Authentic Brahmin Recipe, Kuzhambu Varieties, Medium, Rice Accompaniments, Traditional Recipes

PULIKACHAL/TAMARIND RICE MIX/PULIYODHARAI MIX

The fondest memories still lie fresh in my mind when i think of pulikachal. My mom used to pack this for journeys when we used to travel from Delhi to Chennai to visit grandparents.The very idea of eating in train with my bro and parents exited me always, everytime. My mom is an expert and eating well her dishes i can judge how tasty they can be though not an exact,replica of hers have sure made an attempt.Now my daughter loves this.So generation after generation, pulikachal is creating waves in my house. Notes

Read more
Diwali Sweets, Indian Festival Recipes, Medium, Ovo Vegetarian, Sweets, Vegetarian

WHEAT FLOUR HALWA

 I  was planning to make wheat halwa for a long time and as it is much time consuming was postponing it. It involves soaking wheat rava, grinding it and extracting it’s milk and proceed with the halwa making process.I saw,while browsing one day and stumbled upon this recipe of wheat flour halwa. Believe me it’s absolutely heavenly and there is is no compromise in the taste too.My mother who is an expert in halwa making was also pleased to  know that I made this when which had the same taste as hers,at last my battle was won.See here the recipe of the halwa and treat your loved ones even when there is no celebration.

Read more
Kootu, Medium

VAZHAITHANDU MOR KOOTU/BANANA STEM MOR KOOTU

I like banana stem or vazhaithandu because of it’s numerous health benefits.Personally it was a boon to me when i suffered from kidney stones for the past 2 years and my doc recommended to drink banana stem juice daily.I never knew what would that do with the disease curing,but did what i was told.It’s fibre content is very good for our body and treats many diseases with ease.Taste wise also it is chewy and with the blended coconut and spices this kootu tastes simply awesome.It is a yoghurt based gravy or kottu and tastes best with variety rice items.Banana tree…

Read more
Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Mango Recipes, Medium, Ovo Vegetarian, Pickles, Vegan, Vegetarian

MANGO THOKKU

Mangoes are in season now and everywhere i can see vendors selling mangoes at a considerably cheaper rate,owing to the large harvest of mangoes this year.I got a large batch of ripe and unripe mangoes this year from a farm of my hubby’s friend.I made sun dried mangoes,instant pickle, Avakkai and my daughter’s favorite pickle Mango Thokku. She will always say i can’t match Pamba,that’s how she calls my mom,but any ways i tried and we all enjoyed. Thokku is made generally from big mangoes which have lots of flesh.It’s always a joy to make pickle with mangoes afterall it…

Read more
Medium, Starters

BONDA SOUP

I first tasted Bonda soup at a place called Halli mane the famous hotel here.I didn’t know though how it would taste since i have never heard of a thing called bonda soupIt is a most popular snack variety here in Karnataka..Well it is not soup actually but Bondas soaked in yellow lentil gravy similar to rasam but with no tamarind.I have this peculiar habit of trying things at home after tasting them outside somewhere, so i tried it at home.It was a huge hit.I Should thank my hubby here for he is also a great foodie like me takes…

Read more
Kuzhambu Varieties, Mango Recipes, Medium

DRY MANGO KUZHAMBU

It is heavily raining here for the past 2 days.Sometimes you want to eat spicy food on rainy days and with sun dried mangoes sent by my mom i was tempted to make this classic gravy item of yesteryears.It is also called mankottai kuzhambu,since along with cut pieces of dried mango its seed with flesh is also dried and used in the gravy.Normally no restraunt would serve this as it is an authentic recipe dusted from grandma’s cookbook.Mom makes this often specially on a rainy day with rice and parrupu thogayal with dollops of homemade ghee.Tastes divine.This gravy calls for…

Read more
Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Medium, Ovo Vegetarian, Rice Accompaniments, Side Dish for Roti, Vegan, Vegetarian

RAJMA MASALA

My daughter is fond of North Indian food and Rajma happens to be her favourite.I always make various rajma varieties at home like sundal,rajma chawal,rajma curry and even rajma salad. Rajma is one pulse variety full of proteins and as a mother am happy to see her finish off the plate whenever i make this.It boosts energy and contains iron and is loved by all age groups.I also learnt from my doctor that it is good for diabetics as well as it decreases the metabolism rate of carbohydrates.So a healthy side dish and tasty too can be prepared using rajma…

Read more
Kuzhambu Varieties, Medium, Rice Accompaniments, Traditional Recipes

ASH GOURD MOR KUZHAMBU

Iam a real fan of this mor kuzhambu and make it often at home.Especially when iam making paruppu usili,i make this and it is simply an awesome combination..This mor kuzhambu is a yoghourt based gravy which needs very less time to prepare.This tastes good with variety rices such as coconut rice,tamarind rice or lemon rice.It takes very less time to prepare and the grinding part is the main work here.Make sure to take sour curd as the recipe calls for that sourness in the gravy.You can alternatively use chow-chow,lady’s finger or even banana stem in place of ash gourd..Mor kuzhambu…

Read more
Authentic Brahmin Recipe, Kuzhambu Varieties, Medium, Rice Accompaniments, Traditional Recipes

PARUPPU URUNDAI KUZHAMBU

Parrupu means dal and urundai means balls in tamil.Lentils have lots of protein content and very filling too.This is one dish which i enjoy making everytime,since it happens to be hubby’s favourite.My Dad also likes it very much,so when my parents were here sometime before i made it on a sunday and clicked.Thanks all for patiently waiting for the photos to be clicked.Though i have made this paruppu urundais and soaked them in a tamarind based gravy,you can soak them in mor kuzhambu and plain rasam as well.It takes a little time though to make these tur and channa dal…

Read more
Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Medium, Ovo Vegetarian, Potato Recipes, Side Dish for Roti, Vegan, Vegetarian

ALU MATAR

A classic dish from Punjab.Alu Matar is a favourite at home.It is a simple dish but full of flavour a treat to the tongue.You will end up eating one or more rotis or naan if made to perfection.I once tasted it when my husband took me to his collegue’s place.It was so good that i asked the recipe from my hubby’s friend’s wife and tried it at home.It was a hit.Nowadays i make it twice a month and is liked by all at home.You can boil and keep the potatoes in the fridge overnight,if making for the next day morning…

Read more
Authentic Brahmin Recipe, Kuzhambu Varieties, Medium, Rice Accompaniments, Traditional Recipes

BRINJAL PITLAI

Pitlai is again a tamarind based gravy,close to sambhar but has many spices added in to it.It is a regular item included in tamil brahmin marriages,festivals and also a regular feature in my home.It is somewhat thicker than sambhar and so flavourful with all the loaded spices carefully roasted and coarsely grounded.This powder which is roasted and grounded is used for many food items and i make it a little extra always and store it in the fridge and it can be used for many dishes such as Arachuvitta sambhar,Rasavangi,Podi kathrikkai curry etc.I will post these recipes sometime later.This pitlai…

Read more