Bhindi Zunka / Spiced Okra with Chick pea flour crust

Okra / Bhindi is a love-hate vegetable. People either love it or hate it. We at home love okra. When I saw this Bhindi Zunka in Richa's space I immediately bookmarked it. I had remembered the okra which I got few days before at the market. Gave it a try and boy did I like it... It was awesome. I had made this zunka with bell peppers (sister's recipe). This method of making okra though would please some okra non-lovers too I believe. So if you have someone at home who doesn't touch this vegetable, give this a try. They might like it.Ingredients:Okra / Bhindi / Lady's Finger - chopped into 1/2" pieces - 2 cupsOnions - chopped finely...

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Baked Apple Oatmeal

 Now that the weather is getting chilly it's time for this hearty breakfast.Hot cereal is far more nourishing and satisfyingthan cold and it keeps you full longer. You can mix this up in the evening before in acovered bowl, then refrigerate andbake fresh and warm in the morning.It will make your kitchen smell wonderful.Serve in bowls with additional milk or cream.(my photos are of half the recipe.)I can reheat any leftovers for a quick breakfast.This is a great breakfast to serve before a fall or winter activity.Baked Apple Oatmeal2 C oatmeal1/2 C brown sugar2 t cinnamon2 T butter, melted4 C milk2 apples. peeled and chopped1/2...

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Thengai Burfi / Coconut Fudge - Wish you a Happy Diwali!! | Diwali Sweets Recipes

First things First!! Wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali!! Believe you are celebrating this day with high spirits. Though it is not a holiday here in US we are celebrating with friends (miss family very much). I made this Coconut Burfi as a part of my Diwali Sweets and Snacks. This is again a recipe from Grandma. I never knew this burfi was so easy to make with only 5 ingredients and can be done with less effort compared to other Indian Sweets.I think this is the first time I am posting in my blog 3 days in a row..Hmm.. Festival Spirit!!Ingredients:Cooking time - 35-40 mins; Gives 12-14 2" squaresCoconut grated (just the white part) - 3 1/2...

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Spicy Murukku / Chakali for Diwali with Step-by-Step pictures

Diwali!! The name brings memories of holidays, celebrations, firecrackers and Sweets and Savories. Though residing outside India has made us forget the holidays and miss the firecrackers, we still do not miss out on the celebrations and sweets part. The first and foremost snack prepared in our house is these murukkus. And this one in grandma's foolproof recipe. If you are a beginner in making murukkus, you can follow this recipe and method to the T (like I did) and I bet you would be happy with the outcome.I started my diwali preparations yesterday with Seepu Murukku and made this Spicy Murukku today.Ingredients:Makes about 50 medium sized murukkus...

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Seepu Murukku / Seepu Seedai for Diwali

I believe everyone is busy making sweets and savories for Diwali. Well, I just started with this seepu murukku. Seepu murukku as the name implies resembles the ridges of a comb (seepu is comb in tamil). Though the process is little more time-consuming than the other murukku, it is worth the effort. It has moong dhal flour unlike other murukku which uses urad dhal flour. And it is subtly sweetened with coconut milk which gives it a rich and delicate flavor. Although I have used a murukku press for making this, we can also make this without one. Ingredients:Makes about 14-15 cups of seepu murukku, using standard cup measurementsRice Flour...

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Bridal Shower for Nithya - Badam Kheer / Almond Milk

What is a celebration without a traditional drink. Badam Kheer!! This is an easy to make Almond drink which tastes great when warm and still better when served chilled. And what are we celebrating?? Nithya's (virtual) Bridal Shower. I bet you would very well know Nithya of 4thsensecooking. For those of you who don't, Nithya is a lovely blogger and an excellent photographer. Do check out her space for some beautiful food clicks. We are celebrating this joyous occasion by having a bridal shower. And what better way to celebrate than to cook up, and by cook up we mean literally with food our common interest. To make it even more interesting...

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Bridal Shower for Nithya - Toll house Cookies

The day a girl becomes a bride, is like no other. It is one of the few most cherished moments of life. It is the day she embarks the new journey of life. Holding someone's hand, with dreams in heart and sparkle in the eyes. Having mixed feelings of missing her mother's home, excited and anxious about the new home. It is indeed a special day for her!! Very soon one of our friends, a lovely blogger and a beautiful photographer, is going to enter into wedlock. I believe you would have guessed who it is by now. For those who are still wondering, it is none other than Nithya of 4thsensecooking who is getting married this November.Thanks to the advent...

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All-Purpose Tomato Thokku/Pickle/Chutney | Side Dish for Idli Dosa

I had been recently trying to make jams and chutneys to preserve and to come in handy for that very-hungry-want-food-immediately days. After my successful attempt at the Dates and Figs jam, I made this Tomato thokku from Denny's site. This all-purpose thokku is a great side to idli/dosa/upma/Adai and also to bread/chapathi/parathas/rotis/curd rice. The below proportions lasted for a couple of weeks for me and I am making a batch again today as I am typing this. For my new readers, Denny of Oh Taste N See and I are college buddies who share the common interest of food blogging. I always wonder how she manages to cook up a storm every...

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Asian Slaw

This is a slaw you just can't stop munching on.I like that I can make it ahead of time. Gather ingredients: broccoli slaw, sunflower seeds,sliced almonds, green onions and a packet of ramen noodles.Whisk or shake in a jar the dressings ingredients: oil, sugar, vinegar and the reserved flavor packet. Crush the noodles and put into the bowl. Toast the almonds in the toaster oven for about5-10 minutes at 350, until fragrant. Add the broccoli slaw to the bowl.Chop the green onions and add to the bowl alongwith the sunflower seeds and almonds.Combine the dressing well and pour over. Give it a good toss. Taste and...

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Ennai Kathirikkai Kuzhambu - II | Indian Curry Recipes

As I said long before earlier, I am here with the second version of the Ennai Kathirikai Kuzhambu. DH likes this version better because this was the one which I made first. This Kuzhambu/Curry takes longer to cook but the whole process is worth the effort when you taste this one with hot steamed rice. I had bookmarked this recipe months ago. I would never miss to pick up some cute baby indian eggplants when I see them. And 99% of the time it goes into making this kulambu. Now to the recipe..Ingredients:Serves - 2-3; Preparation time - 10 mins; Cooking time - 45 mins;Recipe from hereBaby Indian Eggplants/Brinjals - 6-8Oil - 1 tsp + 2 tbspMustard...

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