Kozhukattais - Sweet Version

          As today is Ganesh Chathurthi and I made these kozhukattais, I thought it would be apt to post this today. Kozhukattai is a very traditional sweet, sort of like steamed dumplings, the outer layer is with rice flour and the stuffing varies from sweet to savory. I have used the rice flour that my mother prepares, she uses the same flour for idiyappam and puttu, I think I have to do a separate post on how to make that rice flour. I used a chana dal + coconut + jaggery filling, the kozhukattais came out very soft and yummy..

Basil Pesto Parathas

          I need not mention again and again how much I like basil, simply love it in all forms, fresh or dry. I like to use the fresh leaves or in their absence, the basil pesto, now available in Chennai too. Apart from using it in pasta and in sandwiches, I wanted to try out something else with it. So this Sunday, I tried out these parathas with it, you can use the store bought pesto or make your own, recipe here. They are very easy to make and very flavorful..

Vendikkai Thayir Pachadi ( Okra With Yogurt )

          Well, today I am feeling a little lazy, might be it's the end of the week or the beginning of the weekend, whatever the reason, I have chosen a very easy dish today. A simple thayir pachadi or raitha and I love this particular one with vendikkai or okra or lady's finger, I like the ones that we get here in Chennai, they definitely justify the name lady's finger, so slim and long. It's so easy to prepare, serve it as side dish with rice or rotis or parathas..

Tofu Broccoli With Basil

          Back in the US, my daughter and I would frequent a Chinese restaurant, close to home. Of course being vegetarians, we had very few options, the usual lo mein and fried rice, but once I was surprised to find basil in the lo mein (noodles). It gave such a nice flavor and blended well with Chinese style of cooking. I had wanted to try it at home, so this time when I did a stir fry with broccoli and tofu, I used basil ( was so happy that we can get basil now in Chennai). It turned out very good, if you love basil like me, then you should definitely give this a try..