Kitchen Tantra - tease your palate

Reshmi Kebabs - Silken Kebabs

2009-11-07T11:14:00.014-02:00

Reshmi Kebab:Reshmi Kabob. Reshmi K-bab. Reshmi Kebabu. Reshmi Kawaab. Vegetarian's can use 'Shredded Soya Chunks' for a variation.Resham means 'silk', something that is so soft like a silk' is equated as Reshmi! Don't you think its a poetic expression?!:)Reshmi Kebab calls for a long long marination hours. Generally I prefer overnight mariantion, thats easy. Fresh cream / double cream (heavy

Thengai Poli

2009-11-05T00:55:00.010-02:00

Coconut Poli:Thengai Poli, Koppara Bobatlu. Thenga obbatu. Thengai Obattu. Nariyal ka Puran Poli. Nariyal Pooran Poli. I like this 'Adyar Ananda Bhawan's Thengai Poli', they make it too good. While I was studying at Chennai...myself and my friends regularly stopped there for this sweet. Much like Andhra traditional Bobatlu, but instead of 'chana dal puran', here 'coconut' is used. Ingredients:All

Pattaani Paruppu Vadai

2009-11-02T18:59:00.014-02:00

Pattaani Paruppu Vadai:Yellow Peas Vada. Yellow Peas Masal Vadai. Street Vendor's Special Vada. Coimbatore Pattu Paruppu Vadai. Kovai Pattani Paruppu Vadai. Kovai Paruppu Vadai. Coimbatore Paruppu Vadai. You all know that I am basically from Chennai (but still prefer to call it as Madras). We(Chennaiittes/ Madras vaasi) uniquely distinguish 'two different vadas' into 'Medhu Vada' and 'Masal Vada'

Jack Fruit - Sweet Dumplings

2009-11-01T11:18:00.016-02:00

Pala Pazha Kozhukattai:Pala Pazha Kozhukattai, Palapazha Kozhukkattai. Inippu Kozhukattai. Sweet Dumplings. Jack Fruit - Rice Dumplings. Botanical name of Jack fruit is Artocarpus heterophyllus. It belongs to mulberry trees family. The fruits are extra large, that one can practically hug it. Interestingly the fruits are found on the trunks and not on the branches here. Ah nature's wonder! These

Jack Fruit Jam

2009-11-01T10:39:00.012-02:00

Jack Fruit Jam:Chakka Varati. Pala Pazha Halwa. Palapazham Halwa/Jam. Chakka Varattiyadhu.My Mommy learnt this recipe from her friend Geetha (whose native is Palakkad). Mommy learnt bunch of Kerala specialities from her(will share with you'll in future). Both my Mother and Geetha Auntie are excellent singers, all they do is sing and cook together. Oh those were days, man. When I was a little girl

Vegetable Cutlet

2009-10-28T17:36:00.010-02:00

Vegetable Cutlet:It looks like...I almost forgot the idea of 'vegetables' even once in a while in my cooking. I am a total non-veg person, its easy to cook and always complete. The only way to make one consume more vegetables is give it in a fried rice form, veg kebabs and like this cutlet. Some of my favourite cutlets for you...Nuts CutletChicken CutletFish CutletIngredients:

Chicken Broth & Chicken Stock

2009-10-28T12:21:00.008-02:00

Chicken Broth & Chicken Stock: (Totally Indian Way)Chicken Clear Soup. Chicken Broth. Chicken Stock.What is the difference between chicken broth and chicken stock? Do you'll know! Not that two are entirely different. Broth and Stock call for the same vegetables, spices and herbs...just the simmering time is less and more respectively. This is one of my kitchen essentials. Its not that hard to

Kuzhambu Milagai Thool - Mommy's Touch

2009-10-27T20:59:00.008-02:00

Kuzhambu Milagai Podi:Mommy's Kuzhambu Milagai Thool. Multi Purpose Milagai Thool. Kalandha Molaga Podi. Kuzhambu Podi. Home Made Milaga Podi. Molaga Thool. Molaga Podi. Home Made Chili Powder. Mirchi Powder. Kaara Podi. Mommy makes this 'Kalandha Milagai Podi' and uses it invariably to all her preparations. This is kind of multi purpose podi...added to any curry, stew, korma, kootu or sambar. I

