கத்திரிக்காய் சாம்பார்/ Eggplant Sambar / Brinjal Sambar

Sambar is one of the staple food in every South Indian home. This can be  prepared using toor dal / lentils combined with any veggies of our choice. Sambar pairs nicely with idli / dosa or with plain white rice. Usually Idli sambar is prepared in a prressure cooker to make the dal and veggies mushy , I will share the recipe soon.  I love making sambar as it is so easy to prepare and also healthy. This is the method suggested by my gradma. She never uses any special sambar powder in her recipes and each of her sambar has the unique flavour of the veggies she added. I really adore her cooking and its always a hit at my home. So try this sambar  and give your views. Click on this link to have a look at Vendakkai Sambar / Ladies Finger Sambar.

You can prepare different types of sambar with different vegetables . Vendakkai / Ladies finger Sambar, Kathirikai / Brinjal Sambar, Murungakkai / Drumstick Sambar , Mullangi / Radish Sambar  are so common. You can also use other veggies like bottle gourd , ridge gourd , turnip , carrot, cabbage or even bitter gourd to make  sambar. Either you can use one of the above veggies or you can use your favourite combo of veggies to prepare sambar.You can also prepare sambar without any vegetables and we call it as Vengaya sambar (i.e) sambar made using onions , the recipe will be soon online. 

Now lets see how to make this delicious Kathirikkai / Brinjal Sambar…. 

 

உருளைக்கிழங்கு வறுகுழம்பு /Potato Curry

Potato Varu Kulambu is our family favourite curry . Potato is  a favourite vegetable not only for kids , almost to everyone . Even when I was young  the only vegetable I eat without hesitation are potatoes . Now my son also likes the crispy items made with potatoes . Potatoes are in rich in carbohydrates . Although fried items are not recommended for high cholesterol as per health issues .

But this is not a fried item so no worries to make this curry . I learnt this delicious curry from my grandma . Simple to make but tastes extraordinary . Generally I make it a bit spicy  , if you are a mild eater then adjust the spiciness as per your taste . This goes well with steamed rice and also with tiffin items . This is a good lunch box item too. Lets see how to make this curry….

 

Palak Paneer / Spinach Paneer

Palak Paneer is an North Indian dish that uses  spinach and cottage cheese . Smooth creamy thick curry 

made from  pureed spinach and milk. You can substitute heavy cream in the place of milk , that gives a  great creamy sauce consistency . But I usually go with milk as I prepare this yummy dish frequently .It is a very popular dish in Indian restaurants worldwide  and the creamy taste will sure make us love it. This is also a very healthy dish  for kids and the taste never fails to attract them .  This is so perfect for rotis and naan . Try this creamy palak paneer and enjoy with your loved ones…..

 

 

Ennai Kathirikkai Kulambu / Eggplants in a Tangy Gravy

This is a spicy tangy South Indian brinjal/eggplant curry.I am not a big fan of eggplants and truly speaking I never tasted this veggie during my childhood.I will not eat the eggplants but urge my mom to add it to the some curries like mutton kulambu / curry , sundal /kala channa puli kulambu .I love the aroma it gives to the curries..But now I strated loving it and having it frequently.It tastes nice when added to tamarind based curries. Few days before I made Eggplant Stuffed Curry too.I will post that soon.My red chillies are mild so I used more , adjust it as per your taste.My hubby loved this curry so much and hope you too so off you go to the recipe with step by step pictures….

 

 

Kaalan Varutha Curry / Mushroom Curry

I love mushrooms.One of my favourite veggie.The coconut masala blend with the mushroom gives a finger licking taste . My mom never cooked mushroom in my childhood as it was a rare veggie those days,but now-a-days its so common in all the places.My periamma (my moms cousin sister) makes a flavourful gravy / kulambu out of this mushroom.Whenever she makes she will give me some as she lived very near to us those days.After marriage I started cooking mushrooms and all in my family loves mushroom.

 

Coming to the recipe , this is a spicy dish that goes well with rotis and rice.My mom cooks mutton varuval nearly the same way.I tried with mushrooms and the result is really so good.I always used to have mushrooms with chappatis but this time I tried wth rice.It was fabulous.We loved it very much.This is  a wonderful dish for all mushroom lovers .Hope you too will love so go ahead and try this at your home and enjoy with your loved ones….

 

 

Paneer Curry / Indian Cottage Cheese Gravy

This is one of my all time favourite curry.Any recipe that includes paneer makes that dish awesome.One cool thing about paneer is it nicely blends with any type of masala and gives a wonderful taste.I like to add kasoori methi powder in all my paneer dishes as it gives a fantastic aroma.Usually children love paneer but my kid hate it although I will make it twice a month as my hubby and me love it.Its a good dish to be made at parties  or any festive occassions.Try this curry ….yoy’ll love it for sure….

 

 

Mushroom Capsicum Gravy

Mushrooms are my favourite.Whatever you cook with it tastes wonderful.And it cooks so fast and its more healthy and yummy too.This  dish is  the combination of mushrooms with exotic spices marinated to give a wonderful  aroma.The fresh cream added to this gives a rich creamy taste.And capsicum blends with the masala and makes it more delicious.Go ahead and try this and let me know your views…

Potato Masala For Puri / UrulaiKizhangu Masala

Everyones favourite is potatoes. This is the magic of the potatoes. You will hardly find anyone who dislikes them.Kids love to have potatoes.My little one is not exceptional too.He likes anything made from potatoes and me too.So it a friendly root to me.And also they're high in starchy carbohydrates .But if you are trying to cut extra fat just avoid preparing with more fats such as butter and also avoid deep fries.A baked potato contains lots of vitamin in it.I usually make traditional potato masala for puri.But if I like to have something spicy I prefer this one.Really its a best combo for puri and chapati.I learnt this from my MIL.Give it a try.