Tangy Palakkadan Kaya Puli, a tamarind-based delight from Kerala.

"Palakkadan Kaya Puli – A Tangy Soupy Delight"

Kaya Puli - An all time Favourite

    When it comes to Kaya Puli, a true-blue Palakkadan speciality, it's a delightful tamarind-based soupy dish that resembles Rasam but carries its own unique charm. This simple yet flavourful dish features a tangy tamarind base tempered with an aromatic mix of mustard seeds, shallots, dry red chillies, and curry leaves.

Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavour

    What makes Kaya Puli so special? Its simplicity! With just a handful of ingredients and a cooking time of 2–3 minutes, you can whip up this concoction of tangy goodness—a culinary treasure passed down through generations in Palakkad homes.

    This recipe is a cherished part of my Amma and Achan’s repertoire, a humble yet iconic dish that holds a special place in our family’s heirloom collection. A taste of this dish is like taking a journey back to their roots, bringing alive the essence of Palakkadan cuisine.

 

Craving more Authentic Palakkadan Flavours? Discover more traditional recipes from Palakkad in our special collection—perfect for every home-cooked feast.

    

A Culinary Tribute to My Parents – Celebrating 50 Years of Love and Food

    I’ve been diving into a few cherished family recipes lately—specialities from my Achan and Amma’s repertoire—to commemorate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. These recipes are not grand delicacies but rather simple dishes that bring unparalleled comfort, warming your heart and satiating your mind and stomach all at once.

    There’s an indescribable nostalgia attached to these dishes, a feeling only those who’ve grown up with such food can truly understand. These recipes are history in their own right, a slice of our family’s culinary legacy filled with stories and fond reminiscences.

 

Explore More! For more recipes from our Family Repertoire, click here.

 

Perfect Breakfast Combo - Black Coffee, Toast & Sunny-Side Up

"The Perfect Breakfast Duo: Crispy Bread Toast and Sunny-Side Up Eggs"

A Break from Blogging and a Journey to Southern Italy

    Life has been a whirlwind lately, keeping me away from my blog. Amid personal commitments and a trip halfway across the globe, I found myself immersed in the picturesque southern region of Italy. Between planning and travelling with my daughter, my mind was constantly pulled in different directions. We spent days exploring the historical and cultural gems of Italy—mountains, beaches, and centuries-old architecture. Of course, there was the inevitable rant about missing good old rice and curry under the scorching Sicilian sun. But that’s the beauty of travel—it broadens your horizons and opens your heart to new experiences and cultures.

Discovering the Sweet Essence of an Italian Breakfast

    While the thrill of travel keeps me on my toes, let’s be honest: food steals the show. A typical Italian breakfast, or Colazione, introduced me to a world of sweetness—Cornettos (Croissants), Brioche, buns dripping with jam, and the iconic Sicilian Gelato served in a brioche bun. The delights didn’t end there. Sicily surprised me with its unique sweet treats like Cannoli, Sicilian almond cookies (pasticcini di mandorla), and the rich Cassata Siciliana. For someone used to savoury breakfasts, this was a sugar rush of epic proportions. Yet, the one constant was the coffee—whether it was a foamy cappuccino, creamy caffé latte, or the locals’ favourite, a strong shot of espresso (Café in their terms & Decoction in our terms).

CAULIFLOWER & EGG STIR FRY

     Cauliflower & Egg stir-fry recipe is from my Mother's repertoire. Egg is one common ingredients in my Mom's kitchen and not a day goes without eggs.  Eggs turn out to be versatile and comes out in different versions & styles each day.  When we get bored with Egg Bhurji or Omelettes, she cooks up Eggs with Cauliflowers, Beans or Cabbage.  This was one frequented side dish I have taken in my Lunch Box, and so I have fond memories of her versions of Omelette with grated coconuts and Veggie & egg stir fries.

    Egg Bhurji is an Indianised Scrambled Egg converted to suit the Indian Palate.  What makes it different and unique is the addition of Spices. This recipe is similar to an Egg Bhurji with just an addition of finely chopped Cauliflowers along with it. Maybe we can all it as Cauliflower Egg Bhurji too.  This quick fix recipe goes well with both Roti & Rice. 

    Cauliflower & Egg Stir fry recipe comes handy for working folks who want to make something quick, healthy and delicious for their breakfast or for their kids' lunch box. This one is the best try for beginners venturing into cooking or students/bachelors living outside their homes. One of the best dish ever which is hassle-free and can be prepared with minimal ingredients.  Above all, combine it up with few Slices of Bread or Chapati for a complete meal.  Goes well with Rice too.
    

