Roundup of "Summer Splash" + winner of the Cuponation Giveaway

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 5/22/2013 9:27:00 AM

'Thank you for the overwhelming response to "Summer Splash event and Giveaway".. 86 mouthwatering entries - and perfect Summer Treat too ...  Thank you dear friends for your wonderful support. I am sure you would participate in the MLLA # 59 event and giveaway too that I am guesthosting here.. ! Rush your entries to win a wonderful giveaway from Susan - the creator of the wonderful event - for the event ends in 8 days :-) Meanwhile, a delicious rou(...)'

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Eggless French Toast

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 5/11/2013 8:29:00 AM

'French Toast and eggless ??!! That's what S asked me as I went on to prepare this over the weekend. Everytime we are on a vacation or at a restaurant buffet for breakfast, the strong smell of Vanilla infused Cinnamon in french Toast never fails to arouse my senses. Having said so, the non-egg eater in me refused to eat this, till I saw this recipe recently in a magazine (Good housekeeping, I guess). And got me to make this over the last weekend along with kiddo. T(...)'

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Dry Fruits Milkshake | Healthy Milkshake for kids | Summer drinks

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 5/10/2013 4:56:00 AM

'We begin the 2nd week of Blogging Marathon # 28 today, and my chosen theme is Kid's Delight Foods - 5 ingredient Fix. Hosted by Pavani, this event by Valli has seen many interesting themes,and this dish was kid-approved in a jiffy. I am not a fruit+milk = milkshake kind of a mom, although its possibly the easiest way to feed a child with fruits. I feel the texture of the fruit & the fibre content undergoes a drastic change , not to mention that according to ay(...)'

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7 Kari Kootu | Ezhu kari Kootu | Pongal Recipes

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 5/5/2013 9:46:00 AM

'Coming to the last day of the Kootu series in this Blogging Marathon. After Karamani Kootu, Podalangai Poricha Kootu, today's dish Ezhu Kari Kootu (Tamil : Ezhu - 7, Kari - vegetables or gravy made with 7 veggies) is made expecially for Pongal (Tamil Harvert Festival) to celebrate the harvest season. Traditionally, it uses most of the fresh harvest and is spiced in a mild gravy. Pairs amazingly well with Hot rice and Tomato Rasam. Although it doesnt use Oni(...)'

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Podalangai Poricha Kootu | Snakegourd and Lentils gravy

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 5/4/2013 8:49:00 AM

'Coming to the 2nd day in the Tamilnadu Kootu Series under Blogging Marathon is Podalangai Poricha kootu (Snakegourd and lentils gravy). Its one of the family's favourites, and is made often to go with Mysore Rasam and Rice. Its earthy concoction comes from the freshly ground masala. Like I detailed in the previous KaramaniKootu, the lentil used here is Moong Dal (or split green gram). This dish is so versatile, that you could substitute the snake gourd with string bea(...)'

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Kathrikkai Karamani Kootu - Version 2 | Brinjal & black eyed peas gravy | Side dish for Rice & Curd rice

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 5/3/2013 9:29:00 AM

'When Srivalli announced this theme on Kootu (or lentil-veg gravies) made from Tamilnadu for Blogging Marathon , I was happy for two reasons - Kootu features regularly in our regular menu as well as some varieties made on occassions and we enjoy making different kinds almost on a weekly basis. Deriving from the tamil word, Kootu literally means ' to add'. So, we add lentils and veggies together in a semi thickish gravy which goes well with hot rice and ghee (clarified butt(...)'

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Magic Mingle # 17 Challenge

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 5/1/2013 1:00:00 PM

'The scorching summer is here (well, in most parts of the world). And its raining sweltered days (and nights)... Makes us want to grab a glass of fruit juice, Lassi, Salads or any other light Summer Meal.  In the midst of all this comes the Magic Mingle Challenge # 17 for this month with the ingredients : Yoghurt & Fennel (or in Indian parlance, Dahi & Saunf).  Minglers can use any yoghurt - full fat / fat free / greek / flavoured or whateve(...)'

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Hosting MLLA # 59 (My Legume Love Affair) along with a giveaway....

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 4/30/2013 12:22:00 PM

'Its truly a dream to host Susan's MLLA (My Legume Love Affair) at my space all this May. This is one event that has been so popular. Based on legumes, it has seen 58 editions so far, and I am so happy to host it at Sizzling Tastebuds. Thank you Susan, and Lisa (who is currently managing MLLA) for this wonderful opportunity :)) Wikipedia tells us:  "A legume /ˈlɛɡʲuːm/ is a plant in the family Fabaceae (or Legumino(...)'

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Art stuff by kiddo, and a proud mom presents :-)))

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 4/27/2013 9:10:00 AM

'This post falls under "Miscellaneous / Art" in a Food Blog. And although it was a long time coming, want to proudly present my elder daughter's art (mainly water colours) which she has made under the watchful eyes of her art teacher at home.... Given that I delayed posting this although these were ready, I thought what better time than Blogging Marathon to display these to my blogger friends :-)))  Pssst - the real reason is if were to draw......eh ..... :-))(...)'

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Mor Milagai | Buttermilk Sundried Chillies | How to make Mor Milagai - Easy Condiments

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 4/26/2013 4:52:00 AM

'Mor Milagai (or sun dried chillies - flavoured with buttermilk and salt) is a South Indian Condiment made mostly in the states of Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Although made through the year, its made in large batches in Summer when the sun provides ample and quick heat to dry these beauties. Its a very simple condiment to make and can be preserved for almost an year like any other pickle / condiment.  To use this, take out small batches of these sun(...)'

