Nithya's Nalabagam : April 2013

Marble Cake

How beautiful to see the swirls of vanilla and chocolate batter in a same cake ? This marble cake blends vanilla and chocolate flavour giving the beautiful marble effect. Marble cake is my kid's favourite cake. I believe most of the kids love this cake. Preparation method is very easy and one more baking recipe which never fails. Adapted the recipe from Martha Stewart website. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Marble cake.

Ridge gourd is rich in beta carotene, dietary fibre, vitamin C, zinc, ribloflavin, iron and magnesium. This vegetable is called Beerakaya in telugu and Peerkangai in tamil. Ridge gourd chutney is a simple and tasty recipe. It can be prepared within 15 minutes. This can be served as a side dish to Idli and dosa. It can also be served with rice. I often prepare Ridgegourd Kootu . Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Peerkangai chutney alias beerakaya chutney.

Papaya fruit is rich in dietary fibres, minerals and vitamins. It is a very low calorie fruit and rich in vitamin C, Vitamin A and beta carotene. Always select papaya which is orange in colour and feels soft for immediate consumption. Back in my home town, our backyard has lot of papaya trees. My family doctor suggests us to eat atleast 1/2 Cup of papaya daily. My mom serves a cup of fresh papaya's along with our dinner. Lassi is a popular yogurt based drink originated from India. Papaya lassi is prepared from ripe papaya pieces, yogurt and sugar. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Papaya Lassi.

Lemon is rich in Vitamin B, Vitamin c, phosphorous, calcium and magnesium. Lemon is generally used for treating indigestion, heartburn and nausea. It is a natural antibiotic. Nimbu Paani is a simple and yummy thirst quencher. It can be prepared very easily and provides instant energy. My mom prepares this lemon juice very frequently during summer season. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Indian Lemonade - Nimbu Pani.

Vegetable Biryani is a exotic rice based dish prepared with spicy vegetables, basmati rice and Indian spices. My mom uses Seeraga Samba rice for making biryani instead of basmati Rice. Vegetable Biryani is served with Mint Raita or Onion Raita. This vegetable Biryani is an easy, quick and healthy meal. It is basically a one pot meal and treat for bachelors. It doen't involve any grinding and makes an excellent lunch box. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Vegetable Biryani.

Mushroom Fried Rice is an Indo - Chinese Main Course. It is an easy and quick meal. Mushrooms are cooked in various sauces and added to Cooked Basmati Rice. Mushrooms are rich source of Vitamin D. Button Mushrooms are easy to cook. Mushroom is called as " Kalan" in tamil. This recipe will be very mild and less spicy. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Mushroom Fried Rice.

Dry Ginger / Sukku / Chukku has lot of medicinal uses. It is used as a home remedy for indigestion and gas pains. Before Coffee and Tea came to South India, Sukku kapi is a very famous drink in many households. My grandma loves this sukku coffee.Usually karupatti / palm jaggery is used in this chukku kapi. It is also called as vara kapi and no milk is used for this coffee preparation. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Sukku Coffee.

Kothu Parotta is a very popular recipe from Tamil Nadu. It literally means minced parotta. It is usually prepared with chicken and egg. I have tried vegetarian version of Kothu parotta. This kothu parotta is usually served with Onion Raita. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing vegetable Kothu Parotta .

Nostalgic memories occupies my mind whenever I think of this coconut burfi. We visit aunty's house during summer holidays. Her house is in a village and it is surrounded by lot of coconut trees. She prepares lot of different recipes and one of the sweets which I find it every time is this coconut barfi. She is an expert in doing it and prepares it from the fresh coconut. Coconut burfi is an easy, quick and healthy dessert. My kid loves this sweet and call it as white cake. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Thengai Burfi.

Ridge gourd is rich in beta carotene, dietary fibre, vitamin C, zinc, ribloflavin, iron and magnesium. This vegetable is called Beerakaya in telugu and Peerkangai in tamil. Ridgegourd Kootu is prepared by cooking Ridge gourd and moong dal together. It can also be cooked with toor dal and channa dal. I usually prefer moong dal for last minute cooking, as it doesn't need to be soaked. This Kootu is served as a side dish to Rice. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Peerkangai Kootu.

