Guggillu aka Sundal is nothing but tempering chickpeas (kabuli chana or garbanzo beans). This recipe with chickpeas is made as an offering to Durga Ma as a Navratri special item.

Curd Rice is a comforting South Indian rice recipe that makes for a filling complete meal with pickle. During Navratri, Daddojanam (the name Yogurt rice goes by in Andhra) is prepared as a festival food and offered to Goddess Durga.

Vadas – light and fluffy on the inside with a crisp exterior, packed with flavor, make for a perfect offering to Goddess Durga. This Navratri special Vada recipe is basically a classic South Indian breakfast fare served with sambar and chutney.

The festive season has begun in India. Navratri is here and its time for some special festival sweets. The first day of Navaratri has Sweet Pongal as an offering to Goddess Durga. Creamy, infused with cardamom, garnished with roasted raisins and cashew nuts, this delicious jaggery based pudding is comforts and warms the soul.

Andhra cuisine has a vast array of brinjal recipes. Today’s brinjal curry is a classic Andhra vegetarian recipe that is prepared on special occasions and can be considered for a party vegetarian menu. Quite a few Andhra vantalu (dishes) call for the use of sesame seeds.

Typical South Indian style vegetable stir fry, Carrot beans vepudu, is healthy, easy to make with perfect combination of flavors. Curry leaves, hing and fresh coconut are my top most ‘essential’ ingredients whenever I venture out to make this vegetable fry recipe.

I love the combination of flavors in today’s stuffed ridge gourd recipe. Nutty sesame seeds, coconut and tangy tamarind are the secret weapons that lend that perfect flavor to the Gutti beerakaya curry. Those allergic to peanuts can substitute with melon seeds or cashew nuts.

As long as there’s lots of peanuts, this Ivy gourd stir fry recipe is a winner. A classic vegetarian dish served on special occasions as part of an elaborate Andhra thali.

How about a savory breakfast with a tangy twist? Bursting with flavor and fragrant, our morning meal was delightful. With surplus raw mangoes at home, its been an overload of tangy goodness this past week. Mamidikaya (raw mango) Vermicelli Upma is quick and simple to prepare with few ingredients.

Am blogging a favorite recipe today. It includes my favorite greens and vegetable – methi and carrot. Love the refreshing colors and flavor combination of carrot and fenugreek in a pachadi avatar. Clean, simple and delicious.