Curry leaves kuzhambu

 Curry leaves kuzhambu with step by step pictures and video.

Curry leaves is one major green which we use in all recipe which includes tempering. The aroma it emits when tempering will make it more salivating. Whenever we buy vegetables here in Chennai, India the vegetable vendors will give this curry leaves for free. As we buy weekly we get a huge bunch every week. I mostly trash the previous week leaves. Sometimes when leaves are not withered I try this gravy or use it in making podis.

Simple and quick sweet - RAVA LADOO | Festive Sweets

Rava ladoo with step by step pictures

தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துகள் . Wishing all reader Happy Tamil New year / Vishu greetings.No festival is complete without a sweet and hence I share an easy sweet recipe today.

Black rice dessert | Kavuni Arisi payasam

Black rice/Kavuni Arisi payasam with step by step pictures.

Black rice is one of the healthiest rice and it is different from red rice and brown rice. It is also called forbidden rice by the Chinese. Some health benefits of it are, it is rich in antioxidants, helps to fight diabetics, as this rice is gluten-free it is the best alternative for those with gluten allergies, etc. This rice is found to be to have the highest content of the antioxidant anthocyanin. Sine this rice has a deep dark color it gets the name as black rice but when cooked it gives a purple shade.

Pirandai Idli/ Dosa | Adamant Creepers Idli | Healthy Recipe

Priandai Idli/dosa recipe with step by step pictures.

Pirandai is known as “Adamant Creeper” or “Veldt Grape” or “Devil’s Backbone” in English.  It has many health benefits and the one which I read in one of my Facebook group is it helps to prevent osteoporosis. It is the best medicine for it, so people suffering from this disorder consume this easy herb at least once a week. The only place I saw it during our Xmas vacation last year in my FIL's coconut yard. It was seen in abundant there and thought to take some while returning Chennai. But I didn't take.

To say the truth I haven't seen or eaten it before or after marriage.

Beetroot Salad | Easy Salad Recipe

Beetroot salad recipe with step by step pictures.
Beetroot salad with pieces of cooked beetroot, sliced onion, green chilly tossed up with salt & lime juice makes an excellent combo for any biryani variety or pulao. My mother uses to make it often but I never made it until when my sister-in-law made and I realized that I haven't tried it. This salad has a connection with Srilanka's cuisine but I really don't know why. When my daughter loved this salad at my brother's house I too decided to make it at home. You can also make this salad and eat as such.

Easy Meringue Kisses | Vanilla Meringue Kisses

Meringue is a dessert  which is often found in french ,swiss and Italian cuisines.It is made by whipping the egg white to soft peak along with sugar and flavors.Then piping it on baking sheets and baking them at a  very low temperature till it doesn't feel sticky from outside.These are light ,airy and sweet and mostly homemade are often chewy while commercial meringues are  crisp.

Nadan Beef Fry | Kerala Style Beef Fry | Easy Beef Fry | Video Recipe

When its beef cooking for lunch/ dinner it's a real treat for all as we all love it to the core. I use a tender version of beef called veal meat which will just look soft as goat meat.For this recipe you can use both beef variety.Last Sunday I made this recipe for lunch where both my kids were so much involved in plating, shooting and taking photos / videos.with no further stories lets go straight to the recipe

Ragi Poori/Puri | Breakfast Recipe | How to make millet Poori

Ragi poori with step by step pictures.
Poori/puri is a deep fried recipe.Although deep fried it is not an issue in having it once a while for breakfast.My son loves poori and insists me to make every week.Due to the deep fry technique, I avoid it.

Carrot Soup | Easy Carrot Soup | Soup Recipes

Its pouring like anything here in Chennai for more than a week and our roads are flooded.In my life time here I have never seen rain like this.Although it good as the water levels in the reservoirs have increased but daily life has become miserable with this continuous flow.We pray the rain God to have pity on us and stop the rain for some time.

