Fish Puttu / Scrambled Fish with Spices

Fish Puttu / Scrambled Fish and Spices This recipe was one of those surprise discoveries a few years ago. I came across this on samai.in and seeing how easy it was, decided to try it in addition to making the usual (also an all-time-favorite) fish curry. We got hooked right away! It’s so simple and only takes … Continue reading

Hung Curd / Greek Yogurt No-Cook Sandwiches

It’s such a delightfully simple no-cook recipe, that takes hardly any time to prepare.  The original recipe calls for hung curds, but Greek yogurt is such a great shortcut / substitute for those looking to make it in a hurry 😛 It can conveniently be put together the night before for kiddie lunch boxes as well as made ahead for a party at … Continue reading

Badam Halwa / Indian Almond Dessert

Badam Halwa / Indian Almond Dessert Diwali’s here. I know, it hardly feels that way especially if you are reading this from the US or some other place far from home. And that’s how its been every year that I’ve been away as well.. but I expect this one to be different. Reason? Well, I’ve … Continue reading

Sweet Cinnamon French Toast

Sweet Cinnamon French Toast Another favorite childhood memory – tearing up fat slices of bread that is soooo soft all through its core, soaked up in the sweet goodness of milk, eggs and sugar. Add cinnamon to it and you have a winner breakfast (more like dessert?!) any day – fills you up in a very happy … Continue reading

Salmon Cakes / Mildly Spiced Flaked Salmon Patties

Salmon Cakes / Mildly Spiced Flaked Salmon Patties It was D’s birthday last weekend and I really wanted to make something special for him on the day, but just could not bring myself to decide what it was that I wanted to cook for him. There are tons of his favorites that we’ve enjoyed together, … Continue reading

Easy Tangy Tomato Chutney / Indian Tomato Dipping Sauce

Easy Tangy Tomato Chutney / Indian Tomato Dipping Sauce A very easy recipe for tangy tomato chutney – goes with almost everything from dosa & idly to vadas, samosas or other appetizers. Growing up, the tomato chutney I remember having was chunky and had onions in it. Well, this version of the recipe has evolved … Continue reading

Palak Paneer with Dal / Spinach and Paneer Curry with Lentils

Palak Paneer with Dal / Spinach and Paneer Curry with Lentils If you are wondering what dal is doing in Palak Paneer – do read on. My little boy might not have much of a memory of the few months with his nanny, but I sure am thankful for the many Punjabi dishes I learnt … Continue reading

Chilli Chicken Indo-Chinese Style

Chilli Chicken Indo-Chinese Style Another favorite any-time-of-the-day dish. So yummy with every bite and you can make it saucy, dry or anything in-between. I had some extra chicken from when we made chicken biryani so decided to just make a little chilli chicken – turned out to be a great combination. A couple of ways to make this … Continue reading

Pattani Sundal / Dried peas salad with green mango and coconut

Thenga Maanga Pattani Sundal / Dried peas salad with green mango and coconut Another Navratri special and a snack that just might bring back beach memories for those from Chennai 🙂 My favorite part of this beach sundal, given I’ve never had it in a beach setting, is the tanginess that hits you every time a bit … Continue reading

Squash Erissery / Easy Butternut Squash Curry with Lentils and Coconut

Squash Erissery / Easy Butternut Squash Curry with Lentils and Coconut We’ve been buying more frozen veggies these days, seeing that there does not seem to be much of a different nutrition-wise when using frozen produce if you cannot get fresh-from-the-farm produce or use fresh groceries within a few days of buying them, as they … Continue reading

Pasiparuppu Vella Payasam / Indian Pudding with Lentils and Jaggery

Pasiparuppu Vella Payasam / Indian Pudding with Lentils and Jaggery Navaratri season is here… well, even if you are not going to be observing fasts or doing poojas every one of the 10 days of this festival, it sure does set the mood for the holiday season. Festive season is in full swing in most … Continue reading

Mixed vegetable uthappam / Veggie topped fermented rice batter pancakes

Mixed vegetable uthappam / Veggie topped fermented rice batter pancakes A simple twist to the regular dosas and a much healthier way to eat up that batter – you are adding so much bulk and nutrition to an otherwise grain dominated meal. There are so many ways to making uthappams and you can get as creative as … Continue reading

Green chutney with mint and coriander leaves / Dhaniya Pudhina thuvaiyal

Green chutney with mint and coriander leaves / Dhaniya Pudhina chutney This chutney stores really well, for over a week when refrigerated without introducing moisture, and goes so well with any tiffin or chat/ snack items. Mom used to make it often when we were kids and I just remember calling it “green chutney” from then on. … Continue reading

Stuffed Okra / Baked Bharwan Bhindi

Stuffed Okra / Baked Bharwan Bhindi ~ Okras stuffed with a simple spice mix and pan cooked or baked to yummy goodness. This was my first attempt at making stuffed okra, and it was such a refreshing changeover the usual kadai bhindi or any other bhindi curry/ sabji recipe.The moment I suggested this dish, D’s … Continue reading

Dal Tadka / Easy Lentils Curry Punjabi Style

Dal Tadka / Easy Lentils Curry Punjabi Style Feeling lazy? Or feeling like something simple and home-made? I bet dal chawal is what hits your mind first. It’s the quintessential comfort food for most of us from the subcontinent and though I am sure you hardly look-up a dal tadka recipe on the internet, you might want to … Continue reading

Chicken Korma / Chicken Curry with Coconut and Cashews

Chicken Korma / Chicken Curry with Coconut and Cashews For as long as I can remember, korma (or kurma) curries have been a favorite of mine.. whether it was the chicken / non-vegetarian version or just good-old vegetable korma. And at risk of sounding clichéd, I am going to say it is because of my mom. … Continue reading

Chicken Capsicum Tostadas

Chicken Capsicum Tostadas ~ Mildly spiced ground chicken cooked with peppers and served on tortilla chips with a sour cream / geek yogurt topping or dip. I had some ground chicken in the freezer and had been contemplating a meatball recipe for a while. But then a pepper emergency came up and I had one bright … Continue reading

Banana Walnut Bread / Banana Nut Cake

Banana Walnut Bread / Banana Nut Cake Have you ever really wished for the bananas at home to rot soon? WARNING: This recipe might make you want to do so. I love the Banana Nut Loaf @ Starbucks, and that’s what inspired me to try making this dish at home. We buy fresh bananas quite regularly, … Continue reading

Mushroom Biryani | Mushrooms and spices cooked with rice

Mushroom Biryani | Rice & Mushrooms cooked with coconut and spices I don’t even know where to begin to tell you just how flavorful this biryani can be! If you are strictly vegetarian, and okay with mushrooms, then please do try this: your friends that rave about the flavors from chicken or other meat-flavored biryanis can … Continue reading

Kola Urundai Kuzhambu / South Indian Meatball Curry

kola-urundai-kuzhambu-south-indian-meatball-curry

Kari Kola Urundai Kuzhambu / Indian Meatballs Curry with Kheema (Minced Goat or Lamb Meat) A chettinad specialty, and the Indian version of meatballs in a spicy tangy tamarind-based curry. The minced goat meat (kheema) is mixed with a special spice powder made with roasted gram flour, cinnamon, ginger-garlic, chilies, onions, etc. and made into meat … Continue reading