Elephant Yam Tikkis/Vegan Mutton Patties/ Karunai Kizhangu Cutlet

Elephant yam, is one among the favourite tuber we love at home after the famous potato and sweet potato, obviously whenever we go to Indian store, i'll never forget to grab this yam. Thank god we get super fresh elephant yam nowadays and not  the frozen one. Obviously we have various choice to make delicious dishes out of this tuber. I'll always make chips,mashed spiced yam, else pan fried yam roast, but this time for a change i tried making tikkis with elephant yam which i crossed in a one of my tamil magazine supplement few days back. This tikkis are very easy to make, you doesnt need bread crumbs. A simple spiced and mashed mixture of elephant yam with fried gram powder makes this excellent vegan friendly tikkis.

Purple Cabbage Kootu

Kootu, this vegetable and dal baed gravy makes an excellent side dish if they are  served along with rice. Whenever i cross a new version of kootu, i wont hesitate a second to give a try. During my India trip, i couldnt resist to collect few supplements we get with some weekly tamil magazines. While going through those supplements, i crossed the 30 varieties of kootu, immediately went through the book and got hooked to this purple cabbage kootu, this dish is quite easy to make. A spice mixture is prepared simply to flavor this kootu and this spice powder makes the difference from other kootus we make usually with the famous coconut,cumin and green chillies combination.An excellent dish to enjoy thoroughly with hot piping rice and pan roasted potatoes.

Eggless Speculoos Ice Cream/No Churn Eggless Speculoos Icecream

During our recent  monthly shopping, i couldnt resist myself to grab a bottle of speculoos spread, these spread makes an excellent breakfast when served along with brioche bread slices. Actually Speculoos is a spiced shortcrust biscuits traditionally baked in Netherlands , Belgium and in Germany during Christmas festival. Speculoos is prepared with handful of spices like cinnamon,nutmeg, cloves, cardamom and white pepper. This spiced speculoos biscuits makes an excellent pair when served with coffee for evening snacks. We love speculoos very much and needless to say this speculoos spread is very much liked as much as like Nutella spread at home. Obviously whenever i see this spread i dont forget to grab it.Speculoos is also known as Biscoff spread.

Corn Masala Vada/Cholam Masal Vadai

Sweet corns are still available in markets, eventhough its almost the end of corn season here. Since i had a bowl of fresh sweet corn kernels sitting in my fridge after making some fried rice, i want to finish them as soon as possible but while going through one of my cookbook which i bought during my India trip helped me to dish out these crispy beauties. This vada are simple to make, toordal and channadal are used in this crispy beauties, this recipe from the cookbook tempted me to give a try at home. Initially i was bit intrigued by the sweetness of the sweet corn kernels but trust me you will be surprised that the mild sweetness gives a fabulous taste to this crispy vadas. If you want to make a different masala vadas, just try to add some corn kernels and see the difference, personally i felt corn kernels merge very well with the dals and these vadas makes an excellent side dish for sambar or rasam rice.

Caramel Red Riceflakes Kheer/Caramel Aval Payasam

Kheer, this incredible Indian sweet pudding is one of my daughter's favourite. Obviously i love to make different kheers with many variations, this time i went for a delicious caramel flavored red riceflakes kheer for yesterday's Vinayagar chathurthi celebration.I crossed this very delicious kheer few days back while i was reading a Tamil magazine supplement. Actually the recipe i have crossed goes for white rice flakes, which i replaced simply with thick red rice flakes else i went as per the original recipe i have crossed.

Aval Kalkandu Payasam/Rice Flakes & Rock Candy Kheer

Who will say no if you get a new recipe to give a try, eventhough i love making new dishes  which pops up quite often in my small brain,but some new recipes will tempt you to give a try immediately. One among those temptation is this Payasam aka Kheer, i crossed this dish few days back while going through a tamil magazine supplement, the simplicity of this dish caught my eyes and for Janmashtami celebration i prepared this easy breezy kheer for pooja. They came out simply fabulous, rock candy took care of the sweetness in this kheer. You can make this kheer in less than 15minutes if you are using thin rice flakes. Even thick rice flakes works wonder too but it may take bit time to cook when compared to thin flakes. However this kheer is definitely one of the easiest kheer,one can prepared quickly even if you have sudden guests at home.

