Colocasia In Mustard Gravy

          Whenever we get colocasia, I usually make the fry or occasionally add it to sambars and I really got bored with it, I wanted to make something different. As for many of us out there, we start with one thing and then end up with something new, sometimes it turns out very good and sometimes a disaster. This colocasia curry came out really good, a very yummy gravy that goes well with both rotis or rice..

Paruppu Adai (Lentil Crepes)

          I make adai at least once in two weeks, it is very nutritious, packed with protein from the lentils used in it. This is the basic adai recipe that I follow, using tuvar dal (split pigeon peas) and chana dal (split chickpeas) and rice. My daughter who is not a big fan of this adai, tasted my mom's version, a couple of weeks back, now she likes that . What's so special about that, the coconut flakes or chips that my mom adds which I used to avoid, this gives an extra crunch and munch when you bite into them, making the adai more tasty. This adai tastes good, eaten plain as such or with some tomato chutney..

Garlic Brinjal

          I know brinjal or eggplant is not everybody's favorite, but in my home, all of us like it. So when I was back in the US, I used to pick them up whenever I went to the Indian grocery store (you find the small varieties there only). But after coming to India, it's one vegetable that's readily available and also, so many varieties. As the name 'Garlic Brinjal' suggests, I have added a lot of garlic to the dish and I have used the small green variety, this one is for all the garlic and brinjal lovers..

Carrot Buttermilk

          Buttermilk, which is nothing but diluted yogurt (curd) is the best cooler for the hot Indian summer and an healthy option too. I try to make some variation to the simple plain buttermilk, this time I have added some carrots to the buttermilk and it came out good. My daughter who is not a big fan of carrots didn't have any problem in having this carrot buttermilk..

Pepper-Garlic Mushrooms & Potatoes

          Mushrooms and potatoes pair very well, this is another side dish that needs very few ingredients, yet very flavorful. Great with rice and dal, or with rotis, or also as such as an appetizer. It gets it flavor from the garlic, pepper and cumin seeds and is very easy to prepare, do give it a try if you like mushrooms..

Bottle Gourd (Sorakkai) Sambar

          Sambar, is a common dish in most South Indian homes, usually prepared at least 2 or 3 times in a week. It's basically a lentil (usually tuvar dal or split pigeon peas) and vegetable gravy, you can make it with almost any vegetable, or sometimes with more than one vegetable. Usually, we use a sambar powder which is prepared in bulk and stored, but for today's bottle gourd sambar I am using a freshly prepared masala, which makes it more flavorful. It goes well with rice and also with idlis and dosas..

Ragi Semiya Upma (Finger Millet)

          Ragi or Finger Millet is known for its nutritional values, it has a reasonable amount of fiber, protein and is a good source of calcium. It's widely used in Indian food, India being the major producer of ragi. The most common dish made with this is a porridge and also ragi rotis. Now, you get this ready made ragi noodles (semiya), available in Indian grocery stores, which can be used in a number of ways. You can make both sweet and savory dishes with it. Today's dish is a spicy version, it makes up for a good breakfast or as a nice light dinner..

Phulkas (Rotis)

          Phulkas or rotis or Indian puffed bread is a simple, day to day dish in many Indian households. Thought I should have a post of it in my blog for many reasons, one being that, it's a dish that I mention in most of my posts, as it goes with all the curries. I had had a tough time making them in my early days of marriage, but now I can say that, I can make very decent soft phulkas. It's actually pretty simple once you learn the technique, all depends on the texture of the dough, how you roll it out and the rest is easy..

Spinach Blintzes

          I have seen these blintzes only in the frozen section of the grocery store, they have both the sweet and savory versions of it, I had tried the potato blintzes once, long time back and then totally forgot about them. I had stuffed pancakes in my mind when I started making this but finally ended up with these blintzes. They turned out to be extremely delicious, try it for a relaxed weekend breakfast or brunch or also as an evening snack for kids..

Beets And Soy Briyani

          Beets And Soy Briyani, this is again an one pot meal, with all your veggies and protein in one, you get them from the beets and the soy chunks that's added to the rice. I love the color of beets, in fact kids would like to have this dish just for that. Serve it with some cucumber raitha and pappads or chips for a complete meal, also a good lunch box idea..

Oats Upma

         As I have already said, oats is " no, no " food at my home, both the husband and daughter can't have it in the porridge form, but give it to them in the form of this oats upma or the pancakes that I have posted here, they are fine. In fact, my daughter always asks me whether it is scrambled eggs, I think because of the texture or also from the flavor of the red capsicum that I add to this, whatever it is, this makes up for a healthy breakfast..

Capsicum Tofu

          I don't know how long it's going to take for me to really get used to my new kitchen, I miss my old one, it's been so long since I have cooked something interesting, miss my cooking and clicking. Hope I'll settle down soon, I know everything is in the mind and takes some time. Coming to today's dish, Capsicum Tofu, again it's something that I had made long time back, a very easy and nutritious dish, goes very well with rotis or with some Chinese fried rice or even with any pilaf..