A recipe for passion is always simmering !
Though there are a thousand varieties of rasam, this particular type seems to please our taste buds with mild energising flavour. This famous dish is from Mysore, often prepared during great feast at the palace to serve the Kings and Queens (general myth). Well not anymore… it can be made in your own kitchen with ease and don't really have to be kings and queens to get a taste of this royal rasam.
Pitlai is nothing but arachivitta(ground) sambar, mostly popular among the Brahmin community. This thick lentil gravy is prepared with freshly ground spices and vegetables. Mostly pitlai is made with Bitter gourd, brinjal, yams and squash. Here, I've attempted with Elephant foot yam.
Paruppu Podi/Pappula Podi an authentic Andhra delicacy,termed as Parrupu podi in Tamil and Pappula Podi in Telugu.Bascially a dry powder that's prepared using dalia ,which acts as a major ingredient and few other spices.The process of roasting and grinding the dalia with other spices intensifies the taste of it.This powder remains fresh as long as they are dry and well presereved in air tight containers.
Moong sprouts seasoned with spices and cooked to perfection. Great healthy lunch box idea when rolled up in a warm chapatti or tortilla. ( Whole Green Gram – English, Paasi payaru– Tamil, Mudi Pesalu – Telugu, Sabut Moong – Hindi, Idi Hesuru – Kannada, Cherupayar – Malayalam )
Crunchy rice and lentil based savoury snack from Tamil Nadu.
Thattai – Tamil
Chekkalu – Telugu
Nippattu – Kannada
Punukulu are little crispy fritters from Andhra region, often had as a tea time snack or even as a breakfast item in some parts. These are kind of inbetween bhaji and bonda, as the exterior looks golden and crispy, the inner portion tastes soft and chevy. Would be right to call it Moong Methu Pakora. (Moong Dal Fritters / Pesara Punukulu / Moong Dal Pakodi / Moong Dal Bhaji )
Mochai Kurma (Vall Whole Bean Kurma) is a delicious side dish that goes well with both Rice and Chappathi. Many might be unfamiliar with the English name of it.To be more specific,I have posted the picture of Mochai along.This kurma basically gets it's flavor from Vall bean (Mochai).
Pakoda kurma is a lentil based sauce which is decadently creamy. Small deep fried lentil dumplings cooked in rich coconut milk gravy. This recipe might sound very unfamiliar to many, as its confined only to certain communities in Tamil Nadu. Quite hard to find online, as it sparingly shows up on searches. There are a couple of ways of making it, here's how we make it in our family. Quite a lengthly process, that's why I guess they make it only during special occassions. Ghee is a must as far as the original recipe goes, but its Ok to substitute with oil. (Padoka Kuzhambu / Pakora Korma / Pakora Kurma )
A south Indian savoury, looks like pan cake, made with rice and combination of lentils. Often served for breakfast or as a light tiffin item.
Vadai is a southindian fried savoury originating mainly from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, traditionally prepared during festivals and weddings. This lentil based item is often served along with breakfast items like idli, pongal etc or even good with any scrumptious meal.
