Iru Puli Kuzhambu

This is a typically Thirunelveli dish. Thirunelveli is a region in the south Indian state of Thamizhnadu. It is famous for it’s distinctive cuisine. This traditional recipe tastes delicious. I have only started experimenting with Thirunelveli cuisine and have fallen with it. Many recipes of Thirunelveli are similar to dishes from Kerala since the city…

Tidali Dal

In many states of India, especially the southern states, there is a concept of ‘kootan’. Kootan means a gravy dish that can be mixed with rice for a meal. It is separate from a dish that is eaten along with rice and kootan. In other parts of the country, especially the northern states, the ‘dal’…

Unda Kuzhambu (Lentil Dumplings In A Tamarind Gravy)

Unlike most other parts of the country, South India has a tradition of ‘kootan’ to describe the gravy dish that is mixed with rice. Kootan is a generic Palakkad term that covers the entire range of sambar, kuzhambu, yogurt based dishes… but nor rasam. As it is easier to use a single word instead of…

Cucumber And Peas Dosa

Dosas are a very popular breakfast (or indeed anytime) dish. Originally from South India, they are now available in almost every nook and corner of the country. This spread has spawned several variations of this humble dish. I belong to a food group (not vegan, but vegetarian) that is immensely popular with over 23K members…

Raw Mango Salad

As a kid, I loved sour stuff. That fascination and preference continues. It is quite common in India to consume raw mangoes with salt and chili powder. But I can eat a raw mango with no accompaniment. I remember my mother invariably identifying correctly me as the culprit when she found her raw mangoes missing….