I never knew that watermelon rind could be used to prepare curries – though it seems pretty obvious that the rind should be edible. I first heard of this in a FB group on cooking that I belong to. I was fascinated and began researching the topic. There were several recipes, almost from all the…
Tag: #SouthIndian
Carrot Chutney (Dip)
It’s been a long time since I last posted. The corona virus and the subsequent lockdown meant adjusting to a new routine. This has taken some time. And cooking is dependent largely upon whatever vegetables are delivered – hence, there is limited opportunity to experiment with new dishes. But this is also the ideal time…
Verkadalai Sundal (Peanut Snack)
Sundals are South Indian snacks that are usually made during Navrathri (Festival of Nine Nights) that falls in September-October every year. There are several types of sundals, all more or less the same in terms of preparation. You will find a few in my blog. In North India, Navrathri is celebrated twice a year –…
Kunukku (Lentil Fritters)
Many of the Indin tea-time snacks are deep-fried. When I adopted a WFPB lifestyle several years ago, evening snacks became a real problem since I use no oil. It took quite a bit of experimentation to come up with tasty recipes that are not deep-fried. My air fryer was a real boon in this context….
Mysore Bonda (Savory Snack)
I had denied myself the pleasure of many snacks, including the delectable Mysore bonda, for decades since the air fryer had not been invented. Not so anymore! I am going to town enjoying my ‘deep fried’ snacks. Pleasures of youth, revisited.I’ve had Mysore bonda whenever there was a wedding or an occasion for family and…
Elavan Kootu (Ash Gourd Curry)
Kootu (a wet curry) is almost a staple in most South Indian homes. It is invariably bland and there are several types of kootu. Often paired with a sambar (or any other spicy curry that is mixed with rice), kootu is the perfect counterbalance to a spicy curry. There are several ways of preparing kootu…
Manga Inji Kuzhambu (Mango Ginger Curry)
Crucuma amada is a rhizome related to the ginger and turmeric families. It has a distinct raw mango flavour. Called manga inji in South India and amba (or ambad) haldi in other parts of the country, it is a delicious root and has several medicinal properties. Having said that, it is also very tasty. It…
Mullangi Chutney (Radish Dip)
Chutneys are a regular feature in my home. We make a chutney about 3-4 times a week. That’s because I like a cooked breakfast rather than one from a packet. Therefore, it is invariably a dosa, idli, utthapam, pesarattu… These pair well with chutneys. The classic in chutneys is the popular coconut chutney. But I…
Varagu Idli (Kodo Millet Dumplings)
Idlis are really healthy. I read somewhere that doctors are recommending this dish for heart patients. I normally make idli using brown rice. The milllet version is even healthier. Given that it is fermented, it is easy on the digestive system and good for the gut. I was a little worried that the idlis may…
Varagu Dosai (Kodo Millet Crepe)
I often have millets as part of my diet. My personal favourite is kodo millet, but I love all the other millets too. One of the things that I really miss, after adopting a WFPB diet, is rava (semolina) dosa (crepe). I have tried several substitutes for rava, but it is not quite the same…
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