GarvaNu – Wheat Flour Kheer [Gujarati Delight]/Wheat Flour Paayasam/Godhumai Maavu Paayasam

Today I am sharing with you all friends, readers, followers and subscribers a very happy and sweet news. From now on priyas virundhu is no more with blogspot, we have our own domain www.priyasvirundhu.com. So friends please keep visiting and encouraging us as always. Thank you all for your kind support and encouragement.

GarvaNu is a kheer from South of Gujarat. I came across this special and authentic recipe of Gujarat in Rishtey channel. The aroma of the roasted wheat flour and combined together with the flavourful cinnamon powder is just tantalizing. The GarvaNu is not supposed to be cloyingly sweet, but you can very well adjust the sweetness according to your taste. Try out this luscious kheer and have a great day. Do check out other delightful Paysam/Kheer varieties here.

Here’s how to make GarvaNu with step by step photos…

All About Pongal- Harvest Festival of Tamil Nadu/Menu for Pongal

Wishing you all a Very Happy Pongal/Thai Pongal...
Iniya Uzhavar Thirunaal Vaazhthukkal

Pongal is the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu celebrated for four days from January 13 -16. The first day is called the Bhogi Pongal, second day is the Pongal/Thai Pongal, third day is the Mattu Pongal and the fourth day is the Kaanum Pongal/Kanni Pongal. Pongal is celebrated with great zest through out Tamil Nadu, a traditional occasion on which special thanks is offered to nature, Sun god, Rain god[Indra], cattle etc.

Paal Pongal Recipe/Milk Pongal Recipe/Vellai Pongal – Pongal Special – All about Bhogi Pongal/Paal Pongal with step by step photos

Wishing you all a Very Happy Bhogi Pongal, Thai Pongal , Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. Iniya Uzhavar Thirunaal Vaazhthukkal

Bhogi festival is the first day of Pongal and is celebrated in honor of Lord Indra, “the God of Clouds and Rains”. Lord Indra is worshipped for the abundance of harvest, thereby bringing plenty of prosperity to the land. It is also widely believed that Bhogi Pongal is the Indra Vizha festival observed during the Chola period. The first day of Pongal [Harvest festival] is the Bhogi Pongal is celebrated on the last day of the month of Margazhi.

Bhoondi Ladoo/Boondhi Ladoo – Diwali Special

Bhoondi ladoo is a very popular and traditional sweet prepared for festivals, special occasions, weddings etc. Ladoos are offered as neivedhyam for poojas in temples and given as prasad to everyone. Ladoo comes from the Sanskrit word “ladduka” meaning a small ball. Bhoondi ladoo is made with besan flour and sugar syrup along with nuts and raisins.

Here’s how to make Bhoondi Ladoo with step by step photos….

Jangiri /Jhangiri – Diwali Special [300 th Post] With Video

Hello friends,

Today I am so happy that this post is a double dhamaka for me, because this is my 300^th post and my blog has reached 3.1 lakh pageviews. First of all I would like to thank each and every one of you for your kind support and encouragement that made all this possible. When I started this blog, I never thought I would be able to come this far. This journey of blogging is marvelous, the happiest part is meeting lot of new friends virtually and learning lot of new things every day. I would once again like to thank all of you for showing your love with your kind and beautiful words. To celebrate this lovely moment I made Jangiris as a special treat to each and every one of you. As you all know Jangiri is a traditional and authentic South Indian sweet made with Urad dal with out any fermentation and soaked in sugar syrup made especially during festivals and special occasions.

Here’s how to make Jangiri/Jhangiri with step by step photos…

Kara Boondi/Bhoondhi – Easy Diwali Snacks

Hello Friends,

Diwali is round the corner and I think all of you must be very busy planning to make traditional, authentic sweets and snacks at home. I still remember those days when we were kids, my mom starts the Diwali sweets & snacks 4-5 days ahead and it is really fun. Since we were four kids my mom used to make huge batches of Murukkus, Ribbon pakodas, Oma podi, kara sev etc, but we used to finish it off so fast. Anyway friends today I prepared Kara Boondi for my kids and I am sharing it with you all. Check out other Diwali Sweets & Snacks here.

