Vallarai Keerai Poriyal Recipe/Brahmi Leaves Stir Fry Recipe/ Indian Pennywort Stir Fry/ Vallarai Keerai Poriyal with Video in English & Tamil

Vallarai is known for its brain boosting abilities and to cure many diseases in Ayurveda and Siddha treatment since the ancient period. Vallarai is used to revitalize the brain and nervous system, increase attention and concentration, and combat aging. The extract from Vallarai is used in treating memory enhancement and neurodegenerative disorders. Vallarai has amazing medicinal properties which help in fighting many diseases. It plays a vital role in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and brain related problems like insomnia.

Vallarai has wonderful properties, which helps in curing skin problems like eczema, leprosy, psoriasis and ulcers. Vallarai helps in relaxing muscles and alleviates menstrual pain and disorders. It promotes youthful vitality and longevity and prevents early greying of hair. Hair fall and premature greying of hair can be controlled by using vallarai oil which is readily available in Ayurveda shops.

Vallarai acts as a great cure for joint pain or inflammation, rheumatism, arthritis etc. Not just the above mentioned benefits, vallarai has many other medicinal values and properties and the list goes on. The above information is collected from various websites like Wikipedia, ayurvedictalk.com etc. For people who live outside India can buy the vallarai tablets from Ayurveda shops when you visit Chennai and consume it. With this I am going to move on with today’s recipe – Vallarai Keerai Poriyal. Do try out this delicious poriyal and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out Vallarai Keerai Thuivayal here, other interesting Keerai Recipes here and different types of Keerai Varieties in Tamil & English.

Here’s how to make Vallarai Keerai Poriyal 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.

Thayir Sevai Recipe/Curd Sevai/Sevai Bagalabath- How to make Curd Sevai

Today, I am going to share yet another healthy and divine Thayir Sevai. Now that summer has started and it is getting hot day by day, including Thayir/yogurt/curd in our diet helps in cooling down our body and mind. Do try out this Thayir Sevai and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other interesting Sevai Recipes like Lemon Sevai/Idiappam Sevai, Tomato Sevai, Black Pepper Sevai/Milagu Sevai, Ragi Sevai and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other healthy and tempting Breakfast Recipes here.

Here’s how to make Thayir Sevai/Curd Sevai with step by step photos…

Manathakkali Keerai Kootu Recipe/Black Night Shade Kootu Recipe/Manathakkali Paasi Paruppu Kootu with step by step photos & Video/மணத்தக்காளி கீரை கூட்டு

 Manathakkali Keerai/Black Nightshade is loaded with medicinal properties. They are rich in antioxidants, iron, vitamins, minerals and abundant calcium. The amount of phosphorous in it helps in the growth and development of brain and strengthens the nerves. Manathakkali Keerai is an excellent cure for mouth ulcers and stomach ulcers. This kootu is made with manathakkali keerai, moong dal and taste divine. If you are suffering from ulcer then this is yet another recipe that you should have to cure the same. Do try out this Manathakkali Keerai Kootu recipe and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other interesting Manathakkali Keerai Recipes here and about other Keerai Varietiesand Keerai Recipes here. Check out the video for the recipe in English & Tamil

Here’s how to make Manathakkali Keerai Kootu with step by step photos... 

Karpooravalli Thuvaiyal Recipe/Country Borage Thuvaiyal Recipe/Karpooravalli Thuvaiyal with step by step photos

Karpooravallli(Tamil) otherwise is called as  Country Borage plant. It has lots of medicinal benefits. The karpooravalli leaves are used for treating common cold, cough, sore throats, nasal congestion, indigestion, rheumatism and so on. The leaves of karpooravalli plant are quite fleshy and very aromatic. These leaves are very good source of vitamins and minerals. Karpooravalli plants are easy to grow and maintain. Cut a small piece of the plant from where it is available and plant it in soil with ample amount of water. It will grow and spread faster. I have karpooravalli plant in my balcony and I have made different recipes with it. For now I will share with you all a simple and aromatic Karpooravalli Thuvaiyal. Do check out other delectable chutney and thuvaiyal varieties here.

Here’s how to make Karpooravalli Thuvaiyal with step by step photos…

Karupatti Pongal Recipe/Palm Jaggery Pongal Recipe-How to make Karupatti Pongal with step by step photos

Today, I am going to share a traditional and tempting Karupatti Pongal. We usually make sakkarai Pongal in a pot, but in this post I am sharing an easy way to make sakkarai Pongal in a pressure cooker. Usually jaggery is used to make Sakkarai Pongal, but I have replaced it with Palm Jaggery/Karupati. Karupatti/Palm Jaggery is made from the extract of the palm tree. It is a very healthy and traditional sweetener and is an excellent alternative for white sugar.

