Coconut chutney with Coriander Leaves

Coconut chutney is a perfect side dish for idly, dosa, pongal, kichadi, bonda, vada, bajji... It can also be served with chapatti and variety rice. I prepared this for Rava kichadi. The blend of coconut with coriander leaves gives nice flavor.   

Let us see how to make this delightful chutney.

Sooji | Rava kichadi

Here is my all-time favorite Rava kichadi.  My family always prefers wheat upma so I rarely prepare this though I like it very much. This is a mix of rava and your favorite vegetables. The soft texture and color along with the coconut oil smell.. pppaaaa.. No words to explain that.

Let us see how to make this colorful South Indian breakfasts.

Kollu Rasam | Horse Gram Soup

                         Kollu rasam is good to have when you got cold. In my home, if anyone gets cold, the next day we prepare this rasam. I have already mentioned about the health benefits of Kollu in my previous post Kollu paruppu Masiyal.

Let us see how to make this tangy soup in step by step.

Kollu Paruppu | Horse gram Kadaiyal

Kollu kadaiyal is one of my favorite lentils. This is Kongu cuisine. Weekly once Kollu (horse gram) or paasi payir (green gram) is must in my home from my childhood. So mostly on Friday we prepare this. Not only in my home also in many of my friends home. Kollu is very good for people who are trying to reduce weight. There is a saying in Tamil, “Elachavanuku Ellu, Koluthavanuku Kollu” – sesame seeds for thin person to gain weight and horse gram for Fat person to lose weight. If you don’t like to use plain Kollu then you can make powder and keep. Use a tsp of Kollu powder in all your curries and gravies. It won’t change the taste of your gravy. Kollu helps to maintain body temperature as well.

Let see how to make this healthy and tasty lentil.

Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter Masala, a bright orange-colored smooth, creamy and light buttery flavored North Indian dish, is one of the most popular main course food items in Indian restaurants. This is the first north Indian dish I learnt few years ago. Today I prepared this for my family friends who are visiting my home. As they are coming first time here after my marriage, I wanted to surprise them. So I have prepared French fries, our family’s all-time favorite tomato soup, roti and Panner Butter Masala. I am presenting here one among them.

Let’s see how make this creamy panner butter masala.

Pudhina Biriyani | Mint Rice

This flavorful and color biriyani is my favourite one pot meal and I had this first time in my PG. I love the potato in this very much. Adding potato is optional. But it tastes very good. Give a try once. This biriyani tastes good with normal raitha or simple potato chips. Every Sunday lunch was only this in my PG. My friends and I love it very much.  We used to have with chips as the raitha wouldn’t be good.

Let us see how to prepare this yummy biriyani.

Senaikizhangu porial | Elephant Foot Yam fry

Elephant Yam is Senai Kizhangu in Tamil, Kanda gaddha in Telugu, Chenath-thanda/chand in Malayalam and Suvarna gadde in Hindi. Before going to the preparation method, let us see some of the health benefits of this veggie. Yam is used as a slimming food as it is a low-fat food and lowers the cholesterol level and promotes in weight loss. It is rich in magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and many trace metals. These metals are responsible for sharp memory and concentration power. It also contains carbohydrates and protein equivalent to potatoes. It provides you instant energy. Its regular consumption keeps you fit and healthy. Yam lowers the Insulin level thus aiding in blood sugar. Its adequate consumption lowers the diabetes.

First time I tried to prepare this porial. It came out really well and we liked it very much. Let us see the how to prepare this porial

Kaara pori

After getting ready to office, got mail as holiday due to heavy rain in Chennai. So I am into my blog today with this simple kaara pori. I would like to enjoy rain with Kaara pori and tea from childhood. This is my Appa’s favorite. So my mom always prepare this. Pori is very light and so you would not feel heavy. You can have as much as you want. As garlic gives nice flavor to this, don’t miss to add.

Let’s see how to make this kara kara Kaara pori.

Vazhaithandu Kootu | Gravy with Plantain stem and moong dal

This delicious kootu with Vazhaithandu or Plantain stem is one of my favorite. Whenever I buy banana stem, I rather make poriyal than this kootu. But love this kootu a lot because of the excellent taste.  Learnt this kootu from my mom. Dal we use here is moong dal. The aroma and taste of moong dal with plantain stem is yummy. As we use moong dal, this is good for you tummy as well. This is a no grind and a healthy recipe which is very simple to cook.

Let’s see how to make this yummy kootu with Plantain stem and moong dal.

Puli Aval | Poha with tamarind

Poha or Aval is is very easy to cook and can be done in any time. Today I felt like to have tamarind rice. But I wanted to try something different. Then I remembered my mom’s special poha with tamarind. This tangy aval is my favorite. But she rarely prepares poha when I was small. I was not much interested to eat poha. When I was in PG, poha was the only dish they prepare good. That is how started showing interest in cooking and eating poha.

