Thakkali Kootu / Tomato Kootu

Quick meal??? The first thing that comes to my mind is this kootu with steaming hot rice... This one is a life saver as it takes very few ingredients, not much preparation and the meal is very comforting and tasty...

Carrot Parupu Usli

A month long marathon comes to an end today.. It was such a topsy turvy ride with so many posts done at the very last minute.. Phew!!!! Today’s recipe is going to be a simple curry with carrot.. Do you like veggies that are not spicy??? I am a yes and no.. I prefer spicy veg when accompanying my sambar rice or rasam rice or curd rice... Some veggies are exception, I do not mind the simple carrot curry with coconut, but love this spicy version which is a great accompaniment to any rice dish.. Adjust the spice according to your preference. I make the regular parupu usli with Beans and the recipe is here..

Onion Uttappam

As a kid, I never order South Indian when we go out as we get it more tastier at home… Now if I have to order one, then my choice has always been (even now) onion uttappam.. And I always tell – extra onions!!! Yeah me crazy with onions and this uttappam is super yummy!!! This is served as a breakfast in many homes in Southern India.. You can add more delicious things like coriander leaves, curry leaves, green chili, carrot etc… Oh yeah that will also be yummm…

Belgium Vegan Waffles

Waffles - Ah I love it!! They are so delicious, so kid friendly and are so popular.. And as with the other foods, when made at home you can make them healthier and there are so many choices... I got this recipe from here and it is surely a keeper.

Spanish Gazpacho Soup / Creamy Gazpacho Andaluz

Today we will relish the Spanish Soup - Great Gazpacho Soup. This soup is screaming healthy with loads of veggies and so flavorful also.. This is one of the soups you can make the day before as it tastes best when served cold.. I got this recipe from Americas Test Kitchen. This is so flavorful, elegant and richer..

 

Tahini

Tahini is a very delicious paste made from sesame seeds. It makes a delicious and important addition to Mediterranean cuisine.. It is an important part of the hummus.. It is advised to store the tahini is the fridge to avoid spoiling. Also addition of oil is not compulsory, but it gives a creamier texture.

Herbed Oil / Flavored Oil

Flavored oils are so much handy to have on hand and it is the best way to induce flavor and aroma into a dish. I made this flavored oil long ago (when I made my Focaccia Caprese). It is quite simple to do and can be stored for at least 15 - 20 days.

Grapes Jam–without Pectin

Today we are seeing a dish that is popular in all parts of the world.. The very humble – Jam!! I have started making jam in the last few years and every time I see loads of fruit, the first dish that comes to my mind is Jam!!! I have made many varieties of Jam but most of them uses Pectin to make the jam. Now this recipe is a Jam recipe that does not use Pectin, but gets the help from the pectin that is naturally in the grapes.. So this jam uses only 2 ingredients and gives you a beautiful jam with no pectin, no food color, no artificial preservatives and no essence also.. Trust me you get the bursting flavor of grapes and the beautiful color naturally… Although Jam is popular in many parts of the world, it is mainly used in English Breakfast – Bread and Jam.

Coconut Milk–Thick and Thin Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is an important ingredient in many countries cooking. It is used to thicken gravies, served as a drink with sweetener, sometimes is served as a condiment. Coconut milk makes a great condiment due to its subtle flavor along with the mild sweetness. It will taste great with spicy Thai dishes.

Kanchipuram Idli / Kancheepuram Idli

Today we travel to the temple city - Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is very famous for Silk Sarees (called Kanchipuram Pattu), temples, rich tradition and culture and food wise, this delicious idli. It has a beautiful aroma from the dried ginger powder and other spices. The recipe today is the very famous idli from this city. This is a very authentic recipe and has its unique taste, appearance and flavor..