Karupatti is rich in essential Vitamins, Minerals and Amino acids. Palm jaggery is rich in iron and it increases hemoglobin and treats anemia if consumed regularly. It is rich in magnesium and helps to regulate the nervous system. Presence of calcium helps to build and maintain strong bones. It also contains potassium which boosts heart health, decreases cramps and has several other benefits as well. It boosts the immune system and thus prevents several blood-related and other disorders. Do check out how to make Karupatti Pongal and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other Pongal Recipes here and All aboutPongal and Pongal Menu here.

Here’s how to make Karupatti Pongal with step by step photos…

Gongura Chutney Recipe/Pulicha Keerai Thuvaiyal Recipe/Gongura Chutney Recipe with step by step photos/Pulicha Keerai Recipe

Gongura/Pulicha Keerai/Sorrel leaves chutney/pachhadi is a very popular Andhra cuisine found in all most all the homes, hotels, restaurants,  food joints etc in AndhraPradesh. Gongura leaves is called as Pulicha keerai in Tamil. It is loaded with iron, vitamins, folic acid and anti-oxidants. Gongura comes in two different varieties, green and red stemmed.  The red stemmed variety is sourer than the green stemmed variety. This thuvaiyal is a perfect blend of sour leaf with dry red chillies, dhania, fenugreek seeds and garlic. Try out this delectable Gongura chutney and post your feedback. Check out other interesting chutney & thogaiyal varieties here.

Here’s how to make Gongura Chutney/thuvaiyal with step by step photos…

Sakkarai Pongal in Brass Pot/Traditional Sakkarai Pongal/Sakkarai Pongal in a Pot/Sweet Pongal in a Pot/Sakkarai Pongal for Harvest Festival with Video in English & Tamil

 Sarkkarai Pongal/Sweet Pongal with jaggery is an authentic and traditional dish prepared on special Pooja days and special occasions. This Sarkkarai Pongal is the traditional Pongal made in brass pot especially for Pongal/Harvest festival. Do check out other interesting Pongal recipes here and All about Pongal Festival & Pongal Menu here.

Here’s how to make Sakkarai Pongal in a Pot with step by step photos & Video...

Samai Uppu Kozhukattai Recipe/Little Millet Kozhukattai/Kutki Steamed Balls Recipe/Samai Uppu Kozhukattai Recipe/How to make Samai Uppu Kozhukattai Recipe with step by step phtos

Today, I am going to share another very healthy, quick, tempting and delectable Samai Uppu Kozhukattai. This samai kozhukattai can be done on pooja days and served as neivedhyam. It can be had either for breakfast or dinner or can be served as quick evening snack for kids. Little Millet/Samai/Kutki are smaller than those of other common millet varieties. Saamai is rich in fibre helps in reducing fat and is good for bones and muscles. Saamai also has high iron content and high antioxidant activity. It helps in controlling blood sugar level and helps in healing diseases related to stomach. Do check out interesting Millet Recipes here and All About Millets here. For now try out this super healthy Samai Kozhukattai and post your comments here.

Here’s how to make Samai Uppu Kozhukattai with step by step photos...

Thakali Kothamalli Chutney/Tomato Cilantro Chutney/Tomato Coriander Leaves Chutney

We all look to make different kinds for chutney’s as sidedish for idli or dosa. We want to make it healthy, tasty and flavourful, if you are on the lookout for making one such recipe then here it is  - Thakkali Kothamalli Chutney/Cilanto tomato chutney. It is a perfect accompaniment for idlis, dosas, vada, pakoda, uttapam etc and goes well with steam cooked rice as well. You can serve it along with chapthi, rotis or parathas or can be applied on bread to make sandwiches. Cilantro/Kothamalli is loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber, including it in everyday diet is very good for our health. Do try out this healthy and flavourful chutney and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and tempting chutney’s here.

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

Akkaravadisal/Akkara Adisil/Sweet Pongal Cooked in Milk and Jaggery/Sweet Milk Pongal/Iyengar Special Akkaravadisal –Pongal Special

Akkaravadisal is an authentic neivedhyam offered to Lord Perumal in Sri Rangam temple on Panguni Uthram and also in other Vishnu temples during festivals and special occasions. Akkaravadisal is similar to Sakkarai Pongal except it is fully cooked in Milk along with jaggery and generous amount of ghee which gives a creamy, rich and divine taste to it. Akkaravadisal is prepared on the “Koodaravalli day” which falls on the 27^th day of Margazhi [tamil month] and offered as neivedhyam to Lord Vishnu and distributed to devotees in small dhonnais[leaf cups].

A little about Koodaravalli day - Koodaravalli is celebrated to commemorate the acceptance of Andal by Perumal after her 26 days of penance. Sri Andal sang the Thiruppavai containing 30 verses – one verse for each day of Margazhi [December-January] in praise of Lord Narayana. On the 27^th day, while singing “koodaarai vellum seer Govinda…”, the Lord  fell for her divine love and blessed her with the boon of marriage. This occasion is celebrated in a very special way in Srivalliputhur Andal temple, where Akkaravadisal is made in 108 vessels along with butter and offered to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Andal is very beautifully decorated and kept in the Arthmandapam.  Make this super delicious rich and creamy rice milk pudding cooked with generous amount of ghee and offer it god and enjoy the prasadham with the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Sri Andal.  Meanwhile do check out other interesting Pongal recipes here and All about Pongal here.