Coming to this recipe which I made for my daughter's birthday dinner party.I just used carrots alone it and it taste good not spicy nor sweet.The spices I added in it are ginger & pepper but if you prefer you can add some other flavouring too.

Pirandai Rasam | Adamant Creepers- Tamarind Soup (video recipe)

Pirandai rasam with step by step picture and video.

After making pirandai thogayal and pirandai idli, now I'm here with another recipe with it. The climate calls for nice hot rasam to be mixed up with rice. Instead of making simple rasam try making this healthy pirandai rasam. I got some ideas from here and made this. The original recipe called to use tender creeper but in the pack, I bought there was no tender one hence used the matured part only.

Palak Pakoda | Spinach Fritters

When the climate is bit cool automatically we long to have some deep fried pakoras/pakoda for snacks.Yesterday when the weather here in Chennai was  cool so i made up my mind to make this pakoras for evening snack.To make it bit healthy i used spinach/palak leaves for it.Do try and enjoy with a cup of hot tea/chai.

Mango Sheera | Mango Kesari

Mango sheera/kesari with step by step pictures.

Before the mango say bid adieu this year let me finish off posting my mango recipes left out in my draft.Sheera / Kesari is one such simple and easy recipe to make when you are in a hurry to make any dessert/sweet.
Making this Kesari is not a rocket science and you need not be a great cook to make this, even a beginner can try this easy sweet in a jiffy. The procedure of making this dessert is same as ordinary kesari and the only thing is mango need to pureed and add to the cooked rava/sooji
with not much stories lets go direct to the recipe.

Simple Tea Cake | Cardamon Tea cake | Bakery style

I love to bake,  cake or cookies or bread what so ever it is i just love it and thrilled to see the outcome .I think my love for baking is growing rapidly.I enjoy making after school snacks for my kids.Everyday i think from morning about it.My daughter was saying me ma you never baked simple vanilla cake so yesterday decided to bake this tea cake from priya's space.My son who only like chocolate cake love it too.Try its very easy too ,if you don't have oven use cooker to bake check here for it.I already have an eggless version of sponge cake check it here

Peppered Pistachio Chicken | Chicken Recipe

This post i have to post yesterday ,but my broadband did not connect,if one day its fine the next day its problem.My line is clear but my modem has to be changed.Okay lets leave my problem and over to the recipe.I made this on Sunday and it was yummy.Try this pepper pistachio chicken from our regular one.Though the ingredient list looks big its very easy to make.

Yogurt Brownies | Eggless Brownies

If you have any extra curd fresh or slightly sour try to use it in your cakes as it yields soft and fluffy bakes.As My birthday was this week I just want to make a simple cake.My daughter one day said he was longing to a have brownie, so I decided to make this for my day with easy avaliable ingredients in my kitchen pantry.

Gongura Pappu |Sorrel Leaves in Lentils | Andhra Recipe

Gongura pappu /Sorrel leaves in lentils in one of the famous Andhra cuisine.Gongura pachadi/chutney is another one of their main recipe will try to post later.

King Fish Fry | Vanjaram Meen Varuval | Easy Fish Fry

I know i am irregular  in blogging now a days ,yes the two months December & January mostly i am busy with house hold work and also  another reason is  my daughter's exam.Yesterday while frying this king fish sudden thought came to click and post and hence writing.I usually make all fish fry like this only,so easy and tasty.

Gulkand Milkshake | Rose Petals Jam Milkshake | Summer Drink

It was a bad day for me while shooting for this ,the board behind it fell on the a glass and milkshake it in spilled all over the cloth and room.But thank God  nothing happened to the other glass and also I already took pictures before it.Coming to the drink its just mixing up everything in a blender .The aroma of gulkand makes the drink exotic ,rich and pleasing.

Mango Lemonade | Summer Drink

Mango Lemonade with step by step pictures.

Summer and mango are inseparable.One can indulge in this lovely golden coloured fruit only in summer and if missed have to wait till next summer.Though i didn't try many new recipe with it this year i tried few basic ones to fulfill my soul for the passion of  cooking /blogging.

