Potato Masala| Urulai Kizhangu Masala | உருளைக் கிழங்கு மசாலா

Potato Masala is a flavorful South Indian dish made with boiled potatoes, and simmered in a spiced onion-tomato base. Unlike the milder poori masala, this version is richer and more robust and pairs perfectly with Chapathi. It can also be served as a side dish for any rice varieties.

Ingredients

• Onion - 1, large sized
• Green chilies - 1, slit lengthwise
• Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tsp 
• Tomato - 2, medium sized
• Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp 
• Red chilli powder - 1 tsp 
• Coriander powder - 1 tsp
• Garam masala - 1/2 Tsp
• Potato - 6
• Coriander Leaves - to garnish

    For the seasoning 

• Peanut Oil - 3 tbsp
• Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Urad Dal - 1 tsp 
• Red chillies - 1, broken into half
• Hing - 1/2 tsp
• Curry Leaves - few

Method

1. Pressure cook the potatoes, peel the skin and cut into cubes. Keep it aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add tempering ingredients one by one. Fry for few seconds.
3. Add onion and green chillies, and cook until soft and translucent for about 4-5 mins.
4. Add ginger garlic paste and stir until the raw smell goes away.
5. Add finely chopped tomatoes and cook until mushy.
6. Now add turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder and garam masala and cook until the oil leaves the masala.
7. Add the cubed potatoes and gently mix until the masala is coated well.
8. Cook for few mins and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.
9. Serve hot with Rice/Chapathi.

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Aval Paniyaram / Beaten Rice Appe

Aval paniyaram (Poha Appe) is a light and easy to digest South Indian snack which is made from aval(poha), rice flour and butter milk. It can be made with various spices and vegetables for added flavor.

Poha is a good source of iron, which is beneficial for boosting energy levels and preventing iron deficiency.

Ingredients 

• Aval/Beaten rice/Poha - 1 cup
• Buttermilk - 1 cup/ as needed
• Fine rava - 1 cup
• Rice flour - 1/4 cup
• Salt - to taste

    For the seasoning

• Oil - 1 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal - 1 tsp
• Ginger - 1 tbsp, grated
• Curry leaves - few
• Onion - 1, finely chopped
• Carrot - 1/2 cup, grated
• Coriander leaves - few

Method

1. Soak aval in buttermilk just enough to cover it for 15 mins.
2. Mash it well and add fine rava. Add more buttermilk just enough and mix well. The batter has to be thick.
3. Prepare the seasoning in a small pan by adding the ingredients listed in the “For the seasoning” one by one.
4. Add this to the batter and mix well. Adjust salt to taste.
5. Heat the appe pan (Paniyaram pan) on medium heat and lightly grease each cavity with oil.
6. Pour the batter using a spoon into each cavity.
7. Cover the pan and cook for about 3-4 mins on low-medium heat.
8. Using a skewer or a small wooden spatula flip each paniyaram and cook uncovered for about 3-4 mins. Cook them until golden and crisp on both sides.
9. Remove from pan and serve hot with chutney or sambar.

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Chettinad Egg Curry

Chettinad Egg Curry is a nutritious and delicious South Indian dish that balances protein, healthy fats and spices. This curry can be served with rice, dosa and chapati.

Ingredients

• Hard boiled eggs - 6, cut into half
• Onion - 1, medium
• Tomatoes - 3
• Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - as required
• Coriander leaves - to garnish
• Oil - 3 tbsp

     To roast and grind

• Coriander seeds - 2 tsp
• Red chillies - 3
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
• Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
• Pepper - 1/2 tsp
• Cardamoms - 2
• Cloves - 3
• Cinnamon stick - 1 inch
• Poppy seeds - 2 tsp
• Coconut - 1/4 cup

Method

1. Dry roast all the ingredients under roast and grind in a pan until aromatic for about 2-3 mins. Grind them into a smooth paste using a little water.
2. Heat oil in a pan.
3. Add mustard seeds and once it starts to splutter, add curry leaves.
4. Add thinly sliced onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
5. Stir in the ginger garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.
6. Add finely chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn soft and mushy.
7. Add the ground spice paste and add 1/2 cup of water.
8. Adjust salt to taste and boil until the curry reaches the right consistency for about 10 mins.
9. Gently add the sliced eggs into the curry. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 5 mins, allowing the eggs to absorb the flavors.
10. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

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Okra Yogurt Gravy|Vendakkai Mor Kuzhambu|வெண்டைக்காய் மோர் குழம்பு

Mor kuzhambu is a curd based gravy and is very common in most South Indian households. The recipe shared here is made with okra which is a popular version of this gravy. You can use any vegetables you like. It tastes delicious and goes well with hot rice and appalam.

