Short Break & Top Contributor Award

Hello  Friends
I am going out of town for two weeks, So taking a short break and will be back in the first week of June. I will not be posting for another two weeks, will be missing you all. 

I am happy to announce that I was awarded with Top contributor award from Mrs. Vimitha for submitting 67 recipes out of 274 recipes. I also won the Hudson Canola oil gift hamper, for details visit My Culinary Trial Room. Congrats to all other winners and everybody who participated.

Thank you Vimitha for conducting a nice event and wish you all the best to conduct more and more in the future...

Ok guys see you all after the break, please keep visiting...

Until then I am signing off...

Simple Vegetable Pizza And Cheese pizza from the scratch…

I am happy to say that I am part of Home Bakers Challenge started by some of the fellow blogger and initiated by Priya's Versatile . The objective of this challenge is  to learn and bake together.A special thanks to Divya for choosing Pizza for this month’s baking challenge.

Here’s how to make Simple Vegetable Pizza &  Cheese Pizza from  the scratch with step by step photos…

Pizza Sauce Recipe/Pasta Sauce Recipe/How to make Pasta Sauce at home with step by step photos

I know probably I am the last one to come up with pizza in the Home bakers challenge, but I believe "better late than never". My pizza is getting ready, meanwhile decided to post the pizza sauce. This is a very basic Pizza/Pasta sauce, I made this as a part of Home Baker's Challenge initiated by Mrs.Priya Suresh and this month host being Mrs.Divya Prakash. The original recipe did not call for all ingredients given below, I added a little more to give it little more flavor and taste.

Here's the Pizza/Pasta Sauce with step by step photos...

Pineapple, Ginger & Apple Juice

Now that I had some pineapple left, I was thinking of making pineapple juice, my daughter’s favorite. But I wanted to add more fruits to the pineapple that is when I came across food.com with pineapple, ginger & apple juice. I gave it a try and it was totally refreshing and lovely…

So here is Pineapple,Ginger & Apple Juice...

Baby Potato Roast/Fry – Method II

After I made my Dum Aloo, I had half the bag of baby potatoes so I made my husband’s favorite baby potato roast/fry. I have already posted a baby potato roast which is made differently, please check Baby Potato Roast/fry -Method I. This method I shown below is the quickest and the easiest potato roast which can be made in 10 min and needs very little ingredients. This can be made with regular large potatoes also but cut them to medium size pieces after boiling them. Ok for now…

Here’s how to make Baby Potato Roast/Fry with step by step photos…

Milagu Kuzhambu/Pepper Kuzhambu

Milagu kuzhambu/Pepper Kuzhambu is a traditional South Indian kuzhambu made by blending black pepper corns with other spices and ingredients. I have been making lot of dishes with pepper now, the reason is that though spring started officially in March, it is still cold and flowers are blooming only now(May). UK has faced a very bad winter after 50 years, and it is now raining and hail falling down, the weather is really pathetic. The perfect lunch for us I decided was milagu kuzhambu/Pepper kuzhambu and potato roast, an apt lunch for cold and rainy days.

Milagu kuzhambu has lots of medicinal values, it helps us when we have cold and cough. The pepper helps in getting rid of the phlegm and congestion. It also helps in digestion and gastric problems. Since we add lots of curry leaves this kuzhambu is also rich in iron. This is my mom’s special milagu kuzhambu.

You can use sunflower oil as well, but gingerly oil is excellent for this kind of kuzhambu's gives rich aroma and very good taste. Check out other delicious South Indian -TamilNadu special Kuzhambu varieties here.

Here’s how to make Milagu/Pepper Kuzhambu with step by step photos…

Masala Tea/Masala Chai - Making of Masala spice mix for Tea

I love to drink tea and when it comes to masala tea, I love the blend of spices infused together with the tea leaves makes me drink more and totally irresistible. Tea is drunk in all parts of India, but made differently in each place. My husband does not drink tea or coffee, I was like that until before marriage. But after marriage things changed I started to fall in love with tea and coffee. My father in law prefers to have cardamom/elachi  & ginger tea but started to have this masala tea and likes it a lot. Our families evening is complete only if we all have a cup of delectable tea and have a chat. 

Other interesting healthy and delicious tea varieties...

