noreply@blogger.com (Cham)Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:24:24 -0700Blogger http://www.blogger.com265125http://spice-club.blogspot.com/en-ushttp://spice-club.blogspot.com/2014/01/sakkarai-pongal-version-20.htmlfestival dishsakkarai pongal-mattu pongal- raw rice-jiggery-cashews-raisins-ghee-milk-cardamom- no lentilsWed, 15 Jan 2014 22:21:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-2776663821816660913Wish you a Happy New Year & Pongal! In my previous post, I have already written about Pongal festival. Pongal is “Thanksgiving” celebrated over four days in row. Each day carries a special meaning and menu. I personally love Mattu (Cow) Pongal (Jan 15 usually). Pretty much all non vegetarian items (seafood, meat, vegetables, sweets) are prepared and we commemorate our ancestors. 0noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2013/10/golden-beets-halwa.htmlcardamonfestival offeringGolden beet halwaless gheeless sugarpistachiosTamil nadu special sweetWed, 16 Oct 2013 13:38:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-5460515323925708269Thanks for the fellow bloggers who stopped and inquired about my status. I am totally fit probably little lazy to pull after the summer break. I know it has been months I have checked this space and yours too. I missed all your delicious food. My son started Jr. High School (7th grade) this year. The transition went smoothly with so many changes. New school, new teachers and new set of friends 0noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2013/03/french-breakfast-puffs.htmlap flourbaked snacksbuttercinnamoneasy to bake.french breakfast puffsnutmegSpring blossomsugarWed, 13 Mar 2013 15:19:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-3541536488059756502To my regular Readers, I apologize for freezing this space for weeks. I was feeling under the weather. That was a reason to hibernate. Did the warm weather returned in your neck of wood? Yes, No? Probably my pictures taken in my neighborhood will be a teaser for some who still deal with a mound of snow in your front yard! Every year, we have a sign of Spring with those wild mustard field 0noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2013/01/quick-watermelon-radish-pickle.htmlno cookingpickle with less or not brinequick picklerice wine vinegarsaltsugarwatermelon radishTue, 15 Jan 2013 13:40:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-3580403975070601578Would you like Paper or Plastic bags? asked the grocery store clerk last year. From this year, my county adopted the greener environment program. The ban of plastic bags are in effect. People are encouraged to bring their own bags whether you want to grab some fruits, a new pair of socks or even to pick up your prescription. Yes, the era of free plastic bags are slashed and replaced by a fee of 0noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2013/01/happy-new-year-2013.htmlAlmond flourap flourbuttercardamomeasy bakingeggless indian cookiesNankhataipowder suharrice floursaltThu, 3 Jan 2013 13:36:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-5032410964015269936Wishing my Readers a Healthy and Prosperous New Year 2013! Hope everyone is back to the grind. We had a wonderful Holiday time. For the school winter break, my kid has to write a journal about what he ate over the holidays. Usually, I don't prepare any special meal for Christmas. He wished for baked turkey, being a mediocre meat eaters, I opted for smaller bird chicken! We both set an 1noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/12/herb-popovers.htmlap flourblack pepperbuttercilantroeasy bakingeggsmilkpopoverssaltsavory dish for breakfastside for stew.Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:32:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-6900989313190122796How is the Holidays preparation going on? The Christmas tree is dusted once again and decorated with those glittering glass ornaments. The holiday spirit is spreading along with the cold weather. This year, my son joined the school choir. Yesterday, they performed their first show in the shopping center and he has two more next week for this Holidays. He loves music and was pretty excited of his0noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/11/travel-log-oahu.htmlhawaiimiscO'ahuTravel logMon, 26 Nov 2012 12:26:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-4910885046064583822Last week, we were soaking in sun and splashing in beach. We were on five days vacation in the Island of Hawaii. It was one of the most memorable, enjoyable and fun vacation for us. O'ahu holds a rich culture, history, beaches and a great ecosystem. Everyone has something to do: surfing, swimming, snorkeling... My camera didn't rest those five days. I ended up clicking 1500 plus pictures, 0noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/11/rava-ladoos.htmlcardamoncashewscoconuteasy diwali sweetgheepowder sugarravaRava ladoosSemolinatamil nadu sweetThu, 15 Nov 2012 13:14:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-6123938811055046715 Diwali is the most cherished festival for me. A week before and week later, sweets and snacks will be lying around the house reminding the festival. The joy of wearing a silk dress and showing to friends and family. The most important is the only Festival we eat Non Vegetarian from morning to night. How cool to have mutton gravy for idlis? Mutton fry for lunch with dosa? Now it becomes a past 0noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/11/coconut-milkthengai-paal-murukku.htmlbuttercoconut milkcuminDeepavaliDiwalimoong dal flouroilrice floursavory.Tamil nadu specialsnacksThengai paal murukkuThu, 8 Nov 2012 16:19:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-6037002577906354815Diwali goes incomplete without sweet and savories. In top of savory list, murukku holds a