Seeraga Samba, an aromatic rice variety is used for making biryani in my place. It is cultivated in Tamil Nadu. It derives its name as it resembles more like cumin seeds - seeragam in Tamil. Seeraga samba is easy to cook and rich in vitamins. My mom uses Seeraga samba for any biryani and kushka preparation. My mom's mushroom biryani is always a big hit with her colleagues. She made it for our thala deepavali lunch. Since then everyone in our family loves it. This is a one pot recipe and I used my pressure cooker for preparing it. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Authentic Kongu Mushroom Biryani using seeraga samba rice.
My mom prepares this Pacha Kollu Rasam to treat cold and cough. This rasam is a savior during flu season. This rasam can be taken as a side dish to Rice or even drink it as a Soup. A very simple rasam - just grind all the ingredients and cook till raw smell goes off. The specialty about this rasam is horse gram soaked for some time and ground directly without cooking it. Garlic, pepper added to rasam not only gives taste but also helps in curing cold. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Pacha Kollu Rasam - Horse gram soup.
Samba ravai upma is a very famous recipe from Kongunadu. It is also referred to as broken wheat upma, Godhuma upma or wheat rava upma. Samba wheat is rich in fibres, proteins and low in fat. 'Kaapi Upma' is very famous in Kongu households. It means Coffee and samba ravai upma for breakfast or tiffin. Samba ravai is available only in Kongu belt. I haven't seen any shops selling this rava in Bangalore. The best thhing about this upma is it won't form lumps like sooji, so it can be prepared easily by beginners / bachelors. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Kongu special Samba rava upma.
Betel Leaf is consumed mainly in India in paan. Betel Leaves has an important place in Hindu festivals and ceremonies. Betel leaves has lot of medicinal benefits. Betel leaves are known as Vetrilai in tamil, tamalapaku in telugu and Paan in Hindi.Betel Leaf rice is one of the quick, easy and healthy South Indian variety rice. It is one of a speciality dish of Kongu cuisine. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Betel Leaves Rice - Vetrilai Sadam.
An authentic Drumstick Leaves Kuzhambu from Kongunadu. From wiki, I learnt drumstick leaves are highly nutritious, being a significant source of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, protein, iron, and potassium. One tablespoon of leaf powder provide 14% of the protein, 40% of the calcium, 23% of the iron and most of the vitamin A needs of a child aged one to three. Six tablespoons of leaf powder will provide nearly all of the woman's daily iron and calcium needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding.It is commonly said that these leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas, and that the protein quality of these leaves rivals that of milk and eggs.
Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Kongu Special Murungai Keerai Kuzhambu.
Drumstick tree is a most common tree in India. Drumstick vegetable is antibacterial and the drumstick pods are rich source of Vitamin C, calcium, phosphorous. Drumstick is often recommended for pregnant women. Drumstick vegetable is called as Murungakkai in tamil. Murungakkai puli kuzhambu is a spicy south Indian gravy prepared by cooking drumstick with spices and tamarind juice. This tangy gravy goes well with rice. It can also be served as a side dish to Idli and Dosa. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Murungakkai Puli Kuzhambu
Adai is a South Indian crepe prepared with variety of dals and Rice. It is a protein and iron rich breakfast / dinner recipe. Murungai Keerai Adai is a very famous recipe of Kongunadu. Drumstick leaves are rich in iron when compared to other green leaves. My mom usually grind the dals and add the drumstick leaves before preparing the Adai. In order to make my Kid eat, I have slightly modified the recipe by grinding the drumstick leaves also Otherwise he will remove the leaves from Adai before eating. My kid really loved this Adai. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Crispy Adai.
Horsegram is rich in iron. It helps in weight reduction and regulates body temperature in winter. It is called as Ulavalu in telugu and Kollu paruppu in tamil. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for making Kollu paruppu dosa.
Kongunadu people use horse gram frequently in home. Being a coimbatorian, I love this horse gram rasam. Kollu also known as ulavalu in Telugu has more iron content and maintains body temperature during winter. Kollu rasam is a finger licking recipe and can be taken as a soup. Kollu Rasam is served as an side dish to Rice. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Kongunad special Horse gram Rasam|Horse gram rasam.
String hoppers or Idiyappam is a south Indian Breakfast recipe. It is prepared using rice. My mom usually makes the Idiyappam from scratch in home. As I don't have the Idiyappam vessel in US, I get the instant Idiyappam from Indian grocery. There are many versions of this sevai / Idiyappam / Indian Noodles. Please check below detailed steps for making Tomato sevai - Thakkali Sevai.
Mung bean is also known as green gram , green moong dal, pesarulu in telugu and pachai payaru in tamil. Green Moong dal is rich in proteins. The below kongu special pachai payaru kuzhambu is served as a side dish to Rice. It can also be taken as a side dish to dosa and Chappathi. Enjoy the protein rich pachai payaru kuzhambu with hot rice and ghee. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Pachai Payaru Kuzhambu
Tomato are rich in vitamins. It reduces the risk of lung and stomach cancer, prevents DNA damage, reduces the risk of heart disease, protects against blood clots and controls blood pressure. Always buy fresh, firm, bright red colour tomatoes. Avoid tomatoes with wrinkled surface and discoloured spots. Select ripe tomatoes for this gravy. Thakkali Kuzhambu is a south indian gravy prepared by grinding fresh ginger, garlic, onions, tomatoes and other masala items. The main ingredient is Tomato. It is a saviour when we run out of vegetables in fridge. It can be served with rice, idly, dosa and chappathi. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Tomato Kuzhambu - Thakkali Kuzhambu.
Being a Coimbatorian, I love this tasty and quick arisium paruppu sadham. This arisi paruppu sadham recipe comes to hand, whenever there is no vegetable in home. Arisi Paruppu Sadham is quite common in Kongu Nadu. It is a famous dish from Coimbatore. This Dhal Rice / Rice Kichadi along with Appalam and Mango Pickle makes a great lunch or dinner. My toddler and elder one loves this paruppu sadham anytime. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Arisi paruppu sadham.
Kollu paruppu also known as horse gram in English, Ulavalu in Telugu is a lentil with medicinal qualities. In some parts of India, this is recommended for water retention. There is a proverb in tamil " Kolluthavanukku Kollu" .It means horse gram is known for people who wants to reduce weight.This kollu paruppu or Ulavalu maintains body temperature and has more iron content. Kollu paruppu chutney is a famous recipe from Kongunad. It is usually served as a side dish to Rice. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Kongunad special Kollu recipe - Kollu paruppu chutney.
Mushrooms are rich source of Vitamin D. Button Mushrooms are easy to cook. Mushroom is called as " Kalan" in tamil. Button mushrooms are cooked in very spicy peanut and pepper gravy. The flavour of peanut and pepper blends very well and gives unique taste to the dish. An excellent side dish for Chappathi/ Roti. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Spicy Mushroom peanut gravy.
Mung bean is also known as green gram , green moong dal, pesarulu in telugu and pachai payaru in tamil. Green Moong dal is rich in proteins. The below kongu special pachai payaru kuzhambu is served as a side dish to Rice. It can also be taken as a side dish to dosa and Chappathi. Enjoy the protein rich pachai payaru kuzhambu with hot rice and ghee. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Pachai Payaru Kuzhambu
