Apple Halwa Recipe/Apple Halwa/How to make Apple Halwa with step by step photos

Today I am so happy and excited because this is my 200^th post, this is all possible because of all of your encouragement. Exactly this day five months back I started blogging and I have made lot of nice friends, learnt a lot of new things and I am having a wonderful experience. For the 200^th post I wanted to do something special and delicious because this is my special dedication to all of you. Also do not forget to check out other interesting Diwali Sweets & Snacks here.

Here’s Apple Halwa with step by step photos…

MY SPECIAL DEDICATION TO ALL MY READER’S ….

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...

Honeydew Melon Milkshake Recipe

Before starting off with the milkshake, I wanted to share a few things about honeydew melon. Honeydew melon belongs to the same family of cantaloupe (melon family), except that honeydew melon has a green flesh and is the sweetest of all the melons. Honey dew melon is a good source of Vitamin C and a perfect cooler for summer. This milkshake serves a perfect breakfast, it’s very filling and keeps you fresh all day…

Here’s Honeydew Melon milkshake…

Quick & Fast Potato Fry

Given ‘potato’ as an ingredient to cook, we can make n number of dishes, this quick potato fry is one among them. This is my mom’s special potato fry, I make this very often because it can be done in a jiffy and packed for lunch. My girl is crazy about this potato fry, she can finish one whole box of this potato fry.

Here’s how to make Quick Potato Fry with step by step photos…

Mysore Bonda Recipe/Urad dal Bonda Recipe/How to make Mysore Bonda with step by step photos

Our families all time favorite is my mom’s special Mysore Bonda. My little girl is crazy about Mysore Bondas. Even if I plan to make Urad dal Vadai, I will always set aside one portion of batter just to make bondas for her. So this special Mysore Bonda is for all fathers out there, Wishing all Fathers a Happy Father’s Day. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and mouth-watering Starters/Appetizers/Evening Snacks here.

So here’s Mysore Bonda 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…

Gobi 65/Cauliflower 65 Restaurant Style

Gobi 65/Cauliflower 65 is a perfect evening snacks for kids, my kids just finish the whole batch after they come back from school. Usually I don’t add these many ingredients to make Gobi 65, it used to be very simple just corn flour, chilli power and yogurt. But recently I came across Gobi 65 –restaurant style in Aval vikatan which was quite interesting. But I made a few alterations by adding rice flour, ginger & garlic paste, black pepper powder to add more taste to it. It was just fantastic bursting with flavors, so I thought I will share it with you all.

So here’s Gobi 65/Cauliflower 65 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…

Tomato Rasam/Thakkali Rasam/Tomato Rasam Recipe/Easy Tomato Rasam Recipe

It can be a hot day or a cold day, thakkali rasam is a perfect way to complete your meal. In my house rasam is a must every day, it can be paruppu rasam, pepper rasam, tomato rasam or any rasam that does not matter. But each and every rasam has a unique taste and also can be had as an appetizer. Sometimes when I am very tired and lazy I just make tomato rasam and pappadam, believe it or not the whole pot of rasam gets over in my house in no time. Check out my other  Rasam Varieties here...

Here’s how to Tomato Rasam with step by step photos…

Kezhvaragu Koozh/Ragi Koozh/Finger Millet Porridge/Kezhvaragu Koozh Recipw with step by step photos

Kezhvaragu Koozh is a traditional Tamil Nadu dish which is an excellent cooler and nutritious one pot meal. This koozh is especially prepared in the month of “Aadi” for Amman and distributed to everybody in all the Amman temples and houses. In my mother’s house we prepare rice kanji for Amman, but in my in-laws it has been a tradition to prepare koozh for Amman. My MIL prepares koozh, mochai kottai kara kuzhambu, drumsticks leaves poriyal, Pidi kozhukkatai  and offer it to Amman in the month of “Aadi” and we all do special prayers and distribute it to everybody. Though I was not used to koozh, but after my marriage I have fallen in love with this healthy koozh. So this is my MIL’ s special Amman Koozh...

And also do check my other Ragi Dishes here

Here’s how to make Kezhvaragu Koozh with step by step photos…

Mango Chocolate Marble Cake Recipe [Egg less & Butter less]/Marble Chocolate Cake Recipe with step by step photos

This Mango Chocolate Marble Cake is for the second Home Baker’s Challenge started by Mrs. Priya Suresh and hosted by Mrs. Sangee Vijay. Thank you very much Mrs. Priya Suresh and Mrs. Sangee Vijay for this wonderful and exciting challenge.

This month challenge was to bake mango and chocolate cake announced by Mrs. Sangee Vijay. Though she gave both egg and the eggless version, I chose to do the eggless and the butter less version which was simply superb and yummy.

