Bisibelabath | Sambar Sadam Recipe

I usually call this Bisibelabath or sambar sadam as somberi sapadu which means lazy people’s food. Cos, when we make rice separately we need to make sambar, rasam and poriyal to accompany it. And sometimes we need appalam to compliment all this. But making bisibelabath is such an easy task where rice and sambar are already mixed together with a bunch of vegetables. So it is like a one-pot meal which has carbo, protein along with all the vegetables. TH don’t need anything as a side dish for this rice and my work goes simple.

I still remember the taste of Bisibelabath which is served in Rathna Café, Chennai. That is the best according to me. Ghee, the major ingredient which enhances the flavor for this rice and in rathna café they make the rice completely with ghee. Don’t mind to taste there once if you get a chance and don’t mind for the extra calories you are gonna get after that.

This rice is made with freshly ground spices and here I used my sambar powder to make the work simple.  It would be good if the sambar powder are fresh and in good condition. Click on the highlighted link to get the sambar powder recipe.

This can be served alone with appalam or chips or vaadam. GarlicPotato fry and raw banana fry are the best combination for this rice.

Preparation time: 15-20mins (soaking time)

Cooking time: 20-30 mins

Vegetable Dum Biryani | Veg Biryani Recipe

I have been making biryani for the past three consecutive Sundays. The love for biryani is blossoming day by day. I made Mughlai Chicken Biryani and also tired the same recipe with goat, the next Sunday. It was super awesome and it never ruins me in taste and flavor. Undoubtedly, the third Sunday I made this Vegetable Dum Biryani which is exactly the same as Chicken Biryani. We wanted to make it light for the third Sunday, hence chose vegetable biryani. But I accompanied the biryani with Chicken Hariyali Tikka, which TH made.

I just used the veggies which I had in hand. Carrots, beans and potatoes are the must-veggies for biryani. Yet green peas, soya chunks are all optional. Since TH doesn’t like Cauliflower, I dint add. Make sure u chop the veggies of same size to cook equally.

Instead of using whole garam masala, just crush the masala with a pestle to 2-3 pieces. This will enhance the flavor of the biryani. For some more tips and notes, please see below.

Now let’s start cooking the biryani!!!

Quinoa Kichadi Recipe

Quinoa is something which am looking and hearing for the first time. It is an American grown grain which is high in protein and also a gluten free grain. I was very hesitant to cook this as am not aware of the taste. When I tried a salad with quinoa in Wood Ranch, I fell in love with it. It was just awesome. You will get the tummy full effect in just with a cup. It takes longer time to chew the grain and makes you feel full for a longer time.

I made this kichadi after watching it in a TV show. One cup of dry quinoa can serve 3 cups of cooked quinoa. So make as per ur need. The measurement which I had mentioned here can be served for 3-4 people. On the other hand, the grain is bit costly from the other multi grains. But this has the capacity to control ur blood glucose levels and maintains the cholesterol in control. This is the best alternative for the rice, I would say.

Hey wait!!! Check out these recipes too. Am sure you will like it.

Ragi Dosa, Oats Dosa, Aval Upma, Brown rice Pilaf

How to make Schezwan Sauce | Schezwan Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe | Indo-Chinese Recipes

I’m a great fan of Siracha Chilli sauces and I use it in all my Indochinese recipes for sure and that highlights the dish very good. Now, I find their sauces very rarely in the markets because of their shut down issues. So I thought of making it at home and gave a try in making schezwan sauce. It was a big hit. I dint use any preservatives or vinegar for longer storage, so used it on the same day by making Gobi Manchurian. Serving Schezwan fried rice along with Gobi Manchurian was a great idea though.

Here I have the recipe for How to make Schezwan sauce and also how to make Schezwan Fried rice. I used the same recipe as like Chicken Fried rice and the only difference is using Home-made Schezwan Sauces.

Follow Egg fried rice recipe for how to cook rice for making Fried rice. I do have some Step wise pictures in the link to follow. Try this and let me know about the comments and suggestions. 

Chana Pulao | Easy Chole Pulao Recipe | Simple One-pot Meal

Preparation time: 6 hours (includes soaking time)
Cooking time: 15 mins

Restaurant-Style Chinese Noodle Recipe | Indo-Chinese Noodle Recipe | Easy Veg Chinese Noodles

Chinese items are something which I always crave to eat outside. Who else will not like??!! They are extremely delicious and in the same way they also use MSG and vinegar which is not recommended for health. I started making it at home and finalized with the recipe. I hope you all remember the Chicken fried Rice Recipe which I shared long before. The recipe is applicable for this too.

