INGREDIENTS: Javvarisi (Sago/Sabudana) - 1/2 kg Water - 5 81/2-6 ltr Green chillies - 3 or 4 mediym size  Salt paste - to taste lemon juice of 1 key lime - (optional) Hing - 1 tsp. METHOD: Clean javvarisi (sago)  without mud and stones, wash gently two or three times and drain the water completely. Now pour water an inch above sago, soak overnight. (Use maavu  javvarisi, do not use nylon javvarisi). Next day morning, grind green chillies with little salt, hing and lemon juice, strain and keep ready. If you grind it very fine, you need not strain. Measure water and keep r ..read more

Kara thukkada is an addictive, crunchy tea time snack. It is called by different names in different regions..Kaara thukkada, Diamond cuts, Namakpara, Nimkin, Savoury Shankarpale and so on. Usually these are made using maida (refined flour) with salt and spices like chilli powder, carom seeds or nigella and are deep fried. I have made them with whole wheat flour. This easy to make snack, tastes great when paired with masala tea or ginger tea. INGREDIENTS: Whole wheat flour - 1 cup Corn flour - 2 tablespoons (optional) Ajwain (omam) - 1/4 tsp. White sesame seeds - 1/4 tsp (optional) Red chil ..read more

INGREDIENTS: Ragi flour - 1 cup Rice flour - 1/2 cup Urad dal flour - 2 tablespoons White sesame seeds - 1/2 tsp Hing - a generous pinch Salt - 1 tsp or as needed Melted butter - 1 tbsp Hot oil - 1 tbsp Water - approx 2 3/4 - 3 cups Oil - to deep fry METHOD: Sieve, dry roast each flour separately until hot, and keep ready. In a heavy bottomed pan, heat water. Meanwhile mix well all given ingredients and keep ready. When water starts boiling, switch off the stove and add the mixed ingredients, stir and keep it closed for around 10-15 minutes. When warm enough to handle, knead it to a s ..read more

INGREDIENTS: Besan (Gram flour) - 1/2 cup Fresh grated coconut - 1/4 cup Sugar - 1 1/4 cup Ghee - 3/4 - 1 cup Broken cashews - 3 tablespoon Cardomom powder- 1/8 tsp. METHOD: Grease a tray with melted ghee and keep aside. Grate coconut, slightly grind in mixie, just a whirr and keep aside. Sieve and dry roast besan until good aroma comes. Keep aside. Fry cashews in a spoon of ghee until golden brown. Keep ready. In a pan add sugar and little water to immerse sugar and bring it to one thread consistency. At this stage, add coconut gratings and roasted besan, mix well without lumps, a ..read more

Pattani sundal is everyone's favourite sundal made with dried green or white peas. Thenga Manga pattani sundal, a popular beach sundal recipe can be seen ?? here . Now, off to the regular pattani sundal, which we make for Navarathri... INGREDIENTS: Pachai pattani or Vellai pattani (Dried Green peas or White peas) -1 cup Salt - to taste Grated coconut - 3 tsp Turmeric powder- a pinch To temper: Oil - 2 tsp Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp Urad dal -1 tsp Hing- a generous pinch Dry red chillies or Green chillies- 2 Curry leaves -1 sprig METHOD: Soak pachai pattani (dried green peas) fo ..read more

Sprouts have always been considered super healthy. This sundal is simple to make and highly nutritious. A quick, tasty, protein filled sundal. The method to sprout will be posted later.  INGREDIENTS: Sprouted moth beans - 3 cups (Any sprouts of your choice can be used) To temper: Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp. Turmeric powder - a pinch. Urad dhal - 1 tsp. Green chillies - 1 or 2 Scraped coconut - 2 tablespoons Hing Salt - to taste Curry leaves - few Oil - 1 teaspoon METHOD: Steam cook sprouted moth beans for 5  minutes until soft, add salt as needed, temper with the given ingr ..read more

                                                                             Buckwheat khichdi (Kuttu Ki Khichdi) is an Ekadashi/Navarathri fasting recipe with buckwheat groats (kuttu dana). Buckwheat is light on stomach. The health benefits can be seen in my  ?? buckwheat pasta recipe. Ingredients: Buckwheat groats/ Kuttu Dana - 1 cup Potato - 1 medium sized Grated ginger - 1 tsp. Green ..read more

Buckwheat is a seed which is gluten free and rich in heart-healthy nutrients. It lowers cholestrol and helps in managing diabetes. Buckwheat is a good source of protein, fiber, magnesium and improves heart health. It also has a good source of plant compounds.  Buckwheat is commonly used in North India on Ekadasi and Vrat days, as it is not a grain and thus approved for days when you are fasting from grains. Buckwheat flour is popularly known as 'Kuttu ka Atta' in North India. However, Ekadasi/Vrat protocols are different in South India. Ingredients:  Buckwheat pasta - 2 cups Tr ..read more

                                             Ekadashi and festivals like Navaratri has some restrictions like abstaining from consuming flour, rice, grains, lentils etc. Samo Rice (Moraiyo) is a  good option during fasting. It's gluten-free, low on calories and has a low glycemic index. It is an ideal food for diabetics too. Let's go to the recipe. Ingredients:  Cooked Samo millet (OR any millet) - 1 cup Grated coconut - 3/4 cup Coarsely ground roasted peanut - 2 ..read more

  Mapillai Samba or Bridegroom Rice is a native variety of rice, which is red in colour and is grown in Tamilnadu. It reduces the LDL cholesterol and increases HDL cholestrol in the body. Since it has a low glycemic index it is good for diabetes. It improves immunity and stamina, strengthens muscles and nerves. It has a good source of zinc and the anti-oxidants present in the red colour also increases haemoglobin. All dishes like Idli, Dosa, uthappam, paniyaram, aappam, upma, pongal can be made with this rice. This rice can be soaked and processed to flour to make puttu, kozhukattais a ..read more