Ridge gourd Kootu/Peerkangai Kootu

Ridge gourd is a very tender and versatile vegetable referred to as luffa, turiya, turai, beerakai or dodka in several languages in India. It is a well-known and a very common vegetable in Asia, Africa and Arabian nations. Ridge gourd is loaded with dietary fiber, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamine, iron, as well as magnesium. It is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and has excellent blood purifying properties. Check out other delicious kootu varieties here.

Here’s how to make Ridge gourd kootu with step by step photos…

Carrot & Tomato Kootu [No grinding]

This carrot & tomato kootu is the easiest kootu to make especially in the morning rush when you need to pack lunch. The best part of it is you don’t need to grind anything, yes I can  see lot of smiles in all of your face. I make this kootu when I am totally tired and when I don’t want to cook, but still have to cook. It is so easy, just add everything to the cooker, pressure cook it and then finally temper it. See, how easy it is? Still a very healthy and heavenly tasting kootu. Now let’s move on to the recipe.

Here’s how to make Carrot & Tomato Kootu with step by step photos…

Paruppu Kuzhambu/Dal Gravy/Dal stew

Paruppu Kuzhambu/Dal gravy is a very traditional and authentic kuzhambu prepared in all most all the houses in Tamil Nadu. This paruppu kuzhambu is my grandmas recipe, who was from Nagapattinam, which my mom makes quite often. Paruppu kuzhambu is different from sambar, because it is made without using sambar powder or chilli powders. It is very flavourful and thick in consistency because of the garlic and ground coconut paste or coconut milk. This same paruppu kuzhambu is prepared differently in each district of Tamil Nadu with slight changes in the recipe.

Here’s how to make Paruppu Kuzhambu with step by step photos….

Beetroot Kootu with Chana Dal/Kadalai Paruppu

Beetroot kootu is a very nutritious and healthy dish that can be served with either white rice or with rotis or any Indian bread. Kootu is a very traditional food served in Tamil Nadu as a part of lunch menu and no feast (virundhu) is complete without kootu. Kootu is nothing but cooking vegetables and dals together and finally tempering them. Kootu can be done with different combination of vegetables and dals. Beetroot kootu is mostly done with moong dal, here I have done it with chana dal just like my mom. Check out the other kootu varieties here.

Here’s how to make Beetroot Kootu with step by step photos…

Chow Chow Kootu/Chayote Kootu

Chow Chows/Chayotes are a light green, pear shaped fruit with one large pit, edible skin and flesh. Chayotes are native to Meixco but cultivated in warm climates all over the world. The Chayotes are technically fruits, but very often used as a vegetable. In South India Chow chow/Chayote kootu is very common and a popular dish. Kootu is nothing but a dish prepared by adding vegetables and dals together with very mild spices and seasoned for flavouring. Chow chow is very commonly called a “Bangalore Kathrikkai” in TamilNadu. Chow chow/Chayotes have high fiber and water content and very less sugar. It is loaded with vitamin C, potassium and amino acids, when cooked with dals it becomes one whole dish packed with proteins as well. Check out other delicious kootu varieties here.

Here’s how to make Chow Chow/Chayote Kootu with step by step photos.

Cabbage /Muttai Gose kootu [with channa dal/kadalai paruppu]

We all make different kinds of kootu, this is one among them. This cabbage kootu is my husband’s favourite, usually tomatoes are not added but I prefer adding them. This is a very special South Indian kootu that be made very quickly and taste delectable. Check out other delicious kootu varieties here.

Here’s how to make cabagge kootu with step by step photos…

Paruppu Thakkali/Thakkali Paruppu/Tomato Dal

Paruppu Thakkali is a very healthy and yummy dal that can be prepared very fast and served with white rice & ghee or idlis, chapathis and rotis. In this dal we do not use tamarind instead the tomatoes give the sour taste and balance the taste of dal.

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

Milagai Killi Potta Sambar Recipe/Killi Potta Sambar/Killi Potta Sambar without Sambar Powder/How to make Killi Potta Sambar with step by step photos and Video

Killi potta sambar is a very simple and quick sambar that can be made within minutes. Killi potta sambar means you just add redchillies and make sambar. My mom makes this sambar very often and serves with potato roast, this combo just tastes heavenly. The best part of this sambar is, it does not need lot of ingredients but still tastes great. We do not use sambar powder for this sambar, but it gets its taste from the dry red chillies and the green chillies.  Do try out this delicious Milagai Killi Potta Sambar and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other interesting Dals/Sambar/Kuzhambu/Kurma varieties here.