Here’s how to make Kara Boondi with step by step photos…

Rava Payasam/Semolina/Sooji Kheer [Festival Special]

Wishing all readers and friends a very “Happy Vijayadashami”. Each day of Navaratri is dedicated to one form of Parashakthi. Vijayadashami is the last day of Navaratri on which Durga invoked as Mahishasuramardhini and destroyed all the evil elements and killed Mahishasuran. Not only Durga’s victory over Mahishashuran but also Lord Rama’s victory over the ten headed demon king Ravana is celebrated on this special day. Vijayadashami literally means “victory on the dashmi-the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar”.

Vijayadashami marks a new victorious start in South India. It is considered very auspicious day for starting formal education on Vijayadashami. It has been observed as the day of “Vidyarambham”, the “beginning of learning” for centuries. The custom goes by making the children aged two to three years to write their first letters “ohm” and the first alphabet "aah in Tamil" in a plate of raw rice [nellu] by the guru with the right index finger in temples and schools. Students keep their books and workers their tools for puja on the ninth day of Navratri[Ayudha Puja, Saraswathi Puja], these are taken back and used after special puja on the tenth day[Vijayadasami]. Not only studies any form of art like Bharatanatiyam, musical instruments, Carnatic music etc. are started on this auspicious day and special respect and gifts offered to Gurus[teachers]. Check out other Payasam Varieties here.

Here’s how to make Rava Payasam with step by step photos…

Kara Sev/Easy Diwali Snacks

Kara Sev is a traditional South Indian snack prepared during Diwali and also during other times as crispy and crunchy evening snacks. “Kara Sev” means “Spicy Sev”, you can very well adjust the amount of spice according to your taste buds, but the measurements I have given here will suite all age groups. Kara sev is usually made with kara sev karandi (big ladle with holes), but since I don’t have one of those I have used the regular murukku press. Kara sev is made with besan flour, rice flour and other spices perfectly blended together. The addition of freshly ground black pepper corns gives extraordinary taste to these Kara sev.

Here’s how to make Kara sev with step by step photos…

Kaara Pidi Kozhukattai – 2

Hello friends,

I have already made kaara kozhukattai/Uppu urundai earlier with red chillies and posted before, but now I made the same kaara kozhukattai with green chillies and ginger. This kaara kozhukattai is a wonderful and a healthy evening snacks for kids after school. I made this kaara kozhukattai for Vinayagar chathurthi and I am sharing it with you all.

Here’s how to make Kaara Kozhukattai with step by step photos…

Ellu Urundai Recipe/Sesame Seeds Ladoo Recipe/Sesame Seeds Ladoo with Jaggery/எள்ளு உருண்டை /Vinayagar Chathurthi Special/How to make Ellu Urundai with step by step photos& Video

 Ellu urundai/Sesame ladoo is a very healthy ladoo made with just two ingredients sesame seeds and jaggery. Sesame seeds have a nutty taste and are delicate yet crunchy. Before the making ladoos I would like to share some of the health benefits of sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are very good source of manganese and copper, but they are also good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, Vitamin E, zinc and dietary fibre. These dietary fibres help in lowering the cholesterol and helps in controlling blood pressure. This ellu urundai I prepared for Ganesha Chathurthi as neivedhyam for Lord Ganesha. Check out other interesting Vinayaka Chathurthi Recipes here.Please like, share and subscribe to our youtube channel Priya Virundhu-https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTsVaemF70ifZPLfgtEvMjg

Here’s how to make Ellu Urundai/Sesame Ladoo with step by step photos and video...

Sago Payasam/Javvarisi Payasam/Sabudana Kheer

“Wishing all my lovely friends and wonderful readers a Very Happy Onam, Thiruvonam Aashamsakal”

Onam is the most important festival of the state of Kerala, India. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by all the communities throughout Kerala. The festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. Once again I am wishing all you a very very Happy Onam.

I am sorry my friend’s I was not keeping really well for the past 3-4 days, so was not able to visit your pages. But since today is Onam I wanted to post something really sweet and celebrate this Onam with all of you.

Here's how to make Sago/Javvarisi Payasam with step by step photos...