special place in every South Indian homes. For this festival of lights, at least two varieties of murukku are prepared in my mom's kitchen. One with urad dhal and the next one is coconut milk (with moong dhal), the crunchy savory snacks, pair well with any Diwali sweets! The snacks are usually prepared 2 or 5noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/10/color-flavored-vermicelli-kesari.htmlcardamomcashewColor flavoured vermicellicolor semiyaeasygheenavrathri specialraisinsemiya kesarisouth indian sweetsugarvermicelliFri, 26 Oct 2012 12:48:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-715227786513628607The festival season is in full swing. We just wrapped up Navrathri this week. Navrathri is a just a day festival ( Saraswathi Pooja/Ayudha Pooja) in my home. I was/am a spectator of Navrathri gollu (doll arrangement) in my friend’s home or even temple and eating the sundal as a Prasadam. But I am counting down for Diwali. Probably the most anticipated festival at least for me. During 10noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/10/get-to-know-chinese-red-noodle-bean.htmlasparagus beansbeansChinese red noodle beankaramani usililegumepayathangaipurple podded yard longsnake beanssouth indiantamil nadu vegetarian side dishyardlong beansWed, 17 Oct 2012 14:30:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-1487367849043759295 Have you ever bought this red noodle beans? In my latest trip to the Asian store, I spotted this vibrant “Chinese Red noodle beans”. They were stacked next to the green yardlong beans and I couldn’t ignore this purple beauty! I picked a bunch of purple and green one without any recipe in mind. The green yard long beans are not alien in Asian cuisine. They are tagged as Asparagus beans, 11noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/10/typical-coastal-meal-fish-gravy.htmlcoastal dishMeen kuzhambunon-vegetarianrainbow troutseafoodsimple tamarind base fish gravysourSpicytangy gravyVadagamTue, 9 Oct 2012 13:28:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-2561297592793314705I grew up along the coastline of Bay of Bengal, eating seafood on everyday basis was our typical diet. I remember eating more fresh seafood than vegetables all those year in my parents home. Fishing is one of the main business in my small town. This is short recap how the fish catches travel to the fish market everyday to the public. At dawn, the fishermen returned with their catches to 11noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/09/gateau-au-yaourt-yogurt-cake.htmlbaking powderbeginner cakeeasy bakingeggsfrench dessertgateau au yaourtplain floursugarvanillavegetable oilyogurtyogurt cakeFri, 28 Sep 2012 10:41:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-6317972210852067908I haven't baked anything lately. Summer was a great excuse to turn off my oven. Most often, there is no room for desserts after any meal in my home - except for ice cream especially my son. To kick starts the Fall season. I baked this classic French dessert; Gâteau au yaourt (yogurt cake). It is a basic simple cake to bake with your kids. You cannot go wrong in any way. You don’t have to pull a 12noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/09/happy-ganesha-chaturthi.htmlchickpeascream of riceganesha festival foodgarbanzo sundalhow to make raw rava ricepidi kozhukattaisouth indiansundalThu, 20 Sep 2012 13:49:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-6550878544234902402 Wishing All A Happy Ganesha Chaturthi. For those who still keeps my feed, I am really sorry to take an unannounced break. I skipped a whole season (summer). Hope you had a wonderful summer time with your family. I missed many sizzling summer foods from your kitchen. Soon, I will catch up all your posts. Ganesha Chaturthi was yesterday, I prepared pidi kozhukattai and Sundal. We usually 8noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/06/sour-brinjal-curry-kathirikkai-pullipu.htmlBrinjalchilieasy currygarlicgingerKathirikai pullipusour brinjal currytamarindtamil muslim stylevegetarian side dish for biryaniFri, 8 Jun 2012 11:23:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-751815407288413395No matter where you order the Biryani, it is always accompanied by raita. The yogurt based cucumber salad is a cooling side dish to your tongue and tummy during and after meal. But the heavy (meat or vegetable) rice needs a side dish either a mutton/chicken curry (chalna) or vegetable one. Personally, I prefer eating my biryani alone! This sour brinjal curry (Kathirikkai Pullipu) is a typical 19noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/05/hot-milk-cake.htmlbaking powderbutter.eggsgreat depression era recipeshot milkHot milk cakelow fatsugarvanillaThu, 24 May 2012 12:11:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-4002001268164022389 I love baking as much as cooking. As I have mentioned before one of the skill I acquired first. It was easier to follow a flawless written recipe than opening the pantry and get confused which dhal to use for sambar? But over the years, particularly after wedding, my baking skills started to fade away. Simply, I was left alone to finish the whole baking goodies. But when you have a kid, you 20noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/05/gobi-and-chana-kurma.htmlcauliflowerchanacoconutgarbanzo beansgobigravykurmasouth indian style.spiceVegetarianWed, 16 May 2012 12:03:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-9038252984540463120Exactly another month, the school will close for summer vacation and just another day to end the State Exams. My son is happy not because he is ending his tests, just because mom will allow him eating anything cold. I always felt it is a crucial time of the year for parents and kids to be healthy. Coming to the mother’s day, I received a handmade card from my son and