    In this Cauliflower & Egg Stir Fry Recipe, I have cooked Cauliflowers & then scrambled the Eggs with Onions, Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder and Curry Masala(Mutton Masala).  You can also add some tomatoes while sautéing or substitute Red Chilli Powder with finely chopped Green Chillies.  You can also be easy with the Masala - use Garam Masala/Curry Masala/Mutton Masala... Anything which fancies you.  If you do not have any, simply prepare it with Onions and Green Chillies and finish off the dish with a sprinkle of Black Pepper Powder.  The options are to go along with your whims and fancies... or cook with what ingredients you readily have.  

For more EGG RECIPES, Click here...

Cuisine - Indian
Course - Side Dish
Spice Level - Medium
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 2 -3
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 5-7 Minutes
Cooking Time - 7- 10 Minutes

HOW TO COOK CAULIFLOWER & EGG STIR FRY

CAULIFLOWER & EGG STIR FRY

INGREDIENTS:

For Cauliflower & Egg Stir Fry:

Cauliflower - 2 Cups
Eggs - 2 Nos.
Onion - 1 No.
Garlic - 1 Clove
Turmeric Powder - 1/8 Teaspoon
Red Chilli Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Masala/Mutton Masala Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Salt - To Taste
Oil - 2 Tablespoons

 

METHOD:

• Clean and cut the Cauliflower into florets
• Wash the Cauliflower florets and soak the florets in warm water with a pinch of Turmeric & a dash of Salt in it for a few minutes.
• Allow it to dry in a colander.
• Now, finely chop the Cauliflower.  
  
• Heat oil in a pan over a high flame.
• Reduce the flame to medium-low and add finely chopped Onions, Garlic and sauté it until Onions turn translucent.
• Add Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder and Curry Masala Powder to the above and fry this on a low flame until aromatic.
• Add finely chopped cauliflower and give a quick stir.
• Sprinkle a dash of salt and cook this on a low flame for a few minutes, or until the Cauliflowers turns soft and cooked.
  
• Meanwhile, crack open the Eggs in a small bowl one by one and then combine it up in a big bowl.
• Beat the Eggs lightly along with a dash of Salt.
• Gently pour the beaten Egg into the Pan & Scramble the Eggs into tiny pieces on a medium-low flame until well cooked.
• At this point, make sure to stir it up continuously and scramble the eggs well.
  
• Once the eggs are finely scrambled and well-cooked, switch off the flame.
• Finally, the Eggs and Cauliflower should have combined up well.
  
• Serve Cauliflower & Egg Stir Fry hot with Roti or Rice.
• This stir-fry goes well with hot fuming Rice & Rasam.(my personal preference).
  

NOTES:

• Finely Chopped Cauliflowers tends to get cooked soon and also aesthetically looks good when combined with scrambled eggs.
• I have used Red Chilli Powder in this recipe.  Can substitute it with 2-3 finely chopped Green Chillies.
  
• I have used Curry Masala Powder, can substitute it with Mutton Masala/Garam Masala Powder.
• Adjust the spices to suit your spice level.
• The idea of breaking the eggs one by one in a small bowl and then combining it in a bowl is, by any chance one of the Eggs turns out to be bad, then the entire bowl gets wasted.
• So I usually do this way while using up more than one egg in a recipe. 
• Also, beating the eggs along with salt before scrambling it helps you to yield perfectly scrambled eggs.  
• I like to scramble it up into tiny pieces and well cooked.
• All the way while cooking I keep the flame at medium-low.
• This way it doesn't smell "eggy" when packed in Lunch Boxes. 
• Can cook the same recipe with finely chopped Beans/Cabbage instead of Cauliflower.
  

MADURAI KARI DOSAI

    "Sangam Valartha Madurai,  Tamizh Valartha Madurai", Madurai just didn't embrace and encourage learned men and literature but also paved a culinary path laced with hospitality.  Madurai’s food is a happy union of all these influences, mainly that of Chettinaad cuisine, known for its fiery flavours.  Madurai known as Temple & trading city, it has taken its sobriquet of 'Thoonga Nagaram'(the city that never sleeps). The streets stay alive through the night with bustling crowd, Food Stalls & market activities.  

