Kanda aka Suran Vadas Like bittergourd, I disliked yam aka ‘suran’ (kanda in Telugu) as a child. It was a chance encounter with this vegetable in the form of kebabs, from a friend’s tiffin dabba, that I had to re-think my opinion of suran. One bite into the kebab and I was sold. At first [...]

I’m a podi freak. Home made podis come to my rescue when I race against time or on those ‘just don’t feel like cooking days’. It spares me those extra few minutes in grinding a chutney or prepare a subzi to go with dosas. Simple in preparation, nutritious since most podis are packed with proteins [...]

Its raining dosas in the food blogosphere, thanks to Srivalli’s Dosa Mela. Not to be left behind, I’m joining in to have some fun with this entry – instant, golden, crispy, Rava Dosa, my most favorite breakfast/tiffin item (other than Masala Dosa, of course):). My whole family are fans of dosas, all varieties. We used [...]

Honestly, I have a blissful relationship with ‘vermicelli’ – always there to comfort me during crisis times. A blessing in my pantry and a life-saver during times when I run out of dosa or idli batter. Doesn’t need much to work on, just add vegetables for some nutrition and you have a one pot meal [...]

This past week has been flu time at our home. My to-do list never seems to end. Summer is officially here, its HOT and HUMID (Vizag being a coastal city) and its only early March. So its comfort food for me this week to ease the stress. Comforting, wholesome and filling is how I’d describe [...]

Although idlis and dosas are the most popular South Indian breakfast items, there are some culinary gems like ravva idli that are nutritious yet filling. I read in a cooking magazine that the birth of ravva idli took place in the kitchen of the famous MTR Restaurant during Second World War when they faced shortage [...]

I first had this fiery, deeply flavorful chicken dish as a friend’s home along with dosas and ever since hooked to it. I was told it’s a traditional Chettinad chicken curry and that there are quite a few variations to this recipe. In today’s version, chicken is simmered in coconut milk and gets its unique [...]

With some very basic ingredients usually available at home, you can whip up some comforting simple lentil based sweet dishes that are not high in calories yet delicious. One such traditional Indian dessert is Pesara pappu payasam prepared from good quality yellow moong dal, jaggery and milk. This humble earthy sweet dish was part of [...]

Preparing different varieties of tiffin recipes for my 4 yr old is a daunting task, sometimes. Yes, after trying out a new recipe, I’m not sure if he is going to eat it at all. I guess, there are some of you out there who would relate to that. But then, it doesn’t stop us [...]

The much awaited part of Sankranti is Kanuma, the third day of the festival, celebrated with a culinary feast replete with non-vegetarian favorites. On that day, recalling a recipe of my friend’s mother, I whipped up a chicken dish using coconut. I’m glad I prepared it, as it turned out beyond my expectations. The only [...]