Simple & Quick Potato Gravy

This potato gravy is a very simple and quick to make. I usually make this for my kids, they love it because of the coconut milk. I make another version of potato gravy in which I add tamarind extract, but this one can be made in a jiffy to pack for lunch in the morning rush.

Here’s the simple potato gravy with step by step photos…

Vatha Kuzhambu (Sundakkai Vatha Kuzhambu)

Vatha kuzhambu is a very traditional and authentic dish made in Tamil Nadu. Here I have used Sundakkai vathal or Turkey berry (dried)/Bhankatiya [Hindi] to make this healthy and mind blowing gravy. I learnt this vatha kuzhambu from my mom after I got married and ever since have been making the same without any changes. Check out other delicious South Indian -TamilNadu special Kuzhambu varieties here.

Before going in to making of this vatha kuzhambu I surely want to share the importance and the benefits of sundakkai. Sundakkai is called as Turkey berry; it has extraordinary medicinal values which can cure many diseases. Turkey berry is a green colored fruit with bitter taste, it can be used fresh or in dried form as vathal. Turkey berries (sundakkai) have the ability to kill the germs, helps in controlling diabetes, gastric problems and when consumed on daily basis helps in strengthening the bones and nerves.

Now coming back to the recipe here’s how to make Sundakkai Vatha Kuzhambu with step by step photos…

Palak Paneer Recipe/Palak Paneer/ Spinach Paneer Recipe/Palak Paneer with step by step photos

Palak paneer is a very popular North Indian dish made with spinach and paneer. This is made by puréeing the spinach and infusing it with wonderful aromatic spices to bring out the buttery taste of the spinach and finally adding the paneer to give it a final punch. Also check out other interesting and mouthwatering Paneer Recipes here, other North Indian Subjis here.

Here’s how to make Palak Paneer with step by step photos….

Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu/Lentil balls Gravy

I have been cooking all vegetarian for the past two weeks which is very unusual of me. I was so worn out and tired because of a very hectic week end but did not want to make sambar. So I decided to make paruppu urudai kuzhambu because it’s been so many days after I made it. Check out other delicious South Indian -TamilNadu special Kuzhambu varieties here.

So here’s Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu 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...

Mushroom Do Piaza Recipe/Mushroom Do Piaza/How to make Mushroom Do Piaza with step by step photos

I have had Do Piaza several times in Indian restaurants, but never ventured in to making one. Do Piaza mean “two onions”, it gets its name because onions appear twice in the cooking process (Google). I came across many recipes, but after all the experiments I have settled with the one below. Since I am on fasting for this week and the coming week I am posting all vegetarian dishes and here’s mushroom do piazza, you can very well replace the mushrooms with chicken or mutton.

So here’s how to make Mushroom Do Piaza 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

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…