This dish is normally served at weddings and other celebratory functions in several parts of the country, especially North India. It is the most popular food counter at such functions. It is a live food counter where vegetables and the ‘masala’ are pre-prepared and kept on the tawa (girdle) separately. There are a variety of…
Tag: #oil-free
Karamani Kara Kuzhambu (Cow Peas Tangy Curry)
Kara kuzhambus are thick, tangy and often spicy gravy dishes, made in South India. Kuzhambu also has a broader meaning – signifying a gravy dish that can be mixed with rice. But kara kuzhambus are necessarily spicy and tangy. Most southern states have at least a couple of kara kuzhambus to their credit – like…
Green Pumpkin Chutney
I have been subscribing to a vegetable basket directly from an organic farmer for several years now. The arrangement is that the farmer will deliver 10 kgs. of whatever vegetable grown on his farm. The arrangement works out well since I am assured of seasonal and local produce regularly. There is only one drawback –…
Instant Mango Pickle
Festival food in Kerala (and also Thamizh Nadu, I suspect) is incomplete without this pickle. It is so easy to prepare that many households make this even on non-festive days. It tastes delicious, especially with the iconic South Indian curd (unflavoured yogurt) rice. Many people swear that there is no greater elixir – and I…
Whole Wheat Burger Buns
My journey for burger buns started with Hari’s outstanding potato burger. He often makes this whenever he bakes a normal whole wheat loaf. It was then that I thought that it would be great to have the burger with a proper bun. My search for a WFPB burger bun on the internet yielded no great…
Lotus Root Curry
I first bought lotus root in the late 80’s. To try a dish from a cookbook. Needless to say, it was unmitigated disaster. Thereafter, I stopped buying lotus root completely, It is only very recently that Hari told me to buy some. I told him that it was conditional to him making me a great…
Hurigaalu (Roasted Snack)
Hurigaalu is a roasted snack from the state of Karnataka. It is widely available at retail outlets all over the state – but isn’t homemade the best? It is a crunchy and delicious snack, packed with proteins. Though it takes a significant amount of prep time, the effort is well worth it. And, since it…
Pacha Mathan Pachadi (Green Pumpkin Curry)
I get loads of green pumpkin right through the year. In fact, it is a little difficult to find the yellow variety easily in North India (though freely available in non-organic outlets). Many of the dishes that I love uses the yellow variety – namely sambar, olan. I normally use the green variety to make…
‘Vella’ Aval (Sweet Beaten Rice)
Janmashtami was on August 11th. this year. This is a major festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the major Indian Gods. It is believed that Sudama, a childhood friend of Krishna, lived in abject poverty. His wife urged him to seek financial help from Krishna, who was then king of Dwaraka. But…
Bhendi Do Pyaza (Okra And Onion)
It seems to me that India is going through a food revolution. People are experimenting with food and tastes. I belong to a food group from the very tiny region called Palakkad. Many of the recipes posted here are from various other parts of the country, not necessarily Palakkad. There are lots of international recipes…