Do you know of the most nutrient rich tree in the world that grows really fast,its root,bark,leaves,flowers and pods can cure more than 300 diseases (according to Ayurveda),whose leaves,flowers and pods are edibles and are used to conjure up culinary delicacies, and can even purify water–but has been overlooked by modern medicine?Yes,we are talking about [...]

Drumsticks or Munaga Kaaya are one of my favourite vegetables and I use them liberally in my everyday cooking be it to make a pickle,mixed vegetable curry or with shrimps,or add them to my favorite sambar(lentil based stew),thiyal or avial.I will be writing more about ‘The Moringa Miracle Tree’ for the Weekend Herb Blogging event [...]

My meals are incomplete without a dal dish.Its the most comforting traditional staple of our home and I can say ,without doubt, to most Indian homes.Considering the nutritional superiority of lentils,I would prefer to cook dals,an excellent source of high-quality protein and much easier to digest, than meat.Indian cooking is known to be labor intensive,but [...]

I know that there are quite a few who arent fond of cauliflower and tend to use less of this antioxidant rich under-appreciated vegetable in their cooking.I guess, its mostly the manner in which cauliflower is prepared/cooked that is a major deciding factor whether one hates or loves it.I love cauliflower and if its cooked [...]

“Amaranth, though relatively unknown today, was cultivated as a food crop in Mexico as early as 7000 years ago. Amaranth grain constituted a principal source of protein for the pre-Hispanic populations of Mesoamerica. Along with beans and corn, amaranth was a fundamental part of the indigenous Mexican diet.” This was news to me. I thought [...]

Today is the third day of Sankranti festival and is called ‘Kanuma’ ..traditionally its the day devoted to giving thanks to cattle. Cows and bulls in the villages are adorned with bells on their neck and offered prasadam (food offering). Non-vegetarian delicacies are cooked and all the younger members of the family pay their respects [...]

Sankranti/Pongal, is the second day of the festival day when Surya, the Sun God is worshipped and on this day the newly harvested rice is cooked in new earthen pots until the cooked rice overflows from the pot.The overflowing symbolizes fertility and prosperity.A special sweet rice dish is prepared with dal, sugar or jaggery and [...]

Annam Payasam or Paramannam (Food Of The Gods) is a sweet dish which is prepared as an offering to God in almost every home in Andhra on most special occasions and festivals. According to Hindu tradition & spiritual customs, by offering Naivedyam to God in the form of sweets like chakripongal, payasam, paramannam and fruits [...]

“Sankranti Subbhakaankshalu!! Wishing you a memorable festive season which brings good luck & prosperity and hoping your days ahead are filled with happiness. Have a wonderful Bhogi & Pongal.” “Unity in diversity”…this phrase is apt in identifying India in its diversity of religious beliefs and the cultural traditions of the different states. One festival which [...]

For this Weekend Herb Blogging hosted by Kalyn’s Kitchen, I am blogging about a very interesting sour leaf called Red Sorrel.Hibiscus cannabinus aka red sorrel leaves,roselle,gongura (telugu)pulicha keerai (Tamil),Ambad bhaji,ambada,ambadi(Hindi) are popular sour greens here in the Southern State of Andhra Pradesh.Red Sorrel comes in two varieties, one is green leaf and the other being [...]