsp Grated coconut – 3 tbsp Fennel seeds – 1 tsp Garlic –...

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Stuffed Bread

Posted by on Aug 16, 2012 in Breads | 3 comments

First I thought of making regular sandwich bread. Then I wanted to have something little spicy. I got the idea of making this stuffed bread with Indian touch. I gave this to all my friends for tasting and everyone loved it. You can try this recipe with Nithu’s White Bread Recipe too. Time of Preparation : 2 hours 10 minutes Spice Level : 2 Yield : 1 large loaf Ingredients: For Bread: Bread Flour – 3 cups Warm water (110 F) – 1 cup Active dry yeast – 1 1/2 tsp Salt – 1 tsp Sugar – 2 tbsp Oil – 1/4 cup For Stuffing: Potato – 1 Carrot – 1 Beans – 12 Paneer – 1/4 cup (grated) Spinach – 1/4 cup(chopped) Onion – 1/2 (finely chopped) Green chillies – 4 Garlic – 4 cloves (finely chopped) Red...

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Plantain and Eggplant Curry (From Sri Lankan Kitchen)

Posted by on Aug 13, 2012 in Multi Cuisine, Veggie Entrees & Sides | 1 comment

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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Paneer Tikka Masala

Posted by on Jul 27, 2012 in Paneer Recipes, Veggie Entrees & Sides | 13 comments

Paneer Tikka Masala is one of the popular dishes you can find in most of the Indian restaurant menu. This is one of those dishes that I always prefer to order when I go out. This is a restaurant style recipe which will definitely satisfy all the paneer lovers. Part of this recipe is adapted from Chef Harpal Sokhi and I tweaked it a bit with my style of cooking. In this dish paneer is marinated in a yogurt mixture and then cooked in a spicy and creamy sauce. It is a big hit in my house and I am sure you will enjoy this dish. Make it for a party or a family get together and win everyone’s heart. Preparation and resting time: 1 hr and 20 mins Cooking time: 60 minutes No. of servings: 5 Spice level: 3.5...

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Palak Paratha

Posted by on Jun 14, 2012 in Indian Breads/Roti, North Indian recipes | Comments Off on Palak Paratha

Palak Paratha is an easy way to give spinach to the kids. We can make this paratha either by stuffing the spinach like how I did for Methi Paratha or we can just mix the spinach to the dough. I did the Spinach Paratha by mixing it to the dough. Here is the recipe for delicious Green Parathas :). Time of Preparation : 40 minutes Resting Time : 2 hours No of Parathas : 9 Spice level : 2 Ingredients: Wheat Flour – 1 1/2 cups Spinach / Palak – 1 cup Garlic – 3 cloves Green chillies – 2 Sambar Powder – 1/2 tsp Garam masala – 1/2 tsp Coriander powder – 1/2 tsp Salt – 1 1/4 tsp Yogurt – 1/2 cup Oil – as needed Method of Preparation: Grind the spinach, garlic and green chillies in...

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Chayote and Lima Beans Lentil Curry- Chowchow Mochakottai Kootu

Posted by on Jun 9, 2012 in Kootu/lentil Stew, Veggie Entrees & Sides | 3 comments

I bought some frozen lima beans after studying about its nutrition facts and benefits.  I made a South Indian lentil curry with chayote and lima beans which is a traditional dish. Chayote is called chowchow or seemai kathirikkai in tamil, lima beans also known as Butter beans is called mochakottai in tamil. Lima beans are available in different colors. They are rich in dietary fibers which reduces blood cholesterol level and the risks of cancer. They are also rich in protein, folate, vitamin B6 and B12, antioxidants, iron, manganese, calcium, potassium and more. I don’t think we need more reason to add this to our diet…;) Enjoy this nutrition rich food with rice or roti or as a side with rice and rasam/kuzhambu. Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes No. of servings: 5 to 6 Spice level:...

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Salan for Biryani – Curry Sauce

Posted by on May 26, 2012 in Sauce, Veggie Entrees & Sides | 7 comments

Salan is a Hyderabadi dish and generally served with Biryani or roti. Hyderabad is located in South India which is popular for its cuisine. Their food is spicy and rich in flavors. Today I am going to share the recipe for Salan in which tomato and onions are cooked in blend of spices along with peanuts and tamarind juice. This spicy and a little tangy gravy is a prefect combination for Biryani. You can also serve it with layered parottas or other rotis. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time:30 minutes No. of servings: 7 to 8 Spice level: 4 out of 5 Ingredients: Small onions – 15 (or equivalent  amount of red onions) Medium size tomatoes – 2 Green chilies – 3 Garlic cloves – 6 Freshly grated or ground Ginger – 1 tbsp Curry leaves – 10 to...

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Raw Mango Rice – Manga Sadham

Posted by on May 23, 2012 in Rice dishes | 2 comments

It’s mango season and  time to try different recipes with mangoes. They are widely grown in India and there are many varieties available. We make a lot of dishes with ripe as well as raw mangoes. Today I have shared one of those recipes, Raw Mango Rice which is a simple and tasty dish. It is called Manga Sadham in Tamil, Maamidikaya Pulihora in Telugu and Mavinkayi Chitranna in Kannada. It is specially made for Ugadi festival. Raw mango is well seasoned with spices and lentils and mixed with cooked rice. You can make this dish for a quick lunch or dinner. This rice can be served with something spicy such as Mirchi Masala or Tomato Kuzhambu or Salan for which I will be posting the recipes soon. Ingredients:  Finely grated mango – 2 cups Cooked rice – 3...

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Chettinad Kara Kuzhambu – Chettinad Spicy Curry

Posted by on Oct 15, 2010 in Kuzhambu/Sambar, Veggie Entrees & Sides | 36 comments

It’s been three weeks since my last post. I was busy shopping and packing for my India trip. Now I am having a good time in India with my parents and in laws. I really missed blogging and couldn’t wait any longer. Coming back to the subject… Kuzhambu is a staple food in many South Indian homes. There are a number of varieties in kuzhambu. The preparation varies based on the type of kuzhambu. Chettinad Kara Kuzhambu is one of my favorite and I have had it many times in my friend’s place whose native is Karaikudi, Tamilnadu. My friend gave me the recipe and here I am sharing it with you. Enjoy this dish with rice or idly/dosa. Preparation time: 40 minutes No. of servings: 5 Spice level: 4 out of 5 Ingredients: Shallots – 2 cups Tomatoes...

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