Easy saambar...(made out of Powdered Dhaal)

Easy saambaar recipe...goes well only with Idlis and Dosas. Normally I make the powder just before making the saambaar. But you can make it few days before too. Then it is a really quick recipe. I enjoy it when it is hot. Dhal Powder Saambar

Kothavarangai Usili!

In summer, when you get Kothavarangai(guvar/guar/cluster beans), you could make this. Alternatively, you could use beans too. It's yummy with curd rice, one of my favorite recipes. Usili

Avial

Have you had "fire" category in Thai Restaurant? I haven't had it, but my avial turned out to be like that. So watch out for the green chillies you use. The more thinner it is the more spicier it is. Finally we had to end our meal with the Thai hard candy (the tamarind one!). You could add more veggies to it...like potato or plantain, brinjal, raw mango, drumstick, etc. I just made with what I had. Here are the detailed pictures....

Avial

Thai food reminds me of basil, yesterday a friend of mine mentioned she tried basil leaves in Tofu masala and I was really tempted to try it. So got the plant from Trader Joes and planted it today! I like the basil flavor, goes well in Fried Rice, Briyani, masala veggies, etc. Try it out when you get a chance. Have a great week!