Let’s see how to make this poha with tamarind.

Peerkangkai Thogayal with skin | Ridge gourd skin chutney

Ridge gourd skin contains number of health benefits. Many people don’t use Ridge gourd with its skin as they don’t like. Here is an easy way to make chutney out of this vegetable’s skin. So hereafter don’t throw away the scrapped skin. Just make this chutney.

Let’s see how to make this chutney.

Ridge gourd with Tomato gravy

This simple gravy with ridge gourd and tomato can be served with steamed rice or dosa. This is easy to cook and yet healthy and delicious. You can also make delicious chutney with the rough skin peeled from the ridge gourd.

Let’s see how to prepare this easy gravy with ridge gourd and tomato.

Dal fry - Dal Tadka

                        

Dal fry is another comfort recipe you can make in jiffy. A tasty and healthy food liked by everyone. This goes well with hot steamed rice, pulao, jeera rice, pulkha,.. You can cook this whenever you are running out of time.

Let us see the how to prepare this simple yet delicious dal fry.

Creamy Sweet Corn Soup

                I like only tomato soup and sweet corn soup. At home I always prepare tomato soup but whenever we go out I prefer to order sweet corn soup only. This is because I am such a lazy person just to remove corn kernels. Today seeing the beautiful corn I wanted to have sweet corn soup. So immediately I bought this and tried first time. It came out delicious.  Here the recipe for you to make this tasty sweet corn soup. You also try to prepare this and enjoy.

Now let’s see the method to prepare Creamy Sweet Corn Soup.

Thinai Arisi Pongal | Sweet Pongal with Fox millet

         For this Puratasi Saturday I have decided to prepare sweet pongal for neivedyam. Then I thought of preparing pongal with Thinai arisi (Fox millet). I tried this first time and it came out really well. I offered it to my neighborhood aunty. She liked it and asked the recipe. So thought of sharing with you all. This pongal is healthy one and good for heart as it is a mix of millet and jaggery.

Let us see how to prepare this healthy pongal.

Pachai Sundaikai Kara Kulambu | Fresh Turkey berry spicy gravy

           Sundaikai has enormous number of health benefits. Sundaikai kulambu is an authentic south indian gravy very famous at my place. This spicy kulambu tastes better the next day similar to Ennai Kathiriakai Kulambu. So you can prepare night itself for next day lunch. It does not require refrigerating also. Just need to boil once again for 5 mins the next morning and just before serving. Before boiling add ¼ cup water if the gravy is very thick. Do not add water after boiling.

Let’s see how to prepare this yummy Kulambu.

Kathirikai puli kulambu | Eggplant tamarind gravy

Kathirikai puli kulambu is also an authentic South India recipe. This curry is easy to cook. This is my second attempt to make my hubby to have eggplant. He gave thumps up after tasting this. I like the chopped garlic in this tangy gravy. Please give a try and let me know your feedback.

Let us see how to make this yummy gravy using tamarind.

Masal vadai | Channa dal vadai

Masal vadai is a very popular snack in South India. I like masal vadai more than medu vadai my all-time favorite. I like the flavor of fennel seeds in this. If the channa dal is soaked and the other ingredients are in handy, then masal vadai is so easy. First time I prepared and it came out really well more than what I expected. 

Let us see the method to prepare the masal vadai.

Pudalangai Moor Kootu | Snake gourd gravy with curd

Moor Kootu is traditional Iyengar recipe. This delicious kootu can be prepared in a jiffy. You can use various types of vegetables like Okra, carrot, beans, drumstick, Ash gourd, etc. You can also use mixed vegetables to prepare this. My Amma makes moor kootu only with Ash gourd. Today I tried Moor kootu with snake gourd. Please do try this and let me know your comments.

Let’s see how to prepare this easy moor kootu.

Mochai and Murungaikai kara Kulambu | Field bean and Drumstick spicy gravy

Whenever my Chithi family cultivates this field beans, we will get our share. This one will be cultivated just before Pongal. So for every “Maattu” Pongal, using fresh field beans, this spicy gravy will be prepared to serve for everyone. This gravy is special for “Maattu” Pongal in our place. We use to dry fresh field beans under the sun and preserve it in dry container for the whole year till the next cultivation. I have seen fresh field beans in many departmental stores in Chennai. Today I have used dried beans for this gravy. Dried beans have to be soaked overnight to cook. If you are using fresh field beans then just skip only the step to soak.

Let’s see how to prepare this traditional Kulambu.

Carrot Beans porial

I like this porial only if the carrot and beans and chopped finely. Carrot is good source of vitamin and beans contain fiber. So try to include these 2 vegetables in your diet.

