Lemon Couscous – Indian Style/Lemon Couscous Recipe/How to make Lemon Couscous Recipe with step by step photos

Couscous is a traditional Berber [kind of food eaten in North Africa] dish of semolina which is cooked by steaming. It is traditionally served with meat or vegetables. Couscous is a staple food throughout the North African cuisines of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania and Libya. The process of manufacturing couscous is labour-intensive. The semolina is sprinkled with water and rolled with the water and rolled with hands to form small pellets, sprinkled with dry flour to keep them separate and then sieved. Any pellets which are too small to be finished granules of couscous and fall through the sieve are again rolled and sprinkled with dry semolina and rolled into pellets. [Info source: Wikipedia]. These pellets are packed and sold in the shop as couscous. Here I have prepared the same couscous with Indian spices and lemon juice. This lemon couscous can be had for lunch with any vegetable stir fry or for dinner with just pickles. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

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

Chilli Paneer Dry/Easy Paneer Recipes/Chilli Paneer Recipe/Chilli Paneer Recipe with step by step photos

There is one big problem I am coming across every day, it is definitely not cooking, it is not teaching lessons for kids, it is not the household work, it is not shopping but it is writing an introduction for the recipes. I write a few things, delete it, then rewrite and then somehow settle with a few lines and then move ahead. Coming to today’s recipe I made chilli paneer dry version, which is yet another delectable paneer dish found in all the restaurant menus. This is another simple and quick paneer dish made with onions, capsicums, blended with sauces and Indian spices. Also check out other interesting and mouthwatering Paneer Recipes here, other North Indian Subjis here.

Here’s how to make Chilli Paneer Dry with step by step photos…

Chettinad Egg Curry – TamilNadu Special

Today in Priya’s Virundhu it is a very authentic, traditional and easy recipe of South India, it is the Chettinad Egg curry. This egg curry is a perfect blend of Indian spices, roasted and ground freshly and used immediately to make the gravy. The fresh and aromatic spices infused together with rest of the ingredients and give a perfect coating for the boiled eggs. Check it out friends you will surely love it, no one can surely resist this spicy and delicious curry.

Here’s how to make Chettinad Egg Curry with step by step photos….

How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs?

Making hard boiled eggs is a very basic and essential part of cooking for everyone. My husband is crazy about eggs; the only thing he says is you need not cook anything. Just give me some eggs, rice and yogurt. He can survive with it for days. Having said that I am moving on to share with you all how to make these hard boiled eggs. I know you all should be experts in making hard boiled eggs but still I am sharing it for those who are new to cooking.

Here’s how to make Hard Boiled Eggs with step by step photos…

Kadaai Paneer/Paneer Recipes/Kadaai Paneer Recipe/How to make Kadaai Paneer with step by step photos

Since I was born and brought up in South India, paneer was not cooked at home when I was a small kid, we used to have paneer dishes at restaurants and at special occasions. But later on things started to change, we started to make paneer at home and incorporate in many recipes. Now it is so common and my kids also love paneer  I make several paneer dishes referring to books and recipes from friends. This kadai paneer is a very famous and common dish found in almost all the Indian restaurants and my husband’s favourite. check out other interesting and mouthwatering Paneer Recipes here, other North Indian Subjis here.

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

Crostini with Cherry Tomatoes & Mozzarella/Crostini with Cherry Tomatoes & Mozzarella Cheese with step by step photos

For this month’s IFC challenge we are exploring the Campania cuisine of Italy chosen by Priya Suresh. Campania is a highly populated region in the Southern Italy, located on the Italian Peninsula with the Mediterranean Sea to the West.

Campania’s exuberant cuisine relies on sun-kissed vegetables and herbs, salty capers, dried pasta and fresh farmhouse cheeses, chief among them water buffalo’s Mozzarella. Campania is home to over 80% of Italy’s water buffaloes, so the Campani produce a number of delicious water buffalo’s milk cheeses. For this month’s IFC challenge I chose to do the Corstini with cherry tomatoes & mozzarella. Thanks a lot Mrs. Priya for the wonderful challenge.