Beetroots are rich in Vitamin C, magnesium, sodium and potassium. More frequently I prepare beetroot poriyal and this beetroot chutney. This chutney can be served as a side dish to Idli and Dosa. It also goes well with Curd Rice. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Beetroot Chutney.

Mint Coriander Raita is a yogurt based accompaniment. It is usually served as a side dish to Pulav, biryani or with Indian starters. It is more refreshing and quick dish and goes well with Biryani especially . Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Pudina Kothamalli Thayir Pachadi

Black/ Brown sundal is usually prepared during Vinayagar Chaturthi and Navarathri Festival. Onions are not used in this sundal, when preparing for these festivals. My mom prepares various Sundal varieties for Evening snacks very frequently. This kadalai sundal is a easy and healthy snack. Kids will enjoy this sundal. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Black Chana Sundal | Karuppu Kondakadalai sundal.

Vendakkai Thayir Pachadi is Lady's finger yogurt gravy. Lady's finger is rich in dietary fibres, minerals and vitamins. It is a low calorie vegetable and one of the suggested vegetable for weight reduction. This Okra raita is an easy and quick rice side dish recipe. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Vendakkai Thayir Pachadi.

Chettinad Poondu Kuzhambu is prepared by cooking Garlic cloves in Tamarind gravy and other Indian spices. This spicy gravy is usually served as a side dish to Rice. It can be also served as a side dish to Idly and Dosa. We have tried many vegetarian recipes in Anjappar. I really love Anjappar Poondu Kuzhambu. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing chettinad poondu kuzhambu.

Homemade Bourbon Biscuits

This is my 200th Post. Dedicating this post to my brother Sundar.

Me and my brother are biggest fans of bourbon biscuit. We love to eat this biscuit at any time of the day. During my childhood days, when me and my brother goes to nearby bakery, the bakery owner immediately gives us a bourbon biscuit packet, then only asks what else we need. He knows this biscuit will be always in our shopping list. Even my little one is no different. Every week, when we go to Indian grocery, the first item he picks is bourbon biscuit. Adapted the recipe from here. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing bourbon biscuits.

Watermelon not only quenches our thirst on a hot summer day, but also provides essential vitamins and minerals. Watermelon comes first in mind, when anyone thinks of weight loss.This fruit is rich in beta-carotene which fights against cancer.The high water content helps to burn fat. Please check below for step wise instructions for preparing Indian Watermelon Juice.

Ragi Pakoda is a South Indian snacks prepared from Finger millets flour. This is one of my favourite child hood snacks.A simple easy and healthy recipe. Ragi is rich source of Iron, calcium, fibers, proteins and other essential minerals. Ragi is easy to digest and helps in losing weight.This Kelavaragu vada will be very crispy and goes well with evening tea. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Ragi Pakoda | Finger Millet Fritters.

Coriander leaves are rich in iron like other green leafy vegetables. Almost all South Indian curries and gravies are garnished with this fresh green leaves. It is one of the essential ingredient in daily Indian cooking. coriander rice is an easy and quick lunch box recipe. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Coriander Rice.

Carrots are rich in beta carotene. It is used in variety of ways ranging from sweets, gravies, fried rice and noodles. I always prepare at-least one dry curry for Lunch. Carrot Poriyal and Tomato Rasam makes a simple quick South Indian Lunch. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Carrot Stir Fry.

My hubby is bit crazy about eggs.He never says "No" to omelette at any time of the day.Tried recreating Indian version of garden omelette. This colorful Vegetable masala omelette is packed with nutrients. It is an easy, quick and healthy breakfast. Kids will love this colorful recipe.Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing Vegetable masala omelette.

My love for parota ( not paratha) started during my school days. Even though parota will be available in classy shops, the taste of vegetable salna in small restaurants is unbeatable. Parota taste will be exponential when you dunk the parota in salna and taste it after some time. Parota and Salna blend together and gives a unique taste. As I love it a lot, my mom used to prepare this kurma and parota in home. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Vegetarian Salna Recipe.

Walnuts are rich in proteins and dietary fibres. Banana and walnut makes an excellent combination. Banana walnut bread is a moist cake and can be prepared very easily. This is one of the recommended bread recipe for beginners. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing Banana Walnut Bread.

