Amma’s Chicken Briyani / Kozhi Briyani

Briyani is a special treat on most of the special occasions. Dindigul Thalappakatti Briyani is very famous ,and I’m from that place , so obviously my favourite are Thalappakatti and  Venu Briyani . Besides these hotel taste I’m a big fan of my mom’s version . The Chicken and Mutton Briyani made by my mom is the perfect one to me. It tastes delicious and loaded with lots of flavours. This one-pot meal catches its place often in our sunday menu. Moreover this Briyani is made using the pressure pan and I swear this is so easier to prepare.  The key ingredient in this Briyani is the homemade Briyani powder (Refer the notes to prepare this powder). Please give it a try and let me know your views.

Chicken Fry / Kozhi Varuval

Today I am here to share a fantastic tasty chicken recipe  - Kozhi Varuval / Chicken fry . This dish is so easy to make and needs no marination. This is so flavourful and pairs up perfectly as a side with both rice & rotis . It can also be made as a gravy depending upon your taste. We liked it very much and  I am pretty sure you are also going to like it. So here comes the recipe and  do try this yummy fry and let me know your views…

Rava Kesari / Semolina Kesari

Rava Kesari is one of the popular Indian sweet which we make for most of the festivals . Not only for festivals I will make whenever I crave for something sweet and moreover I am a diehard fan of this semolina kesari . This is one of the easiest sweet preparation . Hubby got a pineapple last week so I tried this yummy kesari with pineapple and it was really a big hit  . I recommend  you to make this recipe with ripe pineapples that will add some more sweetness to the kesari . Be generous in adding ghee that will make the kesari melt in your mouth , the more the ghee added will make the kesari more tastier. Lets go to the recipe…

தக்காளி சட்னி / Tomato Chutney

Tomato Chutney is a very delicious combo for Idlis and Dosas . Chutney recipes are staple side dishes for breakfast in South India and this is my mum’s version which I like most . I have already posted Onion Tomato Chutney without coconut , click on the link to check it . In this tomato chutney , my mum used to add a little coconut and that really enhances the taste . This is so easy to make and tastes wonderful .  Hope you all love this simple chutney . Lets see how to prepare it….

Mutton Chukka varuval / Mutton Fry

Mutton Chukka is a famous item that attracts most of our (non-veg lovers) attention in hotels . My father used to buy mutton chukka whenever we buy briyani from outside . It will be pretty dry and tastes awesome . This is the way my mother makes chukka at home  . Mutton is not in our regular menu , we used to buy once in a month .The only thing that annoys me is the mutton I am getting here at Leeds is not as much good as we used to get in my home town .  But I can say that its not much bad as I used to it now . I love it more spicy so adjust as per your taste. Try it if you crave for something more spicy and enjoy this with your family . Don’t forget to let me know your views about this recipe . Lets go to the preparation….

Chettinad Potato Fry

Hi Friends,

Chettinad cuisine is so famous for its freshly grounded masala powders .This is one such very aromatic and delicious fry from chettinad that goes well with South Indian rice platter . Freshly ground masala gives a  nice aroma and wonderful taste to this recipe. The spice touch makes this fry more addictive. I love it more spicy , but its absolutely up to your taste  to increase or decrease the spiciness .  We had shifted our house and there was no net connection , so not able to blog for a quite long time . Feeling happy to blog after a break of  couple of weeks. Thanks dear friends and readers for all your support . Now lets see how to prepare this chettinad potato fry.

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Chicken Curry Using Fresh Masala

There are many variations to make a basic chicken curry recipe and today I love to share this chicken curry that is prepared with few fresh ingredients from the kitchen pantry. There are some few recipes in our menu that we don’t feel bored while making them often and often . One such recipe is this chicken curry.  And this curry will catch its presence in most of the occasions like get together / parties / at weekends . So its clear to you that this curry is thoroughly enjoyed by my family  . This curry tastes great with plain rice . The preparation is quite simple  and I believe this will sure  occupy your to-do list.  Basically I am fond of chicken and after coming to UK the only non-veg we used to buy is chicken . So I love trying lots of variations in my chicken curry . I tried the same curry with coconut paste , but  it tastes fabulous only without the coconut touch. But however now-a-days we started buying mutton too. I prepared mutton chukka last week and waiting to share with you guys soon. Lets see the preparation of this simple Chicken curry ….

