Milagu Kuzhambu/Pepper Kuzhambu

Milagu kuzhambu/Pepper Kuzhambu is a traditional South Indian kuzhambu made by blending black pepper corns with other spices and ingredients. I have been making lot of dishes with pepper now, the reason is that though spring started officially in March, it is still cold and flowers are blooming only now(May). UK has faced a very bad winter after 50 years, and it is now raining and hail falling down, the weather is really pathetic. The perfect lunch for us I decided was milagu kuzhambu/Pepper kuzhambu and potato roast, an apt lunch for cold and rainy days.

Milagu kuzhambu has lots of medicinal values, it helps us when we have cold and cough. The pepper helps in getting rid of the phlegm and congestion. It also helps in digestion and gastric problems. Since we add lots of curry leaves this kuzhambu is also rich in iron. This is my mom’s special milagu kuzhambu.

You can use sunflower oil as well, but gingerly oil is excellent for this kind of kuzhambu's gives rich aroma and very good taste. Check out other delicious South Indian -TamilNadu special Kuzhambu varieties here.

Here’s how to make Milagu/Pepper Kuzhambu with step by step photos…

Dum Aloo/Aloo Dum

Dum Aloo is a very popular North Indian dish found in almost all restaurants. Dum aloo is a dish in which baby potatoes are cooked in gravy with aromatic spices. I am really fond of dum aloo, but whenever I buy baby potatoes I end up making roast. But this time I  decided I will surely make dum aloo with chapatis.

So here’s dum aloo with step by step photos…

Tomato Kurma/Thakkali kurma[Perfect Side dish for Dosas, IDlis, Idiyappams...]

Tomato kurma is a typical South Indian breakfast side dish for dosas and idiyappams. I still remember my mom making this when we have unexpected guest and serve them with dosas or puris. This can be made very quickly and needs very less ingredients and also totally packed with vitamin C. Do check out other interesting and delectable Kurma Varieties here.

Here’s how to make tomato kurma with step by step photos…

Thakkali Thokku Recipe/Tomato Thokku Recipe[Side dish for Idlis & Dosas-Multipurpose thokku]/Tomato Thokku

Tomato thokku is a very simple and delicious South Indian delight which can prepared,stored and saved for later. It comes in very handy when we don’t have time to cook. It is a perfect side dish for idli’s, dosa and rotis. You can even mix it in white rice and pack it for lunch. This is my mom's special thakkali thokku...  Check out other delectable chutneys here.

Here’s how to make tomato thokku with step by step photos…

Mixed Vegetable Kurma

This is a delicious gravy made with coconut, vegetables and is packed with all nutrients and minerals. It is a perfect way to serve vegetables in one single pot. I make it for chapatis and puris, but sometime serve it with idlis, appams and dosas, and it tastes heavenly. Do check out other interesting and tempting Kurma Varieties here.

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

Maangai Kuzhambu/Raw Mango Kuzhambu

My mom makes different types mango kuzhambu's and this is one among them. This is a typical South Indian kuzhambu, especially made during the mango season. Though this recipe might look spicy, the sour mango will balance it and taste awesome. Check out other delicious South Indian -TamilNadu special Kuzhambu varieties here.

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

Biryani Kathrikkai Recipe/Brinjal for Biryani Recipe

Biryani kathrikkai as the name says is a perfect accompaniment for biryani’s. It is usually served in all the marriages and restaurants. I have tried different versions of this same gravy but finally settled down with this one which has satisfied my family and friends taste buds.

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

Kathrikkai & Murungakkai Kaara Kuzambu/Brinjal & Drumsticks Gravy

There are different types kara kuzhambu made in our South Indian homes, each one has a distinct taste and flavor. I just love the combination of brinjal and drumsticks and it is very common in our house. I prefer to make all types of kuzhambus with gingely oil to get both the taste and the health benefits of it. 

Gingelly oil/Nalla ennai is cold pressed oil and has numerous health benefits. Cold pressed oils are produced through a  combination of grinding and low heat without any addition of chemicals. Gingelly oil is derived from sesame seeds, using this method. That is why I think it is named as “Nalla ennai” meaning “Good oil”. Try to incorporate ginglley oil as much as possible in your cooking… Check out other delicious South Indian -TamilNadu special Kuzhambu varieties here.