Yellow Moong Dal rice is an easy and quick one pot meal. It makes an excellent Lunch box recipe. I usually prepare Arisi paruppu Sadham and Green Moong Dal Rice. Last week, one of my visitor has requested for Pasi paruppu sadham. So here it goes. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing pasi paruppu sadham.

Panakam is an Indian Enery drink. It is prepared from Jaggery, dry ginger, lemon juice, cardamom powder and salt. It is usually prepared on Rama Navami. Rama is Seventh incarnation of God Vishnu. Sri Rama Navami is a celebration of birth of Lord Rama. Panagam and Neer Mor are special festival recipes of Rama Navami. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing Panagam.

Cabbage is always my favourite vegetable. It is rich in Vitamin C and fibres. This vegetable will be present every time in my weekly grocery list. I love cabbage in poriyal, fried rice or kootu. Cabbage rice is a quick and easy recipe which can be prepared even with leftover rice. Yummy Lunch box recipe. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing Cabbage Rice.

Carrots are packed with essential nutrients. I love this orange coloured vegetable which is rich in beta carotene. My mom keeps on stressing me and my brother to eat carrots in order to avoid eye related problems. Check below for instructions for preparing Carrot Lemon Juice.

My hubby is not a big fan of capsicum. I was longing to try a rice recipe with bell pepper and was searching in google. Finally I got the recipe from my favourite Vahrehvah website. The ingredients mentioned was so appealing and I know my hubby will surely like the recipe. I experimented the recipe yesterday and it was a big success. My hubby really loved it and he say a big GO to this capsicum masala rice. It is an excellent Lunch box recipe. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing Capsicum Rice.

Neer More is an Indian Recipe prepared with Butter Milk. It is one of the best recipe to beat hot summer in India. A simple and quick welcoming drink given to guests during summer. Amul masti buttermilk is one of my favourite drink during travel. This Neer more recipe is also prepared on the day of Rama Navami. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing Spicy Buttermilk

My hubby is a big fan of Adigas Open Butter Masala Dosa. whenever we travel from Bangalore to Mysore, we pitstop at Adigas to relish this open butter masala dosa. I have tasted it many times in Bangalore in order to understand the ingredients and tried replicating it many times. Enjoy this open butter masala dosa with coconut chutney rather than sambar. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing open butter masala dosa.

Mangai Kuzhambu is a tangy South Indian gravy prepared using Raw Mangoes . It is my Grandma's recipe. It can be served as a side dish to Rice. It can also be served for Idli and Dosa. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing Raw Mango Gravy or Mangai Kuzhambu.

My mom is a big fan of Mysore Masala Dosa. When she was studying in college, she went to Bangalore for Industrial visit. During that time she got a chance to taste this Mysore Masala Dosa. I also have one more fan in my home - my little one. He loves this dosa and in order to make the red chutney less hot to suit his taste buds, I added coconut to chutney spread. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing Mysore Masala Dosa.

As a kid I love Maida Dosa. I used to call this All purpose flour crepe as "Nylon dosa". Not sure how and why I coined that name. This is no grind and instant dosa. A treat to bachelors who is longing for dosa recipe. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing Maida Dosa - All purpose flour dosa.

Tamil New Year Lunch Menu

Happy Tamil New Year Viewers

Avial / Aviyal is a common item found in Tamil Nadu Lunch Menu. Although the recipe is native of Kerala, We can find this avial served in Tamil Nadu Thali. Avial is also served as a side dish to Adai. As a Kid, I omit this aviyal and my mom usually don't make it. After marriage, when me and my hubby are invited for a feast in my aunt's place, I tasted this Aviyal .We both liked it a lot and I immediately got this recipe from my aunt. Since then, I cook this aviyal atleast 15 days once. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Avial.

Masala Vadai is a South Indian Snacks usually accompanied with Tea or payasam. In my native place, we get vadai paruppu for making this masala vadai. It resembles more like chana dal. As I am fed up of searching this vadai paruppu in Bay area, I replaced it with Chana Dal. This is an irresistable snacks and you can't stop with one or two. My mom usually prepares this for evening snacks . Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Masala Vadai.

