Indian food, Andhra recipes and Global cuisine inspired cooking

Kootu is a popular South Indian lentil based vegetable stew that is thick in texture. Kootus usually comprise of lentils (channa dal/moong dal) and vegetables like bottle gourd, potatoes, plantains, brinjals, cabbage, carrots and beans that are cooked in a blend of fresh coconut and green chillis. There are many variations to the kootu in […]

This morning, there was no way I could pass up the capsicums sitting in the refrigerator screaming for attention. I set out to prepare a pachadi in combination with green chillis to mellow down the sweetness of capsicums. Capsicum and green chilli pieces are sauteed in oil, ground to a coarse paste and slow cooked […]

Its been raining here in Vizag for the past few days, unseasonal weather and a strange way to welcome summer! I love the rains but when they are intermittent without any trace of sunlight for days together, it takes the crisp flavor of home-made plantain chips to lift my spirits on such gloomy days. A […]

I had some fresh tender, plump, dondakayalu (tendli, tindora, kovakkai, ivy gourd) that I had picked up from the rythu bazaar (Farmers Market) this morning. I prepared quite a few varieties with this nutritious vegetable (I’m an ivy gourd fan!) especially stir fries and today, I decided to make a stuffed dry saute with them […]

This recipe comes from the table of one of my North Indian friend’s mother who dishes out delicious North Indian food. One the many reasons I love winters is green peas. Sweet plump green matar (peas) and fresh methi leaves make for a delectable combination. With undertones of tart from the tomatoes, a faint whisper […]

A one pot meal that is nourishing and comforting using broken wheat, yellow moong and spinach is Godhuma rava palakura pongal. Ideal for brunch or lunch with a refreshing glass of fresh juice or buttermilk and you have a quick healthy meal ready for your family. On days when I am caught up with […]

There are numerous ways to prepare Majjiga Pulusu, our Andhra version of Kadhi, a buttermilk based stew. This pale yellow colored stew calls for vegetables cooked in a delectable combination of fresh coconut-green chillis paste and well beaten sour curd. Vegetables like okra, bottle gourd and drumsticks are usually used to prepare this sweet-sour flavored […]

Chole Bhatura, popular Punjabi street food fare is one of my favorite brunch items. Our Sunday brunch was Methi Chole and deep-fried indulgence, Batura. A comforting brunch you’d want to eat on a cold winter morning to nuture your body and soul. Its the first time I prepared this winning combination of kabuli channa and […]

I chanced upon some fresh tender tamarind leaves while on a visit off the city limits. Its no longer available in the local subzi mandis/rythu bazaar and when I saw some fresh leaves, I just couldn’t resist the temptation. So with home grown freshly grated coconut, delicate raw tender leaves and a seasoning you can’t […]

Whenever I prepare ava pettina kuralu (mustard based preparations), a myriad of food related childhood memories seeps into my mind. During my growing years, when my grandmother prepared this dish, the aroma which emanated from her kitchen would spread throughout the house, pulling us like magnets towards the dining table much before lunch time.:)

Mustard flavored […]