Let us see how to prepare this colorful porial.

Mullangi Thogayal | Raddish Chutney

                          Andra people make different types of chutneys. This Radish chutney is one among those chutneys. I got this recipe from my office friend. Her native place is Andra. I tried it today and it came out very well. This chutney is healthy and easy to cook.

                       Let’s see the steps to grind this healthy and tasty chutney.

Aval Kesari | Kesari with flattened rice | Poha Kesari

 

             

                Aval kesari is easy neivedhyam you can prepare for Friday Pooja or Pournami Pooja. Very few ingredients required. It tastes fantastic when it is hot. Try this kesari for this Friday Pooja.

                 Let’s see how to prepare this tasty kesari for neivedhyam.

Broken Wheat Upma / Rava Upma

                Broken wheat upma is godhumai upma in Tamil. This is very easy to cook if you have the broken wheat handy. After returning from office, I think to prepare this only when I feel very tired. Lets see how to prepare this simple rava upma.

Let us see how to prepare this.

Ellu Urundai | Sesame seeds Balls with jaggrey | Til Ladoo

          Ellu urundai is my hubby’s favorite one. I wanted to prepare this ladoo for him for long time. But I thought it is big process and tough and so I didn’t think to try. But after referring padhu’s blog, got to know this is so easy. I tried it immediately and it came out really well. He liked it very much. I am very happy that I have learnt our traditional sweet. Now I can prepare very often. This we can prepare for Ganesh Chathurti or for any festivals like Pongal. You just need 3 ingredients to make this.

Let’s see how to make this authentic ladoo.

Ennai kathirikai Kulambu | Eggplant gravy with Coconut

                 

                Ennai kathirikai kulambu is an authentic south indian gravy. This mouthwatering dish is one of my favorites. This tangy and spicy kulambu tastes better the next day. So you can prepare night itself for next day lunch. No need to refrigerate also. Just need to cook once again for 5 mins the next morning and just before serving.  Baby brinjal is preferred for this gravy.

Let’s see how to prepare this kulambu.

Kathirikai Porial | Brinjal / Eggplant fry

                Brinjal is one of the tastiest vegetables. It is so versatile and so you can use it in any type of curry or gravy. Brinjal is my favorite vegetable, but my hubby doesn’t like it and so rarely cooking this after marriage. Today I prepared Brinjal porial after a long time. It came out really well. He liked it very much. Now I am very happy. Do you know why? Because, I can prepare this porial very often.. J

Let’s see how to prepare this spicy brinjal porial.

Beetroot Chutney

For many of my friends in Chennai/Bangalore Beetroot Chutney is very new. But in my place this chutney is very common and most of the people like it and I am also one among them. It has mix of 4 different tastes (sweet, salty, tangy and spicy). The advantage of this chutney is you can make this in a jiffy. Just you need time to peel the skin.

Let see how to prepare this colorful and tasty beetroot chutney.

Carrot Halwa - Easy Version

             Carrot Halwa is one of my favorite sweets. I still remember that day when I was in Bangalore my friends went and searched many places to find the Carrot Halwa and they could not find outL. Then after somedays we got the Halwa from one restraunt. That was not all that great but still I was happy that I got it. I love this halwa like anything.

So let see how to prepare Carrot Halwa. You can also prepare this easy sweet and enjoy.

Vendaikai Puli Kulambu | Okra Tamarind Curry

                I can proudly say that I am expert in this kulambu. Only problem with Okra is you have to wash, wipe, dry and then only you can cut it. If water is there then stickiness won’t go while frying. But the taste of this kulambu will make all these difficulties vanished from mind. I like the shallots in this kulambu very much.

Aval Payasam with Jagery

Aval payasam is very easy and you can make this in minutes. This you can prepare as neivedhyam for Friday Pooja, Pournami Pooja, or any simple Pooja at home. Jagery can be replaced with sugar. Let see how to make this

Baby potato fry

Potato is favorite one for many people. This is so versatile vegetable and you can make uncountable no. of dishes out of this. Today I have used baby potatoes to make this fry. I bought this baby potato first time and tried. It came out really well and tasty.

Let see how to make this fry.

Kara Pidi Kozhukattai – Easy version

                   Pidi kozhukattai is my favorite one. I can have it as breakfast, dinner or for evening snack. My mom used to cook very often during my childhood. I never used to count the number of Kozhukattai going to my mouth: D. This Kozhukattai can be made with store bought idiyappam flour or by gridding soaked rice. Being a lazy person, today I made this with store bought flour. Very soon I will share different variety of Kozhukattai with ground soaked rice.

                          Let’s see the method to prepare the Kara Pidi Kozhukattai easily. 