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

Pasiparuppu Murukku/Moong Dal Murukku - Easy Diwali Snacks

Wishing all my friends, readers a very Happy Diwali and a year filled with happiness, success and prosperity. Have a safe and wonderful Diwali….

Having said that the past couple of days I was so busy with shopping, cooking, meeting friends, prayers etc. could not find time to blog. I made lot of snacks and sweets of which I am going to share Pasiparuppu Murukku/Moong dal Murukku with you all. A very crispy, quick and easy murukku when you are really pressed on time.

Here’s how to make Pasiparuppu Murukku/Moongdal Murukku with step by step photos…

CWS Event – Cooking With Seeds - Wheat

Happy to announce that I am hosting Priya’s –CWS [Cooking With Seeds] event at my space. Priya akka is a versatile blogger and a great inspiration to all the other blogger. Do check out her innovative  recipes at Priya’s Versatile Recipes. Thanks a lot Priya akka for letting me host your wonderful event and for designing the beautiful logo for the event.

A little about “Wheat” – Wheat is a cereal grain originally from the East and Ethiopian Highlands, but now cultivated worldwide. Raw wheat can be ground into flour or using hard durum wheat can be ground into semolina, it is germinated and dried creating malt, crushed or cut into cracked wheat, parboiled, dried, crushed and de-branned into bulgur. Wheat plays a vital role and also a major ingredient in food such as bread, rotis, porridge, crackers, biscuits, pies, cakes etc. So what are you waiting for friends, cook anything with wheat and link it in the linky tool.

Pottukadalai Murukku/Fried Gram Murukku

Are you running out of time to make Diwali snacks? Then Pottukadalai murukku is the right answer for you. You can use the store bought rice flour and mix it with pottukadalai flour and few more ingredients and tada… your soft & crunchy murukku is ready in minutes. Pottukadalai Murukku/Fried Gram Murukku is crunchy, crispy and delicious murukku and my childhood favourite. The flavour of cumin seeds infused with the buttery taste of pottukadalai/fried gram gives a heavenly taste. Do check out other Diwalisnacks & sweets here.

Here’s how to make Pottukadalai Murukku with step by step photos…

Ashoka Halwa Recipe– Thiruvaiyar Halwa /Diwali Special Sweets/Ashoka Halwa/How to make Ashoka Halwa with step by step photos

Ashoka Halwa is a traditional and a very famous sweet in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu usually served as a dessert. The name is very fascinating and interesting, but I don't know why or how it got it's name. It is made in special occasions like weddings, baby shower etc and also during festival seasons. This halwa is prepared with moong dal as main ingredient which is rich in protein and fiber.  Do try it out friends, it is very easy and quick Diwali sweet. Check out other Halwa Varieties here and Diwali sweets and snacks here.

Here’s how to make Ashoka Halwa with step by step photos…

Stuffed Capsicum Masala/Stuffed Bell Pepper Masala

Though this stuffed capsicum masala looks very hard to make, it is really very easy and has immense flavour and taste. I have made potato filling for the stuffing which can be replaced with tomato cheese filling or potato & peas masala filling or anything of your choice. The stuffed capsicum masala is very filling, one stuffed capsicum and two rotis makes one whole meal. I have used different colored capsicums, you can make with any coloured capsicums depending on availability.

Here’s how to make Stuffed Capsicum Masala with step by step photos…

Bhoondi Ladoo/Boondhi Ladoo – Diwali Special

Bhoondi ladoo is a very popular and traditional sweet prepared for festivals, special occasions, weddings etc. Ladoos are offered as neivedhyam for poojas in temples and given as prasad to everyone. Ladoo comes from the Sanskrit word “ladduka” meaning a small ball. Bhoondi ladoo is made with besan flour and sugar syrup along with nuts and raisins.

Here’s how to make Bhoondi Ladoo with step by step photos….

Mint Coconut Chutney/Pudhina Thengai Chutney [Side dish for Idlis & Dosas]

Today in Priyas Virundhu it is very healthy, simple and delicious Mint coconut chutney. It is very common and delectable chutney prepared in most of the houses in South India. Check out other chutney varieties here.

Here’s how to make Mint Coconut Chutney with step by step photos….