Here’s how to make Mango Chocolate Marble Cake with step by step photos…

Chicken Salna Recipe/Thattukadai Chicken Salna Recipe/How to make Chicken Salna with step by step photos

Chicken Salna is a perfect combo with parota available in almost all the street food shops (Thattukadais). When we  stroll along the streets of Chennai or any other town in Tamil Nadu we can find this chicken salna very commonly. The masala which we grind to make this Salna makes it very special because it is cooked very slowly with chicken to infuse together to give a magical taste. You can very well replace chicken with mutton and serve it with hot parotta or even make a vegetarian version with just vegetables. 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 salna with step by step photos…

Kathirikai Poriyal/Brinjal Poriyal

This is a simple kathirikai poriyal found in most of the South Indian homes but made differently in each house hold. This is my mom’s version of brinjal poriyal which has the tangy taste of tomatoes infused together with all the spices which taste awesome and stunning.

Here’s how to make kathrikai poriyal with step by step photos…

Arai Keerai Poriyal Recipe/Greens Stir Fry/Healthy Keerai Poriyal/அரைக் கீரை பொரியல்/How to make Arai Keerai Poriyal with step by step photos and Video in both English and Tamil

This is a simple and healthy keerai poriyal made in South Indian homes. It tastes delectable and serves perfect side dish for any rice varieties. We get lots of different types of keerai’s in South India when compared to other places, in most of the houses it is made at least 3 – 4 days a week. One keerai variety included everyday in our food is one healthy choice of living. Do check out other interesting and healthy Keerai Recipe here and Different Keerai Varieties here

Here’s how to make Arai keerai poriyal with step by step photos…

Paruppu Thogaiyal/Thoor Dal Thogaiyal

Paruppu thogaiyal is a traditional South Indian dish. It is very simple, quick and healthy thogaiyal made within 15 min. I still remember the days when my mom is sick, my dad makes this simple thogaiyal and serves it with rasam and white rice.   Check out other delectable chutneys here.

Here’s how to make paruppu thogaiyal with photos…

Apple Kheer/Payasam

I was actually craving for sweet this evening, now that I had lot of apples. I thought I will make apple payasam so that my kids also can enjoy it as an evening snack.

Here’s how to make apple payasam with step by step photos…

Shrimp & Drumsticks Gravy/Eral Murungakkai Kuzhambu

This shrimp gravy has a wonderful tangy taste with the flavors of drumsticks and eral combined together with light touch of coconut which is totally stunning and awesome. Rather than consuming the gravy immediately after cooking, it should be made to sit for at least two hours. The juice of the shrimp and drumsticks infuse really well by that time and it is lip smacking.  Meanwhile do check out other interesting Prawn Recipe here and other Non-VegetarianBiryanis/Pulavs/Gravies/Varuvals/Appetizers here.

Here’s Eral murungakkai kuzhambu with step by step photos…

Badam Kheer/Badam Milk/Almond Milk with Saffron

Badam Milk is my all time favorite, I used to drink this in the evenings after coming back from school. But my mom used to make it with readymade mix available from the shops. It is a very healthy drink made in Northern part of India especially during special occasions and festivals. The recipe actually calls for sugar but sometimes I replace sugar with “panangkalkandu” as a healthy alternative. Other Tea/Beverage varieties that might be of interest…

SukkuMalli Coffee/Sukku Coffee

FennelSeeds Tea/Sombu Tea
Coriander Seeds Tea/Dhaniya Tea

MasalaTea/Masala Chai

ManjalPaal/Turmeric Pepper Milk/Golden Milk

Paanagam

So here’s how to make Badam Milk with step by step photos…

Thakkali Sadam/Tomato Rice

This is a very simple South Indian Style Thakkali sadam, which can be made very fast and quick. In South India during valaikappu or baby shower usually it is a tradition to make 5, 7, or 9 different types of variety rice, and thakkali sadam also plays one major role in it. I am planning to post all the different types of rice varieties in the future one by one. Thakkali sadam is not only made during valaikappu but also is a perfect lunch box meal. For now…

Here’s the Thakkali sadam 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

Blog Anniversary Giveaway At Nivedhanams...

Hi Friends
My dear blog friend Sowmya from Nivedhanams is celebrating her blog birthday with a wonderful giveaway. Please visit her blog for more details and follow the rules given by her.

For more details click here...

