Black Chickpeas / Kadala Curry

Innu (today is) Kerala Piravi Dinam. Keralites or Malayalees around the world celebrate November 1st as "Kerala Piravi", which in my mother tongue means the day Kerala was formed on the face of earth. So today's post is for God's own country, my very own Kerala.

One of the most popular breakfast variety in Kerala is 'Puttu & Kadala curry'. Kadala curry is a gravy of sorts with black chickpeas often made in earthen ware. Puttu, a form of rice cake was traditionally steam cooked in coconut shell. When I was a child my mother used to prepare the dish in this manner. It was a wonderful experience and brings back fond memories. Though the cookware may have changed over time, the fondness I share for this dish lingers on. At home back in Kerala we often pamper ourselves with this super breakfast. Over our stay in UK, this dish rarely made it to our dining table, as ground coconut is not quite easily available. 'Puttu' along with fish or chicken curry is also a much loved combination!

Yesterday when Nikhil saw that I had soaked some kadala (Black Chickpeas) in water, he was very happy. With a grin he asked if I was planning to cook puttu and kadala the next day. Later in the day, I had finished cooking the curry, we had an unexpected visitor from an agency for a routine check of the building. As soon as he stepped in, the whiff of well roasted ground coconut and spices caught his attention. He said the aroma from kitchen is too inviting :). Below I have detailed a simple recipe and here's hoping that the aroma in your kitchen turns heads and hearts both...

Black Chickpeas/ Kadala Curry 

Lemon Drizzle Cake - Simple & All time favorite

I am not sure if all the bloggers out there share this same sentiment, an euphoric excitement before the first ever post on one's first ever blog :) I have read that usually people never expect blogging to be the kind of addiction that it eventually becomes! 
My first baking experience was a hit and I have to give full credit to the simple foolproof recipe. I was quite inspired about cooking from watching the movie 'Julie and Julia' :) followed by further encouragement from my best friend , Nimisha. With her by my side I baked my first ever Lemon drizzle cake. 
I have always loved the smell of fresh lemon and cake baking in oven. I am sure this recipe will keep you feeling fresh and relaxed. With bated breath I watched  the timer clock the set limit. Oh my god! that first bite off the tangy piece of soft cake, I was in heaven and I had a proud feeling, a sense of achievement!! The whole cake vanished literally before me as everyone gobbled up whatever pieces they could muster. Nikhil loved it and I needed no more compliments!!!
So here is the recipe which was fully adapted from the BBC Good Food website (Tana Ramsay recipe).

Lemon Drizzle Cake/Loaf