Hyderabadi Style Lunch menu - Vegetable Dum Biriyani and Khubani Ka Meetha

Traditional Hyderabadi Biriyani is prepared in a authentic way of slow cooking by sealing the pressure or dum. I have seen dum biriyani preparations only on television programs. I have not tasted it too! So I never thought about preparing a dum biriyani at home. 

Recently, after the festive season, there were lots of dry fruits at home. So I was hunting for a recipe with dried apricots and came across Khubani Ka Meetha in vegrecipesofindia. That's when I was hooked on to various vegetarian dishes from Hyderabad cuisine. Along with the dessert, I prepared this biriyani and it was a complete meal and a special one for a Sunday! The recipe might look quite long but do not panick, with proper planning and getting the ingredients ready, the process will be very simple. Try it out and do let me know how it turned out.

Sambar Rice (A comforting one pot meal in Hotel Saravana Bahvan Style)

Hope you all had a wonderful Diwali loaded with happiness and sweets! After the festive feast, here is a comfort meal. The humble sambar rice, made in Hotel Saravana Bhavan style. I too am one among the huge list of fans of HSB sambar. At home, we generally prepare only arachi vitta sambar. So when I came across this recipe in Sharmi's passions, I immediately bookmarked and tried it. I was so happy as the result almost matched the famous HSB sambar. So for all sambar lovers, try this relishing one pot meal and do let me know your feedback :)

Mini Onam Sadhya

Wish you all a very Happy Onam!!!

The moment we think about Onam, it is the colorful pookolam, boat race and the grand feast - "Onam Sadhya" that comes to our mind!

I have not had the opportunity to taste a traditional Onam sadhya, but every time I see a picture of the Sadhya, I drool :) Today I've tried to make a mini Onam Sadhya and I referred to all the recipes from chithrasfoodbook.com

Please click on the below links for the recipes. I was not able to take individual pictures, I shall try to update the recipes with pictures, when I try them next.

• Ada Pradhaman
• Cabbage Thoran
• Olan
• Kerala Rasam
• Kerala Parippu Curry
• Puli Inji

Disclaimer: The cooking method used for each recipes may not be traditional. The above picture is just for representation and it is not the way how a traditianal sadhya is served.

Mother's day special

I know I do not need a special day to celebrate my mom and make her feel special but when there is an occasion, then it is extra special. Wishing all wonderful super moms a very happy and cheerful mother's day :) My interest in cooking and arts are absolutely inherited from my dearest mom. She never ceases to encourage me in all the things that I am interested in. Every time I enter the kitchen, she gives me all the freedom to experiment and would silently be watching me to lend her hand whenever I need. This mother's day was extra special, as there were three beautiful lovely moms at home - my mom, her mom and dad's mom!! So here is the special lunch treat for the three most important ladies of my life!

Menu: (Click on the links below for detailed recipe)

• Kesar-Pista Phirni
• Aval/Poha Pakoda
• Palak Paneer Paratha 
• Vegetable Pulao  (Recipe coming soon)
• Darbari Dal
• Coriander Raita - Grind together coriander leaves, coconut, green chillis and salt. Mix this paste along with thick curds and serve chilled
• Curd Rice

Italian Lunch Menu

After elaborate Indian meals, this time is a quick and easy to make Italian lunch! I know ordering a pizza is much easier but we do need to give some thought to our health and when healthy pizzas can be made easily at home, why to spend so much on unhealthy stuff?? I teamed up the pizza with a soupy pasta and creamy panna cotta! Yumm.. a delightful delicious Italian lunch is ready!

Click on the links below for detailed recipes:

• Corn and fusilli soup
• Veg pizza with homemade wholewheat thin crust
• Almond panna cotta

Restaurant style fine dining experience at home!

My cheerful kitchen has now got 50 posts and 100 likes on FB! and that calls for a celebration. So this weekend I planned for a very special fine dining menu similar to a restaurant! I planned two days in advance for the menu, ingredients and this helped me in a hassle free cooking :) So let's take look at the spread!

Click on each links to know the recipes:

Menu

• Lemon-Mint cooler
• Sprouts Tokri
• Tangy carrot soup
• Plain Kulcha
• Layered Rice with Nawabi curry
• Kadai Gobhi
• Dal Makhani
• Mango Ice cream

Gujarati Thali

This healthy and tasty Gujarati meal has been completely inspired from Tarla Dalal ji's recipes. A year back or so, all that I knew was, any Indian cuisine apart from the four southern states, will be termed as "North" Indian cuisine!! I really feel silly about myself to have been thinking that way but now I am happy that I am exploring and getting to know more about various Indian cuisines. So this weekend I planned for a Gujarati dinner. On going through various Gujarati dishes, I came to know how unique it is and the best part is that it consists of a lot of healthy ingredients. Millets are incorporated in the dishes in innovative ways to make them very tasty! I am very happy to share with you all this special Gujarati dinner that I prepared.

Menu:

• Dhokla (Steamed snack)
• Lapsi (Broken wheat dessert)
• Dapka Kadhi (Steamed pakoda gravy)
• Tindoranu Shaak (Mixed stuffed vegetables)
• Dhebra (Spiced wheat and millet snack)
• Bajri no rotlo (Millet flat bread)
• Ram Khichdi (Mixed vegetables in dal chaawal/rice)
• Masala Chaas (Spiced buttermilk)

Eating Healthy can be absolutely tasty too! See you all soon with different and interesting recipes!

Southern Spice Lunch - The four state wonders!

If it was a grand north Indian lunch last week, this week it is a southern spice lunch with the specialties of the four southern states of India! Being born in Bangaluru, brought up in Chennai and having Telugu as my mother tongue, the southern flavors are what I have grown up with and I am extremely happy to present a special southern spice lunch menu this weekend! Eat well, Stay well.. Have a happy weekend :)

Southern Spice Lunch Menu:

• Elaneer Payasam (Kerala)
• Guthi Vankaya (Stuffed brinjal - Andhra)
• Poricha Kuzhambu (Tamil Nadu)
• Mysore Rasam (Karnataka) - Recipe coming soon

Along with:

• Quick appam (I wanted to have a starter but not any deep fried one. So made instant paniyaram with idli batter in paniyaram pan with very little oil)
• Nellikai Thokku (Recipe coming soon)
• Rice and Curd

North Indian grand lunch menu

A yummy and grand Sunday lunch!

This is the first time I am preparing a huge platter like this. But was extremely happy when everyone at home enjoyed it thoroughly  Happy happy weekend!! Do try out these dishes and share your feedback with me

North Indian Grand Lunch Menu:

• Pineapple Sheera
• Capsicum Tomato Curry
• Mixed veg in coconut gravy
• Jeera Pulao
• Dahi Balla
• Roti
• Curd Rice
• Maanga Ingi Pickle