Ingredients: Seasoning: Method: Notes:
Author: aspringinyourstep
Vankaya banda pachadi
This is a very tasty, spicy side dish for rice using smoked brinjal cooked on open fire. With only a few ingredients it can be prepared in a jiffy. Large white brinjals are preferred. Large deep purple ones are also good for this pachadi. In fact I prepare this dish only using purple brinjal as…
Murukku Thenkuzhal (Jantikalu)
An extremely popular, extraordinarily tasty snack of south India. Ingredients: Method: Notes:
Kaju katli
An evergreen, universal favorite owing to its richness and gentle sweetness . Also very easy to prepare. Ingredients: 1 cup of cashews3/4 cup (or slightly less if you prefer) of sugar1/4 cup of water Yields about 20 diamonds. Method: 1. Finely grind the cashews to a powder. A coffee grinder does a great job of this. …
Gongura pachadi
This can easily be said to be the identity of Andhra, claiming a super royal status in Telugu cuisine, along with Avakaya and kandipodi (gunpowder). Made using the tinglingly sour leaves of Gongura (Sorrel) leaves, this signature pickle is loved by every serious Andhrite☝️ There are actually two varieties of these gongura – called tella(white…
Menthikura paruppu usili
This is a Tamil food – vendhaya keerai(fenugreek leaves) paruppu usili. Paruppusili I have’nt posted yet. It is a slight variation of Telugu Patoli. We use a mix of dals ground with spices which is steamed and then saute’d with some vegetable in Tamil style whereas in Patoli we use just chana dal or kala…
Rava Kesari
This is a wildly popular sweet in all of India – Rava kesari in the south and suji halwa in north India. This is the first recipe in my recipe diary, that I noted down from my pinni (Bangalore) for this is one of the first sweet recipes any newbie learns as it is easy…
Karivepaku Kaarappodi
Karivepaku (Curry leaves ) podi is another of the most popular podis of South India. For me, it is the number 1 favorite podi and number 2 of all my favorite foods, first being aha…aha mouthwatering uppu-vamu (salt + ajwain). They are both such soul foods, so yummy and light on the tummy. Third is…
Mochai kaara kuzhambu
Mochaikottai kaara kuzhambu can be said to be unique to TN. This spicy gravy with an enticing aroma of ground masala and nutty flavor of mochaikottai (field beans) is a delightful accompaniment to rice and also idly, dosa, pongal even chapati etc., Belonging to the legume category these nutritious beans are great sources of protein…
Munagaaku podi
Podis are important accompaniments to south Indian food – rice or dishes like idly, dosa. Their main purpose is to add flavor to the base food. These wonderful powders which are simply a mix of spice and lentil or sometimes leafy greens, as in this case, are appetizers, digestive aids, healthy substitute for other dishes…
A Spring in your Step 