Hummus Recipe – Middle Eastern Delight/How to make Hummus Recipe with step by step photos

Hummus is a Middle Eastern delight made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt. It is a very common and popular dip or spread in the Middle Eastern cuisine. Hummus is found in most of the grocery shops in the refrigerated section. Without any doubt Hummus is the tastiest and the healthiest dip, which can be served with pita bread, rotis, chapathis or even spread it on bread to make a wonderful sandwich. Tahini paste plays a vital role in the making of Hummus. Do check out how to make Tahini paste here.

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

Homemade Tahini Paste/Sesame Seeds Paste-Middle Eastern Delight

Tahini is a paste made by grinding roasted sesame seeds along with olive oil, used in North Africa, Greece, Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine. Tahini plays a vital role in Middle Eastern recipes and is a foundation for many recipes likehummus, baba ghanoush, halva etc and also served as a dip on its own [Wikipedia]. Tahini paste can be purchased from shops, but can be made at home in a jiffy. I personally love Middle Eastern dishes and prepare hummus, falafel, baba ghanoush etc at home. Tahini is an excellent source of omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids and is also rich in copper and manganese. Tahini has relatively high levels of calcium and protein and is perfectly suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.

Here's how to make Tahini Paste with step by step photos....

Mullangi Chutney/Radish Chutney/Mooli Chutney

Radish is an edible root vegetable, with numerous health benefits. Radish is a very common vegetable consumed around the world because it grows really fast. It is available in different size and shapes in white and red colours depending on the climatic conditions in which it grows. It has very less calories, high water content, rich in vitamin C and fiber. They are also rich in wide range of essential vitamins and minerals like potassium, folate, manganese, copper, magnesium, calcium, vitamin B6 etc.  Radishes can be either cooked or can be had raw in salads. I usually make radish sambar, poriyal or parathas. Check out other delectable chutneys here.

Here’s how to make Mullangi Chutney with step by step photos….

Pudina Rice/Mint Rice

Hello friends,

Today I am posting a very simple, healthy and quick lunch box recipe – Mint rice/Pudina rice. Clean the mint leaves the previous night and keep it in the refrigerator and in the morning you can finish off this rice in no time and pack a healthy lunch for your kids, husband or even for yourself.

Here’s how to make Pudina Rice/Mint Rice with step by step photos….

Peerkangai Thol Thogaiyal/Ridge gourd Peel Chutney

My previous post was Peerkangai/Ridge gourd kootu, so I did not throw away the peel rather made my favourite peerkangai thol thogaiyal. It is rich is fiber and very delicious and traditional thogaiyal of Tamil Nadu. I wrote a few benefits about ridge gourd/peerkangai in my previous post and I want to share a few more here as well. Peerkangai helps in lowering the blood and urine sugar level, not only that it helps to purify, restore and nourish liver and also helps to cure skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis etc.  When the ridge gourd is allowed to mature and dry in the vine, it is later harvested like a sponge. This sponge is one great natural exfoliating product used for bathing to remove dead skin cells and thereby leaving the skin soft and conditioned. I think with this note I will move on with the recipe. Check out other chutney & thogaiyal varieties here.

Here’s how to make Peerkangai Thol Thogaiyal with step by step photos…

Ridge gourd Kootu/Peerkangai Kootu

Ridge gourd is a very tender and versatile vegetable referred to as luffa, turiya, turai, beerakai or dodka in several languages in India. It is a well-known and a very common vegetable in Asia, Africa and Arabian nations. Ridge gourd is loaded with dietary fiber, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamine, iron, as well as magnesium. It is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and has excellent blood purifying properties. Check out other delicious kootu varieties here.

Here’s how to make Ridge gourd kootu with step by step photos…

Roasted Chicken Drumsticks Recipe – Tandoori Style/Chicken Drumsticks Recipe/How to make Chicken Drumsticks Tandoori Style with step by step photos

Roasted chicken drumsticks are one of the easiest and my most favourite party food. This chicken drumsticks is loaded with flavours and spices and but requires very little preparation. Just marinate the whole batch of chicken drumsticks the previous night and bake or grill it in the oven the next day. Tada!!! A classic Indian Tandoori Chicken is ready; who can resist this wonderful, flavour packed chicken drumsticks. Also check out other interesting and mouthwatering Chicken Varuvals/Fry/Biryanis/Gravies etc here, Mutton/goat Meat Recipes,Fish & Egg Recipes.

Here’s how to make Roasted Chicken Drumsticks with step by step photos….

Vegetable Masala Oats/Oats Savoury Porridge/Vegetable Masala Oats Recipe/How to make Vegetable Masala Oats with step by step photos...

Do you want to start your day healthy? Are you looking for a breakfast loaded with vegetables, infused with flavours and perfect blend of spices? Are you bored of having the same old porridge in the morning because your doctor said so? Then here is the answer for you, a very healthy, delicious and filling Vegetable Masala Oats bursting with flavours. Meanwhile do check out other interesting Breakfast Recipes here.