Chow Chow Malabar Kootu/Chayote Squash Malabar Kootu

Usually kootu is prepared with dals, for a change today am posting a delicious, flavourful kootu prepared with simple ingredients. Actually this kootu doesnt need cooked dal, just a coconut based spice paste is very much needed. Such an easy breezy kootu,one of the quickest dish to make at home. This kootu is prepared with chow chow aka chayote, chayote this vegetable gets cooked very easily in less minutes when compared to other vegetables. You can still replace this vegetable with varieties of vegetables for making this kootu, however if you want to make a quick dish, just stick with chow chow. I crossed this recipe in a book supplement few days back, since i was tempted by the name Malabar i immediately prepared this kootu. If you love coconut flavour in your dishes, this kootu is definitely for you.

Eggless Butterless Banana Wholewheat Loaf Cake

Eggless, butterless cakes served with a cup of coffee or tea makes an excellent filling breakfast if you dont have time to make your breakfast. These eggless butterless beauties suits absolutely incredible even for evening snacks. I have been trying a couple of eggless bakes since ever i baked some excellent cakes with fruits especially the over ripen bananas.Today's cake is going to be part of this week's blogging marathon as i picked an interesting theme. My theme for this week's blogging marathon is Cakes with different egg subsitutes. For my today's cake i used fruit puree and yogurt as egg subsitutes i picked this tips from a magazine papercut eventhough i made few changes according to my tastebuds. Over ripen banana puree and yogurt works wonder as egg subsitutes in cakes especially if you are planning for an eggless cake.

Pavakkai Poricha Kootu/Bittergourd Poricha Kootu

Poricha Kootu, this fingerlicking dal and vegetable based gravy is one of my favourite. I love simply with rice and papads, recently while going through my cookbooks and my paper clips, i crossed this beautiful bittergourd poricha kootu. Immediately i want to give a try and this kootu turned out extremely delicious eventhough it was slightly bitter. Bittergourd is definitely better for health especially for diabetic peoples, i love anything with bittergourds eventhough i used to ran away if my mom cook bittergourd when i was young. Later i came to know the health value of this vegetable and tried slowly adding my diet. Now its one among my favourite vegetable.Sending to Pari's Only - Gluten Free Cooking.

Strawberry Marmalade / Chunky Strawberry Jam

Marmalade or jam is just fruit cooked with sugar and citric acid which means lemon juice. Homemade jams are best and its hardly goes for less ingredients, no preservative no food colouring obviously i love to make my small batch of fresh fruit jams at home whenever its peak season for any fruits. Everytime i'll go to Farmer's market,i'll look in couple of stalls to get a good quality pulpy fruits to make jams at home. As i told earlier jams doesnt need anything particular, just fruit chunks, sugar and lemon juice is quite enough to make a bottle of preservative free jams.

This time i prepared this strawberry marmalade aka chunky strawberry jam with super juicy strawberries i have bought recently. Strawberry marmalade makes an excellent pair with crepes or as a delicious topping for desserts. I have prepared a bread rolls with this marmalade, will post it very soon. Usually for most us marmalade means orange marmalade but still you can make with strawberries.I picked this marmalade from Jams and Marmalades, a booklet i got while i went for a product launching here. This post goes  for the CC Challenge of the month.

4cups Strawberries (halved)
1/2cup Sugar
1no Vanilla gousse (slitted) or 1/2tsp Vanilla extract
2tbsp Lemon juice

In a bowl, take the strawberries, sugar and vanilla extract, keep aside for 15minutes to marinate.

After 15minutes, put them in a sauce pan over high heat and stir constantly for  few minutes until the berries gets mashed slightly.

Add the lemon juice, cook for few more minutes.

Put off the stove, and let the mixture thickens.

Bharwan Bhindi - No Onion No Garlic Stuffed Bhindis

Bharwan bhindi is an irresistible stuffed bhindi or okra dish, this dish is prepared in North India with a simple spice powder filling, slit opened bhindis stuffed with this spice powder filling which is cooked simply in simmer makes this delicious and healthy stuffed Bhindis. As the title says this dish is no garlic and no onion recipes, a best dish to make while fasting.A prefect side dish to enjoy with rotis or parathas of your choice.

Instant Wheat,Rava & Oats Dosa

Any instant versions of dosas or idlies goes directly to my favourite list, whenever i saw or hear about an interesting instant version of idlies or dosas immediately i'll try at home. Obviously i have tried numerous versions of this instant breakfast or dinner dishes at home. Instant versions are seriously very quick to prepare, definitely hassle free and very handy when you dont have idly batter at home. You might have tried many versions of wheat dosas but my today's post is very different from those versions.Actually i grabbed this recipe from a paper cut of an old Tamil magazine at my mom's place while we were cleaning her pantry. I got hooked to this version of dosas as its includes both whole wheat, oats as these both are my favourite ingredients. My pantry will always have these both ingredients without any fail. The most interesting part is this dosa is this recipe goes for rava aka semolina, obviously i was very much interested to give a try to this version.

