A simple recipe that takes just a few minutes for a very tasty Oothapam. I usually make these on 3rd or 4th day after grinding rice batter. Batter is more fermented and this gives it added taste. (more…)
Appetizers & Snacks
Quinoa Salad
Quinoa is a very nutritious grain with high protein. It has high dietary fiber, magnesium and iron. It is a nice substitute for rice. I love the crunchy taste when cooked.
Chilli Bhaji/Milagai Bajji/Mirchi Bajji
The first thing which comes to mind on a rainy day is a cup of tea and some hot bajji’s. And of course you can pretty much get it at any roadside shop. Batter consistency is very important for making nice crispy bajji’s. The South Indian versions don’t have anything stuffed inside the chilli.
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Medhu Vadai/Ulundhu Vadai
Cook Time :20 – 30 Min | Servings : 4 Persons
Medhu vadai is a very famous savory fritter, a common breakfast item in Tamilnadu served along with idili or ven pongal as combo. It’s also often soaked in Sambar or Curd and served as Sambar/Curd vadai.
I love to have this with coconut chutney as side or soaked in curd.
Strawberry Muffins
Cook Time :30 Min | Servings : 12 regular muffins or 24 mini muffins
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What is a muffin for newbies, the rest can skip the first para.
Muffins are served as breakfast. There are two types of muffins English and American. English muffins are made with yeast where as American are made with chemical leavener like baking soda. American muffins are domed shaped and English muffins are flat.
American Muffins are further divided into bread like (less sugar) muffins or cake like (high sugar)muffins. Variations can be made to the basic muffin recipe and baked into special muffins.
The difference between a cupcake and a muffin is a cupcake has more sugar and a frosting layer on top, where as muffins don’t.
I started liking muffins after coming to America. They serve a lot of varieties for breakfast. I love muffins for it’s soft cake like inside texture and the crispy dome. So here’s my attempt at a Strawberry Muffin with fresh strawberries.
I thought the strawberry would be cooked nicely and that won’t be moist inside the muffins, but I was wrong. When it’s cooked I could see the moistened area around every strawberry chunk, not sure if this is how it would be or I am doing it wrong, someone please answer me, if we use fresh fruits for baking is there any special steps that needs to be done?
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Blueberry Scones
Cook Time : 40 Min | Servings : 2 Persons
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A perfect tea time scone with Blueberries. It has a crunchy outer layer with fluffy texture inside.
When I tried it for the first time it was super duper flop. I guess, I added more butter and little extra baking soda. The kneaded dough was super sticky with more quantity. When I baked it, he he he it lost it’s shape and was spread across the whole baking tray. I was very disappointed.I just threw them away. So this time I tried with less quantity. Surprise !!! it turned out really good. I used fresh blueberry for the first time, but now I used dry blueberry, somehow i liked dry ones better than the fresh ones. May be I should try some more times to get it exactly.
Kadalai Maavu Bonda / Gram Flour Bonda / Chickpea Fritters
This is also known as chickpea flour bonds from kongunadu / south india. This is a best evening snack. My mom used to make this when raining. We used to make this for small functions at our places or for any local festivals.
If you are so health conscious squeeze the excess oil by keeping the fritter in the middle of the tissue and press it in the palm. Instead of green chili, red chili powder can also be used.
