Veg Momos - South Asian Dumpling

Veg Momos - for so long, I've been thinking its from China!

For so long, i have been thinking that veg momos are from China. but i am surprised to know that they are South Asian, and native of Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and few north eastern states of India.

Garlic Pickle - Garlic-y Tangy Pickle !

பூண்டு ஊறுகாய் (Garlic Pickle)

I had lots of garlic at home which was becoming old. first i thought of making garlic gravy - country style kuzhambu. but that will be good only for just a day or two. so decided to make garlic pickle, which has more shelf life. the tamarind used in this recipe increases its shelf-life and gives this awesome sweet and sour taste to this pickle along with the subtle roasted-garlic flavour. 

Happy Pongal !!

அன்பும் ஆனந்தமும் பொங்கிட...

அறமும் வளமும் தழைத்திட...இல்லமும் உள்ளமும் பொங்க...இனிய தமிழர் திருநாளாம்...

பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!!

Mango Ginger Pickle - Use the Season

மாங்காய் இஞ்சி (மா இஞ்சி ) தொக்கு - Mango Ginger Pickle

Mango ginger - botanical name - Curcuma amada (another name Curcuma mangga! Source: Wikipedia). doesnt that mangga sound familiar.. :)

looks like ginger or turmeric rhizome. this is an unique member of ginger family which has this distinct mango smell yet tastes like ginger. really wonder how a rhizome possess mango smell?! 

Maravalli Kizhangu - Tapioca Tuber Stir Fry

மரவள்ளிக்கிழங்கு or Aalvalli Kizhangu Poriyal

This is my yet another childhood time pass food item. even though my mother never makes this, my neighbour auntie makes this during the season and never misses to share with us. just boil it in water with or without salt. that's enough cooking. we eat it just like that. but there was another neighbour from Kerala, they used to

Bajji - Boundless Evening Snack!!

Boundless Bajji - with Onion, Plantain and Potato

It's been more than a year since i made bajji. don't know why it took me so long to make bajji. propably i get that "craving" to eat bajji only during the winter... hot bajji and filter coffee.. such an awesome combo. A simple fried gram

Chinese Elbows

Chinese Elbows - Macaroni in Chinese Style

Unexpected holiday.. make it special !!

Today, is a study holiday for my daughter. so, its just myself and my daughter in our house for lunch. i decided to cook my daughter's favourite - pasta or noodles. i wanted to make something easy to cook but good to eat. my daughter asked for Chinese noodles. but i had only elbow macaroni in home. that's how we ended up having Chinese Elbow for lunch. 

Black (Whole) Urad Dhal Laddu

கறுப்பு உளுந்து லட்டு  - Black (Whole) Urad Dhal Laddu

Only recently i noticed that urad dhal is one of the key ingredient in many of south Indian recipes. It is only for the past few decades we have been using white skinned (white) urad dhal. Before that it was the black whole urad dhal which was mostly in use. There were many special recipes here in Tamil Nadu with whole black urad dhal exclusively for its health benefits. Example உளுத்தம் களி, உளுத்தம் கஞ்சி, உளுத்தம் வடை, உளுத்தம் புட்டு, உளுத்தம் தோசை, உளுத்தம் லட்டு etc. Urad dhal is good to be consumed by women especially young girls during menstruation.