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Dal Tadka / Paruppu Kadaiyal

Today  I have come with a simple dal recipe . This is a traditional recipe and quite usual dish in every household in Tamilnadu . I love this dal with potato chips fry . This goes well with hot steamed rice topped with a tsp of ghee. I am sure even the aroma makes us droll . And this is a daily preparation in houses with kids . My mum will not add any spice to it , just the cooked dal with ghee. I liked that version very much . But hubby dear love this tadka dal , so I stick to this preparation . This is so simple and gets ready in minutes . Lets see how to prepare this simple dal…

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….

 

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கோதுமை அப்பம் / Wheat Flour Dumplings

This is a quick evening snack item for hungry kids , which I learnt from my grandma. My grandma likes sweet items ,so she makes quite often some or the other. This is one of those that I like very much. She is a wonderful cook and  a complete vegetarian , when I was young some times I longed why grandma is not preparing non-veg as I loved non-veg items. Now she is living in our memories and we miss her a lot. 
 

And hubby dear likes sweets much , so I prepare this often for him yet this time only I managed to take photos as it will vanish in minutes . This appam is crispy outside and spongy inside .Try it and I am sure you love every bite of this sweet. The oil should not be smoky or the appam will get burned easily as we are adding sugar. So take care while frying , better to keep the flame in medium and fry till golden brown . Now lets see the preparation…

Whole Moong Dal / Green Moong Dal Curry / Pachai Pasi Paruppu Curry

Moong dal curry is a very healthy and yummy side for rotis as well as rice.  I like this curry along with hot steamed rice with few drops of ghee over it. This dal is rich in protein and loaded with lots of nutrients. My mom used to make this curry often as it can be made in no time  and also so good for health.  It is called as pachai pasi paruppu in Tamil. You can make this so quick ,15 mins is more enough. And the cool thing is there is no need to soak the dal . Just wash with lots of water and pressure cook and make your curry . Normally I use sprouted mung beans for the same recipe . And I love that with fluffy pooris . Try this simple yet yummy side with your rotis / pooris / rice and let me know your views….

 

 

 

இட்லி–தோசை /How to make Idli–Dosa

This is a traditional South Indian item , mostly prepared daily in every household for breakfast or dinner . Every week I used to ground this batter. The batter should be nicely fermented to get soft Idlis . Click here to check how to prepare the Idli Dosa Batter . Usually I will prepare Idlis for the first few days . The freshly fermented batter gives nice soft idlis . Then will start making dosas . You can prepare idli dosas with the same batter . Just make the batter a bit loose while making dosas , the consistency should not be runny.   This post is specially for beginners and will be so helpful for them with step by step pictures .  Lets see the preparation….

Ingredients

Fermented Idli / Dosa batter

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Urulaikilangu Poriyal / Potato Fry

Potato Fry / Urulai kilangu Varuval the name it self tempts most of us . Best combo for rice items . I really don’t need any main dish to go with this yummy fry  . I can have as it is . But  people who like to reduce their weight should  keep a distance ,  but I believe having this weekly once not a problem  . This is my all time favourite side . This time I made it using sambar powder , usually I go with chilly and corriander powders  . Both are yummy . Click here to check my earlier post Potato Fry  using boiled potatoes. I am sure everyone love this simple easy fry and lets see the preparation ….