Samba Rava Pongal

2009-10-26T21:00:00.012-02:00

Godhumai Ravai Pongal:Cracked Wheat Pongal. Samba Godhumai Rava Pongal. Myself and my brother live in two different time zones...that we can't always talk:( We have 17 hours difference (He is in Australia)...so he should stay up all night and I should get up too early to get hold of him. So, does this have changed anything at all for me!! No, he still tracks me down for my mistakes.:( Good that I

Paneer Tikka Masala

2009-10-23T10:35:00.007-02:00

Paneer Tikka Masala:Cottage Cheese Curry. Panir Tikka Masala. Paaladai Kuzhambu.As I told you before, enjoyed these vegetarian's delicasies big time at Restaurants, only when accompained by Vegetarian friends!! But I have to admit...they are better than chicken sometimes! Started liking them...So for making 'Paneer Tikka Masala' you'll need 'Paneer Tikka'. Follow the links for the

Vilampazham Halwa

2009-10-21T23:29:00.007-02:00

Vilam Pazha Halwa:Vilampazham Jam. Vilampazha Halwa. Vilam Pazha Laddu.The Botanical name of this fruit is Feronia elephantum. The English common name is 'Wood Apple'. The shell is hard and lethery...goes from pale greenish white to half white when ripe. The pulp is extremely 'tangy'...so they always mix it with jaggery. This is kind of seasonal fruit, hits the market during 'Aadi Maasam'(

Brussels Sprouts Korma

2009-10-21T14:48:00.009-02:00

Brussels Sprouts Korma:Brussels Sprouts White Kurma. Kilai Koss Vella Kurma. Honestly I have never seen this vegetable in Chennai or any other places, I lived in(India). But my Coimbatore friends used to boast (often) about one particular vegetable...that I didn't knew. Yes, that is Brussels sprouts! Or simply 'Kilai Koss'(in native tongue). Maybe the hilly areas produce them a lot, like Ooty,

Cheesy Chilies

2009-10-20T22:08:00.006-02:00

Cheesy Chilies:Chili Relino?! Cheese filled Chili peppers. If I need a quick snack, the one thing I turn into is, fill my chili pepper/jalapenos with cheese and bake them! This doesnt demand any labor in the kitchen. It would great if we grill them, although baking isnt a bad idea.

Fried Cheese Sticks

2009-10-19T20:03:00.008-02:00

Fried Cheese Sticks:Fried Cheese. Breaded Cheese Sticks.Nothing much to talk about the recipe, jut fried the string cheese...that's all!:) Simple evening munch. Now...who wouldn't like cheese, huh!:)Ingredients:String cheese 2-4Egg white 1Bread crumbs few spoonsSaltPepperDry ParsleyDry garlic powderDry onion powderOil for shallow frying.Method:Mix all the above said ingredients(except oil, cheese

Award

2009-10-19T15:47:00.004-02:00

Thanks for the lovely Award Raje.

Paani Poori

2009-10-19T00:51:00.016-02:00

Paani Poori:Pani Puri. Paani Puri/poori. Golgoppa. Street Food - Paani Poori. Healthy version of Paani Poori.I am not so good when it comes to chaat food, certainly its not my cup of tea. Though I like the fact of having fun with my friends, its totally unacceptable to my diet ritual! Its from fun to fever...each time!:( Hmmm, no...I don't really have any cravings for these pooris. When it comes

Deepavali Special - Health Mix Payasam

2009-10-16T11:37:00.008-02:00

Health Mix Payasam:Malted Raagi Payasam. Barley Payasam. Sprouted Wheat Payasam. Healthy Payasam.Health Mix is something that mommy used to prepare, when we (myself & my brother) were kids. I am not sure about the long lengthy ingredients she used to sneak into it! Well, I should have asked her! I recollected few of the stuff, she used to mention tho'. But otherwise for the convenience sake...I