    Madurai is a food haven for Street Food & hospitality. The place & people are famous for their inventive varieties of street food & fast food that it is a common saying that they serve more than 7-10 side dishes along with a humble Dosa.  As I see, Madurai is hardly the sort of city where you can linger over a relaxed meal or enjoy fine dining, but food is taken very seriously by the locals.  Madurai is not a city which flaunts vibrant restaurants and if you want real food with real taste then you should hardly try not to notice the ambience.  But, as my husband says, there comes the real taste.

    With a wide arena of world-famous Madurai style Street food, with Idlis and Parottas, here we are going to talk about Kari Dosai.  Madurai's most famous Simmakkal Konar Mess Kari Dosai. A three layered thick Dosa, layered with an omelette and then covered with minced mutton/Kothu Kari Masala. This dosai will definitely change your opinion about the extent to which dosas have evolved.  The Konars - are a community of cowherds and goat herds. A community which rears cattle catering Offal dishes sounds shocking though.  As said, "கொன்றால் பாவம் தின்றால் போச்சு!!!"

    If Parotta found its popularity in Madurai Cuisine, then Kothu Parotta found its origin in this city.  And the tradition of Kothu Parotta has become the identity of Street Food or the ones commonly called as Kaiyendhi Bhavans/Thattu Kadai. The total credit of inventing Kothu Parotta goes to Madurai.  Then comes Jigirdhanda & Paruthi Paal, local refreshing drinks with unique ingredients. Madurai Idli, Kari Dosai, Ayirai meen kulambu, Spicy Madurai Biriyani, Chukka Varuval, Bun Parotta are few other dishes along with long list of Vegetarian & Non-vegetarian dishes, which comes into my mind when I think of Madurai Food. 

    Speaking the truth, I never have had an opportunity to taste this popular Madurai Kari Dosai which is famous in Simmakkal Konar Kadai.  But ever since I came across this Kari Dosai, wanted to make it and I made it for lunch.  Lunch is one meal we eat heartily, and I planned it during the recent Lock down when all were at home.  With my over whelming attitude, I bought up the hot Dosa griddle with a Kari Dosai all the way from my kitchen to the dining table(which is just 2 steps away) to top it up in my husband's plate.  And there went a mishap, he just extended his hands to spoon in the Salna, and the dosa griddle scorched his back.  I went down with my guilt and ran for a piece of ice cube.  Two hot lines got scorched at his back and the scar took a few days to vanish and until then he enjoyed making me feel guilty of my mishap.  Lesson Learnt: "Never ever bring the dosa griddle(or whatsoever which is hot) to the dining table. Take extra safety measures while handling hot utensils/dishes".

MADURAI KARI DOSAI

    Well, coming back to MADURAI KARI DOSAI - I made this Kari Dosa with a hearty spread of Kothu Kari Masala cooked in a typical Madurai Chukka Varuval Style.  Then what we need is a simple Dosa Batter.  We need to pour thick Dosas as for an Uthappam. Do not spread the Dosa. Spoon out some beaten Egg over the Dosa and top it up with Kothu Kari Masala, drizzle a hearty spoon of Gingelly Oil, cover and cook until the Dosa & Eggs are cooked.  Finally, garnish the Dosa with finely chopped Coriander Leaves. Here you go with a hot Madurai special Kari Dosai.  Serve it along with plain or Chicken/Mutton Salna or any other Curry or Chutney of your choice.  This Kari Dosai is sinfully heavy and leaves us with a feeling it is over dozed with Meat, Egg and above all it is served along with another Madurai speciality - Salna. Any way, it is an utter indulgence topped with decadence.

 

For more Recipes from MADURAI CUISINE, Click here...

 

MADURAI KARI DOSAI

What you may need for this Kari Dosai:

INGREDIENTS:

Idli/Dosa Batter - 3- 4 Cups
Kothu Kari Masala - 1-1/2 Cups
Beaten Egg - 2-3
Gingelly Oil - as needed
Coriander Leaves  - for garnishing

 

METHOD:

For Madurai Kari Dosai:

• Beat the Eggs along with Salt and keep it aside.(can add Pepper to it if you prefer).
• Heat the Dosa Griddle on a high flame and then lower the flame.
• Smear the Griddle with oil.
• Thoroughly mix the Dosa Batter and pour one big ladle of batter over the Dosa Griddle.
• Do not spread the batter. The Dosa should be slightly thicker.(like for an Uthappam).
• Spoon in a ladle of beaten Egg and spread it out on top of the Dosa.
• Wait for a few minutes.  Let it cook halfway through.
• Now spoon in Kothu Kari Masala and spread it out evenly on top of the Egg spread Dosa.
  