Vazhapoo Thoran | Banana Flower Sidedish

I rarely make this kootu/side dish at home because it is lightly has bitter taste and my kids refuse to eat it.But one must consider its health benefit and eat atleast once a a while.

Massi Curry | Dried Maldive Fish cooked in coconut milk | Side dish for Aapam /Idiyappam

Maasi /Dried Maldive fish  is one of the dried fish variety but doesn't smell like other dry fish one since this dried by smoked process.Its found in abundant in tuticorin area.You can stock it in your pantry as use easily in thoyagal as it taste excellent.

Vella Aval Puttu| Rice Flakes with Jaggery ( Video recipe)

Aval /Rice flakes itself a healthy super good food that can be had as a snack or as breakfast. Here I have used a thick variety of red rice flakes which is even more nutritious than white flakes. This method does not require any cooking of it and can be done in no time which is the best option for after school snacks. But if you doubt the quality of the jaggery make syrup and add to it. I have made that method in the video.

Posanikai Mor Kuzhambu | White Pumpkin Yogurt Gravy

Posanikai mor kuzhambu with step by step pictures and video.

An easy yogurt based gravy which doesn't require much time & ingredients but taste too good.This is mildly spiced and so a spicy side dish with potato make the meal awesome.Last week when my kids were at holiday due to rain I made this with for lunch and we all loved it to the core.

KFC Style Chicken Popcorn | Easy Homemade Chicken Popcorn

 My son is a die hard lover of chicken popcorn,when ever we got to any fried chicken retail outlets the first item he would order is chicken popcorn.I already have a chicken popcorn recipe in my space ,the difference between this and that is the exterior coating and some ingredients.To make the popcorn chicken look similar too that available in the outlets i coated it with oats & corn flakes.
Do try this method which looked exactly like the one available there.

Mango Yogurt Popsicle | Mango Recipe | Summer Treat

Mangoes are in season and I started shopping for it every week but the taste was not that good.Due to this my kids refuse having it as such .So when I bought them for the first time this season its only me who had to eat them all,But when I purchased it again I already set my mind to make some different recipe with it.

Beef Biryani | step by step pictures. & video

Beef biryani with step by step pictures and video recipe.

Murungakkai Thoran /Drumstick dish | Side Dish For Rice

Murungai keerai thoran with step by step pictures and Video.

I learnt this recipe after marriage only from my MIL. In my in-laws house they  use to make aviyal as often and if they have many drumsticks left behind they will make this. Drumstick  is highly valued vegetable mainly for its antibacterial, medicinal and cleansing properties.  Almost each and every part of the drumstick tree like  roots, bark, fruits, leaves,  flowers even the gums are  useful to mankind.

Try this simple  and easy dish with drumstick and serve for rice.

Mango Pachadi | Tamil New year Recipe

Mango Pachadi/ mangaa pachadi who will say no to this tangy spicy one.Mostly this in the menu of festivals ,it is meant to have all tastes in it,that's  "arusuvai"-salt,sweet,sour,bitter,hot/pungent and astrigent(thuvarpu).when googled i found  that if making for tamil new year then saute some neem flowers in ghee and add to it.Try this pachadi and i am sure you will fall in love with it.

Chocolate Mousse ( no gelatin ,no agar-agar) | Easy Easter Dessert Recipe | Mousse Recipe

Hallelujah The saviour has risen, lets all sing praise and glory to The Lord. Happy Easter to one and all.On this special day i share with you an easy mousse recipe which i tried from here.I halved the recipe.My kids loved it.

Madras Mutton Curry | Spicy Lamb Gravy | Meat Recipe

Mutton curry with step by step pictures.

We mostly take chicken and some times beef on Sunday while this mutton/lamb will peep in our menu on  some rare days. Last week when it was my son's birthday i prepared this mutton curry to pair it with appam and idiyappam, Oh ! what a combination.do try and I'm sure you will love this heavenly combo.