Jal-Jeera / Jaljeera / Jaljira–Spiced Indian Drink

Today I am bringing a delicious and tongue tickling drink.. It is Jal-Jeera.. Jal means water and jeera is cumin seeds.. This is a very popular flavored drink in India and I got this recipe from here and changed very little.. All of us enjoyed this drink and it was so refreshing and energetic

Australian Baked Potato Wedges w Sour Cream and Sweet Chili Sauce

Here we are travelling to Australia via these delicious potato wedges. The potato wedges are normally deep fried and served along with sour cream and sweet chili sauce.. Here I did make it little more healthier by baking it instead of deep frying it... This makes a great evening snack, party food and it is so kid friendly.. Actually friendly for all ages.. i mean who does not like potatoes??? Definitely I do.. Serve this super hot or hot!!!.. Now this completes week 1 of Combo Dishes… Here is the one I used for Sour Cream

Dal Bhat w Rice

Today we are travelling to our neighboring country - Nepal to relish their National food - Dal Bhat with Rice.. When I was searching for the combos this was one of the first ones I had selected but could do it only yesterday!!! I made this for lunch and it was a very comforting and satisfying meal.. The best part is that you felt like eating home food but it is an International one!!! Serve this hot with steaming hot rice!!

Kaikuththal Aval Upuma / Brown Aval Upuma / Unpolished Poha Upuma

Talk about healthy ingredients and unpolished ingredients is on the top of it.. Today's recipe is using the very healthy aval (poha) to make upuma.. This poha is unpolished and is very healthy.. Great thig about poha is that it needs no cooking or minimal cooking only... This makes a great breakfast or a quick dinner... It takes about 15 minutes and tastes best when serve hot!! You can also garnish with some freshly grated coconut if desired.

Methi Pulao–Rice Recipes

Do you like Methi??? I actually love it.. There are so many dishes that can be made with this in both leaves form and seeds form.. They are so healthy, but not many appreciate it due to its slightly bitter taste... We add methi seeds (fenugreek seeds) to a lot of our daily dishes mainly sambar.. This pulao is made with the greens and is quite easy to make.. The flavor of the leaves are beyond words... I am not adding the whole garam masala spices here as I love the flavor of methi, but you may add if you prefer..

Nellikkai Saadam / Amla Rice

Do you know the speciality of Nellikkai (Amla)??? It is the only (at least that I know) that has 5 tastes out of the 6.. Meaning there is arusuvai (6 taste) types of taste that food can be seperated and Nellikkai has 5 in it.. The arusuvai (6 types of taste) are - Pulippu (sour), Thuvarpu (astringent), Kaarppu (pungent), Uppu (salt) , Inipu (sweet) and Kasappu (bitter).. And the other great thing about nellikkai (amla) is that it is used in so many varieties of dishes and it is sooo healthy.. The health benefits of it are so many that you can write few books on it.. And today's recipe if going to use this amla in a very easy way!!

Sautéed Mung Beans / Mung Beans Curry

Here comes a delicious, simple and healthy dish from dal.. I made this for breakfast yesterday we all loved it.. This will be a regular in my kitchen from now.. Try this and you will enjoy it!! This goes into Lentils in different ways theme for this BM..

Parupu Usli

Parupu usli is a very popular dish which is made from dals and green beans. This is served in almost all marriages and functions. This is very rich in nutrients from parupu which is rich in proteins and green beans which is a green vegetable. This one is also very appealing to the eye with green, yellow and red colors. It is a great accompaniment to mor kuzhambu, rasam or sambar. It is very filling as it comes with a lot of protein. Since the grinded dal tastes similar to vadai, we also call this vadaikkari..

Saamai Idli / Little Millet Idli–Millet Recipes

Today's guilt free recipe is with millets and the cutest millet of all... It is made with Saamai called as the Little Millet.. Idli by itself is a very healthy breakfast.. Now making it even more healthier is by substituting the rice portion with the millets.. I also used the whole black urad dal with the skin. Again making it even more healthier.. Serve it with a spicy chutney and gobble them guilt free.. I made them in mini idli molds and it was so attractive

Potato Bajji - Indian Snacks

Bajji is a famous snack in South India. It tastes best when served hot. Bajji can be done with a variety of vegetables like Potato, Carrot, Brinjal (Eggplant), Snake gourd, plantain, bell pepper, onion, bottle gourd, chili etc. Famous ones are potato, chili, plantain and onion. Adjust salt and chili powder to taste.