I don’t dream to any other 25noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/05/glass-of-antioxidants.htmlalmondsantioxidantBlueberrybreakfast ideachill drinkdrinkable breakfasteasyflaxseedsgreen teaomega3proteinsmoothieyogurtWed, 2 May 2012 21:29:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-4915028885482073744For many years, I drank my cup of tea/coffee at room temperature. No matter what was the weather - my tongue couldn't bare hot food. My friends poked me for drinking my tea / coffee cold. They suggested the iced tea. For me, a tea without milk was an unimaginable stuff. Slowly over the years, I tried the herbal tea with chamomile with honey. It was very smoothing and upgraded to warm tea in 30noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/04/fava-bean-soup-or-locro-de-habas.htmlbroad beanchilli powdercumineasyFava beanfava bean souphow to peel the fava beaninternational recipeslocro de habasPotatosouth America (latin) soupspicy soup. cilantroVegetarianvicia fabaThu, 19 Apr 2012 13:23:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-1850562829957451778 Our farmers market is opened year around on weekends. In middle of the week, my nearest medical center/hospital invite the local farmers to sell their fresh produce in their lobby. Probably a right target place, something that makes sense in terms of health! You visit the doctor-come out and cannot miss the fruit and vegetable shopping. The farmers even gives a recipe ideas if you inquire about 26noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/04/happy-tamil-new-year.htmlbengal gramcardamomchana dhalfestival specialgheeholigeintermediate recipejaggeryobbattuPuran polisouth indian sweetsweetwheat flourFri, 13 Apr 2012 12:31:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-5586678620187639570 Poli (tamil)/obattu or holige (in kannada) is a sweet stuffing flat bread. This special sweet is prepared during auspicious days in many parts of India. It sounds simple but not in reality. The last time, I prepared this coconut poli was 4 years ago. Every State has his own version for the outer layer and stuffing. In Tamil Nadu, oily dough made out of maida is patted in greasy banana leaf. 21noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/04/horse-gram-kollu-rasam.htmlblack pppercumineasyfood cold remedieshinghorse gramKollurasam powder homemadered chillisouth indianspice powdertamilian cuisinetoor dhalThu, 5 Apr 2012 14:20:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-948066032336608141Spring break starts from tomorrow for my son. It is the first break after the Christmas Holiday. He is very excited for the extra hours of sleep :)  He only gets two breaks in one school year. Because of weather, there is no snow to interrupt the school to get the extra day off. But as a parent, it is time to review subjects for the State Exam with him.Last week, he was down with cold and 21noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/03/green-mango-thokku.htmlchilli powderfennugreekgingelly oilgrated mango pickle.Green mangomustardraw mangosouth indianspicy easy picklethokkuWed, 28 Mar 2012 09:29:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-6707956061127088171I never look so closely the ingredients labels while shopping. First few ingredients are common and the rest are simply a food industry jargon for me. Being a non vegetarian- gelatine never bothered me, never disliked certain cheese after knowing about rennet (animal product). I saw this article about Starbucks Strawberry Frappucinno- you cannot get it without insect! Yes, something new that I 29noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/03/classic-seed-cake.htmlap flourbuttercake seedsClassic Seed cake. caraway seedDesserteasy to bakeeggsground almondhelp digestionIrish seed cakemilkold fashion cakesugarsweetFri, 16 Mar 2012 09:37:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-1104251410956313546I hate to shop in a hurry either I miss something from the list or I bring something new to the pantry. In such a situation, I grabbed the caraway seeds packet for kala jeera. Usually, Indian grocers have no exchange policies for their product, once billed. Imagine my biryani with caraway seeds in place of black cumin! The caraway seeds and Kala Jeera (black cumin) look alike. But both have an 24noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/03/which-one-do-you-celebrate-today.htmladaibengal grambrown ricechillieasy meal.Healthyhinghorse gramlentils pancakeMaasi MakamMakammoong dalmythologyno fermentationsavorytiffintoor dhalurad dhalVegetarianThu, 8 Mar 2012 13:22:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-5002335717151118368Today, it is International women's Day, Holi Festival and Maasi Magam/Makam. The first one is known Internationally, the second one is welcoming the Spring season with full of colors in India. The last one is Maasi Magam not much known beyond Tamil Nadu people, it is one of the important Hindu Festival celebrated by Tamilian, especially in my hometown: Pondicherry. On the Tamil month of Maasi (17noreply@blogger.com (Cham)http://spice-club.blogspot.com/2012/03/shrimp-65-prawns-65.htmlchilliginger garlic paste- corn starch- deep fried- seafood- indian style- appetizer- easy- for dummies.shrimps 65- prawns 65- prevent curling shrimp in oilThu, 1 Mar 2012 13:47:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137525026281400795.post-5975728916712484951I don't entertain much this space with Non-vegetarian items. Though, we eat the chicken family (including egg) weekly once. But when it comes to seafood, I rarely cook - if you are regular reader you should know the reason. I am the sole seafood lover in my home and sheer laziness prevent cooking just for myself. I usually keep a frozen deveined shrimps packet in my freezer and whenever I crave 11noreply@blogger.com (Cham)