Thirunelveli Sambar - Tamil Nadu Special

Thirunelveli also known as Nellai is a city in the Southern state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located on the banks of Thamirabarani River. Thirunelveli has a number of historical monuments, the Nellaiappar Temple being the most prominent. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and worshiped as Nellaiappar. Thiru-Nel-Veli(Thiru –shri, Nel –Paddi, Veli-Fence). It is believed that food grains collected for worship at the temple were protected from the floods by the fence, hence the name [source:www.Tirunelveli.com]. Apart from temples and natural beauty, Thirunelveli is famous for Iruttu Kadai Halwa, Sodhi and many more recipes. Today I am going to share with you all a very famous Thirunelveli Sambar which has unique flavor, taste and aroma. Do try out this Thirunelveli sambar and post your comments. Meanwhile, do check out other sambar varieties ,I have posted earlier.

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

Raw Mango Rice /How to make Mango rice/Maangai Saadham

Yes friends, as I promised earlier here is another mango recipe in the mango recipe series. Now that we are getting bags and bags of mangoes from our back yard, we are distributing a lot of them to friends, relatives and neighbours. We plucked some raw tangy mangoes from the tree and made mango rice. This rice is one special kind of variety rice, as it is prepared in Seemandham/Vallikappu [Baby Shower] Ceremony in Tamil Nadu. I have already posted Thengai Sadham/Coconut Rice, Lemon Rice/Elumichai Sadam, Thakkali Sadam/Tomato Rice, Curd Rice/Bagalabath, Bisibelabath/Sambar Rice etc. Do not forget to check out Vallikappu/SeemandhamRice Varieties here.

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

Simple Rasam/Rasam without Rasam powder/Rasam with Freshly Ground Rasam MasalaSimple Rasam Recipe

This simple rasam is my mom’s recipe and my all-time favourite. My mom never makes rasam powder, she always prepares the fresh rasam masala and it has unique taste, aroma and flavour. Do try this simple rasam, you will surely not forget the taste of it and will want to have more of it. Do not forget to check out other rasam varieties I have posted earlier.

Here’s how to make simple rasam with step by step photos…

Karuvepilai Podi/Curry Leaves Powder/How to make Karuvepillai Podi/Karuvepillai Podi

Karuvepillai podi/curry leaves powder is a boon to lot of bachelors living abroad and in hostels. I would say not just bachelors, when we are in no mood to cook and if we have karuvepillai podi handy, we can just pressure cook some white rice and enjoy the meals with chips or pappad. Karuvepillai podi, is available in most of the shops, but nothing can beat the fresh, homemade aromatic powder. Though I have shared the benefits of curry leaves several times earlier, I cannot stop myself from writing about it again. It is a nature’s gift to us right in our back yard, loaded with iron, calcium and vitamin A. Regular intake of curry leaves helps in preventing hair fall and greying of hair, not only that it also helps in the growth of healthy and beautiful hair. I think for now I will stop with this and let you know about another interesting recipe, I have shared earlier -  this instant  "Bachelor's Karuvepillai Kuzhambu” with this karuvepillai podi/curry leaves powder, which actually is a short cut and can be made in no time. I have also shared the regular karuvepillai kuzhambu where the curry leaves are ground freshly; do check it out in the corresponding links. I think it’s time now, I move on to the recipe. Do try out this karuvepillai podi friends and have a great day.  Do check out other South Indian Kuzhambu varieties here.

Here’s how to make Curry leaves Powder/Karuvepillai Podi with step by step photos…

Cabbage Vadai Recipe/Cabbage Paruppu Vadai Recipe/Cabbage Vadai with Channa Dal/MuttaiGose Vadai with Kadalai Paruppu

Making different types of snacks for the guest, our family and especially for kids is always a pleasure. We make different types of vadai, but adding vegetables to them is another way to make our kids eat vegetables. I know this might not be the healthy version, but we are not going to make fried foods every day at home, so making them once in a while is totally fine.

Here’s how to make Cabbage Vadai with step by step photos…

Chickpea Salad

Hello friends,

Today I am sharing a very healthy, filling, colorful and delicious chickpea salad. Check out oher interesting Salad varieties I have posted earlier in the links.

