Beetroot Kodo Millet String-hoppers

I love string hoppers. I have written about it before. Traditionally, string hoppers are made with white rice. When I started making it at home some years ago, I switched to brown rice – and it was still superb. Last week, I was in the mood for string hoppers – but was wondering how I…

Palakottai Kuzhambu (Jackfruit Seed Curry)

The recipe today is an exotic one. Jackfruit seed curry. I am very fond of jackfruit seeds. But, being based in North India, it is very difficult to find them. I had an elderly lady who used to supply me this every week. Since the Covid lockdowns began in February 2020, I have not seen…

Roasted Makhana (Foxnuts)

I had heard about foxnuts, but never paid serious attention. Until a participant brought over curried foxnut for a potluck at my home. It was the best tasting dish of all the dishes at the potluck. It is then that I resolved to try out this wonderful ingredient. So, I bought some foxnuts and tried…

Chettinad Kara Kuzhambu (Tamarind Based Curry)

I have tried several times to describe the magic of kara kuzhambu (tamarind based curry) – but have never been successful. That’s because the taste of kuzhambu is really unique. It lifts the spirit up. It transports you to a different plane altogether. We made this simple kara kuzhambu (there are several of these) yesterday….

Dum Aloo (Baby Potato Curry)

Though we get loads of baby potatoes in North India, I rarely buy them. That’s because I feel guilty consuming potatoes – even though I have read so much about how healthy potatoes are. Perhaps a conditioning of my pre-WFPB days when we were advised by doctors to limit our intake of potatoes. Last winter,…

Chembu Elai Kuzhambu

I am aware that taro roots are used widely across the world. But I am not sure about the leaves. For the sake of convenience, I am going to call this taro leaves (arbi patta, chembu elai). This is used in India to make a number of dishes like fritters, rolls and curries. But there…

Palak ‘Paneer’

Palak is spinach in Hindi. And paneer is cottage cheese. Palak paneer is a very popular dish in the North Indian states. You will often find it on dinner tables when guests come for dinner. It is a very tasty dish, very mild and easy on the stomach. I have never been a fan of…

Arbi Ka Bhartha (Mashed Taro Root)

Taro root is called arbi or arvi in Hindi and chembu in Thamizh. This rhizome is widely used in Indian cooking. But not very many people know about this mash recipe. Much more well known and popular is the classic baingan bhartha (mashed eggplant). I came upon this dish while I was a very junior…

Sivappu Keerai Thandu Puli Kuzhambu (Red Amaranth Stem Curry)

Many people classify amaranth, especially the red amaranth, a super food. Amaranth is a fantastic vegetable – all its parts are edible, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers and seeds. The seeds are a good substitute for cereals. I had planted some red amaranth seeds in my garden about 45 days ago. I now have a…

Chidambaram Kathrikkai Gothsu

Chidambaram is a small temple town in the South Indian state of Thamizhnadu. Most activity in the town revolves around the temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a very old temple (more than 2,000 years) and huge. Many parts of the temple are in ruins. It is said that Shiva assumed his dancing form…