Sennakizhangu Kondakadalai Kuzhambu/Yam & Chickpeas Gravy

Tangy gravies are often prepared in my kitchen, i dont forget to prepare those fingerlicking tamarind based gravies atleast twice a week for our lunch. Today this wonderful looking kuzhambu comes from one my recent cookbook i bought during my stay in India. Actually i dont want to buy this cook book intially coz most of gravies in this cookbook are often cooked at home but somehow am tempted while going through the book as some of the gravies are different from wat we usually make at home. Since the price wasnt that much expensive i picked immediately from a book stall situated near to Pondicherry police station in Nehru street.

Butterfree Strawberry Pancakes

Strawberries are showing their heads in every fruit stalls here, i have been waiting for them and finally i can get some to enjoy making dishes and desserts out of them.Recently i couldnt resist myself to get a kg of some super sweet strawberries from a nearby farmer's market, back home i prepared a very berry salad, a bottle of marmalade, some bread rolls and this pancakes. We had this butterfree strawberry pancakes for our Sunday brunch simply with honey and maple syrup. This less caloric and completely butter free pancakes are the simple fruity treat to kick start your lazy sunday morning. I love berries very much especially in pancakes and obviously making pancakes with berries is one of the best way to sneak them.I picked this pancakes from a french magazine under sunday brunch recipes, but i skipped few ingredients as i want them as fat free.

These pancakes are definitely kid's friendly breakfast dish which is completely fat free as i used 0% yogurt and a teaspoon of oil for preparing the batter with two egg whites. I used non stick pan for making this pancakes so needless to say that these delicious pancakes are definitely a guilt free dish to enjoy without any hesitation.Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#40. Sending this pancakes to Kid's Delight-Fat Free Kid's Friendly Recipes guest hosted by me, an event by Srivalli also goes  for the CC Challenge of the month.

Dry Green Peas Masala

Peas masala makes a prefect pair with rotis or else simply they tastes good with rice as side dish. Actually i have tried many varieties of peas masala either with fresh green peas or else with dry green peas. But today's post is different from wat i cooked earlier. This peas masala goes for a special masala paste and this masala paste makes the difference. This masala is a dry curry if you want to make it as semi dry curry or as a gravy, just add a cup of water or coconut milk to give them a beautiful saucy texture. Actually i took this recipe from a TV show where the host of the show goes to a town in South India and they invite the homemaker's to cook their family dish or a dish they cook often.

I immediately took a note about this masala coz this dish goes for poppyseeds,cashew paste. Tomatoes gives a mild tanginess to this masala while poppyseeds and cashew nut gives an excellent nuttiness to this dish. Try this masala when you feel like having green peas masala and am sure you will love this different masala. I used dry green peas if you want to go for the fresh green peas, just go with it.I soaked the dry green peas overnite, next morning i cooked them in pressure cooker upto a whistle, dont over cook it else the peas turns mushy.Sending to my event CWS- Cashew guest hosted by Sathya Priya of My Kitchen Odyssey.  This post goes  for the CC Challenge of the month

2cups Boiled green peas
2nos Tomatos(finely chopped)
1no Onion (grounded as coarse paste)
1no Whole spices (bayleaves,cloves,cinnamon stick & cardamom)
1/2tsp Fennel seeds
1tsp Ginger garlic paste
1tsp Red chilly powder
Oil
Salt
Chopped coriander leaves
Curry leaves

To grind:
1tsp Poppy seeds
5nos Cashewnuts
1/2tsp Cumin seeds
1tsp Peppercorns

Grind the ingredients given under the list 'to grind ' as fine paste.

Heat enough oil, fry the whole spices and fennel seeds until they turns brown.

Add the onion paste,ginger garlic paste,cook in medium flame until the raw smells goes away.

Add the tomatoes,curry leaves, saute until the tomatoes turns mushy.

Add the boiled green peas, red chilly powder, cook for few minutes.

Finally add the grounded fine paste, just sprinkle some water and cook everything in medium flame.

Once the peas gets well coated with masalas put off the stove.

Add the coriander leaves,give a stir.

Serve as side dish.

