How to Make Coconut Milk at Home (Idichu Pizhinja Paal)
I use coconut milk quite often and liberally in my kitchen for a myriad of dishes — from soups, stews, curries, snacks, desserts, puddings, payasams and even in baked goodies. Coconut milk brings its own richness, depth and that exotic creamy vibe to recipes — be it my style Green Peas Ghee Rice, or comforting Paal Kanji, or extraordinary Thengai Paal Murukku or Puerto Rican Tembleque, Southeast Asian dishes like Nasi Bunga Telang, or Red Rubies in Coconut Milk or Pulut Hitam finished off with a lush drizzle. And don’t even get me started on the magic it does to Indian Payasams and Pradhamans!
But every time I make coconut milk from scratch, I'm taken straight back to the good old days in Kerala. Especially during wedding preparations in my Mum and Dad's Tharavadu (ancestral home).
Eggless Royal Icing – Perfect for Cakes, Cookies & Decorations
A Modern Twist on a Classic Tradition
The art of cake decorating has always been an integral part of festive baking. Growing up, we never baked cakes at home, but it was a tradition for my dad to buy beautifully iced Christmas cakes from JM & Sons, a beloved bakery in Coimbatore. These cakes were a special treat, with their firm, sweet royal icing and those charming rose-shaped sugar flowers on top. I adored them—not because they were sugary delights, but because they were roses. My love for flowers started early, and even though adulthood has made me a bit more restrained, those sugar roses will always hold a special place in my heart.
"How to Make and Store Ginger Garlic Paste – Easy & Long-Lasting Recipe (No Preservatives!)"
Looking for the best homemade ginger garlic paste recipe to elevate your cooking? Stop settling for store-bought paste that lacks punch and is packed with artificial preservatives. This easy, DIY ginger garlic paste is a fresher, healthier alternative that delivers maximum flavour to your curries, marinades, and stir-fries. Learn how to make ginger garlic paste at home with a long shelf life using simple kitchen staples. It is completely preservative-free, incredibly aromatic, and perfect for quick, effortless daily cooking. Say goodbye to jars and hello to pure, authentic flavour!
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Traditional Kavuni Arisi Payasam - Chettinad Sweet Recipe |
Kavuni Arisi Payasam: A Traditional Chettinad Dessert with a Fascinating Legacy
Few dishes as rich as Kavuni Arisi Payasam tell a story, a story of a lifetime, a story of a community, their heritage and legacy. An ethnic and unique dessert of the Chettinad community. This signature dish, made with the intriguing black sticky rice known as Kavuni Arisi, carries the legacy of the Chettiars' vibrant history of travel, trade, and cultural exchange. Let’s dive into the origins, traditions, and a time-honoured recipe that celebrates this unique Chettinad Sweet.
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| Homemade Quick Grape Wine Recipe – Easy & Ready in 30 Days! |
Quick Homemade Grape Wine Recipe (Ready in 21–30 Days!) 🍷
Cheers to New Beginnings with Homemade Grape Wine 🥂
As we welcome 2025, let’s raise a glass to new beginnings, cherished memories, and the joy of homemade creations. For the past 8 years, I’ve kicked off the New Year with a wine recipe, and this year is no different! A tradition that adds warmth to our celebrations, this quick and easy homemade grape wine recipe is the perfect way to toast to the exciting year ahead. Let’s make 2025 even sweeter with this natural, simple-to-make wine. Get ready to start brewing! 🥂
"Hyderabadi Anda Biriyani: From a Delightful Train Journey to Dinner Plate"
Egg Biriyani alias Anda Biriyani
Egg Biriyani, or Hyderabadi Anda Biriyani, is a delectable twist on the traditional biriyani that typically features meat or chicken. This vegetarian-friendly dish has its own unique charm, blending the rich, aromatic spices of Hyderabadi cuisine with the simplicity of eggs. But before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a little detour to explore the origins of Hyderabadi cuisine and how this egg-based biriyani came to be.
"Amma's Palakkadan Meen Puli: A Taste of Kerala's Culinary Heritage"
Culinary Exploration After Marriage - Adapting to New Tastes and Traditions
Getting married is undoubtedly a sudden exposure to new things: food, culture, lifestyle. This is universal across gender, communities, and regions. It also means a lot of effort to get acquainted with and start loving the host of new things in life. It’s not that one does all of it spontaneously, nor are you forced into it. With time, you get used to it, some you learn to brush away with a smile, and some you adapt to with a smile. Getting to love new food and new tastes is always an uphill task. A dish that you never had in life might be a favourite in your in-law’s house. Either your mother-in-law cooks it with pride or tries to teach you with precision. That is how heirloom recipes are preserved and passed on. Humans are by nature flexible and adaptable, and often we begin recreating such dishes that were once new to our taste buds with minor changes to suit tastes.
The Magic of Sweet Potato Halwa: A Healthy & Heavenly Dessert!!! This easy, velvety Sweet Potato Halwa recipe is a nutritious, delightful twist on traditional Indian desserts. Perfectly sweet and rich, this healthy Shakarkand Halwa showcases the best of traditional Indian sweets using simple, everyday ingredients. Inspired by an Instagram video my daughter shared, I knew I had to try making this Sakkaravalli Kizhangu Halwa at home. With fresh sweet potatoes on hand, I followed these foolproof, step-by-step instructions. The result? An absolutely tasty and nutritious dessert on my very first attempt that is incredibly quick and easy to make!
Iranian Zereshk Polo Morgh - The Perfect Festive Dish for Eid al-Adha
Craving an authentic Persian feast? This Iranian Zereshk Polo Morgh recipe delivers succulent saffron chicken paired with fragrant, fluffy basmati rice and tart, ruby-red barberries. Perfect for festive celebrations like Eid al-Adha or Hari Raya Haji, this iconic sweet-and-sour Persian chicken and rice dish is a masterpiece of textures, featuring the ultimate crispy golden tahdig. Learn the traditional ice-blooming saffron technique to unlock maximum aroma and vibrant colour. Wow your guests with this showstopping, restaurant-quality Persian barberry rice with chicken that brings the true essence of authentic Middle Eastern hospitality straight to your dinner table.