Ayurveda Kuzhambu

2009-10-15T20:36:00.012-02:00

Ayurdeva Kuzhambu:Marundhu Kuzhambu. Medicinal Spices in Rich Tamarind based Curry.Marundhu kuzhambu is usually made in the house after severe cold, cough and fever. My mother recommends this for even body pain! Now don't ask me medicinal details, please! Again, I am aint good with those 'medicinal spices names'...all I could recollect is few names, so bear with me. But I could certaily assure

Nuts Kheer

2009-10-14T20:28:00.007-02:00

Raw Nuts Kheer: (Version 2)I don't know how many of you'll are going to agree with me! I believe that 'raw nuts' holds up that potent energy...than that of well cooked ones! Yeah, if you're following that fibre rich diet, then please try to eat 'raw nuts' to zap your energy. It is said that, chewing for a long period crushes that sturdy cells of the fibre and releases the nutients which are

Nilgiri Mutton Korma

2009-10-07T23:12:00.006-02:00

Nilgiri Mutton Korma:Nilagiri Mutton Kurma. Green colour Mutton Korma. Mutton Nilgiri's. Got bored of the usual curries...gave a new look to my regular korma! Added bunch of herbs to the dish...made it really refreshing today. Yes, though I have mentioned about coconut in the recipe...I didnt add any...just squeezed some lemon juice to finish. Ingredients:Mutton 1 kilo (bone-in, skin-on, chunks)

Red Chili Chutney

2009-10-07T22:18:00.007-02:00

Milagai Saandhu:Sigappu Milaga Chutney. Milaga Chutney / Thokku. Can you believe it, red chilies have more Vitamin-A than in an orange. So, load up red chilies next time when you shop. Though I can't bear the heat...loved the idea of fresh red chili chutney...so slightly tweaked the recipe, yes...used Jalapenos instead. One could also carefully de seeds and remove the inner pith to avoid heat.

Mampazha Payasam

2009-10-06T14:35:00.007-02:00

Mango Payasam:Mampazham Payasam. Mango Pudding?!. I am glad that I visited home(India) during mango season. I havent had this 'Wonder Fruit' for a long time. Oh, gosh...I can never relate these Walmark/Kroger mangoes with that of those Selam breeds. Alphonsa (Golden Yellow), Kallalpad in Madras or simply Chakarakutti in Selam (small, very sweet with thin seed inside)! Imam Pasand, Neelam (always

Cluster Beans Poriyal

2009-10-05T21:36:00.005-02:00

Kothavarangai Poriyal:Gorichikudukaya Koora. Gavar Phalli ka Subzi. Cluster Beans Stir-Fry. Kothavarankai Ellu Poriyal. I am a big fan of this vegetable! But none of them like it, at home. Usually they say, it increases one's bile secretion! I am not very sure, whether its true! Anyway, my mommy used to add lots of cumin seeds...believing that it would counter-react with that excess bile

Kuzhi Paniyaram

2009-10-04T23:57:00.010-02:00

Kuzhi Paniyaram:Kaara Paniyaram. Paniyaram. Kuzhi Paniyaram.My mommy never made this dish. But I always longed for it! I happened to taste this in some lollu restaurant(kind of like mess), alright. I actually like the shape of the dish...more than the taste...its so 'cute'.This time, when I went home for vacation...I saw this 'kuzhi paniyaram tawa/vessel' in the kitchen. Our maid said..."Akka

Madras Filter Coffee

2009-10-01T23:37:00.013-02:00

Madras Filter Coffee:Grandma's Filter Coffee. Mommy's Filter Coffee. Madras Filter Coffee. Iyengar Filter Coffee. Agraharam style Filter Coffee.My Mommy is a big time coffee lover in the family. She used to prepare it, in a much authentic way...probably the way she adopted from my Grandma. Buy coffee beans, roast it to perfection(that is each week), powder them (just before preparing it)...filter