Jangiri /Jhangiri – Diwali Special [300 th Post] With Video

Hello friends,

Today I am so happy that this post is a double dhamaka for me, because this is my 300^th post and my blog has reached 3.1 lakh pageviews. First of all I would like to thank each and every one of you for your kind support and encouragement that made all this possible. When I started this blog, I never thought I would be able to come this far. This journey of blogging is marvelous, the happiest part is meeting lot of new friends virtually and learning lot of new things every day. I would once again like to thank all of you for showing your love with your kind and beautiful words. To celebrate this lovely moment I made Jangiris as a special treat to each and every one of you. As you all know Jangiri is a traditional and authentic South Indian sweet made with Urad dal with out any fermentation and soaked in sugar syrup made especially during festivals and special occasions.

Here’s how to make Jangiri/Jhangiri with step by step photos…

Kara Boondi/Bhoondhi – Easy Diwali Snacks

Hello Friends,

Diwali is round the corner and I think all of you must be very busy planning to make traditional, authentic sweets and snacks at home. I still remember those days when we were kids, my mom starts the Diwali sweets & snacks 4-5 days ahead and it is really fun. Since we were four kids my mom used to make huge batches of Murukkus, Ribbon pakodas, Oma podi, kara sev etc, but we used to finish it off so fast. Anyway friends today I prepared Kara Boondi for my kids and I am sharing it with you all. Check out other Diwali Sweets & Snacks here.

Here’s how to make Kara Boondi with step by step photos…

Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe [Eggless] in Microwave /Vanilla MugCake Recipe with step by step photos

Now that term holidays have started for my girls, I am really busy running around with them. Today I just made a simple Vanilla mug cake in microwave which can be made in a jiffy. It is delectable and easy to make, the best part is the individual portions.

Here’s how to make Vanilla Mug Cake with step by step photos…

Carrot Chutney [Side dish/dips for Idlis, dosas, rotis etc]

For me, getting the kids to eat different vegetables is a big challenge, I think it is the same with many parents. And also when it comes to packing lunch for kids, my girl prefers to have only idlis, dosas, sandwich and rotis and no rice. So I make different types of chutneys all colorful and healthy ones as side dish/dips to pack for lunch. So here is one such chutney, none other than the interesting, healthy and delicious Carrot Chutney. Please check out my other Chutney Varieties here.

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

Egg Omelette [Indian Style]/Masala Omelette

 I make eggs every day in my house, it could be just regular fried eggs, boiled or scrambled ones, I think it is the same with all of you. But these omelettes are my life saver. When I am really tired of cooking and very lazy, I just make these omelettes and serve it with simple rasam  and white rice. I also make these omelettes and serve them with bread and some tomatoes for breakfast. Anyone can make this  filling, simple and quick egg omelette without any hassles.

Here’s how to make Egg Omelette with step by step photos…

Mangalore Chicken Ghee Roast Recipe/Chicken Ghee Roast Recipe/How to make Chicken Ghee Roast with step by step photos

This Chicken Ghee Roast is very famous in Mangalore, you will surely get to see it in all the restaurant menus. Whenever I get to visit my friend I love to have this chicken, usually this chicken with made with bone and skin. The aroma of the ghee, curry leaves and bright red color of the chicken you will surely finish it off in no time. Here I have used the boneless chicken. Make sure you should be generous with the amount of ghee which gives the unique taste and flavour to this chicken roast. Also check out other interesting and mouthwatering Chicken Varuvals/Fry/Biryanis/Gravies etc here, Mutton/goat Meat Recipes,Fish & Egg Recipes

Here’s how to make Chicken Ghee Roast with step by step photos….

Spicy Egg Masala

This is a very simple, quick and delectable Egg masala, my hubby’s all-time favourite. Since egg masala is commonly prepared in most of our homes, I am going straight away to the recipe.