Pineapple Kootu | Side Dish for Rice | Pineapple Recipe

When i had a pineapple i want try a different recipe and came across this which is a combo of sweet,sour and spicy.With the grounded coconut added to it along with coconut oil used for tempering makes this dish to have flavors of kerala.One can just have this with hot steaming rice and curd/yogurt or rasam.

Choc- Peanut Butter Popsicle | Popsicle Recipe

Choc Peanut butter popsicle wit step by step pictures.

Ice cream or Popsicle is an apt treat for this scorching heat.In normal days ,I never drink ice cold juices or water but now automatically i long to have icy juices and creams.Best thing is that I started making more ice creams/popsicle for my hungry ,longing kids at home and they too just enjoying this delish summer treats.

Watermelon Iced Tea | Summer Drink

Its unbearable in Chennai as the temperature is soaring high i feel little irritate to do all house hold chores but now way i have do amidst all heating woes.Coming to this recipe which i made a month before for testing how is iced tea with fruits.To say the truth it was delicious.My daughter use to pick a brand's ready mix ice tea whenever we go for grocery shopping together,but i don't like that or never tasted it.After my adventure using fruits in it I'm totally addicted to it.Give a try this summer and remain hydrated.

Tomato Pickle | Tomato Thokku | Step by Step Pictures

 

Tomato pickle with step by step pictures and Video. 

Making pickle at home is quite interesting, healthy and easy.Thanks to this blogging world which has introduced me to different areas which I had never thought would happen and this pickle making is one such.Though pickles are easily available in all shops even with small quantity pouches we don't know whether its healthy as some preservatives could be unhealthy.So making it from starch at home without any preservatives is good for you family and try for some.

Therachi/ Thirukkai (Stingray Fish ) Kuzhambu | Step by step pictures.

 

Therachi fish kuzhambu with step by step pictures.

Therachi which is also known as Thirandai is a healthy fish that has medicinal values. In English, it is known as Stingray fish. We can make this fish in many ways like using coconut or without coconut, can roast spices, and make curry, or with coconut milk too we can make this curry. Each one makes it in their own way. Here we made by roasting the spices. Let us see how to make this.

Pazham Sarbath | KanyaKumari Special | Summer Drink | பழம் சர்பத்

If you have been to Kanyakumari district then you have come across this drink.This sarrbath will be found almost all streets there and people love having it.It only in that district one can get this red colored nannari synthetic concentrate.So whenever I go to my native I make sure I buy a bottle of it for me.

Ragi-Oats Ladoo | No sugar energy balls

Ragi ladoo with step by step pictures.

Healthy ragi aka finger millet ladoo with no sugar added in it. This sweet is a real energy booster as it has dates in it. When carving for sugar just have one ball of it which not only fulfills your sweet carving it also makes you feel energized. For the more sweeter version you can increase the number of dates. The oil from the groundnuts and sickness from the dates helps to make balls.

Kancheepuram Idli | South Indian Breakfast | Step by Step Pictures

Kancheepuram Idli with Step by Step Pictures

Kancheepuram Idli as the name says this idli/ steamed rice cake is famous and from the temple city in south India, Kancheepuram which is near Chennai. To be honest I have never eaten this idli before until I made it at home. When I was blank what to make for breakfast the next day this idli came into my mind. While searching I found out people use raw & boiled rice together along with some spice in the idli batter. Mix well and steam it.

Instant Ragi Dosa | Instant finger millet flour savory crepes

Instant millet flour dosa with step by step pictures.

Instant dosa comes as a savior when we don't find time to grind idli/dosa batter or when clueless what to be cooked for breakfast/dinner. As millet flour is used init this dosa happens to be a healthy one. As I mentioned in my previous post, Kadamba chutney, I served this dosa with that chutney. Here I have used ragi flour but I guess you can use any millet flour in a similar way to make this dosa. If  I try with other flour sure I will write about it here.