Coriander, Cumin, Fennel Tea/CCF Tea

Fennel Tea/Sombu Tea/Snauf Tea 

SukkuMalli Coffee/Sukku Coffee

Coriander Seeds Tea/Dhaniya Tea

MasalaTea/Masala Chai

ManjalPaal/Turmeric Pepper Milk/Golden Milk

Turmeric Tea

Paanagam

Here's how to make masala tea with step by step photos...

Dum Aloo/Aloo Dum

Dum Aloo is a very popular North Indian dish found in almost all restaurants. Dum aloo is a dish in which baby potatoes are cooked in gravy with aromatic spices. I am really fond of dum aloo, but whenever I buy baby potatoes I end up making roast. But this time I  decided I will surely make dum aloo with chapatis.

So here’s dum aloo with step by step photos…

Zucchini /Courgette Chutney [South Indian Style -Side dish for Idlis & Dosas]

Zucchini is a summer squash, very low in calories (15 calories per 100gm), rich in folate, potassium and vitamin A. It is a very delicate vegetable which cooks very fast. This is a exotic chutney with a Indian twist…  Check out other delectable chutneys here.

Here’s how to make it with step by step photos…

Tomato Kurma/Thakkali kurma[Perfect Side dish for Dosas, IDlis, Idiyappams...]

Tomato kurma is a typical South Indian breakfast side dish for dosas and idiyappams. I still remember my mom making this when we have unexpected guest and serve them with dosas or puris. This can be made very quickly and needs very less ingredients and also totally packed with vitamin C. Do check out other interesting and delectable Kurma Varieties here.

Here’s how to make tomato kurma with step by step photos…

Chinna Vengaya Sambar/Pearl Onion Sambar

Chinna vengaya sambar is a very traditional sambar made in South Indian homes. Usually it is made by grinding masala(arachu vita vengaya sambar) but here I chose an easy and quick version of sambar that can be made in a jiffy. This is my mom's simple vengaya sambar. Check out other South Indian Sambar and Dal varieties here.

Here’s how to make it with step by step photos…

Kaara Chutney Recipe/Rosapoo Chutney Recipe/Sambar Vengaya Chutney/Pearl Onion Chutney Recipe[Side dish for Idlis & Dosas]

This chutney is very special and quick chutney that can be made in minutes. You all must be surprised with the name “rosapoo” – yes that is how it is called in Nagapattinam. When I was a small kid, I used to think this chutney had rosapoo(rose) in it, very funny…

But my mom used to say, this chutney is made of sambar vengayam, red chillies and tamarind which give a beautiful color, from which it gets its name. This is my mom’s special recipe, she makes this is in ammi (grinding stone) it gives heavenly taste.  Check out other delectable chutneys here.  

Here’s how to make it with photos…

Other Chutney & Thogaiyal varieties that might be of your interest...

Coconut Chutney

Chettinad Kara Chutney/Kara Chutney

RedChilli Coconut Chutney

Vengaya Vadagam Chutney

Mint Coconut Chutney

Tomato Mint Chutney

Cilantro/Kothamalli/Coriander leaves Chutney

CarrotChutney

GreenBell Pepper Chutney

RedBell Pepper Chutney

Onion/VengayaChutney

OnionTomato Chutney

PearlOnionChutney/Rosapoo Chutney

SuttaKathrikkai/Brinjal Chutney

Tomato/ThakkaliChutney

TomatoThokku/Thakkali Thokku

ZucchiniChutney

Mullangi/RadishChutney

Peanut/Groundnut Chutney

Inji Thuvaiyal/Ginger Chutney

Kothamalli/CilantroThogaiyal

Thakkali Kothamalli Chutney/Tomato Coriander Leaves Chutney

Mint/Pudhina Thogaiyal

ParuppuThogaiyal/Dal Thogaiyal

PeekangaiThol Thogaiyal/Ridge gourd Peel Thogaiyal

Gongura Chutney/Pulicha Keerai Chuteny

Karpooravalli Thuvaiyal

Brinjal Tomato Chutney

Vallarai Keerai Thuvaiyal

Manathakkali Keerai Thuvaiyal

Thoothuvalai Keerai Thuvaiyal

Ididcha Poondu Milagai Podi

Karuvepilai Thokku

Ellu Thogaiyal/Sesame Seeds Thogaiyal

Karuvepillai ThogaiyalCurry Leaves Thogaiyal

Chow Chow Thol Thogaiyal

Dhaniya Chutney/Dhaniya Kara Chutney

Prawn 65/Shrimp 65/Eral 65

Hello Friends,

I am so happy and overwhelmed with joy because this is my first guest post for the "Friday Chat with bloggers"  at Priya's Menu.  Answering her questions was really fun and exciting, because it was totally new to me. Thank you  very much Mrs. Priya Sateesh for this  great opportunity.