Modakam/Kozhukattai –Ganesha Chathurthi Recipes

Slokam for Lord Ganesha/Pillaiyar

Mooshika vaahana modhaka hastha

Chamara karna vilambitha suthra

Vamana rupa maheswara puthra

Vigna vinayaga padha namasthe.

Ammini Kozhukattai/Mani Kozhukattai/Ganesha Chathurthi Recipes

The first thing that comes to mind when it is Ganesha/Vinayagar Chathurthi is Modhakam which we prepare as special offering for Lord Ganesha. We also prepare different types of kozhukattai’s like paal kozhukattai, kaara kozhukattai, pidi kozhukattai etc. When we make modhakams or kozhukattai we always tend to have some dough left, this mani kozhukattai is usually prepared with that dough only. But nowadays we all prepare this mani kozhukattai separately as offering to Lord Ganesha. Not only for Ganesha Chathurthi, I make this mani kozhukattai as evening snacks for my kids and they love it because they are cute and tasty.

Here’s how to make Ammini Kozhukattai/Mini Kozhukattai with step by step photos…

Ribbon Pakoda/Nada Pakoda/Ola Pakoda

Ribbon Pakoda is another delicious, crispy, crunchy and a traditional snack prepared during Diwali and Krishna Jayanthi. The name is really very interesting because these pakodas are long like a ribbon(nada in Tamil) and also in most of the houses it is also called ola/ottu pakoda because they are crispy and crunchy. There are different variations in making this ribbon pakoda, this is the easiest version that can be done easily and quickly. I am planning to share the other variations with garlic and sesame seeds in my future post hopefully before Diwali. My mom prepares murukkus, ribbon pakoda, oma podi etc during Diwali, Krishna Jayanthi and other special occasions.  I carry out the same tradition of making all these during these special days and see to that I don’t break this tradition every year. Meanwhile, do check out other interesting Diwali Sweets and Diwali Snack varieties here.

Here’s how to make Ribbon Pakoda/Nada Pakoda with step by step photos…

Murukku/Thenkuzhal-South Indian Delight/Diwali Special/Gokulashtami Special

Murukku is a very famous and authentic South Indian[Tamil Nadu] snacks prepared during special occasions like Diwali, Krishna Jayanthi etc. Murukku means twisted in Tamil and made from rice and urad dal flour. There are different varieties of murukku like mullu murkku, thengai paal murukku(coconut milk), Kaara murukku, butter murukku etc.

This murukku is especially prepared in large quantities and shared with friends and families during Diwali. It stays fresh and crunchy for 3-4 weeks when properly stored in airtight containers. Whenever I make murukku, I get reminded of days when my mom prepares snacks during Diwali. Usually Diwali preparation starts a week before with shopping and making an array of sweets and snacks. I made this simple and quick Murukku for Krishna Jayanthi yesterday, so I am sharing it with you all. Meanwhile, do check out other interesting Diwali Sweets and Diwali Snack varieties here.

Here’s how to make Murukku/Thenkuzhal with step by step photos…

Rava Ladoo/Rava Laddu/Gokulashtami/KrishnaJayanthi Recipes

Wishing you all a very Happy Krishna Jayanthi/Gokulashtami - இனிய கிருஷ்ணஜெயந்தி நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்.....

I know it should be really a very busy day for all of you preparing for pooja and making all delightful sweets and snacks. I am also preparing simple and quick snacks for Krishna Jayanthi, because I came back very late from my vacation. I always have a special place in my heart for this maaya kannan from my childhood days. The usual dishes prepared for Krishna Jayanthi includes Murukku/thenkuzhal, Uppu Seedai, Vella Seedai, Thattai, Aval payasam,Paasi Paruppu Payasam, Ladoos, Gulab Jamuns, Badam Kheer, Uraddal/Medhu Vadai, Rava Kesari, Sukku Vellam etc.

