Potato Varuval | Aloo Stir-Fry
Potato Varuval | Aloo Stir-Fry ~ Quick and easy side of potatoes cooked the South-Indian way This recipe is the incentive that my family needs on most days for an otherwise ‘ordinary‘ meal (yeah sometimes that really all it takes :P). Who has ever had a problem with potatoes, right? The universally loved vegetable that turns … Continue reading
Mushrooms In Coconut Milk Curry
Mushrooms In Coconut Milk Curry Here’s a Thai-inspired coconut milk soup-like curry that you can customize as you please. If you’re wondering why I have oh-so-cautiously used “inspired” instead of Thai-style, its because I’ve added almost nothing that ought to go into a Thai recipe, except for the coconut milk, but still manged to find … Continue reading
Hotel Style Coconut Chutney
Hotel Style Coconut Chutney I first tasted this version of coconut chutney at a party last year – SK made this right around Diwali last year, and it was exactly like the kind you find at the typical South Indian hotel/mess.. sooo good! It comes as no surprise, as it turned out her mom actually … Continue reading
Tandoori Chicken
This might indisputably be the most liked Indian chicken dish ever. And it comes as such a welcome surprise that it doesn’t take much to put it together right at home, that too without a tandoor! Now the version I used to make before was certainly yummy, but not the dry-roasted-reddish-colored-drumsticks that you find at … Continue reading
Pavakkai Varuval | Karela Fry | Fried Bitter Gourd
Pavakkai Varuval | Karela Fry | Fried Bitter Gourd Does bitter put you off? You might want to re-consider with this vegetable. Sometimes, taking the not-so-favored route is not too bad, especially if it helps with the consumption of a new vegetable that you would otherwise not try at all. Now I’m not saying you … Continue reading
Fried Onions | Briyani Onions
I keep wanting to buy a bag of ready-fried onions from the Indian grocers but always forget to do so. So when I actually need them for biryani, I end up making a batch at home. What I am trying to tell here is that if you can pick some of these at the store you really … Continue reading
Mushroom Pepper Stir Fry
Mushroom Pepper Stir Fry This recipe was something we started putting together back in the days when every gram of carb consumed was counted – just one of the joys of gestation! So when half a plate of veggies was an absolute must with every meal, curries or over-cooked masalas would simply not cut it. Neither … Continue reading
Baingan Bharta | Roasted Eggplant Curry
Hello, from warm and sunny India! The little guy and I are here. Wish I could tell you it was a vacation – but nevertheless, here we are and we’re sure glad to be spending a few weeks without having to worry about winter-wear and snow boots! I’ve been having a thing with the eggplant … Continue reading
Nadan Chemeen Roast | Kerala Style Shrimp Roast
For some one who does not even eat shrimp (well, I have begun doing taste-bites now and then), this recipe was a true gem to discover. This is one of the easiest shrimp recipes you’ll get to make, and judging by how awesome it tastes (and looks) no one ever needs to know that! I’ve … Continue reading
Mildly Spiced Chicken Patties with Green Yogurt Dip
Are you some-what back to work, or being wise and waiting it out until the year’s grand end coming up mid-week through? No matter what you’re doing, don’t get over partying and feasting just yet. Not for another 2 days at-least! So, if you’re still deciding on appetizer options for the New Year’s party, these … Continue reading
Mushroom (Koon) Mutta Thoran | Kerala Style Mushroom-Egg Stir Fry
Mushroom (Koon) Mutta Thoran ~ Finely cut mushrooms stir fried with scrambled eggs and shredded coconut When Onam fell on a weekday this year, all I wanted to do was put together dinner with a few Kerala-style dishes that would appeal to a barely-mallu palette. This thoran is a perfect fit – D found it … Continue reading
Indian Eggplant Masala
Indian Eggplant Masala ~ Simple eggplant curry with onions, tomatoes and ground spices The other day when I was chatting up with my sis-in-law, she suggested that I post more of the simple/ordinary dishes that we cook up on a regular basis as well. That sure got me thinking about the many common-fare vegetable curries … Continue reading
Vazhakkai Varuval | Green Plantain Spicy Stir-fry
Vazhakkai Varuval | Green Plantain Spicy Stir-fry ~ Raw green plantains sliced thin and stir-fried in a spicy marinade With any varuval dish, the cooking process usually extends well beyond the ‘getting done’ stage. Which is a necessary evil in order to get the crispy, crunchy texture and deepened flavor that is only gotten when … Continue reading
Jeera Peas Pulao / Cumin and Green peas Rice
Jeera Peas Pulao ~ Rice cooked with cumin and green peas If you’re wondering why something as easy as jeera pulao warrants a blog post, it is more so you’re reminded of how it only takes a few extra minutes to make a regular meal feel like a whole special spread. This could be the … Continue reading
Egg Fried Rice
It’s hard to believe I still haven’t posted the recipe for my all time favorite egg fried rice – every single person who’s tasted this has wanted the recipe right away and I kept thinking it would take me no time to get it on the blog. Well, I was wrong. The best things about … Continue reading
Spicy Hard Boiled Egg Fry
How often have you made a nice simple dish, that did not take very long, but it just wasn’t good enough to complete your meal? I often find myself in that position, especially when I make my favorite butter milk curry mor kuzhambu – I could eat portion after portion of the curry with rice and not … Continue reading
Paneer Burji Sandwiches / Scrambled Paneer with Toast
Even though we all like to try out different recipes and add to our repertoire, there are some dishes that make it to a whole different class that’s super special: the go-to-recipes. It’s the ones that you can put together with eyes closed (so to say), and can easily find the will to muster up after … Continue reading
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
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
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
Aish Cooks 