Perugu Garelu, an Andhra style recipe, is prepared during festival times in our home. Learn how to make Perugu Garelu as part of your Diwali festival meal.

Oats Adai, a healthy Indian breakfast recipe goes well with any chutney. A protein rich oats recipe from India that also makes for a nice evening tiffin.

Have left over dosa batter? Make this perfect Monsoon snack – Punugulu. I have already blogged Punugulu recipe with dosa batter, today’s its a variation.

Dal Tadka,a North Indian dal recipe,is a Dhaba style favorite food of mine.Hot pulka and dal tadka is our standard vegetarian meal on many of our road trips.

Amaranth leaves are much loved in our home and take the form of stir fry, dal and stews in our daily meals. In recent past, I have used these nutritious greens along with chick pea flour (besan) to prepare fritters. They are easy to make, work great as appetizers for parties and also make for a wonderful tea time snack.

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.

Bachala kura Pappu is a high protein, vegan, heart warming dish loaded with nutritious greens – Malabar spinach or Indian Spinach. These protein-rich, vibrant green, glossy leaves are thick with a spongy texture and when cut they ooze a slimy juice similar to okra. We usually cook them with masoor or tur dal or with yam (kanda bachali) and as mustard powder based stew (ava pettina pulusu).

Tomato Pappu mixed with a dollop of ghee and rice with Mango Avakai is a dearly loved combination and an integral part of everyday Andhra food culture. Simple, earthy, soulful food! Tur dal aka Kandi Pappu with tomato is a winning combination and the addition of fresh coriander brings a perfect touch.

Panchratan translates to ‘five jewels’. Panchratan dal is an exotic amalgam of five lentils that are simmered, in a delicately spiced onion-tomato base, to a creamy consistency. A cold weather, crowd pleasing favorite, works great as a thick soup too other than serving as a rich accompaniment to roti or rice.

This kootu recipe is so perfect for this time of the year. Lightly spiced moong dal and ridge gourd combination is a match made in heaven. Very nurturing to the body and soul. And not to mention, the weather makes it extra delicious.