Okra is low in calories and a good source of fiber which can help ease digestion. It contains potassium, vitamin B, C, folic acid and calcium.

Ingredients

• Lady's Finger/Okra - 10 -15 nos, chopped into 1 inch pieces
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Yogurt - 1 cup
• Salt - as required
• Sesame oil - 1 tbsp

    To grind

• Toor dal/Chana dal - 1 tbsp
• Boiled rice - 1 tbsp
• Grated coconut - 2 tbsp
• Green chillies - 2
• Ginger - 1/2 inch
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Coriander seeds - 1 tsp
• Curry leaves - 1 sprig

    For the seasoning

• Sesame oil - 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
• Shallots - 5, diced
• Asafoetida/Hing - a pinch
• Red chillies - 1, broken
• Curry leaves - few

Method

1. Soak toor dal and boiled rice in water for 15 minutes and grind along with grated coconut, green chillies, ginger, cumin seeds, coriander seeds and curry leaves into a smooth paste. 
2. Whisk the yogurt well and dilute in water as per the desired consistency.
3. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan. Add chopped okra and salt. Saute them in medium flame until roasted for about 5 mins. 
4. Add 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder and sprinkle some water. Cook until slightly soft for about 1-2 mins. Do not overcook and make it soggy. Keep it aside.
5. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
6. When the mustard seeds start to splutter, add urad dal and fry until light brown.
7. Add red chillies, hing, curry leaves and shallots. Saute until the shallots turn golden brown.
8. Add the roasted okras, ground paste and 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder. Cook in low flame for couple of minutes.
9. Add yogurt to the gravy.
10. Adjust salt to taste and cook in low flame until it comes to a boil.
11. Turn off the stove and garnish with curry leaves.

Notes

- The ground paste should be thick and smooth so use as little water as needed while grinding the ingredients.

- Do not cook in high flame or boil the gravy after adding yogurt as the yogurt will curdle.

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Tomato Dosa|Thakkali dosai|தக்காளி தோசை

Tomato dosa is another South Indian variety of dosa. It is a perfect breakfast/dinner dosa recipe and is loved by people of all age groups. This instant no ferment dosa is slightly spicy, tangy and tastes delicious.

Ingredients

• Raw rice - 1 cup
• White urad dal - 1/4 cup
• Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Tomatoes - 3, medium sized
• Red chillies - 3
• Baking soda - 1/2 tsp (optional)
• Salt - as required
• Oil - to cook dosa

Method

     Preparation of Batter

1. Wash and soak rice, urad dal and fenugreek seeds together for 3-4 hrs.
2. Add roughy chopped tomatoes, red chillies and soaked rice-dal mixture in a blender and grind them together into a smooth batter.
3. Transfer the batter to a bowl. Add baking soda and salt. Mix well.
4. Keep it aside for 30-45 mins.
5. Tomato dosa batter is ready.

     Preparation of Dosa

1. Heat a tawa and grease with oil.
2. Pour a ladle of batter and spread it in a circular motion. Drizzle some oil around it and cook covered in medium flame till golden brown on both sides.
3. Repeat the same with remaining batter.
4. Serve hot with coconut chutney or any chutney of your choice.

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Kovakkai Masiyal|Ivy gourd Curry|கோவக்காய் மசியல்

Kovakkai Masiyal is a simple curry and goes very well with rice or chapathi. Ivy gourd blends well with all sorts of masalas. Iv gourd is rich in beta-carotene, which when consumed is converted by our body into Vitamin A.