Here’s how to make Rava Ladoo with step by step photos…

Rice Kanji – Special Kanji Made for Amman/Rice Kanji Recipe

Friends, I will not be in town for another 5 days, I am taking a short break, will be missing you all. Before going on break, I wanted to post my favourite and delicious “Rice Kanji” which I prepared for amman and sharing it with you all. Om Shakthi…

There are different types of rice kanji prepared in South India like the roasted rice kanji, rice kanji with vegetables, rice kanji made with brown rice and so on. But this is a very special “Rice Kanji – Prepared for Amman” as neivedhyam in Nagapattinam and nearby districts.  This rice kanji is prepared in large scale instead of kezhvaragu koozh and distributed to everyone after the special prayers are done to amman. Along with this kanji the other neivedhyams prepared for amman are paanagam, neermor, maavilagu, thullu maavu etc. Since my parents are from Nagapattinam and Thanjavore we follow the same tradition of preparing rice kanji during the month of Aadi and offer it to amman and do the special prayers. I had mentioned about this rice kanji in few of my earlier post, but it is time for me to post this recipe as well. I will very soon be posting other types of kanji in my future post. For now...

Here’s how to make Rice Kanji  with step by step photos…

Paal Kozhukattai with Vellam/Sweet Rice Dumplings with Jaggery – Vinayagar Chathurthi Special

Wishing all friends and readers “A Very Happy 67^th Independence Day”. On this special day I am sharing with you Paal Kozhukattai a traditional South Indian Sweet…

Vinayagar Chathurthi/Ganesha Chathurthi is the birthday of Lord Ganesha celebrated all over India and many other parts of the world by Hindus. On this auspicious day, delectable neivadyams are made for Ganesha and special poojas are performed as a mark of celebration. Kozhukattai is a very special dish prepared for Vinayagar Chathurthi. But there are different types of kozhukattai’s like the modhagams, Kaara Kozhukattai, sweet kozhukattai etc. Paal Kozhukattai is one among them, which is nothing but small rice dumplings cooked in coconut milk along with either jaggery or white sugar. I always prefer to make it with jaggery/vellam as it is healthier than the white sugar.

Here’s how to make Paal Kozhukattai  with step by step photos…

Sweet Pidi Kozhukattai/Rice Dumplings with Jaggery for Amman/Ganesha Chathurthi

Hello Friends,

“Aadi” is a very special and auspicious month in Tamil calendar, when special poojas are done for Amman. Special neivedhanams are done for Amman like sweet pongal and beautiful decorations done and special poojas conducted throughout the month. During the month of Aadi, the tradition of making Kezhvaragu Koozh  for Amman and distributing to everybody is very famous in Tamil Nadu. Since my parents are from Thanjavore, the tradition goes by making rice kanji, paanagam, neer mor, maavilakku, drumstick leaves poriyal and offering special prayers  to Amman and then distributing them to everybody.

But in my MIL's house the tradition goes by making Kezhvaragu Koozh, pidi kozhukattai, mochai kottai kara kuzhambu with karuvadu, drumstick leaves poriyal, thullu maavu and offered to Amman as neivedhyam. We do special prayers and then distribute to everybody. Usually the Kezhvaragu Koozh and rice kanji are all prepared in large scale and distribute to atleast 30 to 50 people or even more.

As this is the month of “Aadi”  and tomorrow being Friday I thought  I will share this pidi kozhukattai with all of you and also this is special request from one of my readers Deepa. Not just for neivedhyam you can make this healthy and delicious pidi kozhukattai for your kids as evening snacks. So what are guys waiting for, enjoy…

Here’s how to make Sweet Pidi Kozhukattai with step by step photos….

Kezhvaragu Koozh/Ragi Koozh/Finger Millet Porridge/Kezhvaragu Koozh Recipw with step by step photos

Kezhvaragu Koozh is a traditional Tamil Nadu dish which is an excellent cooler and nutritious one pot meal. This koozh is especially prepared in the month of “Aadi” for Amman and distributed to everybody in all the Amman temples and houses. In my mother’s house we prepare rice kanji for Amman, but in my in-laws it has been a tradition to prepare koozh for Amman. My MIL prepares koozh, mochai kottai kara kuzhambu, drumsticks leaves poriyal, Pidi kozhukkatai  and offer it to Amman in the month of “Aadi” and we all do special prayers and distribute it to everybody. Though I was not used to koozh, but after my marriage I have fallen in love with this healthy koozh. So this is my MIL’ s special Amman Koozh...

And also do check my other Ragi Dishes here

Here’s how to make Kezhvaragu Koozh with step by step photos…