Vellayappam / Kallappam

Vellayappam is another Kerala breakfast delicacy similar to Palappam. The batter is almost same for both and the slight difference in vallayappam batter is the addition of cumin seeds, shallots and garlic; also the vallayappam batter should be thicker than palappam(like Idli batter). Palappam has a lace border and is made in a curved appam pan. Vellayappam on the other hand is made in a flat dosa tava /pan, and has a thick round shape like a set dosa. Some people don’t like the cumin-garlic-shallots taste in their Vellayappam, if so you can omit this while making the batter… Around the net a lot of blogs and web sites actually show the picture of Palappam with the recipe for Vallayappam ... I don’t know if in other parts of Kerala they have the same name for both… but to the best of my knowledge in Kottayam area and in our community both are different and have different shapes!

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Dal Makhani Recipe

Dal Makhani is a traditional North Indian vegetarian dish high in protein. Traditionally it is cooked on low flame for hours on charcoal, which gives it a rich creamy texture. Whenever I cook this I try to reduce ghee and butter as much as I can to make it healthier and also I never add cream expect if I am cooking for a party…. I can assure you even though you reduce ghee, butter and cream this curry tastes heavenly…. I have given the recipe as it is in the book and you are free to add moderate amounts of cream or butter if you wish…  

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Rumali Roti / Roomali Roti ~ Step by Step Recipe

Rumali Roti is a thin bread from the northern part of India and Pakistan and a traditional element in Mughlai cuisine. The word rumal means handkerchief in Urdu and Hindi, and the name rumali roti means handkerchief bread. The extreme thinness of the bread and the fact that it is usually served folded like a handkerchief are the probable sources of the name. (Wiki)

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Lemon Sorbet with Mint Leaves

I saw this sorbet recipe in an Australian Women’s Magazine on a recent visit to my favorite book shop here…. It was really a bliss having this when the outside temperature is 50°C….. 

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Mathi Kappa Puzhukku / Mashed Tapioca and Sardines with Coconut and Spices

I don’t know how many of you have heard or eaten this simple dish from God’s own country Kerala.....This is a dish my mom used to make from a recipe she received from my grandma after her wedding..... It’s a dish you can have on its own without any side dishes.....I love it and whenever I buy sardines I make a small portion like this all for myself since my hubby doesn’t like it :)....A unique taste when the simple kappa (tapioca) is cooked with mathi (sardines), kudampuli and spiced coconut....

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Zebra Biscuits

I was planning on making the beautiful Zebra Cake which is famous in the blog world...... When I saw these Zebra Biscuits in one of the recipe books I have, I thought of trying it first before the cake....... Biscuits came out perfectly and my little one was really amused by the beautiful zebra pattern on his cookies :)...... Try this kid friendly biscuits for those naughty little ones and you will surely win their minds!

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Soft Garlic Knots Recipe

These are the Soft Garlic Knots from Annie’s Eats that were quite famous in the blog sphere some time back….I have been planning to make this since the day she posted it and today I tried it..… I usually don’t post anything on the same day I make it…. But this turned out so good that I did not want to wait… It’s one of the best Garlic Knots I have ever made......(Featured on Foodbuzz Top 9)

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Chole Bhatura / Deep Fried Indian Puffed Bread with Chickpeas Curry

Bhatura, also spelled as Batura or Bhatoora is a very famous deep fried puffed bread common in North India. It is usually served with Chole or Chickpeas Curry or with any Chicken curry. There are numerous recipes for chole and bhatura around the net… Some used to make Bhatura with yeast and some with baking powder… This is how my mom used to make Bhatura and Chickpeas Curry at home… and I followed this recipe all these years and it always comes out perfect….

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Strawberries, Fresh Mint and Lime Sorbet

Summer has set in Kuwait with the maximum temperature touching 50°C in open areas yesterday and expected to touch 55°C soon…. At this temperature a bowl of Sorbet, ice creams, tumblers of fresh lime juice will be very comforting at any time of the day… saw this Strawberries, Mint and Lime Sorbet at Deeba’s blog recently and all these ingredients are always available with me; I made these a couple of times by now with frozen strawberries, freshly plucked Mint leaves from my kitchen balcony... this sorbet is a bliss in this scorching summer heat and very addictive too! Try this healthy dessert and I must warn you in advance it’s really addictive :)

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