A fantastic and flavorful chicken curry that is a regular at our home. This favorite chicken curry recipe is usually prepared as a side with flavored rice like Tomato Pulao. Coconut milk and poppy seeds are essential in the preparation of the curry. The chicken simmers in a concoction of yogurt, coconut milk, poppy seeds and garam masala to yield a rich creamy textured curry.

Little pearl onions aka shallots have an intense flavor and give curries and intense flavor, be it vegetarian or meat based. I use them a lot in my regular cooking and today’s recipe has shallots as the star ingredient.

Picked a whole lot of almost ripe tomatoes at the farmer’s market a few days ago and my pantry looks very colorful as the tomatoes ripen to a brilliant red shade. I put a few to good use yesterday when I prepared tomato pepper rasam and today I used a few ripe ones to make a Chettinadu Style Thakkali Kulambu. Spices like cinnamon, clove and cardamom bring a flavor and fragrance of their own while jaggery and coconut add a dose of sweetness that balance and complement the flavor of tangy tomatoes.

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.

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.

It’s a green(s)-intensive menu this week. Yesterday, it was spinach soup and today I prepared an aromatic and flavorful stew featuring amaranth leaves, yogurt, coconut and green chilies. A classic healthy Andhra recipe that is sure to warm the body and soul.

Remember eggplants cooked in poppy seeds – Vankaya gasagasala kura I blogged earlier? Many of you got back to me with positive feedback. Well, today’s recipe is on the same lines with eggs replacing eggplants. Poppy seeds lend body and enrich the flavor making it a very good side with flavored rice, naan or rotis.

Each time I cook mixed vegetable curry, I tend to tweak and experiment with spices. Today’s recipe is a result of one such experiment. Am quite satisfied with the end result and hence makes an appearance here. A versatile dish that makes a decent side with rice, rotis as well as dosas.

Gutti Kakarakaya aka Stuffed Bitter gourd (Karela) is a simple dish and my favorite go-to recipe for special occasions. The roasting process intensifies the flavor of the stuffing while charring and softening the bitter gourds. The unmistakable bitterness of kakarakaya is balanced with the spiced, tangy-sweet stuffing comprising of onions, garlic, jaggery, tamarind and red chilies.

The flavor combination of today’s recipe is intriguing and enticing. Simple everyday Andhra pulusu (tangy stew) prepared with amaranth greens, tamarind pulp and spices. The addition of a magical ingredient aka mustard powder elevates the flavor profile by leaps and bounds.