Here’s how to make Vegetable Masala oats with step by step photos…

Pudina Thogaiyal/Mint Thogaiyal [Without Coconut]

Pudina thogaiyal is a very flavorful thogaiyal that can be made in minutes. It requires very less ingredients. I usually don’t add coconut to make this thogaiyal, but adding little makes it tastier. Do check out the mint chutney which I have posted earlier.  Check out other delectable chutneys here.

Here’s how to make Pudina Thogaiyal with step by step photos…

Thayir Vadai Recipe/Curd Vadai Recipe/Dahi Vadai Recipe/Uraddal Vadai Soaked in Yogurt/How to make Thayir Vadai with step by step photos

Thayir vadai is yet another delectable and my favourite evening snack. I love it so much I can finish off one whole plate in no time. The best part of thayir/curd vadai is, though the vadai’s are fried in oil, as they are soaked in water for about a minute and when squeezing out the water all most all the oil also comes out of the vadai and they become very soft. All the goodness of yogurt/thayir, protein from urad dal, added vegetables makes this a delicious evening snack. Do check out other Vadai Varieties here and other starters/Appetizers/Evening Snacks here

Here’s how to make Thayir Vadai with step by step photos….

Red Velvet Cake Recipe/Red Velvet Cake Recipe with step by step photos

I am so happy to share with you all that today Priya’s Virundhu is celebrating First Blog Anniversary. This day last year I started this wonderful journey of blogging. It’s been a whole year and it is totally unbelievable as time flew really fast for me. The blogging world is really amazing and I am really happy to have come across so many wonderful, inspiring and loving bloggers. This virtual world has taught me so many things and I made lot of sweet friends. This journey of one year has been tremendous for me and I have successfully posted 352 posts. This is really a great achievement for me and it is all possible only because of your love and support.

Here's how to make Red Velvet Cake with step by step photos...

On this special occasion I would like to thank all my readers, followers, visitors, subscribers, co-bloggers, facebook fans, friends and family whole heartedly. Thank you all for the great support and encouragement you all have given me without which I could not have reached up to this point. I request all of you to keep giving the same support and encouragement in the coming years as well. As a special thanks to each and every one of you I am dedicating this yummylicious Red Velvet Cake, with true love.  

Banana Muffins [Low Fat Version] /Banana Muffins Recipe/How to make Banana Muffins with step by step photos

 This Banana Muffin is a tried and tasted recipe from a cook book. It is a low fat version by the weightwatchers. These muffins are gorgeous for breakfast, served with honey and glass of milk. Do try it out friends, you will surely like it.

Here’s how to make Banana Muffins with step by step photos…

Green Chicken Biryani Recipe- Chicken Biryani with Mint,Cilantro & Green Chillies/Green Chicken Biryani Recipe/How to make Green Chicken Biryani with step by step photos

Hello Friends,

Today with not much of an introduction I am going to share with you all a very colourful, flavourful and delicious Green Chicken Biryani. Also check out other interesting and mouthwatering Chicken Varuvals/Fry/Biryanis/Gravies etc here, Mutton/goat Meat Recipes,Fish & Egg Recipes

Here’s how to make Green Chicken Biryani with step by step photos…

Biscuit Sablés/Eggless French Shortbread Biscuits

This Biscuit Sablés is for the Home Baker’s Challenge. Last month I missed the xmas bakes because I was on vacation. For this month we are exploring the French Cuisine. I know I am late for the challenge, but then thought better late than never. Thanks to Mrs. Priya Suresh for choosing the French cuisine for the challenge.

French Shortbread biscuits are very famous and they just melt in out mouth because of the butter. Like other short bread cookies they are really very easy and quick to make. They are really very soft and super delectable.

Here’s how to make Biscuit Sablés/Eggless French Shortbread Biscuits with step by step photos…

Nethili Meen Varuval Recipe/Nethili Meen Fry Recipe/Anchovies Fish Fry Recipe/Nethili Meen Varuval Recipe with Step by step photos

Anchovies/Nethili Meen are small, shiny, silver fish found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are found in temperate waters and are very rare or absent in very cold or very warm seas. Nethili meen/Anchovies is a versatile fish with different dishes are prepared like Nethili meen kuzhambu, Nethili Meen thithippu, Nethili karuvadu fry etc. For now I am sharing a very easy and quick Nethili Meen Varuval/Anchovies Fry. Meanwhile do check out other interesting Mutton Recipes, Fish Recipes and Chicken Recipes here.

Here’s how to make Nethili Meen Varuval with step by step photos…

All About Pongal- Harvest Festival of Tamil Nadu/Menu for Pongal

Wishing you all a Very Happy Pongal/Thai Pongal...
Iniya Uzhavar Thirunaal Vaazhthukkal

Pongal is the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu celebrated for four days from January 13 -16. The first day is called the Bhogi Pongal, second day is the Pongal/Thai Pongal, third day is the Mattu Pongal and the fourth day is the Kaanum Pongal/Kanni Pongal. Pongal is celebrated with great zest through out Tamil Nadu, a traditional occasion on which special thanks is offered to nature, Sun god, Rain god[Indra], cattle etc.