Thank you

Kanchipuram Idli/Kanchipuram Idli Recipe/How to make Kanchipuram Idli with step by step photos

The moment we all hear the word Kanchipuram, things that come to our mind are the historical temples like the Vardharaja Perumal temple, Ekambareswarar temple, Kamakshi amman temple and the world famous, beautiful, hand-woven silk sarees. Talking about food, the Kanchipuram idlis also called as Kudalai idlis are very authentic and famous in this district. Originally these idlis are steamed in “Dhonnai” or in “Mandharai ilai”, these in fact add an unique taste to the idlis which is totally unbeatable and heavenly. But if you don’t get them in the place you live or do not have them in hand, just steam them in the regular idli plates. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

So here’s how to make Kanchipuram idlis with step by step photos…

Short Break & Top Contributor Award

Hello  Friends
I am going out of town for two weeks, So taking a short break and will be back in the first week of June. I will not be posting for another two weeks, will be missing you all. 

I am happy to announce that I was awarded with Top contributor award from Mrs. Vimitha for submitting 67 recipes out of 274 recipes. I also won the Hudson Canola oil gift hamper, for details visit My Culinary Trial Room. Congrats to all other winners and everybody who participated.

Thank you Vimitha for conducting a nice event and wish you all the best to conduct more and more in the future...

Ok guys see you all after the break, please keep visiting...

Until then I am signing off...

Simple Vegetable Pizza And Cheese pizza from the scratch…

I am happy to say that I am part of Home Bakers Challenge started by some of the fellow blogger and initiated by Priya's Versatile . The objective of this challenge is  to learn and bake together.A special thanks to Divya for choosing Pizza for this month’s baking challenge.

Here’s how to make Simple Vegetable Pizza &  Cheese Pizza from  the scratch with step by step photos…

Pizza Sauce Recipe/Pasta Sauce Recipe/How to make Pasta Sauce at home with step by step photos

I know probably I am the last one to come up with pizza in the Home bakers challenge, but I believe "better late than never". My pizza is getting ready, meanwhile decided to post the pizza sauce. This is a very basic Pizza/Pasta sauce, I made this as a part of Home Baker's Challenge initiated by Mrs.Priya Suresh and this month host being Mrs.Divya Prakash. The original recipe did not call for all ingredients given below, I added a little more to give it little more flavor and taste.

Here's the Pizza/Pasta Sauce with step by step photos...

Pineapple, Ginger & Apple Juice

Now that I had some pineapple left, I was thinking of making pineapple juice, my daughter’s favorite. But I wanted to add more fruits to the pineapple that is when I came across food.com with pineapple, ginger & apple juice. I gave it a try and it was totally refreshing and lovely…

So here is Pineapple,Ginger & Apple Juice...

Baby Potato Roast/Fry – Method II

After I made my Dum Aloo, I had half the bag of baby potatoes so I made my husband’s favorite baby potato roast/fry. I have already posted a baby potato roast which is made differently, please check Baby Potato Roast/fry -Method I. This method I shown below is the quickest and the easiest potato roast which can be made in 10 min and needs very little ingredients. This can be made with regular large potatoes also but cut them to medium size pieces after boiling them. Ok for now…

Here’s how to make Baby Potato Roast/Fry with step by step photos…

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…

Masala Tea/Masala Chai - Making of Masala spice mix for Tea

I love to drink tea and when it comes to masala tea, I love the blend of spices infused together with the tea leaves makes me drink more and totally irresistible. Tea is drunk in all parts of India, but made differently in each place. My husband does not drink tea or coffee, I was like that until before marriage. But after marriage things changed I started to fall in love with tea and coffee. My father in law prefers to have cardamom/elachi  & ginger tea but started to have this masala tea and likes it a lot. Our families evening is complete only if we all have a cup of delectable tea and have a chat. 

Other interesting healthy and delicious tea varieties...

Coriander, Cumin, Fennel Tea/CCF Tea

Fennel Tea/Sombu Tea/Snauf Tea 

SukkuMalli Coffee/Sukku Coffee

Coriander Seeds Tea/Dhaniya Tea

MasalaTea/Masala Chai

ManjalPaal/Turmeric Pepper Milk/Golden Milk

Turmeric Tea

Paanagam

Here's how to make masala tea 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…

Zucchini /Courgette Chutney [South Indian Style -Side dish for Idlis & Dosas]

Zucchini is a summer squash, very low in calories (15 calories per 100gm), rich in folate, potassium and vitamin A. It is a very delicate vegetable which cooks very fast. This is a exotic chutney with a Indian twist…  Check out other delectable chutneys here.

Here’s how to make it 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…

Chinna Vengaya Sambar/Pearl Onion Sambar

Chinna vengaya sambar is a very traditional sambar made in South Indian homes. Usually it is made by grinding masala(arachu vita vengaya sambar) but here I chose an easy and quick version of sambar that can be made in a jiffy. This is my mom's simple vengaya sambar. Check out other South Indian Sambar and Dal varieties here.