CarrotSalad [grated]
Cucumber Capsicum Salad
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Carrot Moongdal Salad[Gosumalli]
SproutedMoong dal Salad

Chickpea Salad
Grilled Pineapple

GrilledEggplant Salad [Grilled BrinjalSalad]

PineappleSalad

Here's how to make Chickpea Salad with step by step photos....

Mint Rasam/Pudhina Rasam/Mint Rasam Recipe/How to make easy Mint Rasam with step by step photos

Rasam plays a vital role in South Indian cooking especially in Tamil Nadu. In all our homes one kuzhambu, one vegetable and one rasam is must in everyday cooking. But we do make different kinds of rasam, with each one having a unique taste and flavour. This mint rasam is really unique has extraordinary flavour and tingles your taste buds. Do check out other rasam varieties here.

Here’s how to make Mint Rasam with step by step photos…

Lemon Sevai with Idiyappam sticks/Elumichhai Sevai/Lemon Rice Sevai

We can different types of sevai with idiyappam like coconut sevai, tomato sevai, puliyodarai sevai, sweet sevai etc, but I always love to have lemon sevai. Idiyappam/sevai is a very common and delectable South Indian breakfast made with rice flour. When you have left over idiyappam you can always flavour them with lemon or coconut or tomato or any ingredient of your choice. Here I have used the readymade concord rice sevai to make this lemon sevai. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

Here’s how to make Lemon Sevai with step by step photos…

Pakoda Kurma/Pakora Kurma

Pakoda kurma is a delectable, authentic and traditional recipes prepared in Tamil Nadu. Unlike the regular pakodas, these pakodas are prepared by soaking the lentils in water, ground with spices and then fried in oil. This kurma is prepared on special occasions like Diwali or as special treat for your family during weekend. It is a lovely accompaniment with Pulav or ghee rice or even with dosas and chapathis. Though the procedure might look lengthy, this kurma is very easy to make and is delicious. Do try this delectable and irresistible Pakoda Kurma and enjoy your day.

Here’s how to make Pakoda Kurma with step by step photos…

Green Peas Vadai Recipe/Dried Green Peas Vadai Recipe/Pacchai Patani Vadai Recipe/How to make Green Peas Vadai with step by step photos

Today I am going to share with you all a very quick, easy, colourful and tempting evening snack. This Green Peas Vadai is totally irresistible and another shortcut to get the kids to try the dried green peas. There are certain dishes which look very complicated, everybody might think this vadai is also in the same category. But to tell you the truth, this is one of the easiest fool proof and hazzle free vadais.  Do try this Green Peas Vadai for your evening snack with a cup of hot tea or coffee, then you will surely agree with me. Meanwhile do check out other interesting Starters/EveningSnacks/Appetizers here.

Here’s how to make Green Peas Vadai with step by step photos…

Grilled Eggplant Salad – North African Delight

Hello Friends,

Today I will be sharing with you all a very vibrant, colourful and exotic Grilled Eggplant salad. I came across this recipe in Master chef South Africa and fell immediately in love with it. Anything healthy, quick and easy to make, then I try it right away and believe it or not this salad is surely mind blowing.

Here’s how to make Grilled Eggplant Salad with step by step photos…

Lemon Dal [Thoor Dal with Lemon] Recipe/Nimmakaya Pappu Recipe/How to make Lemon Dal with step by step photos

Lemon Dal/Nimmakaya pappu is a very special, simple to make delicious and comforting dal. It is a very popular and a common dish prepared in AndhraPradesh –South India. This simple yet delectable lemon dal is tangy and perfectly balanced with the addition of green chillies and red chillies.

Here’s how to make Lemon Dal with step by step photos…

Carrot Kosumalli/Carrot & Moong Dal Salad

Today I am going to share with you all a very simple, healthy and colourful salad/kosumalli. Kosumalli is a salad made with raw vegetables and soaked moong dal. Kosumalli is a very popular and traditional salad prepared on special festival days, weddings and meals in South India.

Here’s how to make Carrot Kosumalli with step by step photos…

Vendhaya Kuzhambu/Fenugreek Seeds Gravy – Tamil Nadu Special

“Vendhaya Kuzhambu/Fenugreek Seeds Gravy” is a traditional and authentic kuzhambu prepared in all most all the homes of Tamil Nadu. I was looking at my recipe index and then I realized I have not posted some very common and important kuzhambu varieties of Tamil Nadu. So today I decided to post my mom’s Vendhaya Kuzhambu. Try this aromatic and flavourful Vendhaya Kuzhambu and have a great day.

