It’s a lucky weekend

It’s a lucky weekend for me and my baby(my blog). I won a flipkart voucher for Rs.1000 from Annarasa for the “Favorite street food/dhaba food”. It was a very lovely event and happily participated in it, for more details about the event VISIT HERE.

Thank you Apu of Annarasa…

I won “Sanjeev Kapoor’s- Cooking with love” from Viji’s –Virundhu Unna Vaanga for the Soul Food Show she conducted. It was a very lovely event and I am very happy I participated in her event.

Thank you Viji of Virundhu Unna Vaanga…

Congrats Shey Divine and Shama Nagarajan

Instant Besan Flour Dosa with Zucchini/Kadalai Maavu Dosai/Kadalai Maavu Dosai Recipe with step by step photos

This is a very simple, quick and healthy dosa which involves no grinding and no fermentation. This is similar to Rajasthani Puda but has the additional benefit of zucchini added to it. Zucchini is a summer squash, is a very delicate vegetable which needs very little time to cook. I came across this dosa in Manjulas kitchen, but made some changes by adding different ingredients. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

Here’s how to make zucchini besan flour dosa with step by step photos…

Lemonade/Lemon Juice

Lemonade is a simple lemon juice, by squeezing some lemons adding sugar and salt. But is that it??? No, making perfect sugar syrup and adding right quantity of ingredients at the right time is very important to make refreshing lemon juice.  Drinking lemon juice is the perfect way to beat the heat…

Here’s how to make it…

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…

Kondakadalai Sundal Recipe/White Chickpea sundal Recipe- Navaratri Special Sundal/Vinayagar Chathurthi Special Sundal

Kondakadalai/Chickpea sundal is a very common and healthy sundal variety prepared during the pooja days especially on Vinayaka Chathurthi, Navarathri etc. It is a very healthy and a filling evening snack, packed with proteins and fibers.

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

Banana & Almonds Milkshake Recipe

The name says it all, nutritious and a healthy drink. You can have it for breakfast, in that case, just skip the ice cream and sugar. Healthy and filling breakfast is ready. This is especially for kids who don't eat banana, an easy way to make them drink the banana. Meanwhile do check out other interesting, tempting, refreshing and lip smacking Smoothies/Ice-creams/Milkshakes/Juices here.

Here's how to make it...

Brinjal Pan Fried/Fried Eggplant/Kathrikkai Varuval

This brinjal pan fry was passed on by my friend years back. After a very long time I am doing this egg plant fry, sometimes we have to refresh our memories  to do certain things and my blog is helping me with this.

Here’s how to make Pan Fried Brinjal with step by step photos…

Aval Upma/Poha Upma with Peas/Aval Upma Recipes/Aval Upma Recipe with step by step photos

Most of the days, I just don’t plan much about what is to be cooked for breakfast or to pack for lunch. It is always in the last minute I decide to make something and get things done with. Today was one among them, I was really tired, so woke up late, had to pack lunch and send the kids to school. I ended up making Aval/Poha upma in a jiffy and everything was done on time. To my surprise I could get some clicks, I could read my husband’s thoughts “what on earth is she doing…”. But it’s ok, jobs done, wait not just done but well done. This is mom's loving upma. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

 Ok guys, stories apart here’s  Aval/Poha upma with step by step photos…

Soft Idli /Idli – Traditional South Indian Breakfast/Soft Idli Recipe

Idli is a very traditional and a common breakfast found in all most all houses in Tamil Nadu. Even though we make lots of breakfast dishes, still idli is the queen of all the breakfast varieties. It is a very healthy dish because it is steamed, easy digestible and packed with proteins and carbohydrates. These are the same reasons for which we start giving idlis even for babies at 4 or 5 months old. This is the perfect idli my mom has been making for years, I learnt from her long time back and have been doing this the same way with no modifications. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

So now let’s see how to make soft idli’s...

Apple & Banana Milkshake Recipe

Do you want to start your day healthy and filling, than here it is - Apple & banana milkshake with generous amount of cinnamon powder and no added sugar. Meanwhile do check out other interesting, tempting, refreshing and lip smacking Smoothies/Ice-creams/Milkshakes/Juices here.

Here’s how to make it with photos…

Mushroom Biryani Recipe/Kalaan Biryani/How to make Mushroom Biryani with step by step photos/Lunch Box Recipe/One Pot Meals

Since it was a vegetarian day and I was running out of all vegetables but had a big box of mushrooms so I thought I will make a mushroom pulav.  But I was getting really bored to make a pulav, so decided to make biryani.

I remember seeing mushroom biryani in sharmi’s space, but I made changes by grinding different ingredients and believe it or not it tasted like mutton biryani and made my day. Everybody in my house was happy and gobbled it up, so I am sharing it with you all. It is a great one pot meal perfect for parties and get-togethers. Also check out other interesting Vegetarian Pulavs/Biryanis/Rice Varieties here and Non Vegetarian Biryanis/Pulavs/Rice Varieties here

Here’s how to make mushroom biryani with step by step photos…

Sprouted Moong Dal Salad/Green Gram Salad

 

Here’s a very healthy and filling salad…

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…

Pepper Rasam/Milagu Rasam/Milagu Rasam Recipe/Easy & Healthy Pepper Rasam Recipe

Rasam plays a vital role in  South Indian meals especially Tamil Nadu , no meal is complete without rasam. We make it every day at our homes but each time with different flavor and a twist. 