Ingredients

• Ivy gourd - 20
• Moong dal - 1/4 cup
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Coriander leaves - to garnish

     For the seasoning

• Sesame oil - 1 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Hing/Asafoetida - a pinch
• Ginger - 1 inch, crushed/crushed
• Green chilli - 1
• Curry leaves - few
• Tomatoes - 2, medium sized

Method

1. Pressure cook ivy gourd, moong dal with turmeric powder and salt for 2 whistles.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
3. When the mustard seeds start to splutter add hing, ginger, green chilli, curry leaves and chopped tomatoes.
4. Saute for few minutes until the tomatoes turn soft and add the cooked ivy gourd.
5. Mix it thoroughly and cook for 4-5 minutes in medium flame.
6. Adjust salt to taste and garnish with coriander leaves.
7. Serve hot with rice or chapathi.

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Ven pongal|வெண் பொங்கல்

Ven pongal is a traditional South Indian breakfast that is healthy and delicious. This simple recipe is made with rice and split moong dal. It is usually served with coconut chutney and sambar. Pongal is easily digestible and is loved by people of all age groups.

Ingredients

• Raw rice - 1/2 cup
• Split moong dal/Pasiparuppu - 1/2 cup
• Water - 3 cups
• Ghee - 1tsp
• Salt - to taste

     For the seasoning

• Oil - 1 tbsp
• Ghee - 2 tbsp
• Grated ginger - 1 tbsp
• Asafoetida/Hing - 1/4 tsp
• Cashewnuts - 2 tbsp, broken
• Curry leaves - few
• Cumin seeds - 2 tsp
• Whole black pepper - 1 tsp

Method

1. Dry roast the split moong dal in medium flame for 3-4 minutes.
2. Wash the rice and soak it along with roasted dal in water for 10 mins.
3. Add 3 cups of water in a pressure cooker and bring it to boil.
4. Add the soaked rice and dal, salt and 1 tsp of ghee. Pressure cook for 5 whistles in medium flame.
5. Heat oil and 2 tbsp of ghee in a pan in medium flame.
6. Then add hing, ginger, cahewnuts and curry leaves. When the nuts are roasted reduce the flame and add cumins seeds and pepper and roast for 20-30 seconds.
7. Add it to the pongal and mix well.
8. Serve hot with coconut chutney and sambar.

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Ashoka Halwa|Pasiparuppu Halwa|Split Moong Dal Halwa

Ashoka Halwa is a delicious South Indian dessert made with moong dal and wheat flour. It is a popular sweet originated from Thiruvayaiyaru(Thanjavur district, Tamilnadu).

Ingredients

• Split moong dal - 1/2 cup
• Wheat flour - 1/4 cup
• Sugar - 1 cup
• Ghee - 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp
• All purpose flour(Maida) - 1tbsp
• Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
• Food color - 1 pinch
• Cashew nuts - 8-10

Method

1. In a pressure cooker dry roast moong dal for 1 minute in high flame or until it leaves nice aroma. Do not brown the dal.
2. Add 3 cups of water and cook till mushy and soft. Grind into smooth paste.
3. Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a pan and fry cashew nuts until golden. Remove from pan and keep aside.
4. In the same pan add the wheat flour and all purpose flour and roast it in small flame until it emits roasted aroma.
5. Add moong dal paste and sugar to the roasted flour and mix well in medium flame. The mixture becomes watery when the sugar melts.
6. Add food color, cardamom powder, roasted cashew nuts and a tbsp of ghee and stir continuously.
7. When the mixtures becomes slightly thick add another tbsp of ghee and keep stirring continuously in medium flame. Keep adding the ghee at regular intervals.
8. Cook until the halwa starts to leave the sides of the pan and the ghee oozes out of the mixture. If the halwa doesn't stick to your hands it means it is cooked to the right consistency.
9. Ready to serve and enjoy the treat!

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Sweet Kozhukattai|Vella Kozhukattai|Mothagam

Vella Kozhukattai is a delicious sweet recipe prepared during Vinayagar Chathurthi festival. The stuffing is made out of coconut and jaggery (thengai pooranam).