Pasi paruppu payasam is a South Indian kheer prepared with Moong Dal and Jaggery. An easy, quick and healthy dessert. It is mostly accompanied with masala vadai and is served as a part of South Indian Meals. Easy Festival recipe and kid's favourite recipe. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Pasi Paruppu Payasam.

The taste of masala dosa is enhanced by applying red chutney also known as chana dal chutney while cooking dosa. Mysore Masala Dosa is a very common Breakfast recipe in Karnataka. My mom tasted this when she went for Bangalore trip during her college days. So she was keep on saying that the taste was unique. so this was one of the first recipe I tried when we settled in Bangalore. Check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing red chutney for Mysore Masala Dosa.

One year ago, my mom introduced semiya payasam to my kid. Since then I prepare it at-least once in a week. He calls it as sweet noodles and loves it a lot. I usually skip adding cashews and raisins, as he doesn't like it. Instead I add cashew powder to his semiya sweet pudding. Today I prepared the normal semiya payasam which is a very common festival recipe in our houses. It is an easy and quick dessert. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing Vermicelli Payasam.

Pudina thogayal or Pudina thuvaiyal is prepared from fresh mint leaves. This chutney is usually taken as a side dish to Rice. It also goes well with Idli and Dosa. This Mint thuvaiyal can be refrigerated for a week. Check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing Pudina Thogayal - Mint Thokku

Ugadi means starting of New year and this festival is celebrated in some parts of India. On the day of Ugadi, we prepare Ugadi Pachadi in home. It is a mixture of six tastes and consists of Jaggery, Neem flower, Pepper or chilli, Salt, Tamarind Juice and Raw Mango. It is in-taken first on the New year to represent the acceptance of different emotions(Happiness, Sorrow, Anger, Fear, Disgust and Surprise) in a equal manner. It can be prepared in two ways. First one is a juicy version and second is a thick pachadi version which can be eaten with spoon. My mom usually prepares the second version.

Dosa Corner - Indian Crepe Varieties

Scroll down for extensive list of mouthwatering Dosa Recipe. Each and every recipe is explained with step wise instructions and pictures. Click on the picture or dosa name to get the full detailed recipe. will update this page constantly, whenever I add new dosa recipe.

Instant Onion Rava Dosa
Quick and easy Crispy South Indian instant crepe prepared with Semolina.

Instant Oats Dosa
Quick and easy Indian instant crepe prepared with oats.

Instant Maida Dosa
Instant Indian crepe prepared with All purpose flour

Ragi Dosa - Millets Dosa

Instant Indian crepe prepared with Finger Millet.

Masala Dosa
Indian Crepe filled with spicy potato masala.

Cauliflower Dosa
Indian Crepe filled with spicy cauliflower masala.

Mixed Vegetable Uthappam
Soft Indian crepe with mixed vegetable toppings.
Shallots, carrot,onions, tomato, lentil powder and coriander.

Mysore Masala Dosa
Indian Crepe filled with spicy potato masala and spicy red lentil chutney.

Thalicha Dosai - Seasoned Crepe
Indian Crepe with seasoned onions, lentils, lentil powder and coriander leaves

Vegetable Dosa
Indian Crepe with leftover poriyal / dry vegetable curry

Tomato Dosa - Thakkali Dosa
Indian Crepe with spicy tomatoes.

Kollu Dosa - Horsegram Dosa
Indian Crepe with horsegram.

Murungai keerai Adai
Mixed Lentils and Drumstick Leaves Crepe

Open Butter Masala Dosa
Indian Crepe filled with spicy potato masala and spicy red lentil chutney.Garnished with coriander leaves, shredded carrot and shredded coconut

Instant Jowar Dosa - Chola Dosa
Instant Indian crepe prepared with Jowar / Cholam / Jonna.

Spring Dosa
Indian Crepe filled with spicy vegetables

Adai
Iron and protein rich mixed Lentils Crepe

7 Steps for making Crispy Dosa

Steps to prepare Idli and Dosa batter

Idli and Dosa Side dish

Dosa Varieties / Dosa Varieties South Indian / dosa varieties recipes / dosa varieties blog

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