Sunday, 31 August 2014

Channa Sundal / Kondakadalai Sundal / Chick Peas Sundal

Sundal is a healthy snack preparation using legumes( lentils) seasoned with spices and coconut.  It is also an important dish offered as prasadam during Hindu festivals especially during Ganesha chathurthi, Navarathri, particularly in South India. 

Here is the recipe for  protein packed and also tasty Channa / Chick peas sundal !



Wednesday, 27 August 2014

Varagu Ven Pongal / Kodo Millet Pongal / Siru Thaniya Ven Pongal

Varagu arisi (Kodo Millet) is a easily digestible, gluten free and also a highly nutritious millet.

Kodo millet is also known for its high fibre content (9 grams fiber per 100 g of kodo millet while 0.2 g of fiber is in 100 grams of rice), thus helps to control blood sugar levels.




It is known by Koden / Harka in Kannada, Koovaragu in Malayalam, Kodra in Hindi, Arikelu in Telugu and kodo millet in English .

Pongal is usually made of rice and moong dhal; here is a twist using varagu arisi instead of rice.

Vargu pongal pongal taste similar to  rice pongal only ; so you can easily include this millet in place of rice in many recipes. Every body in my family liked this yummy and healthy pongal!




Sunday, 24 August 2014

Karupatti (palm jaggery) Paniyaram / Sweet Paniyaram Using Palm Jaggery / கருப்பட்டி பணியாரம்



Karupatti paniyaram is a traditional sweet made during festive seasons using in Southern India especially in Tamilnadu.

In this recipe for sweetness karupaati vellam (palm jaggery) is used instead of sugar. 

Karupatti vellam or panai vellam is made from the sap extract of Palm Trees. The process of making palm jaggery, does not involve any chemical agents and it is also rich in calcium, iron and other vitamins and minerals. 

Palm jaggery is a healthy alternative for sugar to increase sweetness in many desserts and coffee too. 

Include this in your daily routine for a healthy living.


Wednesday, 20 August 2014

Red Amaranth Leaves Stir Fry / Mullai Keerai Poriyal

This is a healthy, tasty and also easy to make stir fry / poriyal using Red amaranth leaves / Mullai Keerai which is loaded with full of vitamins and minerals.  

This South Indian dish is a best accompaniment for rice with sambar, rasam or curd.


Ingredients:

Amaranth leaves / Mullai keerai  - 1 (big) bunch
Onion - 1 (finely chopped)
Green chillies - 2 to 3 (slited lengthwise)

Garlic - 4 to 5 cloves (finely chopped)
Salt - to taste
Grated coconut - 1 to 2 tbsp


For Seasoning:
Oil - 2 to 3 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Cumin seeds - ¼ tsp
Urad dhal - ½ tsp

Saturday, 16 August 2014

Easy Red Aval Ladoo (Poha / Rice Flakes Ladoo) / Krishna Jayanthi / Janmashtami Recipes

Here is a tasty, easy to make and healthy snack Red Aval Ladoo that is suitable for all such special occasions; and particularly for the Krishna Jayanthi / Janmashtami (17th)


Yield : 8 to 10 ladoos

Ingredients:

Red aval - 1 cup
Sugar - ½ cup
Ghee (Clarified Butter) - ¼ cup
Milk - 1 or 2 tbsp ( if necessary)
Cashews - 10 (broken)
Raisins - 8
Cardamom powder - ¼ tsp


Wednesday, 13 August 2014

Spicy Chicken Balls / Kola Urundai / Chicken Kola Urundai /சிக்கன் கோலா உருண்டை - South Indian Style

A yummy twist to the chettinad special kola urundai by using chicken instead of meat!

 I am sure it is going to be a treat for chicken lovers especially kids!

You can have this tasty chicken balls as a snack or side-dish for meals. Try this and give your feedback.



Monday, 11 August 2014

Mint Rasam / Pudina Rasam

This fresh and aromatic mint flavored rasam is slightly different from normal Instant rasam preparation but i am sure you all are going like this!

Check also my Mint Rice, Mint Chutney and Mint Chicken recipes too.


Saturday, 9 August 2014

Thinai Payasam / Foxtail Millet Kheer / திணை பாயசம்

Thanks to all for supporting and motivating me over the past two years!!




Here is a special, healthy recipe to celebrate this occasion!!

Thinai (Foxtail) is one of those forgotten grains that were part of ancient Tamil cuisine.

Thinai is rich in fiber; thus helps to control blood sugar levels. It also helps in reducing bad Cholestrol (LDL/VLDL) and increase the good Cholestrol (HDL).

This small "grain" (Siru Dhanyam) variety is easy digestible, gluten-free and packed with vitamins and minerals.

Having started to appreciate the benefits of this wonder grain, I want to share some recipes to include this in our daily diet.

My first trial is making payasam using thinai; the outcome was successful with everyone in my family loving it.

It is known as navane in Kannada, kangni in Hindi, korra in Telugu, thina in Malayalam and foxtail millet in English.




Ingredients:

Thinai / Foxtail millet - ½ cup
Jaggery - ¾ to 1 cup
Full cream milk - 2 cup
Water - 1½ cup
Cardamom - 1 tsp
Raisins - 10 pieces
Cashew nut - 10 to 15 pieces (broken)
Ghee - 2 to 3 tsp