With that short note, let’s see how to make Kara kuzhambu with step by step photos…

Mango Pachadi Recipe/Maangai Pachadi - Tamil New Year's Day Special/Maangai Vellam Pachadi with step by step photos & Video/மாங்காய் பச்சடி

Mango pachadi is a must on Tamil New Years day, it is so special because it has all the six taste “arusuvai” [Innipu, uppu, pullippu, kasappu, urrapu and thuvarpppu]. Do try out this Mango Pachadi and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out the Tamil New Years Day Special Recipes & Menu here.  Also check out the video for the recipe in Tamil & English

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

Rajma Masala/Rajma Curry

Rajma Masala/ Rajma Curry is a healthy and easy masala to make, it is a one pot dish with no hassles. It is a perfect side dish for rotis and can also be had with rice. It is rich in proteins and fibres.

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

Pav Bhaji Mumbai Style

Pav Bhaji is a Maharashtrian fast food dish that originated in Mumbai. This dish was originally created by a vendor for the mill workers who had very little time to have their lunch. Pav in Marathi means a small loaf of bread and Bhaji means a vegetable dish. I am very lucky to have a Maharashtrian friend who made this bhaji for a get together. I fell in so much love with it, the first thing I did was to get the recipe from her and tried it and the bhaji came out fabulous.

It is a healthy one pot meal, which nobody should miss. Here’s the Mumbai style bhaji with step by step photos…

So why do you have to wait, just enjoy…

Surrakkai Kootu/Bottle Gourd Kootu

Surrakkai Kootu/Bottle Gourd Kootu is a very simple and easy dish to prepare. Bottle gourd has high water content makes it very cooling, calming, diuretic and easy to digest. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, when cooked with dhal it is a total package with proteins. Check out other delicious kootu varieties here.

Now let’s see how to make surrakkai kootu with step by step photos…

Potato,Peas & Capsicum curry/Aloo, Peas &Capsicum Curry

Potato, Peas & Capsicum curry is a one pot curry which is very easy to make and a very healthy dish.

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

Pineapple Kadhi

Ok guys, now that I had some pineapple left, I wanted to do something new. That is when I came across Pineapple Kadhi by Vahchef. I found it quite interesting because usually kadhi’s are made with yogurt, but here alternatively coconut milk is used. So I gave it a shot and it came out wonderful. It is one striking combination of coconut milk, with spices and pineapple making it a very big hit.

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

Pudalangai Kootu/Snake Gourd Kootu

Kootu is a simple and healthy dish. Kootu means vegetables added with lentils and is a side dish in a tamil feast. It can be mixed in rice and given to kids so they get the proteins from dhals and the vegetables at the same time. It is generally made either with Thoor dhal or Moong dhal or Bengal gram dhal. This pudalangai(snake gourd) kootu is made with moong dhal. Check out other delicious kootu varieties here.

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

Paneer Butter Masala - Restaurant Style/Paneer Butter Masala Recipe/Paneer Butter Masala with step by step photos

Paneer butter masala is a very rich and a delightful dish. It is so fascinating that nobody can say no to it. Paneer is a fresh cheese that can be made at home. Unlike other cheeses it is unaged and made by curdling heated milk with lemon juice. Also check out other interesting and mouthwatering Paneer Recipes here, other North Indian Subjis here.

Here’s how to make paneer butter masala with step by step photos…

Karuvepillai & Garlic Kuzambu Recipe/Curryleaves &Garlic Gravy/ Karuvepillai Kuzhambu/Curry LEaves Kuzhambu/Karuvepilai Kuzhambu with step by step photos

Karuvepilai is a very important ingredient in the South Indian cooking. It has many medicinal properties. But we usually remove the leaf and do not eat it. This karuvepilai kuzambu is one excellent way to consume karuvepilai. Curry leaves improves eyesight, a good remedy for indigestion. It helps in hair growth and prevents pre mature graying of hair.

The benefits of curry leaves are numerous, and this is one easy to get our kids to eat curry leaves. Check it out and you will surely love it. Check out other delicious South Indian -TamilNadu special Kuzhambu varieties here.

Here's how to make Karuvepillai Kuzhambu with step by step photos...

Aviyal

Aviyal is one of my husband’s all time favorite dish. It is one healthy dish with lots of different types of vegetables. Today when I was looking in my refrigerator to make something for dinner, I found only few beans, 2 carrots and all other vegetables only very little. Then I thought, yes I can make aviyal. Aviyal is a traditional dish from Kerala. It is very easy to make and has extraordinary taste and flavor.

Ennai Kathrikai Kuzambu/Brinjal Gravy

Ennai Kathrikai kuzambu, the name says everything. It is one of the traditional South Indian dishes. It is very simple to make and  you will never forget the taste of it once you have tasted it. Check out other delicious South Indian -TamilNadu special Kuzhambu varieties here.