பூண்டு புளிக்குழம்பு / Garlic Tamarind Curry Without Tomato

Poondu kulambu / Garlic curry is an authentic South Indian curry . I have a great love towards this recipe . Atleast weekly once this curry will be on our menu . This is so easy to prepare and a good lunch box item . And I am sure everyone is aware of the medicinal properties of garlic .The best pair for this tamarind based curry are papads . And also any mild stir fry like Cabbage poriyal / fry , Snake gourd Kootu or  Carrot beans stir fry will be a good combo to this spicy tangy curry .  Earlier I have posted the version  using tomatoes and without coconut . Check the related posts for the detailed recipes . Lets see the preparation of this mouth watering curry…

 

 

மிளகாய் சட்னி / Red Chilli Chutney

Milagai chutney is a common South Indian side for tiffins . This really goes well with hot soft idlis and crispy dosas. Pearl onions / Sambar onions  are preferably used  but its so rare in my place so I used big onion . My mom generally don’t use onion and tomato to this spicy chutney and she grinds using a manual grinding stone ( ammikal ) . I too sometimes prefer without onion and tomato . In that case you should soak the chillies in hot  water for 10 mins and use some water to grind to a smooth paste . Sesame oil gives a nice flavour and is highly recommended as it reduces the spiciness . I love the combo of coconut chutney or sambar with this spicy side . Try this hot chutney with your idlis  , sure its a comforting side for all spicy lovers…

 

 

 

Urulaikizhangu Paal Kari / Potato Paal Curry

Potato paal curry is an authentic South Indian recipe and mostly have its place in wedding feasts. This is one of my mom’s dish and its so simple to prepare but tastes really wonderful .  My hubby loves this delicious side with sambar rice . It even goes well with Dosas / Puris / Rotis or with any mixed rice items .  I have made it mild yet you can alter the spiciness up to your taste. Potato is a commonly loved vegetable by almost everyone . And this rich mild texture will make us stick to its taste . Lets see the preparation . Try it and give your views….

 

 

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…..

 

 

Coconut Chutney / Thengai Chutney

This Coconut chutney is a basic chutney recipe that I make quite often . This is so great with hot idlis and dosas. My family’s favourite chutney . This is a very traditional basic South Indian side dish that is usually made everyday for tiffins. This is perfect not only with idli –dosas but also with poori , pongal , chapattis and with rice too. Before marriage I ask my mom to do chutney with red chillies but my hubby likes chutneys with only green chillies. My taste too differed, I am always sticking to green chillies now-a-days . I like sesame oil for tempering as the flavour is so good but you can use any oil you wish . I know this chutney is quite a usual preparation at most  of the houses but  I am posting this simple recipe for beginners and some of my North Indian friends who keep on asking me for the recipe. Now off to the chutney preparation…

 



 

 

Green Peas Kachori With Dum Aloo

Hi Friends,

This is a traditional Bengali delicacy . Deep fried puris stuffed with the mild sweetness of green peas and  a spicy dum aloo is really a heavenly combo. I tried this yesterday for lunch and amazed at the taste .This turned a big hit at my house . Do try this yummy combo and I am sure you all will love this ….

 

பால் கொழுக்கட்டை / Rice Dumplings in Sweet Coconut Sauce

Hi Friends,

Happy to blog after a long break. For the month of February I am hosting the SNC challenge on behalf of Southern Team. Everyone is aware of this wonderful event running by Divya Pramil of You too can cook Indian Food  . If not please click the link here to join.I thank her for giving me this opportunity.  This time I am challenging the Northern team with a South Indian delicacy Paal Kolukattai .

And coming to the recipe this is one of my hubby’s favourite sweet.I learnt this from my grandma.My grandma will usually soak the rice for 2 hours and grind it without adding much water using a grinder.Then she will cover the thickly grounded dough with a cotton towel to absorb excess water .Then she will spread a dhoti and we all including my brothers will sit around and  roll them as tiny balls , sometimes playing with the dough as we were small those days. Usually she will make a lot to share with relatives . Thinking of those days really makes me happy .I know this is a long process but the result really worth . Here I used rice flour to make the process easy. The only thing is you should never leave the stove unnoticed while making it as it will easily get burned.  And am sure you will all enjoy this yummy kolukattai. Lets see the preparation….