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

Easy & Quick Rasam with Rasam Powder/Instant Tomato Rasam/Instant Tomato Rasam Recipe

Rasam is a staple South Indian Soup eaten with steamed rice or drank as such as soup. I just love rasam, when I am in no mood to cook then I make this simple and quick rasam with potato fry and enjoy my day. Do check out other RasamVarieties by clicking here.

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

Dill Leaves Vadai Recipe/Dill leaves Kadalai Paruppu Vadai/Dill Leaves Paruppu Vadai Recipe/Dill Leaves Vadai with Channa Dal

Dill leaves vadai is a very aromatic, delicate tasting and flavourful vada. Before going into the recipe I would like to share a few things about Dill leaves. Dill is native to Mediterranean and East European regions. Dill leaves are feathery, fern like and dark green in colour. Fresh and dried dill leaves are widely used as herbs in Russia, Germany, Greece, Poland, Norway and many other countries. In India dill is known as shepu in Marathi, savaa in Hindi, soa in Punjabi, sadhakuppu in Tamil, soa-kura in Telugu, sabbasige soppu in Kannada and chathakuppa in Malayalam. Dill is a unique plant, because both its leaves and seeds are used as seasoning. It is rich in vitamin A, C, B6, folates, riboflavin, calcium, iron and other important minerals. Dill has an essential oil called Eugenol, which has been in therapeutic use as local anaesthetic and antiseptic. Eugenol also has been found to reduce sugar levels in diabetics. Dill seeds have been used in traditional medicines for digestion, as disinfectant, for more milk production in nursing mothers and to cure neurological symptoms like headaches and neural instability. [Information collected from various websites including Wikipedia]. Do check out other Vadai Varieties here and other interesting Starters/EveningSnacks/Appetizers here.

Here’s how to make Dill leaves Vadai with step by step photos…

Rasam Powder Recipe/Home Made Rasam Powder/Rasa Podi/Rasm Podi Recipe

Today I am sharing a very flavourful and aromatic rasam powder. I usually don’t make rasam powder; I love the fresh rasam masala. But my MIL always makes rasam powder and stores it in air tight container. After my marriage things started to change slowly, I started to like the aromatic flavours of rasam powder. It comes in very handy for everyone, so that rasam can be made in minutes without a mixer or mortar & pestle. Try out this flavourful rasam powder and make rasam you will surely love it. Check out intersting and healthy Rasam Recipes here.

Here’s how to make Rasam Powder with photos…

Baba Ganoush Recipe– Middle Eastern Delight/How to make Baba Ganoush with step by step photos

Baba Ganoush is a dish made out of Eggplant/Aubergine/Kathrikkai, along with tahini paste, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. The Eggplant/Aubergine is baked or broiled over an open flame and the skin is peeled out. This is done to make the Eggplant pulp soft and to get a smoky taste. It is a very common and popular dip eaten along with kuboos/pita bread in the Middle East. I have had this Baba Ganoush several times in Lebanese restaurants when I used to live in USA. Another very similar and authentic dip/chutney made in Tamil Nadu [South India] is the Sutta Kathrikkai Chutney which also has the smoky taste along with Indian spices and seasoning. Do check out the Tahini Paste which is the base for the Baba Ganoush and also try out the Sutta Kathrikkai Chutney – South Indian version of Baba Ganoush.

Here’s how to make Baba Ganoush with step by step photos…

Kothamalli Thogaiyal Recipe/Cilantro Thogaiyal/Coriander leaves Thogaiyal [Without Coconut]

Today I am posting a very healthy, flavourful and delectable Kothamalli Thogaiyal. I love this thogaiyal, because of its course texture, slightly tangy and spicy taste and packed with flavours. Kothamalli thogaiyal does not get spoilt very easily for about 5-6 days when handled properly with clean spoon. It is rich in vitmains, minerals and packed with fiber. When making either kothamalli chutney or kothamalli thogaiyal, don’t just use the leaves, use the tender part of the stem also, it is loaded with fiber and helps in digestion. Before going into the recipe do check out other Chutney and thogaiyal varieties here.

Here’s how to make Kothamalli Thogaiyal 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.