Chow Chow Kootu/Chayote Kootu

Chow Chows/Chayotes are a light green, pear shaped fruit with one large pit, edible skin and flesh. Chayotes are native to Meixco but cultivated in warm climates all over the world. The Chayotes are technically fruits, but very often used as a vegetable. In South India Chow chow/Chayote kootu is very common and a popular dish. Kootu is nothing but a dish prepared by adding vegetables and dals together with very mild spices and seasoned for flavouring. Chow chow is very commonly called a “Bangalore Kathrikkai” in TamilNadu. Chow chow/Chayotes have high fiber and water content and very less sugar. It is loaded with vitamin C, potassium and amino acids, when cooked with dals it becomes one whole dish packed with proteins as well. Check out other delicious kootu varieties here.

Here’s how to make Chow Chow/Chayote Kootu with step by step photos.

Simple & Versatile Vanilla Cake/Vanilla Cake Recipe/How to make Vanilla Cake with step by step photos

This is a simple and versatile vanilla cake, very easy to bake. Anybody can bake this soft and fluffy cake can be used for any birthday and party cakes. You can make this vanilla cake and apply butter cream frosting or cream cheese frosting or any kind of frosting. Here I have posted only the vanilla cake will be posting cream cheese frosting in my future post. You can enjoy this vanilla cake without any frosting as well.

Here’s how to make simply & versatile Vanilla Cake with step by step photos…

Kara Sev/Easy Diwali Snacks

Kara Sev is a traditional South Indian snack prepared during Diwali and also during other times as crispy and crunchy evening snacks. “Kara Sev” means “Spicy Sev”, you can very well adjust the amount of spice according to your taste buds, but the measurements I have given here will suite all age groups. Kara sev is usually made with kara sev karandi (big ladle with holes), but since I don’t have one of those I have used the regular murukku press. Kara sev is made with besan flour, rice flour and other spices perfectly blended together. The addition of freshly ground black pepper corns gives extraordinary taste to these Kara sev.

Here’s how to make Kara sev with step by step photos…

Kadalai Paruppu Sundal/Chana Dal Sundal [Navarathri Special]

We make different varieties of sundals as neivedhyam during Navarathiri. Each day one type of sundal is prepared and offered to goddess and given as prasad to friends and families. Kadalai paruppu sundal is a very easy and healthy sundal which can be prepared very quickly and offered as neivedhyam or as a healthy evening snack. Do check here for other Varieties of Sundal.

Here’s how to make Kadalai Paruppu Sundal with step by step photos….

Green Bell Pepper Chutney/Capsicum Chutney

Chutneys play a very important part in our day to day food, especially in South Indian cooking. We make variety of chutneys starting from green leaves to all kinds of vegetables. Today I am going to share “Green Bell Pepper/Green Capsicum Chuteny” with you all. I have posted other variety of chutneys before, do check it out here.

Here’s how to make Green Bell Pepper Chutney with step by step photos…

Avarakkai Poriyal/Broad Beans Stir Fry

I made simple avarakkai poriyal, which is a very common vegetable cooked in all most all the South Indian homes. A very simple and healthy poriyal, a perfect accompaniment for all kinds of rice or can be rolled in chapathi for lunch.

Here’s how to make Avarakkai Poriyal with step by step photos…

Karamani Kara Kuzhambu/Blackeyed Beans Gravy

Today,  Priya’s Virundhu special is authentic and traditional TamilNadu dish -Karamani Kara kuzhambu. “Kara Kuzhambu” means “spicy gravy”, you can adjust the spice level according to your taste. But the measurements I have given will surely suite for everybody. This gravy is my daughter’s favourite, she loves to add 1 tsp of gingelly oil to the hot steaming rice along with this gravy and enjoys it with rice vathal or appalam. Try it out friends you will all surely love it. One delicious, healthy and finger licking karamani kara kuzhumbu right from my kitchen to you all. Check out other delicious South Indian -TamilNadu special Kuzhambu varieties here.

Here’s how to make Karamani Kara Kuzhambu with step by step photos…