Here's how to make Killi Potta Sambar with step by step photos…

Mulai Keerai Poondu Masiyal Recipe/Amaranth & Garlic Masiyal/Mulai Keerai Poondu Kadaiyal Recipe with step by step photos & Video

Mulai keerai poondu masiyal is one of my favorite dishes, it is very healthy and very easy to make. My mom makes it atleast 2 to 3 times a week.  It needs very less ingredients  and very less time to prepare, but has a wonderful buttery taste. This masiyal is one easy way to feed the small kids the greens. My amma makes this masiyal in "kal chatti" and "matthu" which is exactly the traditional way to make this masiyal. Do try out this healthy and delicious Mulai Keerai Poodnu Kadaiyal and post your comments here. Also check out other healthy and delicious Keerai Recipes here and Different Keerai Varieties here.

Here’s how to make mulai keerai poondu masiyal with step by step photos & Video

Chinna Vengaya Sambar/Pearl Onion Sambar

Chinna vengaya sambar is a very traditional sambar made in South Indian homes. Usually it is made by grinding masala(arachu vita vengaya sambar) but here I chose an easy and quick version of sambar that can be made in a jiffy. This is my mom's simple vengaya sambar. Check out other South Indian Sambar and Dal varieties here.

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

Methi Dal Recipe/ Vendhaya Keerai Paruppu Kadaiyal/Vendhaya Keerai Kadaiyal with step by step photos

We all know greens are always good for our health. Each and every keerai(greens) has distinct taste and health benefits. It is usually very hard to get our kids to eat the greens. One easy and simple way to get them to eat the methi leaves is to add it with dal and make it tastier. It serves the dual purpose, we get the protein and other benefits of methi leaves. Not only with dal, methi leaves can be prepared in numerous way like methi paratha, methi with aloo, methi with chicken which I am likely to post in the future. Check out other South Indian Sambar and Dal varieties here.

For now here’s how to make methi dal with step by step photos…

Vazhai Poo Kootu/Plantain flower Kootu

Each and every part of Vazhai maram(banana tree) is useful and consumed in one way or another. There are several dishes made out of vazhai poo, like the vazhai poo vadai, vazhai poo kuzhambu, vazhai poo poriyal etc especially made in Southern Part of India. Here is a very simple vazhai poo kootu which is a very healthy and comforting dish. Check out other delicious sambar & kootu varieties Sambar and Dal varieties here.

Here’s how to make Vazhai Poo Kootu with step by step photos…

Moong Dhal Sambar/ Paasi Paruppu Sambar/ Tiffin sambar[Side dish for Idlis & Dosas]

Moong dhal sambar/Paasi paruppu sambar/Tiffin sambar is a very easy and quick sambar to be made. It is an excellent combo with idlis and dosas. Check out other interesting Sambar/Dhal Varieties here and other South Indian Kuzhambu/Gravies here.

Here’s how to make Moongdal Sambar with step by step photos…

Paruppu Keerai Masiyal/Spinach With Dhal/Paruppu Keerai Masiyal Recipe/Pasalai Keerai Paruppu Masiyal with step by step photos

Paruppu Keerai masiyal is a very healthy, simple and easy dish to prepare. It can be prepared with any other keerai, but here I have used spinach(pasalai keerai). Since most of us living abroad do not get other varieties of keerai’s.

Here’s how to make paruppu keerai masiyal with step by step photos…

Murungaikai Sambar/Drumsticks Sambar Recipe-How to make Murungaikkai Sambar

Almost all parts of Murungai/Drumsticks tree have  extraordinary nutritional and medicinal values. It is grown in most of the houses in Southern India, and we do have one in our backyard in Chennai. Drumsticks is used in curries, soups, gravies etc. Drumstick leaves are rich in calcium, iron and numerous amounts of vitamins and minerals. The drumstick leaves and pods, prevents vitamin A deficiency and improves eye health. Since it is rich in iron, it prevents iron deficiency and boosts immunity. Let us all eat healthy food and lead a healthy life with all that is available in our own back yards. Check out other South Indian Sambar and Dal varieties here.

Here I am sharing with you all a simple and healthy murungaikai sambar, with step by step photos…

Arachu Vitta Sambar

Arachu vitta sambar is a typical South Indian sambar found in Iyer & Iyengar restaurants and homes. They have a wonderful aroma and taste because, the spices are ground and added to the dhal freshly each and every time.  I have tried different recipes, but finally settled with, one of my friend’s recipe, and since then I have been making the same. Check out other South Indian Sambar and Dal varieties here.

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