The first time I had this curry or bhaji was at the famous Swati Snacks in Mumbai. I was captivated by its sweet and spicy taste. Of course, it helped that Guava was among my favourite fruits. Also know as Amrud in North India and Peru in Maharashtra, Guavas are of two types, white or…
Amrud ki Sabzi or Guava Curry
Masala Doodh or Masala Milk
Yesterday was the first Shravana Somavaram of 2013. My brother, Anand, and I fast through the day with just fruits and milk for sustenance. Both, Anand and I, do not like the taste of just milk and so normally add Complan to our milk. To our horror yesterday, we ran out of Complan! For a…
Bellam Atukulu or Vella Aval – Sri Krishnashtami or Gokulashtami Naivedyam
One of the most waited festivals in Shravana Masam is the one that celebrates the birth of Sree Krishna. Known variously as Gokulashtami, Sri Krishnashtami, Sri Krishna Jayanti, and Sri Krishna Janmashtami (or simply Janmashtami), it is a festival celebrated throughout India. Today I am writing about Bellam Atukulu or Vella Aval, a traitional naivedyam for Krishna…
Guggillu | Konda Kadalai Sundal | Chickpea Sundal
Kondakadalai Sundal or Chickpea Sundal is perhaps the most commonly served Sundal during Navratri.
Called Guggillu in Telugu, this protein-rich, vegan dish is essentially boiled and tempered chickpeas flavoured with grated coconut.
Shravana Masam or Shravan – Heralding the Festival Season
My favourite time of the year started yesterday with Shravana Masam or the month of Shravan. Hindus follow the lunar calendar. In North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh,Punjab, and Rajasthan, the month starts on the full moon day (Poornima). However, in some states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, the month starts on the new…
The Perfect Butter Cake
On her page “Meet Radhika,” Radhika of Sinsations writes, “I started baking at 11 or 12, with my mom.” As I read this one line, I was overwhelmed with nostalgia. I so wanted to bake my mother’s butter cake and I did! While Amma and I cooked together all the time, baking held a special place…
Tzatziki: Greek Yogurt and Cucumber Dip
Tzatziki is an super easy-to-make Creamy Greek and Yogurt Cucumber Dip that you can enjoy with vegetable crudités, Falafel and/or Pita bread.
I even use it as a spread for sandwiches.
It takes less than 15 minutes to make this absolutely delish and cool dip.
Adrakwali Chai or Ginger Tea
It has been raining non-stop for the past few days in Mumbai and it is threatening to rain even more over the next few days! After my ritual “tumbler” of filter coffee in the morning, I sometimes crave tea in the day. We Indians make an astonishing variety of teas; elaichi chai or cardamom tea, masala…
Vankaya Vepudu, Baingan Ka Bhaji or Aubergine Fry
In our home,this curry is known as Daddy’s Vankaya Koora. This is for several reasons. First, he makes a mean version of this Koora. Second, he loves it. Third, none of us can quite replicate the taste. 🙂 I absolutely love it because this Vankaya Koora is absolutely simple yet delicious, and goes justas well with rotis as…
Cheesy Spinach Corn Casserole
We try to have something different every Sunday and this past week we suddenly realised that we had not had Cheesy Spinach Corn Casserole in ages. This is a recipe I learnt from my mother when I started to bake and I guess it was the first savoury baked dish I learnt. This is also the dish…
Boiled Egg Curry – 2
This past week, we got a cook at home. Actually, there are these two sisters; A and R; who help clean our home and when we needed a cook, we asked the older of the two, A, to help us. And what a boon she turned out to be. While she is learning “our way” of cooking,…
French Beans Poriyal | French Beans Thoran
French Beans Poriyal (also called French Beans Thoran) is a simple dish with French beans that I often eat as a salad by itself. The very essence of Beans Poriyal is its simplicity. So, I don’t think it would behoove me to wax eloquent and spoil the its simplicity. So here goes! You can also…