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

Walk Through Memory Lane – Round Up

Hello Friends,

Thank you very much to all my lovely friends and wonderful readers for making my event a grand success…

I have mentioned every one’s recipes, in case I missed anyone’s name and recipe, please let me know and excuse me for the same.

Before the going to the round up I would like to thank Gayathri for giving me this wonderful opportunity to host her event.


I received totally "138" lovely entries for the event of which "137" entries from bloggers and "1" entry from a Non blogger. Click here for the event details.

Here's  the mouth-watering and lip smacking recipes I received for the event… 

Arisi Paruppu Payasam/Rice & Dal Jaggery Kheer –Tamil New Years Day Special

Arisi Paruppu Payasam is a traditional payasam made as neivedhyam/prasadam during festivals and special occasions. Arisi Paruppu Payasam is made by cooking rice & dals with milk and jaggery syrup is added for sweetness. Finally cashew nuts and raisins fried in ghee is added to the payasam. Today, I made this arisi paruppu payasam with boiled milk, but sometimes I make with coconut milk. When coconut milk is added the payasam will taste extravagant and rich. Do try out this Arisi Paruppu Payasam and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out Pasi Paruppu Payasam/Moong dal Payasam and other interesting Payasam varieties here. Also check out other Tamil NewYears day recipes here and about other Festival Recipes here.

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

Ven Pongal Recipe/Ven Pongal Recipe/Kara Pongal Recipe/How to make Ven Pongal with step by step photos

Ven Pongal is a simple and popular South Indian dish served as breakfast in all most all the homes especially in Tamil Nadu. Ven Pongal and Sakkarai pongal are two special pongals made on Pongal festival (Harvest festival) as neivedhyam to Sun god. It is very simple and easiest break fast to make. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

Here’s how to make ven pongal with step by step photos…

Red Rice Idli /Sivappu Arisi Idli /Healthy Red Rice Idli Recipe

Idli is a staple food of South India which is made by steam cooking the rice and lentil batter. This Red Rice Idli is another healthy alternative breakfast loaded with anti oxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. Due to the presence of fibers, the sugar is absorbed slowly hence the blood sugar level does not rise. Including red rice in our daily diet helps in reducing cholesterol and hence controls weight gain. So, let include lot of red rice in our diet and lead a healthy life. Do try out this healthy and diabetic friendly Red Rice Idli and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

Here’s how to make Red Rice Idli with step by step photos…

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…

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…

Drumstick Leaf Powder/Murungai Keerai Podi/Murungai Keerai Podi Recipe-How to make Murungai Keerai Podi At home

I started to post recipes with drumstick leaves/murungaikeerai, and promised to post more of murungai keerai recipes. As promised, I have come up with murungai keerai podi/drum stick leaves powder, which is a very healthy recipe and can be had with white rice or as side dish for idlis and dosas. Murungai keerai has n number of health benefits which I have shared here also. When drumstick leaves are consumed along with pure ghee, they stimulate the blood circulation in the body to induce the re-growth of hair folliciles. Consumption of drumstick leaves are advised for ladies and girls suffering from calcium deficiency and insufficient iron in the blood. These leaves improve the defence mechanism in our body and thus fight against many types of infections. The antimicrobial properties of drumstick leaves cure throat, chest and many types of skin infections. Having said all this now let’s move on to see this easy and healthy drumstick leaves powder/murungai keerai powder. Meanwhile do check out murungai keeraisambar and murungai keerai egg poriyal which I have posted earlier.

Here’s how to make Murungai Keerai Powder with step by step photos…

Simple Semiya/Vermicelli Upma/Semiya Upma Recipe/Vermicelli Upma Recipe with step by step photos

This is a very simple and quick semiya upma which takes about 15 – 20 min to cook. I have added tomatoes because I like the tangy taste of it and my kids also like it this way. You can very well replace tomatoes with lemon juice. This is a very simple version of semiya upma without vegetables, I make it when I am lazy to cut vegetables and when I am in a time crunch. I will post semiya upma with vegetables in my future post. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

Here’s how to make Semiya Upma with step by step photos…

Kambu Dosai/Bajra Dosai/Pearl Millet Dosai/Kambu Dosai Recipe

Kambu/Pearl millet/Bajra are widely grown type of millest with high protein and fibre content. India is the largest producer of pearl millet/kambu. Pearl millet is known by different names Sajje in Kannada, Kambu in Tamil, Bajra in Hindi, Sajjalu in Telugu and Kambam in Malayalam. After moving back to Chennai, I tried different types of millets, one among them is the Kambu Dosai. I will be sharing more millet recipes in future. Do try out this healthy Kambu Dosai and post your feedback. Meanwhile check out other interesting and healthy Millet Recipes and Breakfast Recipes here.

Here’s how to make Kambu Dosai with step by step photos…