Fish curry with ground coconut / Thenga aracha Meencurry

Keeping things simple should be our way of life. This would make it so much easier to appreciate and enjoy life not just for ourselves but for all. I hope that every single person wishes good for every other being making this world a better place to live...

Philosophy aside, I would like you all to give this really simple and easy fish curry recipe a try! I have prepared this quite often at home but rarely got around  to taking a snap of the dish :) I have a traditional 'meen chatti' (earthen pot) handed over by my amma to me, which I always make use whilst making this dish :D

We use similar coconut ground mixture while preparing toor dal (parippu) curry with fried shallots and curry leaves garnish. This was sort of my staple food during school days (slurp!!)... and it is yet to make way to my little space here.

Fish curry with ground coconut / Thenga aracha Meencurry
Recipe from my Amma

Olan {Sadya Recipe}

Onam this year is fast approaching and few of the sadya recipes have been in my drafts since last Onam! 

Sometimes I am amazed at some of the loveliest sadya dishes for their simplicity and this sure is one of them. Pretty straightforward recipe and a quick one too. My only challenge is sourcing the ingredients here. Go on give it a try and I hope you enjoy it.

Olan
Recipe from my Amma

Jam Biscuits

I must say these are irresistible!!! Had the opportunity to bake these for my best friend's son's first birthday party :) So you should know these are super special and an amazing addition to any get to-gathers. Everyone at the party loved it and what more gratification do you need when the people for whom you baked are HAPPY! 

I had used the food processor to whiz z the pastry and the kitchen had lots going on at the moment so we had the pastry dough in fridge for few hours before cutting out the hearts. The dough was very soft and for better handling, the cut out cookies were refrigerated for 15 mins before popping into the hot oven. They baked into perfection and it was fun sandwiching the two cookies with our favorite berry conserve.

Jam Biscuits
Recipe adapted from BBC

Chocolate Cupcakes 

Garam Masala {Homemade}

Yet another magic masala powder! Spices are priceless in our kitchens and they often blend together to create an even more lovely spice mix. It only takes a little of these in our dishes to make all the difference... So go ahead and prepare a batch of this and spread the magic :D

Garam Masala {Homemade}
Recipe adapted from Kurryleaves

Easy Plum Jam

Well this was my first Jam project :) An abundance of plums and a productive afternoon resulted in some fresh jarful of these fruity goodness.
We used up most of the jam slathered on warm scones or toasted breads and it always made for some lovely breakfast. A pretty straightforward recipe which comes together easily.  

Plum Jam

Wish you all a very Happy Easter :)
                                                                 ♥ Thank you ♥

Samosa {Veg}

Tea time snacks are always popular within people of all ages. Much more than just being a tea time favorite, samosas have traveled the world and captured many hearts. This samosa is bursting with veggie goodness filled in a beautiful wheat pastry, fried to perfection!
You can throw in any vegetables of your choice,however I have used potatoes, onions and green peas here. 
These are snacks which vanish as soon as you get it out of the hot oil :) Enjoy making and eating them!!

Samosa {Veg}

Dal Curry

Dal is a sort of comfort food for us. It is one among the popular favorites everyone loves to pair with Indian bread or simple fluffy rice. 
A quick and easy recipe which never lets you down! At home we would make a simple meal out of rice & dal and some yogurt. A little pickle by the side is all that is needed to spice up the meal :)

Dal Curry

Paal Payasam {Kheer - Quick & Easy}

This is my go-to recipe for a simple dessert which requires only few ingredients and little effort. This always gives promising results and you will be more than happy when people shower you  with lots of sweet compliments after having this :D

Also this always has its place on the sumptuous vegetarian festive spread back home in Kerala :) 

Paal Payasam {Kheer - Quick & Easy}
Recipe adapted from my Amma

Ada

One of the traditional breakfast number back home is a portion of soft, steaming, sweet Ada on any morning. This can also be served as a snack for tea time. Whatever be the time of day, this sure makes the rest of the day happy :) 

Ada {with sweet coconut filling}

❊ Pachadi ❊

Be it 'Onam' or 'Vishu', festivals in Kerala always calls for a sumptuous vegetarian spread and this side dish sure has its place! In our home, Nikhil loves this dish and so it makes appearances at our dining table more often :) Its a quick recipe which comes together quite easily. 

