Puzhi Kuzhambu

Puzhi kuzhambu is a very tangy tamarind gravy enjoyed in the southern part of India. It is one of those regular everyday menu item that doesnt take much effort to make. The one which I make is an easy version that my mom taught me. She always used to serve this with rice and boiled egg and you know how tasty it is when mom's make. Hmmm the authentic taste and aroma.... Add a little ghee and yes....

This is what u'll need....

Coconut 5 tbspn

Garlic cloves 6

Onion 1 small

Tomato 1 small

Tamarind - size of lemon

Sambar powder 1.5 tbspn

Mustard 1 tspn

Fenugreek seeds 1/2 tspn

Fenugreek powder 1/4 tspn

Salt to taste

Oil 3 tbspn

Vegetables 2 cup - potato/drumstick/brinjal/okra

Here is the stir....

• Grind coconut, onion, tomato, sambar powder and salt
• Heat oil in a pan and add cut vegetables
• Fry them for a while till water eveaporates and then remove and keep aside
• To the same pan add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, garlic
• Pour coconut mixture into the pan and cook till on medium till the raw smell goes off
• Add the fried and boil the mixture till the vegetables are cooked - around 10 mins
• Mix tamarind juice to the mixture and boil for another 5 mins - the oil should start separating my now
• Blend in the fenugreek powder just before removing from stove top

Instant Pal Khova

Last minute guests and need of a quick desert. Dont worry, I have this story of a divine dessert only for you. A colleague of mine was about to leave to India. She wanted to treat us with a simple sweet dish that she brought to the work place. It was yum yum yummmm. The fun part was that she wasnt even aware of the abc's of cooking. When she revealed the secret recipe, the truth of her instant success unveiled. It was the microwave magic. She had made as pedas but I make the same recipe to khoya consistency which is more softer and lighter in texture. So here is a treat that you can surprise your guests with - just 5 mins and you are done.

 

Serves ...4 ppl
Serve option ... warm

This is what u'll need....

Sweetened Condensed milk - 1 can - 400 gm

Butter 1 stick - 1/2 cup

Milk powder 1 and 3/4 cup

Cardamom powder 1/4 tspn

Fried Cashews/raisins/pista for garnish

Here is the stir....

• Melt butter in microwave for 30 secs
• Add condensed milk, butter and cardamom powder
• Microwave for another 5 mins. Stir every 2 mins
• Sprinkle chopped cashews, raisins and pistachios

Quick Sambar for Idly

My mom makes real cool sambar for idly. She has her wonderful sambar powder that works out the wonders. I dont add any vegetables when making this sambar. Super hot idlis and sambar to dip them is heavenly. It makes my mouth watering. Again top off the idlis with a little ghee and it reaches further heights.

This is what u'll need....

Tuvar dal 1/2 cup

Idly sambar powder 2 tbspn

Gram flour 1 tspn

Turmeric 1/4 tspn

Salt to taste

Tamarind paste - 1/4 tspn

Onion 1 large

Tomato 1 medium

Green chillies 3

Mustard, urad dal for tadka

Coriander leaves for garnish

Oil 2 tbspn

Salt to taste

Here is the stir....

• Pressure cook the dal for 2-3 whistles and let it cool down
• Meanwhile heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, broken urad dal
• Add finely chopped onions and fry till golden
• Toss in chopped tomatoes and green chillies
• When everything is cooked add the tuvar dal, salt, tamarind paste
• Mix idly sambar powder, gram flour in half a cup of water and add to the pan
• Boil the mixture for 15 mins and then garnish with lots of coriander leaves
• The recipe looks simple but the results are really fabulous

Maida Biscuits

This snack has been close to my heart right from my childhood. My mom used to make big batches of this snack and store them in big containers. Hats-off to her patience. We would keep snacking on them all the time. I have always loved the bite and taste of it. It is so yummy that we can never have just a few

Making these maida biscuits requires just  few ingredients and a little bit of your time. Love making this as its my favourite and everybodys too