I used the sauces which are store bought and even the noodle pack from a local Chinese shop. The trick is to follow the pack instruction correctly to get the long no-mess noodle. I had given the hyperlink for the sauce I had used in the recipe. To give a special touch, I use Anaheim peppers and I loved the taste of it along with the noodle. Never allow the veggies to be soggy. Make sure the flame is high and the veggies remain crunchy. Also add enough of oil to avoid burning of the veggies and chillies in the bottom. A wide open wok will help to do the job best. You need real patience to chop the veggies, else chop them nicely in a chopper. Don’t start with the recipe, unless you are ready with the veggies. Hey there! Don’t forget to check my other Indo-chinese Recipes here. 

Preparation time: 15-20mins

Cooking time: 5-7 mins

Simple Vegetable Pulao | Veg Pulao Recipe

This pulao doesn't need much time; it can be done in a jiffy. I made palak paneer with the extra bunch of spinach I had at home and served it with this simple Veg pulao. It was delicious and TH liked this combo of quick lunch. This can even be packed in lunch box for kids and this turns to be a healthy version of pulao, since it has almost all veggies. You can turn the same recipe into a non-veg dish by adding chicken chunks. Keep this as a base and make ur own variation of pulao. Share ur views and ideas of what all can be added in this pulao.  

Preparation time 5-8 minutes
Cooking time: 10-15 minutes

Kanchipuram Idli | Kancheevaram Idli Recipe | Traditional South Indian Breakfast

Sometimes I run out of recipes to make for dinner. The usual idli and dosa gets boredom and TH needs something special most of the times. Instead of doing the regular idli I tried with the Kanchipuram Idli which amma usually makes for the dinner. This in particular is my appa’s favorite when served with simple coconut chutney.

Kanchipuram idli are much softer than the usual ones since we are adding more of urad dal. Make sure u grind the batter correct. Urad dal must need to be fluffy so that the idli turns beautifully soft. The major ingredient which makes the idli much tastier is the tempering. Peppercorns and cumin are the highlight. Since TH doesn't like whole pepper corns I crushed it a little with my mortar and pestle. Never forget to add the dry ginger powder. If u doesn't have it, never mind, add few pieces of ginger either grated or crushed to the batter. Appa likes the coconut slices which give a crunchy feel in between the idlis. Since TH doesn't like it, I dint add. It’s optional for using coconut slices.

Be more generous in greasing the plates with ghee. It gives an extraordinary flavor to the final product, idli. I served it with carrot coconut (recipe coming soon)

Preparation time: 10 hours (for soaking and fermentation)

Cooking time: 10mins

Broccoli Rice Recipe | Easy One-pot Meal | Simple Lunch Box Recipe

I was not a fan of this broccolis and I hated it to the core and never tried or attempted to cook. After knowing the health benefits of it, I wanted to give a try. I tried making biryani with broccoli and it was not that great and TH doesn’t like the flavors. I don’t wanna give up trying again and again. When I saw this recipe in a cookery show, I got excited!!!

The technique I found from that show is, crushing the broccoli and adding to the rice gives a different taste and it neva make us to think that we are eating broccolis. I found it interesting and grabbed the idea and implemented with some of my thoughts. Adding mint leaves enhances the flavors and green peas give a crunchy feel in between. You can even try adding corns. Am damn sure this could be a one-pot meal and can be added to the lunch box menus. I served it with pappad and TH liked to have raitha for this. Let me know ur reviews about this recipes…

Preparation time: 5mins

Cooking time: 15-20mins

Mushroom Biryani | Mushroom Pulao Recipe

Preparation time: 5 mins

Cooking time: 15-20 mins

Raw Mango Rice | Mangai Sadham Recipe

I never bought or tried raw mangoes before. I always have a hatred for that. Don’t ask me for reasons and all… on the other hand TH loves it. He loves the raw mangoes when it is made into a pickle. I bought just one mango from store and tried Raw mango Pickle (recipe coming soon) and also this Rice with the raw mangoes. I loved to temper the rice with lots of peanuts and cashews which gives a crunchy effect. And also I used both red and green chillies, it depends on ur wish to add either of it or try both as like me. Now straight to the recipe!!!

Preparation time: 5 mins

Cooking time: 5 mins

Brown Rice Pilaf - How to Cook Brown Rice - Rice Cooker Method

Hey friends!!! Hope the diwali celebrations went on good for all of u… It was a hectic day for me… traveled a long for this diwali and enjoyed lots of things in and around Calif. and now back to form and to blogging...