Pachadi
Recipe adapted from my amma

❊ Puli Inji ❊

My amma loved this preparation and for almost all vegetarian special meals, she used to stir up a big portion of Puli Inji {Tamarind & Ginger side dish}. So it goes without saying that puli inji is a must for any 'sadhya' (variety of vegetarian dishes) in our household :) 
Be it 'Onam' or 'Vishu', festivals in Kerala always calls for a sumptuous vegetarian spread and this side dish sure has its place!

Puli Inji 
Recipe adapted from amma

Happy Onam :D

Wishing you all a very Happy Onam. 

                                                     ♥ Thank you ♥

Potato Curry {Roasted coconut gravy}

'Varutharacha' or {Roasted coconut gravy} is a Kerala special number! I love the smell of roasted grated coconut along with shallots and spices filling the air on any morning. It helps work up an appetite on a lazy day :) Team it up with any Kerala breakfast (puttu or appam) or ghee rice for lunch. 

Potato Curry {Roasted coconut gravy}

Potato Croquettes

I remember my amma used to make fish croquettes back in my school days and it would vanish as soon as it came out of the frying pan. We used to struggle to eat them hot but still Yumm! Now these plain potato croquettes are a great vegetarian option for starters. Fry these and dip it in your favorite sauce for a delicious start of an evening :)

Potato Croquettes

Summer is almost over but even a small citrus plant at home could brighten your day! 

Bread Pakoda

These pakoda's/ fritters used to be tea time attraction for us when we were kids :) Recently when I visited one of my relatives (unannounced) this was one of the many items she made in a jiffy. Dipped in gram flour batter, the tricolor bread sandwich is basically an amazing yummy street food number. 

You can make plain tricolor sandwiches or choose to deep fry them...Either ways they are simply good food to munch on :)

Bread Pakoda :

Eggless Chocolate Celebration Cake !!!

Back to blogging...missed every bit of creating, clicking, writing and posting. Well! our third wedding anniversary celebration cake sure had to be up here. 
Chose an eggless chocolate sponge covered in chocolate ganache  sandwiched by cherry compote plus chocolate butter-cream :) Any excuse should be worth trying this for :D

Eggless Chocolate Celebration Cake !!!

Baby Shower Cake :D

My first take at a fondant covered celebration cake :) This special cake was baked for my bestie for her baby shower party... The cake was comparatively easy to bake & decorate. I had more trouble transferring the final piece to the venue added to the fact that I was travelling to India the very next day... early in the morning! 

Well! the cake was a hit and I got quite busy sharing the recipe and ideas for cake decoration at the party ;) I loved the whole experience and the cherry on the icing was that it was for my dear friend Nishima :D 

Baby Shower Cake

Recipe for Coffee & Chocolate cake {click here}
Tutorial for Fondant baby booties {click here} (found this on-line)

Also sharing a peek into the baby shower party :)

I had also baked a batch of chocolate cupcakes with Winnie the pooh themed fondant décor which were neatly packed in light blue boxes for guests to take home as party favors :D 

I found the videos on YouTube for fondant decoration very useful.

 Enjoy baking!

                                                                                        ♥ Thank You ♥

⌇ Chocolate Meringue Swirls ⌇

Just another day browsing the internet, I saw these swirly beauties and the next thing I was baking them! I have so many other goodies on my to-bake list and yet I had to bake these first :) I am not a fan of these though Nikhil liked them... I had to bake these as they looked absolutely gorgeous!!

Chocolate Meringue Swirls
Recipe adapted from Callmecupcake

Mutton Curry

From the land of spices and coconuts, yet another finger licking good curry! This is my first experiment with mutton and I have to say... I myself am impressed :) Nikhil used to keep requesting for mutton curry but I never really thought I could handle this meat. At-last for his sake I gave it a try and guess what?? I will be buying mutton again ;)
During our holidays, my mother-in-law prepared some very tasty curries and this happens to be one of them. Another to die-for curry of hers was crab roast....yum....hopefully that too gets posted on my blog soon :D
Meanwhile hoping you will definitely give this a try...

Mutton Curry
Recipe adapted from my Mom-in-law

Chocolate Biscuit Pudding

A quick dessert? Who would not like the idea :) Well this recipe sure is handy when you are short of time & fancy ingredients. For all those who love dunking a biscuit into hot chai, look no further than this Chocolate Biscuit Pudding!!
Using very few ingredients, you can easily whip up and layer this beautiful pudding right into the serving glasses. So hope you all enjoy this biscuit pudding.


⌛ Chocolate Biscuit Pudding ⌛
Recipe adapted from Ria's Collection