• Keep the flame at low while cooking Kari Dosai.
• Drizzle few teaspoons of Gingelly Oil over the Kari Dosai.
• Cover the Kari Dosai with a lid and cook on a very low flame for a few minutes.
• Garnish it with finely chopped Coriander Leaves.
  
• Once cooked, remove the Kari Dosai from the griddle(there is no need to flip and cook the Dosai).

For more Recipes with MUTTON/ LAMB, Click here... 

MADURAI KARI DOSAI

NOTES:

• Do not spread the batter. The Dosa should be slightly thicker.(like for an Uthappam).
• Cover the Kari Dosai with a lid and cook on a very low flame for a few minutes.
• You don't need to flip and cook the Dosa. 
• I have made Kothu Kari Masala with minced Mutton.
• Can prepare the same Kothu Kari Masala with minced Chicken/Beef.  For a Vegetarian option, can prepare the same recipe with shredded Cabbage, Cauliflower or minced Soya Chunks.
• If you feel adding Eggs to be a heavier option, can skip the step.
• Serve Madurai Kari Dosai with Salna or any Chutney or Curry of your choice.

 

CHICKEN CURRY - MY STYLE

    This year we celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary. While I was in midst reminiscing a number of memories, I was remembering my initial days of cooking in my in-laws' house. Trying hard & always sceptical enough, thinking whether they would like my cooking. As it was a joint family & the cooking was always to suit each & everyone at home, it had too many specifications as a matter of fact. FIL wanted a non-vegetarian dish to be served daily, MIL never wanted to come out of the comfort zone of classic cooking. Any new dishes were termed out to be fashion cooking. But now you should see the way she tries out all-new recipes she sees in TV shows. Time changes!

 

    And all the more, I wanted to impress my husband with my cooking. He was always busy with his work and never gave much notice to what he ate( all the more what I cooked). Gradually, I started cooking a few dishes, to suit everybody's liking(so what I think it was...) specifically I made sure to cook Tiffin items for breakfast. Earlier my MIL used to make Kanji for breakfast at least 2-3 times a week & it was like, my Hubby & my FIL somehow made sure to convince my MIL they ate it and then, they went to Annapoorna Gowrishankar to finish off their breakfast. Whatsoever, I am not sure whether they went to eat out, even when I made Tiffin items. But I got a distinguished comment from my MIL saying that "Marumakal Kanji Kudi Muttichu."

 

    Well, coming to the story of Chicken Curry. Though I used to cook even during my college days, I had never ever ventured into cooking Non-vegetarian dishes. So, just a month after my wedding my MIL went to her mother's place in Cochin. She gave me the instructions that a batch of Chicken is lying in the Freezer and how to cook it. I was literally apprehensive about the idea and least knew how to cook a Chicken, how much masala to be added, how long to cook a Chicken etc., But I had to cook as my FIL wanted some non-vegetarian dish for lunch. Initial 2-3 days, I escaped by making Egg Curry, then Omelette, next day I fried some fish & so on and finally the day dawned that I was out of ideas & I had to make Chicken Curry.  And above all it was a Sunday.

     

    Somehow, I made sure to cook Chicken, with my whims & fancies, but wanted a justified version. Chicken or Mutton curries cooked without Potatoes are a big Taboo at home, so added a few Potatoes 

into the Chicken Curry. Sauteed the Onions & Tomatoes & spices and then ground them into a paste - that was to make sure that the Masala didn't taste anywhere raw. Then I spluttered some fennel seeds and sauteed the ground masala until oil separated from the mix, added the Chicken Pieces, waited until it was half cooked and then added Potatoes into it. Adjusted the consistency and finished off the Chicken Curry garnishing it with Coriander Leaves. I wouldn't say it was the best curry ever, but nobody had any comments or complaints about the curry. So there I came up with a Chicken Chicken - My style, My version.

 

CHICKEN CURRY - MY STYLE

 

 

    When I am too lazy to ponder about for some new versions of Chicken Curry or when I need to cook something within 20-30 minutes, I stick on to my style of this Chicken Curry. I have perfected this Chicken Curry to the core with my innumerable repetitions & it is our family favourite. When you are cooking up a lot of dishes for a celebration or an occasion, then this Chicken Curry recipe can be easily incorporated into your menu for two good reasons:

     

• Quick to prepare
• Fewer Ingredients

    This Chicken Recipe is prepared with Pan-seared Chicken Pieces, simmered to perfection in an Onion Tomato base with mild spices. Every time I cook Chicken Curry,  I usually Pan sear the Chicken Pieces, which gives a perfectly cooked juicy and succulent chicken pieces.  Pan searing the Chicken pieces is one technique I learnt & perfected out of experience.  This simple Chicken Curry goes well with all type of Indian bread like Rotis, Naan, Kulcha, Chapatis, Parathas & Parottas and Tiffin Items like Idli, Dosa, Uthappam, Vellayappam, Idiyappam and Puttu.  Also, it is a good accompaniment along with Rice, Pulaos and Biriyanis too. The best about this Chicken Curry is that it is authentic and it is an absolutely flavour filled Curry justifying the very nature of Indian spices added into it. At the same time enhancing the overall taste and aroma of the Curry.

