Bell Pepper Mushroom Subzi

To go with the mooli theplas, I made a quick ‘Bell Pepper Mushroom’ Subzi. I usually stick to the masala powders that mom makes for me: Sambar powder, Red chilly powder, Dhania Powder and Kari masal Podi. But sometimes I indulge in the convenience of ready made masalas like ‘chicken curry masala’, except I don’t … [Read more…]

Mooli Thepla

We went on an unplanned vacation over this weekend to ‘Lake Chelan’. The thing we enjoyed most was driving by the fruit orchards where the apples and pears were ripe for the picking. It was a beautiful sight. We even had a little apple picking expedition and the delight of biting on to a juicy … [Read more…]

Baked Bittergourd crisps(Baked Pavakkai chips)

‘Arusuvai’ – is the traditional Tamil word denoting the six different tastes in food: Sweet, Salty, Sour, Bitter, Spicy/Pungent, Astringent. It is believed that when you offer a meal it should contain all of these flavors. Most of the items that feature on the traditional banana leaf for weddings, used to cater to all of … [Read more…]

Spinach Pesto Pasta with Peas

I am never buying jarred pesto again…Yep, I have discovered how easy and effortless making pesto is. And, it is a great alternative to the usual tomatoey pasta sauce, or the cheesy alfredo that dons pasta at my house. It is a much healthier option too. Better yet, you can make the pesto in advance. … [Read more…]

Vendaikkai Puli Kootu

Puli Kootu….the first time I had this dish was when one of my friends’ mom who was visiting from India made this. It tastes the same as a puli kuzhambu, only thicker, and the advantage is, it is chock full of veggies. It is thicker than a kuzhambu and is meant to be eaten as … [Read more…]

Tomato Rice

It was a Sunday in the year 1995, and we were returning from a great weekend trip we had had. All of us had this satisfied smile on our faces…like we had accomplished something great…..except my mom..She had this expression on her face…like she was thinking reallly hard..When I asked her what, she seriously answered … [Read more…]