Ingredients

• Rice flour - 1 cup (Idiyappam flour preferable)
• Oil - 1 tsp (sesame oil preferable)
• Salt - to taste

    For pooranam

• Jaggery - 1 cup
• Ghee - 1 tsp
• Grated coconut - 1 cup
• Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp

Method

1. Boil 1.5 cups of water with oil and salt for a minute and turn off the flame.
2. Add rice flour gradually while stirring continuously with a spatula. Cover it and let it cool.
3. Knead the dough while it's warm and keep aside. Keep it covered with a damp cloth and close it with a lid.
4. For pooranam, heat a pan and add jaggery and 1/4 cup of water. Mix till the jaggery melts and filter to remove impurities. Return the jaggery water to the pan and add grated coconut, ghee and cardamom powder. Mix well for 5 minutes in low-medium flame until it thickens and become dry. Turn off the stove. Don't overcook the mixture.
5. Make even sized balls from the dough. Keep it covered with the damp cloth to prevent drying.
6. Grease the mould with oil, close it and put 3/4th of the ball in the mould. Press the dough on the walls of the mould using your fingers. 
7. Add a portion of pooranam and seal it evenly with the remaining 1/4th of the ball on top.
8. Open the mould and gently remove the kozhukattai/modakam from the mould.
9. Repeat this and keep covered until steaming.
10. Arrange all the kozhukattais on a idli plate and steam cook for 10 minutes. Ready to serve.

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Aloo Bonda|Urulaikizhangu bonda|உருளைக்கிழங்கு போண்டா

Aloo Bonda is a popular south indian deep fried snack made with gram flour batter and stuffed with potato filling.

Ingredients

• Potatoes - 3, medium sized
• Onion - 1, medium
• Grated ginger - 1 tbsp
• Green chilli - 1
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Cilantro - 2 tbsp, finely chopped
• Curry leaves - few
• Urad dal - 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Oil - 1 tbsp
• Salt - To taste

     For the batter

• Gram flour - 1/2 cup
• Rice flour - 1 tbsp
• Asafoetida/Hing/பெருங்காயம் - 2 pinches
• Baking soda - 1/4 tsp
• Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - To deep fry

Method

1. Pressure cook the potatoes for 3 whistles. Cool down, peel off the skin and mash it well.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. Once it splutters, add urad dal and fry till it turns slight brown.
3. Add curry leaves and grated ginger and saute for few seconds and add onion and green chilli.
4. Cook till the onion turns soft.
5. Add turmeric powder and salt.
6. Now add the mashed potatoes and mix well. Cook for 2 minutes.
7. Cool down and make small balls. Keep aside.
8. In a bowl mix gram flour, rice flour, asafoetida, baking soda, chilli powder and salt. Add water slowly to make a thick batter.
9. Heat oil in a pan. Dip a potato ball in the batter, coat it well and slowly drop into the pan. Repeat for other balls.
10. Fry the balls for a minute in medium heat and turn over to cook evenly on both sides. Fry them until all sides are golden brown.
11. Serve them hot with chutney/sauce.

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Spinach Wheat Dosa|Keerai Godhuma Dosai|கீரை கோதுமை தோசை

Spinach Wheat dosa is an instant and quick South Indian breakfast recipe. This dish is very healthy, nutritious and diabetic friendly. Wheat is extremely beneficial for a healthy living, so try to have wheat regularly in your diet.

Ingredients

• Wheat flour - 1 cup
• Rice flour - 1/4 cup
• Spinach - 1 cup, finely chopped
• Chopped onion - 1/4 cup
• Salt - To taste
• Oil - For cooking

Method

1. Mix wheat flour and rice flour together in a bowl adding water little by little to get a batter having pouring consistency. There should not be any lumps and the batter should not be thick.
2. Add the chopped spinach and onion. Mix well and adjust salt to taste.
3. Heat the tawa and grease with oil. 
4. Pour a ladle of batter to it and spread it in a circular motion. Drizzle some oil around it and cook in low-medium flame.
5. Flip on the other side and cook till it is golden brown.
6. Serve hot with tomato sabji or any chutney.

Tips

- You can also use idli dosa batter instead of rice flour.
- For the dosa to be more tasty, leave the batter aside for 30 minutes before making dosas.
- To get the maximum benefit out of wheat products, it's advisable to choose whole-wheat flour rather than refined varieties.

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