Milagai Podi / Idli Podi / Chutney Powder | Side Dish for Idli Dosa

Milagai Podi / Idli podi is a common side dish for South-Indian delicacies - idlis and dosas. Often referred to as gun powder (I don't know why), there are 'n' number of methods to make podis with numerous varieties of dhals used in different proportions of each. This recipe is a traditional one by grandma. I am yet to try many varieties including my sister's specialty, my MIL's and the one I have tasted at my friend Sowmi's home. Planning to try every variety and blog about it. Ingredients:Urad Dhal / Black gram - 1/2 cup (standard measuring cup)Chana dhal / Split Chick peas - 1/4 cupDried Red Chillies - 10 - 12Cumin seeds - 1 tspAsafoetida...

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Tea Time Scones

In honor of the Royal Wedding tomorrow I'm making scones. We can enjoy these with tea while we watch a bit of the festivities.This is my favorite scone recipe because it's so easy.They take just a few minutes to prepare. Combine the dry ingredients. Stir in the cream. Knead a bit. Flatten into a circle and cut out into circles or wedges. Place on a foil lined baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and a sprinkle of sugar. Bake until golden at 425 for 15-20  minutes. Serve warm with raspberry jam and butter, whipped cream or clotted cream.Now all you need is   A Perfect Pot Of Tea.CHEERIO!Tea...

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How to Cook an Artichoke

We love artichokes and when they are in season we have them often.There's really nothing to cooking an artichoke, but some of you may not realize how easy it is.Rinse the artichokes under cold water.Trim off the stem. Put in a pot with about 1" of well salted cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and low boil covered for about 45-60 minutes, depending on their size. They are done when you can easily pull off a leaf.  Drain. Serve with melted garlic lemon butter. In each cup put 2 T butter, 1/2 t garlic salt and 1 t lemon juice.Melt in the microwave.Serve with the artichoke. To eat, pull of a leaf...

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Quinoa Savory Pancakes

I know I cannot be so late in posting something for the Breakfast Club event I am hosting this month, but better late than never. I was planning to make some fruity pancakes, but thought why not something savory. After all my DH loves pancakes though he is not a big fan of sweet dishes. So decided to make it savory by adding onions, spinach and one of my recent discovery - Quinoa. I was quite skeptical about quinoa until I cooked and tasted some. And wow I did like it for its nutty texture.Ingredients:Quinoa - cooked - 3/4 cupWheat flour - 1/4 cupAll-purpose flour - 1/4 cupBaking powder - 1 tspSalt - 1/4 tsp or to tastePepper - to tasteOil...

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Oma's Bean Soup a.k.a Bohnensuppe

Save your leftover ham bone and add it to a soup pot with water. Throw in some beans, cut up vegetables and seasonings and you'll have yourself one satisfying bowl of soup.My Mother made the best bean soup. She never measured, so I'm going to help you out with that by about guess-measuring today while I make my soup. Add your leftover ham bone, with bits of ham still attached, to a soup pot.  You'll need about 2 C of dried beans, about one 16oz. bag kidney beans. Add to the pot. Add about 10-12 C of water.Bring to a boil. Cover and boil while you chop the vegetables.Add about; 1 onion, cut-up, 2 garlic cloves,...

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