Thattapayar Suraikai Kulambu | Cow peas and Bottle gourd Curry

                      Karamani or Thattai payar (Tamil), Barbati (Bengali), Lobia (Hindi), Alasande (Kannada), Payar (Malayalam), Chavli (Marathi), Chani (Oriya),  Bobbarlu (Telugu). This tasty and healthy payar takes more time to cook. So you can soak the cowpeas overnight or just before 4 hours to cook (hot water preferably if you soak only for 4 hrs). As usual, I like the way my Amma cooks. Let’s see the ingredients list and the method to cook.

Pusanikai/Parangikai Poriyal | Yellow Pumpkin fry

Pusanikai/Parangikai Poriyal | Yellow Pumpkin fry

I like to have Pumpkin along with curd rice. This also goes well with plain hot rice. Pumpkin is good for health. This is one of the very low calorie vegetables with no saturated fats or cholesterol; however, it is rich in dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins. The vegetable is one of the food items recommended by dieticians in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs. Pumpkin is a storehouse of many anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-A, vitamin-C and vitamin-E.  The fruit is a good source of B-complex group of vitamins like folates, niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin and pantothenic acid.  It is also rich source of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.

Let see the ingredients list and the method to prepare this heathly porial.

Ingredients:

Yellow Pumpkin | Parangikai – 2 cups chopped

Onion – 1

Red chilly – 2

Chilly powder – 2 tsp

Salt

Coconut – ½ cup grated

Jagery/sugar/palm sugar – 1 tbsp

Easy Tomato Soup

Simple tomato soup

When you have guest suddenly and you don’t know what special to offer them, and then just go for this simple tomato soup a very easy, tasty and healthy one. This soup is also good to have when you got cold since we are adding tomato, oregano and pepper.

Spicy Adai Dosa

Adai dosai is a healthy tiffin item. If the batter is ready then a healthy breakfast or dinner is ready in few minutes. The batter is having mixed all of dals which make the dosa a healthy one.

Pudalangai Kootu | Snake Gourd Kootu

             Kootu is my favourite one. My Mom cooks really super. This goes very well with white rice. A very easy and tasty one, you can cook in less than 30 mins. So a very good choice to cook when a guest is visiting your home..

Simple Rasam

             

  

        Rasam is very simple one and easy to cook. This is having many health benefits since we add methi, garlic, asafetida, cumin and pepper. It helps for digestion. Also good to take when you get cold and fever. Here is recipe to prepare rasam.

Parupu Sadam with Thinai arisi | Dal rice with Foxtail Millet rice

Murungai kai Porial | Drumstick Porial

Murungaikai Porial is very easy and tasty one. My mom used to prepare this porial earlier very often when we had drumstick tree at my home. If you are bored of having sambar with drumsticks then you can give a try to this porial. Drumsticks are loaded with valuable minerals, healthy proteins and essential minerals making it a healthy food.

Keerai/leaves from this tree are also very good and rich in Vitamins and Iron. I will post that keerai porial very soon.  Let’s see how to prepare this simple and tasty porial.

Sivappu Aval Upma | Red Flattened Rice

    Red poha or red rice flakes is nothing but flattened rice made from red rice.  Red poha nutrition value is high compared to white rice flakes. I did not know about this till the time one of my friends Jayanthi told me. For health concern, now I started buying Red rice flakes.

Peerkangai Thuvaiyal | Ridge Gourd Chutney

Ridge gourd (Sponge Gourd) is called as Beerakai in Telugu, Peerkangai in Tamil and Torai in Hindi. It's a ridged and dark green veggie with white pulp inside. It is one of my favourite vegetables. I like Peerkangai in Sambar with Moong Dal, as Porial and as chutney. At my home, my mom used to plant our own vegetables like Brinjal, Ridge Gourd, Snake Gourd, Broad Beans, Tomato, Green Chilly, Lemon, Drum

Mango Patchadi | Mangai Patchadi with Coconut



Mango patchadi

This is one of my favorite side dishes. My Amma used to make this very tasty. Amma is always great and we won’t get that exact taste as how she prepares. This Mango Patchadi is also not as good as my Amma’s kai pakkuvam. But still it tastes good.

Asoka halwa | Moong Daal halwa



 

Moong Dal is my favorite. I like to prepare sambar with Moong Dal or sometimes mix of Moon Dal and Toor Dal. When I heard the nameAsoka Halwa I thought something different. Then when I checked for recipe for the halwa I liked very much without any idea about the taste just because the main element is Moon Dal :) I prepared this for my Amma and she liked it very much.

Aval Upma | Avalaki Bath | Poha Upma

Aval or rice flakes is nothing but flattened rice. Aval Upma is very easy to cook. I am the one who can eat aval uppa for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This you can prepare by adding whatever vegetables you want like carrot, beetroot, green peas, ground nuts, etc… This will fill your tummy also healthier compared to rice.