I like to feed Nehal healthy desserts made from nutrition rich ingredients than a fat-rich cake or mithai. Sesame seeds Laddu falls under the category of healthy dessert. Nuvvula Unda or Nuvvula Laddu is a classic Andhra style sweet prepared for festivals like Nagula Chavati. At home, we make this calcium rich sweet often.

Katte Pongali is a traditional Andhra style rice and moong dal recipe that is often served in temples as Prasadam (Prashad). Nothing like a creamy, fragrant, warm bowl of Pongali especially during winters. There is something unique about the blending of earthy lentils with starchy creaminess of rice. Its pure comfort food.

Carrot Kheer is a crowd-pleaser Indian dessert that makes for a special festival food this Navratri. Warm and comforting flavors, visually appealing, rich and sweet, carrot kheer lends a striking dash of orange to the table. A decadent dessert to finish off a festive thali (meal).

Savory snack enthusiasts will love today’s Navrati Special offering to Durga Ma. Addictively satisfying, Chitti Budagalu are adorable, tiny puffed up crisps with a hint of spice. Only 3 ingredients go into its making – urad dal aka black gram dal, rice flour and chili powder.

Rava Kesari – moist, melt in the mouth Indian semolina dessert that is prepared as a festival special for occasions like Navratri. Not too complicated, just a few ingredients like semolina, clarified butter, sugar and cardamom mingle together to bring out something magical and exotic. The key to a delicious Kesari is to slow roast [...]

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.

Coconut Ladoo is one of my favorite coconut dessert recipe to date. Just a few ingredients, a few minutes in the kitchen and you are ready for a heavenly experience with soft-on-bite rich coconut sweet. Coconut Laddu make for perfect after meal nibbles or a party dessert.