Whenever I go on trips and come back the very first thing I prefer after I come back will be a simple pepper rasam for two reasons, the  first is  the taste is mind blowing and the second is, it can be made in 10 minutes. Just have it with rice and appalam and your day is complete.

Today my little one has a very bad cold, so I made pepper rasam which is absolutely the best remedy for cold and gets easily digested. Check out my other  rasam varieties here

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

Almond Cookies/Badam Cookies [Eggless]

Hello everybody, since it is weekend I thought I will make some cookies and share it with you all. These cookies are very filling, healthy and perfect with a cup of milk for your kids. Just try these and you will surely love it…

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…

Focaccia Bread with Onions, Olives & Herbs [Italian Bread]

Focaccia is an Italian bread, which can be made either savory or sweet. It is one of the easiest breads to make, here I have made Focaccia with onions, olives and herbs as toppings. It can be changed according to your taste as well. I have had focaccia bread several times but wanted to give it a try. So I referred to food network  and made it for my kids. The bread came out great, so I thought I will share it with you all.

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

Gulab Jamun With Milk Powder

Gulab jamun is an all time favorite sweet for anybody and everybody. It is one of the traditional Indian desserts found in all occasions. Here I thought I will make Gulab Jamuns with milk powder and share it with you all.

Here’s the delicious Gulab jamuns with step by step photos…

Vendakkai Garlic Pepper Fry Recipe/Vendakkai Milagu Varuval/Okra Garlic Pepper Fry Recipe/ Ladies Finger Garlic Pepper Fry with step by step photos and Video

This vendakkai fry is entirely different from the one in my previous Vendakkai Curry. This is garlic and pepper okra fry which is chef Dhamus recipe which I have been doing for years. It has all the benefits of garlic and pepper bundled together with okra. For me this okra fry is a  perfect replacement for the Pepper Chicken on vegetarian days. Please like, share and subscribe to my you tube channel Priyas Virundhu-https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTsVaemF70ifZPLfgtEvMjg

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…

Give Away At Simply Tadka By Preethi

Hi Friends,

My friend Preethi has announced Give Away @Simply Tadka, with wonderful and exciting  prizes that can be chosen by us.
Please visit her website and follow the rules mentioned by her. Have fun and happy blogging.

Until then I am signing off...

Baby Potato Roast/Fry - Method I

This baby potato fry/roast is my family’s favorite. It is very easy and can be made very quickly as well.  I came across this recipe long time back in a television show and since then have been making this. Whenever I make these it just vanishes the very next minute I put it on the dining table. Any way guys give it a shot, you will surely like it.

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

Lemon Rasam/Elumichham Pazham Rasam/Lemon Rasam Recipe

South Indian Meals is never complete without rasam, there are different varieties of rasams and lemon rasam has a special place in it. The lemon rasam is made with thoor dhal or paasi paruppu so we get all the benefits of dhal and also in enriched with vitamin C because of the lemon juice. I used to crave this rasam a lot when I was pregnant and will ask my friend to make it and give. Ok guys, try out this lemon rasam you will surely love it. Check out my other  Rasam Varieties here...

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

Peas Pulav Recipe/Simple & Quick Peas Pulav /Matar Pulav Recipe/பச்சை பட்டாணி புலாவ்/How to make Peas Pulav with Video in English and Tamil/Quick Lunch Box Recipe

Peas pulav is a simple one pot meal hassle free and can be made very quickly. It is perfect for get together’s when you have lot of other dishes to make and is also best for packing as lunch. I have used coconut milk to make this peas pulav because my kids love it like that and it also gives extra flavor but you can as well replace it with just water. Check out other interesting Vegeterian Pulavs/Biryanis/Rice Varieties here.  

Here’s how to make peas pulav with step by step photos and Video…

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…

Potato Masala for Pooris Recipe/ Poori Masala Recipe/Aloo Masala for Pooris/Potato Poori Masala Recipe-South Indian Style

This is a very common and a simple potatao masala which is given as side dish for puris in all the restaurants. It is very easy and taste the same as the restaurant ones.

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

Tomato Gravy/Thakkali Kuzhambu

Tomato gravy is one of the special South Indian gravies especially made in Tamil Nadu. It is totally packed with Vitamin C and perfect for a light meal for any day. Sometimes I enter at the last minute in to the kitchen, without any plans of what to cook. At those times, this gravy comes in very handy, because it can be made in  a jiffy. Check out other delicious South Indian -TamilNadu special Kuzhambu varieties here.

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

Mango Rava Kesari/Mambaza Kesari

Mango kesari is a popular dessert and offered by many caterers for any occasions. The sweetness of mango combined with the delicacy of Kesari makes this mouth watering dessert. Since mangoes are available abundant in this season, I thought why not make a mango kesari and share it with you all. Meanwhile do not forget to check out other interesting and tempting Diwali Sweets & Snacks here.

Here’s how to make mango kesari with step by step photos…

Green Beans Poriyal/Curry

A simple beans poriyal, just right for any day. I don’t think green beans needs any  introduction. So here’s the green beans poriyal…

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 Jam

I bought some raw mangoes to make mango gravy (kuzhambu). But I was just procrastinating things because of my laziness. The raw mangoes turned to delicious ripe mangoes. Then I came across mango jam, found it interesting. So I thought I will give it a shot and share it with you all. It is just fabulous,  you should surely try it...

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