Background:
With Deepavali tomorrow, for the first time in seven years, I gave into the urge to make something sweet. Considering both K and I enjoy cashews a lot, it only made sense for me to make Kaju Kathli or Cashew Cake. After scouring the Internet for recipes that ranged from powdering the cashews and boiling […]
Background:
Today is Varalakshmi Vratham and it is usually celebrated with a bit of pomp and show. This year however, owing to a death in the family, the celebrations were muted. Instead of the usual idli, kozhukattai that is made I opted for the simple pongal and made vatral kuzhambu to go with it. Since I […]
Background
I usually make this when I am feeling nostalgic (which is often!). Each time I melt butter to make ghee, I heat butter till it melts and keep it on medium heat till it froths and pops and the sounds die down. I turn the heat off and remove the vessel. When done transferring the […]
Background:
Today my niece turns ONE according to the lunar calendar. For those familiar with Nakshatra and Rasi that Indian calendars follow, today is the same nakshatra as the day she was born in. Keeping with tradition we had her Ayusha-homam today. This is done to bless the child will a long life.
Being her aunt, me […]
Background:
I love parathas. Specially when I don’t make them. After a hectic Saturday filled with friends and family, I was not keen on standing in the kitchen for a long time. Scanning my shelf that contained cook books, I extracted Mallika Badrinath’s 100 Tiffin ideas. Thumbing through the chappathi section I saw this recipe […]
Continue reading about Masala Chappathi/Paratha - A twist to the regular roti.
Background:
Molagai thokku was my dad’s favorite relish. Ever. Even as he struggled with diet restrictions following hospitalization and a low sodium diet, My mom’s mom created a molagai thokku minus the salt with plenty of jaggery. Appa loved it and would devour it creamy thayir sadham.
So, when Amma spied a bag full of lush green […]
Continue reading about Molagai Thokku - Spicy green serrano pepper relish
Background:
Making sevai the traditional way is a labor of love, not to be taken by the faint of heart. Ok! I kid. It definitely is a laborious process but the end product is so dadgum good that it makes the pain worthwhile. Amma makes this every time we have guests visiting. Finely made sevai serves […]
Continue reading about Sevai - Steamed, extruded thin rice noodles
Background:
I make this when I am tired of the regular varieties of upma that cannot handle masala all that well. This is also a good way to use leftover pasta. This recipe is versatile and lends itself to many variations.
Stuff you will need:
1 cup pasta (penne/fusili/macaroni/shells) - boiled, drained
2 tsp oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
3 small […]
Continue reading about Pasta Upma - A different spin on pasta and upma
Background:
For a twist in the regular vatral kuzhambu, my mom adds ground nuts or kabul channa. As kids this was one of our favorite dishes. So, with amma visiting I figured this was the best time to record the recipe for later.
Stuff you will need:
Tamarind - the size of a small lemon soaked and juice […]
Continue reading about Kadalai Kuzhambu - Spicy tamarind soup with groundnuts
Background:
I bake this cake whenever I am in the mood for a bread like cake that goes well with chai/coffee or as an evening snack or even may be as breakfast. I got this recipe from my friend Akay who I believe in turn got it from another friend who in turn got it off […]
Continue reading about Eggless Dates and Walnut cake - Flavorful and nutritious
