Have you ever eaten Venn Pongal as prasadam 'chuda chuda' (meaning 'hot hot') on a Sunday (or any day) after perumal dharisanam at the friendly neighbourhood kovil? BLISS ! Although nobody can replicate that taste in its entirety, it remains my gold standard for pongal, and this recipe comes quite close, I daresay 🙂 Venn … Continue reading Venn Pongal (Savory Pongal/Kaara Pongal): Step by Step
Today's dish is Keerai Molagoottal, or Arachuvitta Keerai Kootu. This is just blanched and ground spinach mixed with a coconut-spice paste, with a lentil base. Such a simple, but flavourful and nutritious dish. This is basically a traditional South Indian dish, with minimal spices and can be made in under 30 minutes. This curry base … Continue reading Keerai Molagoottal / Arachuvitta Keerai Koottu (Spinach cooked with lentils and coconut-spice mixture)
Ghee rice (Ghee: Clarified Butter) is a special kind of Pulao (a rice dish), generally served at special occasions, most commonly at weddings. One of the very famous dishes of South India, Ghee Rice is said to have originated from the Mughlai Cuisine. Especially in Karnataka, this dish is extremely popular and served at restaurants at … Continue reading Karnataka Style Ghee Rice- Coconut Milk Pulao- Recipe- Step by Step
Ennai Kathrikkai Kuzhambu (South Indian style eggplant gravy) is the "bestseller" of our kitchen. This is actually a Tamil name, where 'ennai' means oil, 'kathirikai' is brinjal/eggplant, and 'kuzhambu' means gravy. This is that one dish in our household that probably everyone, from elders to kids enjoy. Anybody, and I really mean anybody that visits … Continue reading Ennai Kathirikkai Kuzhambu/Kozhambu ( Eggplant/Brinjal cooked in a Spiced Tomato-Tamarind-Coconut gravy) -No Onion No Garlic recipe- Step by Step
Khichdi is the quintessential North Indian comfort food, among others like rajma-chawal, dal-chawal, and kadhi-chawal. It's what they eat when they crave comfort food, or when you need warmth during the cold winter months 🙂 This dish is very versatile in that it tastes great plain, with spices, and with as many or as little … Continue reading Easy One Pot Khichdi with Moong Dal & Vegetables
Methi Pulao is made so frequently at our household; mum makes it pretty frequently for lunch on Sundays. Methi/Fenugreek leaves have innumerable benefits and consuming them on a frequent basis is supposed to cool your stomach, aid in digestion and also help reduce cholesterol. These leaves often have a bitter taste, but are packed with … Continue reading Methi (Fenugreek Leaves) Rice/Pulao/Pulav- Step by Step Recipe
Prep time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes  Ingredients Cooked and cooled Rice – 1 cup (ordinary or Basmati) Fresh Tomato – 1 big, chopped finely Onion – 1 medium, chopped finely Fresh Green peas – ½ cup Ginger and garlic paste – ½ tsp Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli powder … Continue reading Tomato & Green Peas Masala Rice
This is an authentic Karnataka dish - the name translating roughly into Hot Lentils Rice. It is a staple breakfast/lunch/sunday brunch item in all Kannada households. Being from Bangalore myself, I love this dish in no small measure and we frequently prepared this at home on sunday afternoons 🙂 The tamil version of this is … Continue reading Bisi Bele Bhath (Rice with Lentils and Vegetables)
Another hot steaming plate of comfort food during the rains! 🙂 Jeera rice is nothing but steamed Basmati white rice seasoned with Cumin. Dahi Bhindi Masala translated means Okra in spiced Yoghurt sauce. Jeera rice is a breeze to make, and the Dahi Bhindi Masala (although involves some effort) compliments the rice deliciously well.  Read on … Continue reading Jeera Rice & Dahi Bhindi Masala
a burst of flavor 