Carrots! That sweet, juicy vegetable loaded with Vitamin A. Winter time is when carrots are abundant here in Pune. You see handcarts loaded with huge red carrots and green peas – peas that are still in the pod – wherever you go. Prices are cheaper than other vegetables at 30-40 rupees per kilo. These carrots…
Pumpkin Sambar Recipe – Vegan Lentil Stew for Fall
Pumpkin Sambar recipe, a vegan stew with pigeon peas and pumpkin, spiced with turmeric, coriander and warm Indian spices, is a great way to welcome Fall. Sambar is a staple in South Indian cooking, with a signature flavor and taste that can be attributed to curry leaves, tamarind and spices. Sambar is eaten almost everyday…
Coconut Rice – Vegan Indian Rice Recipe [Meatless Monday]
Coconut rice is inspired by South Indian cuisine. We have a sweet coconut rice in Maharashtrian (my native) cuisine called Narali Bhat, which I am not very fond of. I had mulled over a savory version for a long time. I had heard of Thengai Sadam, a savory coconut rice made in South India. I…
Peanut Sundal – No Onion No Garlic Recipe [Vegan]
Peanut Sundal is an easy nutritious salad or snack that can be very addictive. And no, you don’t have to wait for any holy occasion to indulge in it. I recently blogged about the Bhog festival at the Four Points by Sheraton Pune. Navratri or Durga Pooja has spurred local restaurants and hotels to hold…
Four Points by Sheraton, Pune presents Flavors from South
‘Flavors from South’ is truly the culinary experience of the different regions of South India. Grab the chance to taste some authentic South Indian cuisine from the heart of India at this one of a kind food festival from July 18-July 26 at the Four Points by Sheraton, Pune. Four Points by Shertaon is one…
Milagu Rasam – Black Pepper and Daal Soup
Milagu Rasam or Molagu Rassam is so simple and comforting. It is my go-to dish when I get the shivers or a touch of fever. The heat from the black pepper makes you sweat reducing your body temperature. It can be a natural antipyretic and also soothes the throat. #30daysofdaal is on and I hope…
Paneer 65 Recipe – Simple Indian Appetizer
The ‘65’ dish has always eluded me. Hyderabadis are crazy about it. I have many a friend from the Charminar city who has waxed on and on about Chicken 65. But whenever I have seen it served, it has always been suspiciously red, either with color or chili. Since I do not care for them,…
Kanchipuram Idli Recipe – South Indian Brunch
Kanchipuram Idli has been on my to-do list for a long time. I heard about this years ago from a friend but was always skeptical. When I think Idli, I think of the pure white snowy pillows that just dissolve in your mouth. Adding spices or turmeric seemed like sacrilege. Like throwing a stone in…
Sambar – South Indian Lentil Stew with Vegetables
Sambar or Sambhar is a lentil based stew loaded with vegetables that comes from South India. It’s wed for life to Idlis, Dosas, Vadas and Uttappams, sometimes even to rice. ( Yeah, that’s some polygamy goin’ on here). Actually, sambhar can be slurped by itself, and it is the Indian low carb one pot meal…
Coconut Chutney for Idli and Dosa – Easy Recipe
Coconut chutney is made with fresh coconut and is a condiment served with any South Indian snack like Idli, Dosa, Vada etc. It is as common to see this chutney in Indian restaurants as ketchup or mustard is at a McDonald’s. I am doing a series on some South Indian food, and this coconut chutney…