Oats Buttermilk | Oats Mor | Oats Recipes

Oats buttermilk with step by step pictures.

Oats ,which is considered as a healthy cereal,helps to reduce cholesterol and is a apt cereal for weight watchers.The content of beta glucan,unique soluble fibre,make this oats a healthiest cereal grain.I got this recipe on the pack of a branded oats pack and tried it yesterday which turned out super tasty and healthy.

Sweet Corn Rice | Easy Lunch Box Ideas

Sweet corn rice with step by step pictures and video.

We all love to have boiled sweet corn with some butter and chat masala powder.My kids love them a lot.When i bought a pack of frozen corn i just don't want to make the same instead attempted to make a new recipe and that's this rice variety.We had it with a spicy non-veg curry so  yummy .Do give a try once as its very easy to make and you can even pack them for lunch box.

Strawberry Mojito | Non Alcoholic Mojito | Summer Drink

Mojito is nothing but a carbonated drink with dominating citrus flavor.Mostly in this drink alcohol is used but since here we don't prefer alcohol I just used soda water.You can make this drink with any fruit but citrus fruit really more punching and refreshing.

I already have lemon mojito recipe which is just a mix of lemon,mint and aerated drink.Here in this strawberry mojito I just have added  fresh strawberry with lemon juice and carbonated drink with soda water.Do check my raspberry fizz, gulkand milkshake,oats buttermilk , mango iced tea for some ideas to make summer drink for this scorching heat.

Beef Pickle | Beef Recipe | how to make pickle in beef

Beef pickle with step by step picture and video.

If you love beef then I am damn sure you will love this beef pickle too.This is my sister-in-law's recipe she makes it very tasty.I learnt it from her and tried to make it.In the same way you can also make prawn pickle.One main thing to do in this pickle making is frying the beef well. If nit fried well chances that the pickle will get spoil soon. Also for long shelf life keep refrigerated.

Dry Coconut Podi | Kopparai thogayal

 

Dry coconut/kopparai podi with step by step picture and video.

Kopparai is a dried coconut which has no water inside it. When we keep coconut for long time say 3-4months the water inside it will dry off automatically. We can make many recipes with that dried coconut. I usually carry some coconuts when I travel back from my native. There were two dried coconuts last time. I first tried with one to check how it would be. To my surprise it turned out great and so I made the same with the other dried coconut. It just few minutes to make it.

Ghee Rice / Nei Choru | Easy Lunch Box

Ghee rice with step by step pictures and video.

Ghee rice is one of the easiest rice type one can make and it suits with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian gravies.Try this easiest version

Methi Mattar Malai | Green Peas and Fenugreek Leaves in Cream Sauce | Side Dish for Roti/Naan

Methi mattar malai with step by step pictures and video

Methi mattar malai is a creamy north indian curry recipe made with fresh or dried fenugreek leaves, peas and cream. It is known for its combination of mild sweet ,spice and bitterness taste. It can be served for roti, chapathi or even jeera rice.

You can use either fried or fresh methi leaves. here I used dried one. If using fresh leaves leaves saute them in butter/ghee to reduce its bitterness and then add to it. For more rich version you can use frsh cream instead of milk.

Beetroot Puri/poori | Pink Puri | Colourful Breakfast

Beetroot poori with step by step pictures and video

If your kids love puri then try to add some veggies to it make it colourful.T hey will love its colour and taste.My kids loved it a lot.

Eggless chocolate sheet cake | Valentine's Day special

Chocolate sheet cake with step by step pictures.

Happy valentine day wishes to all. Love is in the air and is found in everything, let us celebrate each day. On this lovely day, I am here with a special recipe of eggless chocolate sheet cake. As I didn' have sheet cake pan I just used my square pan. And for the icing, I just melted margarine, then added cocoa powder, icing sugar, essence, milk and whisked it well till it forms a smooth runny mix. Feel free o add butter in the place of margarine.