It's been only a few months after I started my blog, but have made some nice friends. One such friends I have made now is Priya Sateesh.

Meanwhile do check out other interesting Prawn Recipe here and other Non-VegetarianBiryanis/Pulavs/Gravies/Varuvals/Appetizers here.

Spinach & Carrot Rice

Hi everybody, here’s another simple, easy and healthy one pot meal. It is just a fabulous lunch box recipe that can be made easily in the morning rush. Here’s the quick tip, just grate the carrots the previous night, keep it in the refrigerator and go to bed. Any way guys enjoy this healthy one pot meal.

Here’s how to make it with step by step photo’s…

Mango Ice Cream Recipe/Mango Ice Cream Recipe with out Eggs & Icecream maker/Mango Ice Cream with step by step photos

Homemade ice cream and that to mango ice cream, I don’t think nobody is going to say no to this. It is very simple, quick, easy and just made with three ingredients and off all the best part is - no ice cream machine. I came across this in savitha’s kitchen and gave it a shot. It is so creamy, delightful and the taste of mango is still lingering in my mouth.

Here’s how to make mango ice cream with step by step photos…

Classic Creamy Mashed Potato

These creamy and delicious mashed potatoes are made during Thanksgiving dinner (USA) and other special get-togethers. It is very easy and simple, can be made in big batches the previous day and heated in the oven and served hot. I eat usually spicy food, but my kids like the mashed potato, so I make it for them. It is very filling and super delicious creamy potatoes.

Here’s how to make mashed potato with step by step photos…

Quick Pressure Cooker Vegetable Biryani/Vegetable Biryani Recipe

Vegetable Biryani’s can be made in different ways, like layering, in rice cooker or vegetable dum biryani. This is the easiest and simplest version of vegetable biryani made in no time. It is a perfect and healthy one pot meal for all types of occasions, and especially very useful when packing lunch for kids or your husbands.

Here’s how to make it with step by step photos…

GiveAway at Daily Chores

Hi Friends,

My friend and fellow blogger Tinku is celebrating her six months completion of blogging with a give away. For more details on the rules and regulations go to Daily Chores

Congrats Tinku and Happy blogging...

Salted Mint Lassi Recipe/Salted Lassi Recipe/Lassi Recipe/How to make Salted Lassi easily at home

Lassi is a refreshing drink made by blending yogurt with different ingredients. There are different types of lassi’s like the sweet lassi and salted lassi. Here is a mint flavored lassi, perfect for hot days. Also check out other interesting and healthy Lassi's/Juices/Beverages/Milkshakes/Smoothies here.

Here’s how to make it…

Mushroom Pepper Fry Recipe/Mushroom Fry Recipe/Kalaan Milagu Varuval/Kalaan Varuval/How to make Mushroom Pepper Fry with step by step photos

I was not a great fan of mushrooms until a few years back. But once I started trying different recipes with mushrooms I started to fall in love with mushrooms. This mushroom pepper is very delicious and my hubby’s favorite. Do try it you will love it.

Here’s how to make it with step by step photos…

It’s a lucky weekend

It’s a lucky weekend for me and my baby(my blog). I won a flipkart voucher for Rs.1000 from Annarasa for the “Favorite street food/dhaba food”. It was a very lovely event and happily participated in it, for more details about the event VISIT HERE.

Thank you Apu of Annarasa…

I won “Sanjeev Kapoor’s- Cooking with love” from Viji’s –Virundhu Unna Vaanga for the Soul Food Show she conducted. It was a very lovely event and I am very happy I participated in her event.

Thank you Viji of Virundhu Unna Vaanga…

Congrats Shey Divine and Shama Nagarajan

Instant Besan Flour Dosa with Zucchini/Kadalai Maavu Dosai/Kadalai Maavu Dosai Recipe with step by step photos

This is a very simple, quick and healthy dosa which involves no grinding and no fermentation. This is similar to Rajasthani Puda but has the additional benefit of zucchini added to it. Zucchini is a summer squash, is a very delicate vegetable which needs very little time to cook. I came across this dosa in Manjulas kitchen, but made some changes by adding different ingredients. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