Here’s the Spicy Egg Masala with step by step photos…

Palak Chicken Curry Recipe/Spinach Chicken Curry Recipe/How to make Palak Chicken with step by step photos

Wishing all my Muslim friends  and readers a very Happy EID. Today in Priya’s virundhu it is a very delectable, common and a very famous North Indian dish – Palak Chicken Curry/Spinach Chicken Curry. This palak chicken curry is a beautiful blend of spinach with chicken, infused with all aromatic Indian spices. Try it out friends you will all love it. Also check out other interesting and mouthwatering Chicken Varuvals/Fry/Biryanis/Gravies etc here, Mutton/goat Meat Recipes,Fish & Egg Recipes. Also check out other interesting and mouthwatering Paneer Recipes here, other North Indian Subjis here.

Here’s how to make Palak Chicken Curry/Spinach Chicken Curry with step  by step photos…

Rava Payasam/Semolina/Sooji Kheer [Festival Special]

Wishing all readers and friends a very “Happy Vijayadashami”. Each day of Navaratri is dedicated to one form of Parashakthi. Vijayadashami is the last day of Navaratri on which Durga invoked as Mahishasuramardhini and destroyed all the evil elements and killed Mahishasuran. Not only Durga’s victory over Mahishashuran but also Lord Rama’s victory over the ten headed demon king Ravana is celebrated on this special day. Vijayadashami literally means “victory on the dashmi-the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar”.

Vijayadashami marks a new victorious start in South India. It is considered very auspicious day for starting formal education on Vijayadashami. It has been observed as the day of “Vidyarambham”, the “beginning of learning” for centuries. The custom goes by making the children aged two to three years to write their first letters “ohm” and the first alphabet "aah in Tamil" in a plate of raw rice [nellu] by the guru with the right index finger in temples and schools. Students keep their books and workers their tools for puja on the ninth day of Navratri[Ayudha Puja, Saraswathi Puja], these are taken back and used after special puja on the tenth day[Vijayadasami]. Not only studies any form of art like Bharatanatiyam, musical instruments, Carnatic music etc. are started on this auspicious day and special respect and gifts offered to Gurus[teachers]. Check out other Payasam Varieties here.

Here’s how to make Rava Payasam with step by step photos…

Sakkarai Pongal Recipe/Sweet Pongal with Jaggery/Chakkarai Pongal Recipe/Sakkarai Pongal with step by step photos

Sakkarai Pongal/Sweet Pongal with jaggery is an authentic and traditional dish prepared on special pooja days and occasions for neivedhyam. Usually sakkarai pongal is prepared in “vengala paanai” [bronze pot] or in a mud pot, but here I used a regular heavy bottomed vessel. Sakkarai Pongal is made with rice, dal, jaggery , milk and ghee on Pongal – Harvest festival of Tamil Nadu and offered to Sungod. Today being Puratasi [Tamil Month] Saturday, I made this special sakarai pongal for Lord Venkateshwara. Puratasi month is very important for Tamilians because it is believed that lord Venkateshwara appeared on the Earth in this month. All the Saturdays of puratassi month fasting is observed and special prayers are performed. Sometimes fasting is carried out throughout the month also. Also check out other interesting facts about Pongal-Harvest Festival/Pongal Menu here

Here’s how to make Sakkarai Pongal with step by step photos.

Potato 65 Recipe/Aloo 65 Recipe/Hyderabadi Style Aloo 65 Recipe/How to make Aloo 65 with step by step photos

Now that the weather is getting really cold, I made this scrumptious Potato 65 which I came across years back in one of the magazines when I was in Chennai. This potato 65 may look spicy with all the red chillies and green chillies, but they are not. This potato 65 is my kids favourite and they can finish one whole plate at one time. Few other 65 recipes I have posted earlier and worth visiting are Chicken 65, Hyderabadi Chicken 65, Prawn 65 , Cauliflower/Gobi 65 and Mushroom 65.

Here’s how to make Potato 65 with step by step photos.

Spooky Witches Fingers and A Prize

This Spooky Witches Fingers is for the Home Bakers Challenge started by Mrs.Priya Suresh and this month hosted by Mrs. Nalini . Thanks a lot Nalini for this wonderful challenge and my kids loved these spooky cookies.

