Paal Kozhukattai with Vellam/Sweet Rice Dumplings with Jaggery – Vinayagar Chathurthi Special

Wishing all friends and readers “A Very Happy 67^th Independence Day”. On this special day I am sharing with you Paal Kozhukattai a traditional South Indian Sweet…

Vinayagar Chathurthi/Ganesha Chathurthi is the birthday of Lord Ganesha celebrated all over India and many other parts of the world by Hindus. On this auspicious day, delectable neivadyams are made for Ganesha and special poojas are performed as a mark of celebration. Kozhukattai is a very special dish prepared for Vinayagar Chathurthi. But there are different types of kozhukattai’s like the modhagams, Kaara Kozhukattai, sweet kozhukattai etc. Paal Kozhukattai is one among them, which is nothing but small rice dumplings cooked in coconut milk along with either jaggery or white sugar. I always prefer to make it with jaggery/vellam as it is healthier than the white sugar.

Here’s how to make Paal Kozhukattai  with step by step photos…

Spinach Pakoda/Palak Pakoda/Pasalai Keerai Pakoda

Spinach/Palak Pakoda is a very quick and easy tea time snack or a starter which can be made in no time. I am just not going to give a very elaborate introduction for this pakodas, just try it out guys you will surely love it. Check out Onion Pakodas, Medhu Pakodas and other Starters/Evening snacks  here.

Here’s how to make Spinach/Palak pakodas with step by step photos…

Lemon Rice/Elumichai Sadham –South Indian Special

Lemon rice/Elumichai Sadam is a very common, traditional and authentic dish prepared in all most all South Indian homes. This heavenly tasting lemon rice is always paired with Potato Masala/Fry, it is like they are made for each other and is totally unbeatable. Lemon rice is a very simple and quick dish to prepare and comes in handy for lunch box. Not only just lunch box but also for travel, it does not get spoilt because of the lemon juice which acts as a natural preservative. Lemon rice is also prepared during special pooja days, Seemandhams and Valaikappus(Baby shower). In my earlier post I had mentioned about the valaikappus . In Valaikappu’s/Seemandham’s 5 or 7 or 9 different types of variety rice is prepared for the occasion and lemon rice plays a vital role in it. Check out my other Valaikappu Rice Varieties here, I will be updating all the rice varieties one by one in my future posts.

Usually Lemon rice is prepared with Potato Masala/Fry but today I prepared Spinach Pakoras and served it as side dish.

Here’s how to make Lemon rice with step by step photos…

Garlic & Herbs Pasta with Parmesan Cheese/Garlic Cheese Pasta Recipe/Garlic Cheese Pasta with step by step photos

Today I was in no mood to do an elaborate cooking, so made a very quick and simple garlic and herbs penne pasta with parmesan cheese. Actually the name says it all; it can be made in no time with very less ingredients. I made this pasta and served them with fresh zucchini stir fry. It was an elegant and heavenly Italian lunch which just made our day. My kids love pasta and they got excited and finished them all.

Here’s how to make Garlic & Herbs Pasta with Parmesan Cheese with step by step photos…

Hyderabadi Chicken 65 Recipe/Chicken 65-Hyderabadi Style/How to make Hyderabadi Chicken 65 with step by step photos

Hyderabadi Chicken 65 is a mouth-watering and delicious dish I tried in my friend’s house long time back. I made it several times at home, never got a chance to click some pics. Since the weather is getting cold, I made this scrumptious Hyderabadi chicken 65 for our snacks with a hot cup of tea. So I am sharing my friend’s Hyderabadi chicken 65 with you all. 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 Hyderabadi Chicken 65 with step by step photos…

Baby Corn & Mangetout Stir Fry Recipe /Snow Peas Stir Fry Recipe/Baby Corn & Mangetout Stir Fry with step by step photos

Stir fry is a very popular cooking method originated in China. It is a very convenient, easy and quick way to cook food. This is a very simply and healthy baby corn & mangetout stir fry. Mangetout peas is similar to the snow peas and snap peas which cooks really fast but still crunchy and tasty. Though I have cooked snow peas a lot, after having come to UK, I came across mangetout peas which looks and taste same as snow peas. When I searched about mangetout peas came to know that it is a French word meaning “eat the lot” a phrase for the sort of peas that is eaten pod and all. I thought of making just baby corn stir fry, but since I had the mangetout peas I added them as well and it tastes great. If you don’t get mangetout peas you can replace them with snow peas or snap peas or do the same recipe with just baby corns.

Here’s how to make Baby corn & Mangetout/Snow Peas stir fry with step by step photos…

Garlic & Parmesan Pull Apart Bread/Monkey Bread

I am happy to say that I am part of Home Bakers Challenge started by some of the fellow bloggers , initiated by Mrs. Priya Suresh and hosted by Mrs. Manjula of DesiFiesta . The objective of this challenge is to learn and bake together.A special thanks to  Mrs. Manjula and Mrs. Priya Suresh for this wonderful challenge.

Mrs. Manjula challenged 4 different breads Rainbow swirl bread, Monkey bread, Chocolate marble bread and Anadama bread. Of all these breads I chose the Monkey/Pull apart bread and did the savoury version of it. We all love it so much the bread was gone in no time as soon the bread was baked.

Though I don’t know why this bread gets its name, I found some info in Wikipedia that says “The origin of the term 'monkey bread' is uncertain. Possible etymologies include that the bread resembles the monkey puzzle tree. It consists of soft pieces of bread with cinnamon sprinkled on it. It is served at fairs and other parks as a treat.” Ok guys now all that said, let’s see how to make the monkey bread/pull apart bread

Here’s how to make Garlic & Parmesan Pull Apart/Monkey Bread with step by step photos…