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Ugadi Manga Pachadi | Ugadi Festival Recipe, and a peek into a South Indian Thali (Food Platter)

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 4/9/2013 12:35:00 AM

'Before we get on to the post of the day, let me take you through how Traditional dishes in South India have evolved, and how they form part of any formal sit down meal – be it at festivals or any occasion. My personal take is that, like any other food across the world, Indian cuisine too has a certain order the dishes are served, especially in South Indian cuisine – the chutneys and pachadis are served after salt / pickle to tickle the senses – to bring the hot, fier(...)'

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Oats Masala Vadai | Savoury Oats Fritters | Quick Tea time snacks

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 4/6/2013 3:57:00 PM

'Oats in a different form. And deep fried delight. Its quite an oxymoron, isnt it ? Healthy fried delight... Try this out and you would love it. Oats is a standard ingredient in my grocery shopping and I keep looking for healthier and tasty ways to include it in our diet.  After Oats Moong Tikki , Oats Upma , Oats Pongal and Oats Dosa, it was time for some indulgence. And what a protein packed and fibre rich snack it turned out to be. Its the Paruppu Vadai  (...)'

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Watermelon & Ginger Punch | Summer Coolers

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 4/5/2013 11:27:00 AM

'Whats a  party without a fruit punch ? Having served quick bites for the Mega Marathon last 4 days, I thought time for a drink. And make the best of the season with one of my favourite fruits - Watermelon. Watermelon juice by itself is quite boring isn't it ? Why not spice it up with a few more ingredients, and you have a nice summery cooler that's quite the toast at any party - birthdays / potlucks / events. Quick to make and easy on the tummy too, this is a great (...)'

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Bread Dahi Wada | Quick Kids Snacks | Bread Dahi Vada

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 4/4/2013 8:41:00 AM

'A quick to make and tongue tickling snack - Bread Dahi Vada is simply breathtaking in its simplicity and also satiates that craving for quick snacks - both for kids and adults. Bread (in most forms) is one of mine and kiddo's fav ingredient, and finds itself often to cutlets and tikkis as base. But this is the first time bread is the star of this dish, and how !! With the scorching summer bearing us down, this cooling snack is sure to be a hit with your (...)'

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Low fat Honey Chilli Pepper Wrap

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 4/3/2013 5:58:00 AM

'The name sounds long. But its filled with yummy goodness and is a favourite with kids in a birthday party as well for school lunchbox. Easy to make ahead, all you need to do is assemble the stuff to serve. You may grill the same to slightly melt the cheese, else even warm the bread just before serving. . Addition of mayonnaise is optional, but as we dont eat even the eggless version at home, I skipped it.  Also, to make it more spicier you may add in Red and Green (...)'

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Aloo Tikki - Choley | Spicy Potato Patties served with White Peas gravy

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 4/2/2013 6:01:00 AM

'Ah ! The joys of eating... brings forth so many memories. And Aloo Tikki - Choley is quintessentially Chandini Chowk, in Old Delhi. Simmering in oil on glistening tavas (skillets), the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk are a gastronomical delight come alive. Although I have visited that place just once, the memories linger on, and I keep making plans to visit that place sometime when Delhi is a lot more pleasant (Oct - Feb types). Alas, the plans keep withering down(...)'

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Eggless Chocochip Coconut Muffins & Bread - 2 recipes

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 4/1/2013 3:46:00 AM

'I write this post with a happy heart. This is one of the first things I baked after my 2nd daughter was born. I approached the trusted but packed-up oven with a little trepidation. The goody combination of Chocochips and nuttiness from the dessicated coconut was a heady combination, and trust me when I say that when the the bread / muffins were baked - they were dense and nutty and chocolatey and had the right amount of sweetness - I did a lil jig to confirm that I can indeed(...)'

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Magic Mingle Challenge # 16 - April 2013

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 3/31/2013 1:30:00 AM

'Welcome Minglers to another challenge. And a thunderous applause to all those who braved last month's challenge of Pistachio and Tea... wonderful yummy entries. And to tingle your tastebuds  once again and up the culinary challenge, this month the combo is Watermelon and Rice.. Not to forget, all the entries have to be vegetarian and eggless. They can be across cuisine or course from whichever part of the world... Watermelon can be used in whole / juice / pureed / c(...)'

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Gatti Pakoda | Deep fried gramflour dumplings

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 3/26/2013 9:55:00 AM

'Gatti Pakoda (Gatti - means dense or hard) comes from Bombat Bhojana cookbook series. He had described Pan Pakoda in that which was very interesting.. and I adapted the same with onions...Although we make these Onion pakoras (or Vengaya Pakodas) once in a while, the Gatti Pakodas were lot more dense, crunchy and had the sweet aroma of fennel and ginger coming thru. Traditionally these Pakodas are made just with gramflour / besan. Addition of onions is optional (...)'

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Methi Kadhi | Fenugreek and gramflour in a flavourful yoghurt sauce - Jain Version

Author : Kalyani      Blog : What's Cooking ??      Date : 3/25/2013 11:53:00 AM

'Sometimes we derive maximum comfort from simple things in life, isnt it ? That soft cottony bedspread that's been used and washed for ages that you want to never let go. A simple strong cup of coffee early in the morning, served with love (I am not a coffee drinker, but I still make it for all those who love it at home). A simple meal of rice and yoghurt after a long shopping sojourn in the sun. A baby's smile and gurgle at the end of a weary day. Where am I going with(...)'

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