After hogging the sooper damaka festival recipes and all, I tuned back to a healthy recipe… I sometimes turn super-nutritious person and starts to follow a strict diet chart which goes for a week or so. Then the next week I look back for a yum-sum foods… one such food which I follow in my diet chart is Brown Rice Pilaf… In most of the restaurants they serve Brown rice pilaf. When the brown rice is cooked to perfection, it would the stage taker.

If ur more conscious about health, go for this rice. Generally White rice which we consume for the day-day life lacks so much of vitamins and minerals. This is because of polishing the rice to looks much whiter and to make it easy for cooking. Browse Wikipedia for much more health benefits about Brown Rice. Click here to logon.

For my convenience I used mustard and onion in the dish. You can skip adding it... I served it with Paneer Matar Masala.

Preparation time: 30-45 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Chilli Chapathi Recipe - Recipe with Left over Chapathi

How many of you had tried the Chilli Parotta which we get in Saravana Bhavan? This dish is one of my favorite recipes in their menu. I knew about the extra calories am gonna get from that. But still I can’t even control myself from ordering it whenever I visit there. Amma always make this chilli chapathi instead of parotta with the left over chapathis. I sometimes prefer to have this as my lunch box special goody. Try the same recipe with Parotta for Chilli Parotta. 

 I got enough appreciation when I served it in a potluck. Do u need to get appreciation by making a delicious dish with the left over chapathis? Then, this is the “must try recipe”.

Check out my another recipe by using the “Left-Over Rice”.

Preparation time: 15 mins ( includes making chapathi)
Cooking time: 20-25 mins

Paruppu Sadham | Toor Dal Pulao | Easy One-Pot Lunch Recipe

This is a one-pot lunch recipe which doesn’t need any side dish to compliment with. I like to have it plainly or with just pappad. You can get the satisfaction of getting carbohydrates and proteins together in a single scoop. I used to add green peas in this recipe which increases the taste and flavor. You can try with other veggies like carrots or beans or even soy chunks taste better along with this. I have given 2-3 green chillies which is spicy to my taste buds… adjust accordingly. Make sure u cook the rice into fine grains else the recipe will turn into a mess. Adjust the whistles ratio according to ur rice quality.

Check out other recipe for lunch box menu.

Preparation time: 15 mins (includes Soaking time)

Cooking time: 10 mins

Peas Pulao Recipe | Simple Lunch box Recipe

Green peas are one of favorite and I try adding it in most of the rice varieties. Now am hooked on to make a rice variety which is completely dedicated to my green colored love… this recipe I make is as simple as a pulao and can be done in just 15 minutes for a one pot meal.

This pulao can be served as such with a cup of raitha. Today I served with Butter Chicken (recipe coming soon). You can even try any of the dry curries (click here for recipe) 

Puliyogare - Potato Peas Fry

This post was sleeping in my folders for months and I wanted to post it at least now. This is a ready-to-pack lunch recipe. Puliyogare/puliohare is something which is made out of tamarind paste. We can store the paste for weeks and there is no need to refrigerate it. I love the puliyogare which is prepared by Iyengars. The one, which is made in Triplicane Parthasarthy temple, is such a divinely food.

Amma makes it for most of the picnic we go, since it don’t get spoil very easily. The combination for this rice is definitely potato fry which most of u will accept. I just wanted to share both these on-the-go recipe and here it goes.

Chicken Fried Rice Recipe | Indo-Chinese Recipe

I already have a post on Eggfried rice which I learnt from my mom. Later I just tried the same recipe with chicken and it came out really well. TH being a chicken addict loves it. I make it twice in a month at least.

In this recipe I used Soy sauce and chilli sauce which are store bought. I followed the same procedure as I did for egg fried rice except adding this chilli sauce. The color of the rice is also because of the sauce. Adding tomato ketchup to the recipe is an optional, since I don’t like the flavor of it I skipped adding it. Using vegetables is also purely optional.

Coconut Rice | Thengai Sadham Recipe

Rajma Pulao - Rajma Biryani - Recipe with Red Kidney Beans

Preparation time: 10 minutes ( includes pressure cooking step)
Cooking time: 15-20 minutes

Vangi Bath - Brinjal Rice

Vangi Bath - Brinjal Rice

My very first recipe which I learnt from my MIL. Before marriage I never tried this recipe out. Amma never used to make this recipe. I dono wat was the reason. But TH loves it and in my in-laws place they used to make it very often. It’s actually an easy recipe for making in a hurry-burry morning. My MIL used to make stuffed-brinjal dry curry in the same way. All these recipes are very new to me and I feel it sucks too much of oil in it. So I have reduced the frequency of making it.

Here I have used big-sized purple colored aubergine. To my opinion, green-colored small brinjal tastes too good for this recipe. 

Preparation time: 5 mins

Cooking time: 20-25 mins