Curry leaves chutney - simple recipe...

Atlast got time for a simple and healthy one. You can get lots of curry leaves from Chinese stores like Ranch 99. Try this one..... Curry Leaves Chutney

Brinjal Pachadi (a thicker version of saambaar!)

One of our favorite lunch box item! It's not raita, not sure why they named it pachadi.....basically it is a little thicker version of Saambaar. Ideal for 2 people, doesn't overflow like saambaar. Make sure you don't over cook the dhaal, so better to open boil after soaking it for few hours.

Brinjal Pachadi

Have a good week......would like to see you more often but tamil Teacher is busy!

Curd Semia

Not a great picture, but a great recipe. This recipe is of the kind....Raja likes it, so most people in the world will like it! Most of the time I make this when I host dinner, that too when I make tiffin items, it goes well rather than rice. It is almost same as curd rice, so you can top it with whatever U like, for eg: peanuts, grapes, cilantro, etc. It consumes lot of curd/yoghurt. Detailed pictures... Curd Semia

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!

Vaazhaippu Vadai

An authentic, time consuming recipe! I try to make it once a year. It is made out of banana flower/plantain flower which is available in Indian and Chinese stores. Goes well with curd rice. Here are the detailed pictures...

Vaazhaipu Vadas

And here is how the full flower looks like...

http://www.recipetips.com/glossary-term/t--36230/banana-flower.asp

We had an extremely fun-filled weekend. Got to see Sania Mirza in the Bank of the West US Open Series Finals that happened in Stanford this afternoon. Doubles match was the most exciting one and she won it along with Peer. Hope you all had a great weekend too and have a wonderful week ahead!