Paal Pongal Recipe/Milk Pongal Recipe/Vellai Pongal – Pongal Special – All about Bhogi Pongal/Paal Pongal with step by step photos

Wishing you all a Very Happy Bhogi Pongal, Thai Pongal , Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. Iniya Uzhavar Thirunaal Vaazhthukkal

Bhogi festival is the first day of Pongal and is celebrated in honor of Lord Indra, “the God of Clouds and Rains”. Lord Indra is worshipped for the abundance of harvest, thereby bringing plenty of prosperity to the land. It is also widely believed that Bhogi Pongal is the Indra Vizha festival observed during the Chola period. The first day of Pongal [Harvest festival] is the Bhogi Pongal is celebrated on the last day of the month of Margazhi.

Soya Chunks Vegetable Curry

Today for the third consecutive day I am posting another very healthy and delicious Soya Chunks Vegetable curry. My mom used to prepare this vegetable soya curry very often as side dish for dosas and chapathis when I was a kid. Do try this curry and let me know your feedback.

Here’s how to make Soya Chunks Vegetable Curry with step by step photos…

Soy Chunks 65 Recipe/Meal Maker 65 Recipe/Soy 65/How to make Soya Chunks 65 with step by step photos...

Are you looking for a quick and easy evening snack??? Then here it is, you need not soak, you need not grind, just make this spicy, delicious and mouth-watering evening snack with the ingredients available in your pantry. Make this Soy 65 before your kids come back from school; ask them to guess what it is? The first answer will be, if it is chicken 65. Yes, Soy 65 looks and tastes like chicken 65, so what are you waiting for? Go ahead, try it out and play the guessing game with your kids.

Here’s how to make Soy Chunks 65 with step by step photos….

Soya Chunks Biryani Recipe/Meal Maker Biryani/How to make Soya Chunks/Meal Maker Biryani with step by step photos

Soya chunks/Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) are defatted (fat removed) soy flour product, a by-product of extracting soybean oil (Wikipedia). Soya chunks are excellent meat substitutes, cooks quickly with protein content equal to that of meat. The soya chunks were invented by agricultural commodities and food processing company in the 1960’s.  They come in many forms like regular chunks, mini chunks or also as granules and can be used in different ways. Soya chunks are excellent source of protein which helps in body building, cell repair, building immunity and muscle growth. About 3.5 ounce of soya chunks contains 54 gms of protein. Soya chunks have high concentration of calcium and iron. Studies also show that soya chunks help in lowering cholesterol, osteoporosis, blood pressure and helps in weight loss and many more. Having said so many things about soya chunks, now let us see how to make this simple, flavourful and delicious Soya Chunks Biryani in Pressure cooker.

Here’s how to make Soya Chunks Biryani with step by step photos…

Ragi & Wheat Flour Chapathi/Fingermillet and Wheat Flour Chapathi/Ragi Chapathi Recipe with step by step photos

Today I have come up with another healthy chapathi – Ragi & Wheat Flour Chapathi. This is yet another easy, simple, quick and healthy chapathi for all age groups. My kids love chapathi, so I always try to include some type of millets along with the wheat flour, to make them more healthy and interesting. Let’s all eat healthy and lead a healthy life. Check out my other Chapathi varieties here.

Here’s how to make Ragi & Wheat Flour Chapathi with step by step photos…

Healthy Lemon Oats Upma [For Breakfast or For Dinner]/Lemon Oats Upma Recipe/Oats Upma Recipe/How to make Lemon Oats Upma with step by step photos

Today in Priya’s Virundhu, I am sharing with you all a very Healthy Lemon Oats Upma. I received emails from my subscribers requesting for healthy and quick breakfast recipes. So I thought of sharing this quick, healthy and tangy oats upma. If you are a fan of lemon rice, then you will surely love this lemon oats upma. The best part of this upma is it does not need any side dish and also can be served evening snacks for your kids. Meanwhile check out other interesting and healthy Breakfast Recipes here.

Here’s how to make Lemon Oats Upma with step by step photos….

Ragi Semiya Upma/Ragi Vermicilli Upma/Ragi Semiya Upma Recipe/How to make Ragi Semiya with step by step photos

Hello Friends,

I am back after my vacation, we had great time back in Chennai. I hope you all had great Christmas and wonderful New Year celebrations. I was really missing you all a lot, thank you all friends, readers, subscribers and visitors for your continuous support and encouragement. I am blogging after about a month, so I thought of sharing with you all something very healthy, quick and yummy – Ragi Semiya Upma. Before going into the recipe I want to share a few things about Ragi.

Ragi/finger millet is a rich source of Calcium, Iron, Protein, Fiber and other minerals. The rich source of fiber in Ragi helps to lower cholesterol level and is very easy to digest. Ragi cools down our body temperature in hot days and helps in weight control as well. The rich natural source of calcium in Ragi helps in strengthening the bone in growing children, older people and keeps everyone healthy. Check out my other Ragi dishes like Ragi Koozh, Ragi Kanji, RagiVadai, Ragi ladoo, Ragi Dosai, Ragi Puttu, Ragi Adai in the respective links.

Here’s how to make Ragi Semiya Upma with step by step photos…