Here’s how to make zucchini besan flour dosa with step by step photos…

Lemonade/Lemon Juice

Lemonade is a simple lemon juice, by squeezing some lemons adding sugar and salt. But is that it??? No, making perfect sugar syrup and adding right quantity of ingredients at the right time is very important to make refreshing lemon juice.  Drinking lemon juice is the perfect way to beat the heat…

Here’s how to make it…

Thakkali Thokku Recipe/Tomato Thokku Recipe[Side dish for Idlis & Dosas-Multipurpose thokku]/Tomato Thokku

Tomato thokku is a very simple and delicious South Indian delight which can prepared,stored and saved for later. It comes in very handy when we don’t have time to cook. It is a perfect side dish for idli’s, dosa and rotis. You can even mix it in white rice and pack it for lunch. This is my mom's special thakkali thokku...  Check out other delectable chutneys here.

Here’s how to make tomato thokku with step by step photos…

Kondakadalai Sundal Recipe/White Chickpea sundal Recipe- Navaratri Special Sundal/Vinayagar Chathurthi Special Sundal

Kondakadalai/Chickpea sundal is a very common and healthy sundal variety prepared during the pooja days especially on Vinayaka Chathurthi, Navarathri etc. It is a very healthy and a filling evening snack, packed with proteins and fibers.

Here’s how to make it with step by step photos…

Banana & Almonds Milkshake Recipe

The name says it all, nutritious and a healthy drink. You can have it for breakfast, in that case, just skip the ice cream and sugar. Healthy and filling breakfast is ready. This is especially for kids who don't eat banana, an easy way to make them drink the banana. Meanwhile do check out other interesting, tempting, refreshing and lip smacking Smoothies/Ice-creams/Milkshakes/Juices here.

Here's how to make it...

Brinjal Pan Fried/Fried Eggplant/Kathrikkai Varuval

This brinjal pan fry was passed on by my friend years back. After a very long time I am doing this egg plant fry, sometimes we have to refresh our memories  to do certain things and my blog is helping me with this.

Here’s how to make Pan Fried Brinjal with step by step photos…

Aval Upma/Poha Upma with Peas/Aval Upma Recipes/Aval Upma Recipe with step by step photos

Most of the days, I just don’t plan much about what is to be cooked for breakfast or to pack for lunch. It is always in the last minute I decide to make something and get things done with. Today was one among them, I was really tired, so woke up late, had to pack lunch and send the kids to school. I ended up making Aval/Poha upma in a jiffy and everything was done on time. To my surprise I could get some clicks, I could read my husband’s thoughts “what on earth is she doing…”. But it’s ok, jobs done, wait not just done but well done. This is mom's loving upma. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

 Ok guys, stories apart here’s  Aval/Poha upma with step by step photos…

Soft Idli /Idli – Traditional South Indian Breakfast/Soft Idli Recipe

Idli is a very traditional and a common breakfast found in all most all houses in Tamil Nadu. Even though we make lots of breakfast dishes, still idli is the queen of all the breakfast varieties. It is a very healthy dish because it is steamed, easy digestible and packed with proteins and carbohydrates. These are the same reasons for which we start giving idlis even for babies at 4 or 5 months old. This is the perfect idli my mom has been making for years, I learnt from her long time back and have been doing this the same way with no modifications. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

So now let’s see how to make soft idli’s...

Apple & Banana Milkshake Recipe

Do you want to start your day healthy and filling, than here it is - Apple & banana milkshake with generous amount of cinnamon powder and no added sugar. Meanwhile do check out other interesting, tempting, refreshing and lip smacking Smoothies/Ice-creams/Milkshakes/Juices here.

Here’s how to make it with photos…

Mushroom Biryani Recipe/Kalaan Biryani/How to make Mushroom Biryani with step by step photos/Lunch Box Recipe/One Pot Meals

Since it was a vegetarian day and I was running out of all vegetables but had a big box of mushrooms so I thought I will make a mushroom pulav.  But I was getting really bored to make a pulav, so decided to make biryani.

I remember seeing mushroom biryani in sharmi’s space, but I made changes by grinding different ingredients and believe it or not it tasted like mutton biryani and made my day. Everybody in my house was happy and gobbled it up, so I am sharing it with you all. It is a great one pot meal perfect for parties and get-togethers. Also check out other interesting Vegetarian Pulavs/Biryanis/Rice Varieties here and Non Vegetarian Biryanis/Pulavs/Rice Varieties here

Here’s how to make mushroom biryani with step by step photos…