Ullundhu Paal/Urad dal Milk/Urad dal Payasam/Urad dal Kheer/Health drink for Kids - Tamil Nadu Special

As a parent and mom of two kids I am always on the lookout of healthy and tasty food that can be made easily without any hassles. This Ullundhu paal/Urad dal payasam is one such recipe I came across in Vikatan long time ago. Ullundhu Paal is a special, traditional and authentic health drink prepared in Thirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is a very healthy drink, prepared with milk and palm sugar. This Ullundhu pal is a must for girls and growing children as energy booster and helps in maintaining a healthy body and mind.  Do check out urad dal kali/urad dal halwa, yet another urad dal dish made especially for girls. A short note about the panam/panang kalakandu which is used in preparing this milk. Panang kalkandu is a kind of rock sugar made from panam pathaneer[Palm tree] which is extracted from the flower of palmera tree. It is loaded with medicinal value, reduces the body heat, cures cough, cures gastric problems and is rich in minerals like magnesium, chromium and iron.  Try this authentic and traditional health drink of Tamil Nadu and you will surely love it. Check out other Payasam Varieties here.

Here’s how to make Ullundhu Paal 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…

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...

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…

Apple Kheer/Payasam

I was actually craving for sweet this evening, now that I had lot of apples. I thought I will make apple payasam so that my kids also can enjoy it as an evening snack.

Here’s how to make apple payasam with step by step photos…

Badam Kheer/Badam Milk/Almond Milk with Saffron

Badam Milk is my all time favorite, I used to drink this in the evenings after coming back from school. But my mom used to make it with readymade mix available from the shops. It is a very healthy drink made in Northern part of India especially during special occasions and festivals. The recipe actually calls for sugar but sometimes I replace sugar with “panangkalkandu” as a healthy alternative. Other Tea/Beverage varieties that might be of interest…

SukkuMalli Coffee/Sukku Coffee

FennelSeeds Tea/Sombu Tea
Coriander Seeds Tea/Dhaniya Tea

MasalaTea/Masala Chai

ManjalPaal/Turmeric Pepper Milk/Golden Milk

Paanagam

So here’s how to make Badam Milk with step by step photos…

Mango Phirni/Kheer

Mango phirni, the name was new to me, after I searched found out it is a dessert more like pudding or kheer. I have not made this before but phirini was very interesting and very easy, so I gave it a shot. After I made this and served it to my girl, she said “Wow mummy!!! It is mangolicious …”. I asked her what??? She said like delicious, it is mangolicious. I was very happy. We get lots of delicious mangos and kids are also at home around this time of the year, so I thought I will share this phirni with you all.

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

Aval Payasam/Rice Flakes Payasam/Poha Payasam - Krishna Jayanthi Special/Gokulashtami Special Payasam

Aval Payasam/Rice Flakes Payasam/Poha Payasam is a very simple payasam made with aval and milk. It is lord Krishna’s favorite and I make it during Krishna Jayanthi and many other occasions. It is especially served in Guruvayur as prashad to everybody. It is our families all time favorite payasam.

Here’s how to make it with step by step photos...

Semiya Payasam/Vermicelli Payasam/Vermicelli Kheer

Semiya Payasam/Vermicelli Payasam/Vermicelli Kheer is a very common and famous dessert in South India. No Tamil feast is complete without a payasam, it is so simple and can be made within minutes. It is one traditional sweet that is made on all auspicious and festive occasions.

Here's how to make it with step by step photos...

Moong Dhal Payasam/Pasi Paruppu Payasam

Moong Dhal Payasam/Pasi Paruppu Payasam is a very healthy and easy payasam to make. My mom makes it during special pooja days like Tamil new years day, Ekadasi etc. Since it is made of jaggery and dhal, it is totally packed with iron and proteins. In addition to it, the milk and coconut milk also provides calcium and vitamins. It is a very yummy payasam which the kids will also love.

Here’s how to make Pasi Paruppu Payasam with step by step photos...

Carrot Kheer(Payasam)

Carrot Kheer (payasam) is a light and healthy dessert. It is easy to make and can be done very fast, when you have unannounced guest.