Chickpeas Soyachunks Masala

Usually we make masala either with chickpeas or with soyachunks separately, i crossed this masala dish from a paper cut which my mom saved a long back. Actually this masala is a dry curry which goes awesome with rice, rotis as simply as filling with bread slices. A quick side dish to have with any dish actually. Simple grounded masala gives a wonderful flavour to this dry curry and the spices goes for making masala is quite enough to give the spiciness to this simple and delicious masala. You can even have this masala as snacks if you like both chickpeas and soyachunks very much.

Definitely a different dish from the usual masalas we make with chickpeas or soyachunks. You can skip chickpeas or either soyachunks and make this masala just with any of these both ingredients. The choice is yours, i enjoyed thoroughly this masala with a bowl of rasam rice and trust me this masala tastes absolutely divine as side dish with a simple bowl of ric too. This post goes  for the CC Challenge of the month.Sending this dish to CWS- Chickpeas guest hosted by Nalini.

Milagu Vazhakkai Poriyal/Raw Banana Pepper Stirfry

Raw bananas are our favourite, i 'll cook them atleast once a week and our favourite is always the pan roasted raw banana slices. My H love them simply with his rasam rice, recently i crossed this quick and easy breezy poriyal from a cook book which is quite an interesting pair for curd rice. This poriyal is spiced with green chillies and freshly grounded pepper powder. Both gives a wonderful flavor to this quick stir fry. I prepared this poriyal for our Tamil new year lunch, among the varieties of side dishes i have prepared everyone at home simply enjoyed this side dish.

Trust me, you can enjoy this stir fry even as a filling with toasted bread slices or as a side dish even with some chappathis, yes you hear me right if you are lover of raw bananas you can have it even with some chappathis. If you get raw bananas abundantly dont forget to make this delicious stir fry.This post goes  for the CC Challenge of the month.

Lunch Salad with Cherry Tomatoes,Red Bellpepper and Sweet Corn

Salads are one of my favourite whenever we dont feel like having heavy foods for lunch i'll make salads just for me, obviously if my kids and H wont come to home for lunch i'll go for salads.I do varieties of salads and salads are easy to make, just few lettuce leaves, cubed tomatoes and cucumber is enough to make a quick salad.My fridge is always stuffed with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, lettuce leaves and some canned sweet corn kernels.Summer is around the corner here and the Sun god is just showing his head here and there, its not too hot here but the weather is very prefect to have a bowl of salad for a lunch.

This salad is from a French magazine supplement called Summer salads, i picked this quick and super simple salad for my yesterday's lunch, trust me this salad is so simple even a kid with the help of an adult can prepare this salad easily. I finished my lunch just with this salad if you want to a filling lunch make a sandwich and have it along with this salad. As per the recipe, i went for a quick lime dressing with simple ingredients too. This post goes  for the CC Challenge of the month.Sending this salad to NCR - Soups and Salads.

Peanut Shallot Chutney

Peanut chutney is our favourite side dish and we love to enjoy thoroughly either with Idlies or dosas. Since i want to add one more chutney with peanuts to my chutney collections, am posting this fingerlicking,nutty, flavourful chutney. This chutney tastes absolutely fantabulous especially with crispy dosas. I bet that you will truly have two more idlies or dosas definitely with this delicious chutney.I picked this chutney from a tamil magazine supplement called 30 varieties of Village foods. Peanuts and shallots makes a fantastic pair and this chutney is our recent favourite. Roasted peanuts gives a wonderful flavour, while the shallots makes this chutney more delicious, since this chutney goes for tamarind and coconut you can have this dish even as side dish for porridge. You can omit very well the tempering part, but i cant imagine chutneys without tempering.

If you dont get shallots, then you can use the red onions here, but trust me shallots will definitely take this dish to an another destination. A completely different chutney to enjoy if you love peanuts and shallots in your chutney.This post goes  for the CC Challenge of the month.

Sabudana Khaara Boondi/Javvarusi Boondi

While going through a cook book, i saw this quick and very easy boondi with sago pearls immeditely i want to give a try this easy breezy evening snacks. Apart from frying sago pearls, this crispy boondis are very quick to make and am sure you wont stop yourself munching these boondis. Paris weather is super nasty nowadays and the weather is not the same everyday,obviously everyone at home are bugging me to make some crispy fritters to enjoy for their snacks. I tried this fantastic boondis with nylon sago and this boondis came out simply prefect. If you are searching something quick and easy evening snacks, just make these super crispy boondi and enjoy it with your cup of coffee.This post goes  for the CC Challenge of the month.