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

Kaara Chutney Recipe/Rosapoo Chutney Recipe/Sambar Vengaya Chutney/Pearl Onion Chutney Recipe[Side dish for Idlis & Dosas]

This chutney is very special and quick chutney that can be made in minutes. You all must be surprised with the name “rosapoo” – yes that is how it is called in Nagapattinam. When I was a small kid, I used to think this chutney had rosapoo(rose) in it, very funny…

But my mom used to say, this chutney is made of sambar vengayam, red chillies and tamarind which give a beautiful color, from which it gets its name. This is my mom’s special recipe, she makes this is in ammi (grinding stone) it gives heavenly taste.  Check out other delectable chutneys here.  

Here’s how to make it with photos…

Other Chutney & Thogaiyal varieties that might be of your interest...

Coconut Chutney

Chettinad Kara Chutney/Kara Chutney

RedChilli Coconut Chutney

Vengaya Vadagam Chutney

Mint Coconut Chutney

Tomato Mint Chutney

Cilantro/Kothamalli/Coriander leaves Chutney

CarrotChutney

GreenBell Pepper Chutney

RedBell Pepper Chutney

Onion/VengayaChutney

OnionTomato Chutney

PearlOnionChutney/Rosapoo Chutney

SuttaKathrikkai/Brinjal Chutney

Tomato/ThakkaliChutney

TomatoThokku/Thakkali Thokku

ZucchiniChutney

Mullangi/RadishChutney

Peanut/Groundnut Chutney

Inji Thuvaiyal/Ginger Chutney

Kothamalli/CilantroThogaiyal

Thakkali Kothamalli Chutney/Tomato Coriander Leaves Chutney

Mint/Pudhina Thogaiyal

ParuppuThogaiyal/Dal Thogaiyal

PeekangaiThol Thogaiyal/Ridge gourd Peel Thogaiyal

Gongura Chutney/Pulicha Keerai Chuteny

Karpooravalli Thuvaiyal

Brinjal Tomato Chutney

Vallarai Keerai Thuvaiyal

Manathakkali Keerai Thuvaiyal

Thoothuvalai Keerai Thuvaiyal

Ididcha Poondu Milagai Podi

Karuvepilai Thokku

Ellu Thogaiyal/Sesame Seeds Thogaiyal

Karuvepillai ThogaiyalCurry Leaves Thogaiyal

Chow Chow Thol Thogaiyal

Dhaniya Chutney/Dhaniya Kara Chutney

Prawn 65/Shrimp 65/Eral 65

Hello Friends,

I am so happy and overwhelmed with joy because this is my first guest post for the "Friday Chat with bloggers"  at Priya's Menu.  Answering her questions was really fun and exciting, because it was totally new to me. Thank you  very much Mrs. Priya Sateesh for this  great opportunity.

It's been only a few months after I started my blog, but have made some nice friends. One such friends I have made now is Priya Sateesh.

Meanwhile do check out other interesting Prawn Recipe here and other Non-VegetarianBiryanis/Pulavs/Gravies/Varuvals/Appetizers here.

Spinach & Carrot Rice

Hi everybody, here’s another simple, easy and healthy one pot meal. It is just a fabulous lunch box recipe that can be made easily in the morning rush. Here’s the quick tip, just grate the carrots the previous night, keep it in the refrigerator and go to bed. Any way guys enjoy this healthy one pot meal.

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

Mango Ice Cream Recipe/Mango Ice Cream Recipe with out Eggs & Icecream maker/Mango Ice Cream with step by step photos

Homemade ice cream and that to mango ice cream, I don’t think nobody is going to say no to this. It is very simple, quick, easy and just made with three ingredients and off all the best part is - no ice cream machine. I came across this in savitha’s kitchen and gave it a shot. It is so creamy, delightful and the taste of mango is still lingering in my mouth.

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

Classic Creamy Mashed Potato

These creamy and delicious mashed potatoes are made during Thanksgiving dinner (USA) and other special get-togethers. It is very easy and simple, can be made in big batches the previous day and heated in the oven and served hot. I eat usually spicy food, but my kids like the mashed potato, so I make it for them. It is very filling and super delicious creamy potatoes.

Here’s how to make mashed potato with step by step photos…

Quick Pressure Cooker Vegetable Biryani/Vegetable Biryani Recipe

Vegetable Biryani’s can be made in different ways, like layering, in rice cooker or vegetable dum biryani. This is the easiest and simplest version of vegetable biryani made in no time. It is a perfect and healthy one pot meal for all types of occasions, and especially very useful when packing lunch for kids or your husbands.

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

GiveAway at Daily Chores

Hi Friends,

My friend and fellow blogger Tinku is celebrating her six months completion of blogging with a give away. For more details on the rules and regulations go to Daily Chores

Congrats Tinku and Happy blogging...