For more CHICKEN Recipes, Click here...

Cuisine - Indian
Course - Side Dish
Spice Level - Medium - High
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 3 - 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 20-30 Minutes
Cooking Time - 25-30 Minutes

HOW TO COOK CHICKEN CURRY - MY STYLE

CHICKEN CURRY - MY STYLE

INGREDIENTS: 

For Chicken Curry - My Style:

Oil - 2 Tbspn
Fennel Seeds - 1/2 Tspn
Curry Leaves - 2 Sprigs
Chicken - 1/2 Kg
Potatoes - 4-5 Nos.(medium-sized)
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Tspn
Red Chilli Powder - 1 Tspn
Garam Masala - 1 Tspn
Tamarind Paste - 1 Tspn
Salt - to Taste
Sugar - a Pinch

For the Masala Paste(To Saute & Grind):

Oil - 2-3 Tbspn
Cloves - 3 Nos.
Cinnamon - 1" Stick
Fennel Seeds - 1 Tspn
Cardamom - 3 Pods 
Onion - 2 Nos.
Ginger - 1" Piece
Garlic  - 8-10 Cloves
Dry Red Chillies - 5-6
Coriander Powder - 1 Tbspn
Tomato - 2 Nos.
Coriander Leaves - few

To Garnish :

Coriander Leaves - Few

METHOD:

For the Masala Paste(To Saute & Grind):

• Heat oil in a Pan, Splutter the spices mentioned under 'For Masala Paste.'
• Immediately add finely chopped Onions, garlic & ginger and saute until onions turn translucent.
• Add Dry Red Chillies and fry them on a very low flame until it fluffs up.
• Then add Coriander Powder and fry it on a low flame until the raw flavour goes.
• Add finely chopped Tomatoes and cook this on a low flame until the tomatoes turn soft & cooked.
• Once the tomatoes turn soft, switch off the flame & add a few strands of fresh coriander leaves to 
• the above.
• Give a quick stir and allow the mixture to cool down.
• Once cooled, grind the ingredients into a fine paste and keep it aside.

 

For Chicken Curry - My style:

• Clean, wash & cut Chicken into small pieces. Allow it to drain in a colander. 
• Clean, Peel & wash the Potatoes.
• Cut them into cubes and leave them in a bowl of salted water until use.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a Pan, splutter Fennel seeds and Curry Leaves on a very low flame.
• Add Chicken pieces to the oil along with a dash of salt and pan sear the chicken pieces until water runs out clear.
• Toss the chicken pieces once or twice and cook until the colour changes and it is evenly coated with oil, for about 5-8 minutes.
• Pour the ground Masala Paste to the Seared Chicken pieces and mix well.
• Add Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder and Garam Masala to the above and fry for a while until the raw flavour goes. 
• Cook this on a low flame until oil separates from the mix.
• Add cubed Potatoes along with a dash of salt, and mix well.
• Let it cook on a low flame for a few minutes or until the Potatoes turn soft & cooked. 
• Then, pour in the Tamarind extract along with a pinch of Sugar and mix well. 
• Sprinkle some water if necessary at this stage.
• Cook the curry on a low flame for about 7-10 minutes or until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Switch-off the flame and garnish it with Coriander Leaves.
• Serve Hot. 
• Goes well with Vellayappam, Idiyappam, Chapatis, Rotis, Parathas.
• Can be served along with Rice, Pulaos and Biriyanis too.

CHICKEN CURRY - MY STYLE

 

 NOTES:

• Adjust the amount of Spices to your taste preference.
• Can pre-boil the cubed Potatoes & then add it into the Chicken Curry.
• Pan searing the Chicken Pieces gives a perfect texture.
• Sauteing & grinding the Onions and Tomatoes gives you a rich gravy.
• Adding Sugar & Tamarind is totally optional. But it helps to balance the overall taste of the Chicken Curry.