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

Dates & Banana Smoothie

Are you looking for a healthy and a filling breakfast? Then here it is Dates & Banana Smoothie. Just blend it in the mixer and your on-the-go breakfast is ready. Dates are good source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, sugar and energy. These essential minerals and vitamins help in strengthening the bones, curing anaemic conditions, intestinal disorders, boosts the nervous health etc. Dates along with bananas and milk make this Smoothie a super-rich and healthy breakfast.

Here’s how to make Dates & Banana Smoothie with step by step photos…

Onion Chutney /Onion Thokku– My mom’s Version [Side dish for Idlis, Dosas etc]

Today in Priya’s Virundhu it is a very authentic and traditional recipe of South India, none other than the Onion Chutney. But this onion chutney is a little different from the regular onion chutney. This onion chutney is my mom’s version which she learnt from my grandma. This onion chutney is commonly prepared in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu in most of the houses. This is very delicious and easy onion chutney that can be prepared in a jiffy. So try it out friends you will really like it. Check out the other chutney varieties here.

Here’s how to make Onion Chutney with step by step photos…

Hello Kitty Cake for Birthday Party/Hello Kitty Cake Recipe/How to make Hello Kitty Cake with step by step photos

Hello friends,

Last week was my little girls birthday, she loves Hello kitty so I ventured into making one for her. Though I have baked cakes, I have not done the piping of frosting before. So I tried my hands on it , my girls and all my friends liked it a lot. The cake was really a very big hit in her party. I thought of sharing with all of you so that it will come in handy for you all. Please check out how to make Vanilla Cake and Mascarpone Cheese Frosting in the respective links.

Here’s how to make Hello Kitty Cake with step by step photos…

Mascarpone Cheese Frosting & Whipped Cream Frosting for Cakes Recipes with step by step photos

There are many types of frosting or icing that is made in different ways for the cakes. I personally prefer soft, light and fluffy cream for the cakes rather than the fondants. Last week I made the Mascarpone cheese frosting for my little girl’s Hello Kitty birthday cake, which I will be posting soon. For now I am posting the mascarpone cheese frosting and whipped cream frosting which can be used on any type of cakes, cupcakes and even Tiramisu.

Here’s how to make Mascarpone Cheese Frosting and Whipped Cream Frosting with step by step photos…

Mascarpone Cheese Frosting

Paasi Paruppu Sundal Recipe/Moong Dal Sundal – Navarathri Special Sundal

Wishing all my lovely friends and readers a very “Happy Navaratri”. Navaratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. Navaratri means nine nights, during these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakthi are worshipped. In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, a special display of dolls and figurines (Golu) in the odd numbered steps (padis) will be held in the houses and temples. This year Navaratri is celebrated from Oct 5, 2013 to Oct 13, 2013. All these nine nights special poojas are performed and neivedhyams like sundals and payasams are offered to the Goddess and distributed as prasad to all the family members and to the guests visiingt our house.  Today being the first day of Navaratri, I am sharing a very simple, quick and easy paasi paruppu sundal/moong dal sundal with you all. Check the other sundal varieties and payasam varieties here. Please click on Navaratri Specials  for more details about Golu and Navaratri celebrations.

Here’s how to make Paasi Paruppu/Moon Dal Sundal with step by step photos…

Savoury Kugelhopf – Eggless

For this month’s IFC challenge we are exploring French cuisine chosen by Shobana. French cuisine is one of the most challenging vast cuisines of the world. In particular Alsace-Lorraine region is chosen for the challenge which inherits partly German and partly French Culture.

Alsace and Lorraine are separate regions in France’s North-Eastern corner, and share borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland. Alsatian cuisine, is based on Germanic culinary traditions, is marked by the use of pork in various forms. Traditional dishes include baeckeoffe, tarte flambee, quiche lorraine, choucroute and fleischnacka. Southern Alsace, also called the Sundgau is characterized by carpe frite that also exists in Yidish tradition. Though there are many recipes to try from this region, we were asked to pick one from Tarte Flambee, Kugelhopf and Quiche Lorriane.

I chose to make Savoury Kugelhopf, which is soft yeasted cake. Kugelhopf is usually a sweet cake made with raisins, almonds etc but this Kugelhopf is a savoury bread filled with vegetables like onions, bell pepper, tomatoes and zuchhini.