VIRUNDHOMBAL

If you’re looking for a truly different and refreshing thokku recipe, this Coriander Leaves Green Chilli Thokku is a must-try. Unlike traditional thokku varieties that rely on red chillies and chilli powder, this recipe brings out bold flavors using fresh coriander leaves and green chillies, making it both vibrant and aromatic. This special recipe holds a sweet memory for me. A few years ago, during a visit to my relative’s house, Vani aunty introduced me to this homemade thokku. She had neatly stored it in a bottle and asked me to taste it—and I instantly loved it! She mentioned that it was their signature recipe, something unique and not widely known. Now, I’m excited to share this hidden gem with you so you can recreate it in your own kitchen. Coriander leaves (cilantro) are not just flavorful but also packed with health benefits. They are rich in antioxidants, help in detoxifying the body, support digestion, and are known to aid in controlling blood sugar levels. Including coriande...

Looking for a wholesome and filling tiffin option made with millets? This Jowar Flour Kozhukattai is a simple, nutritious, and delicious choice that works perfectly for both breakfast and dinner. Made with the goodness of jowar and rice rava, this recipe is light on the stomach yet keeps you satisfied for longer—making it an ideal dinner option if you prefer something light and healthy. One of the best parts about this recipe is its convenience. You can prepare the batter the previous night and refrigerate it, making your morning cooking quick and hassle-free. The batter is ground with red chillies and asafoetida, which adds a wonderful aroma and enhances the overall flavour of the kozhukattai. Unlike regular rava, this recipe uses idli rava (rice rava), which gives a soft texture and makes the dish more wholesome. The soaked rice rava is ground with chana dal, spices, and jowar flour to form a thick batter. It is then tempered with mustard seeds, urad dal, onions, green ch...

After a long gap, I’m happy to share a special sweet recipe from my kitchen – Dry Fruits Ladoo. This is a completely no-sugar sweet, naturally sweetened with dates, making it a perfect guilt-free treat for your family. This recipe has been on my list for a long time. Finally, I got some time last week to try it, and it turned out to be a super hit at home. The best part is — it takes just 30 minutes and needs only simple ingredients. If you are looking for a healthy sweet without spending hours in the kitchen, this recipe is for you. Here is the video link for Dry Fruits Ladoo  Dry Fruits Ladoo Recipe Details  Ingredients White sesame seeds – 1/2 cup Badam (Almonds) – 1/2 cup Cashew nuts – 1/2 cup Pumpkin seeds – 1/4 cup Dry grapes (Kismis) – 1/4 cup Dates (seeds removed) – 1 cup Cardamom powder – 1/2 tsp Ghee – 1 tsp Method Heat a heavy-bottomed kadai and roast white sesame seeds on medium flame until they start to pop and release a nice aroma. Do not over-brown. Transfer to ...

For the past one year, I’ve been exploring quick and healthy batter recipes using traditional ingredients like millets, karuppu kavuni rice, and mappillai samba rice. My goal has always been simple – to make everyday cooking easier while keeping it nutritious and delicious. Grinding batter can feel like the most time-consuming part, especially on busy weekdays. While a wet grinder gives excellent results, it’s not always practical for daily use. That’s when I started experimenting with small-quantity batters using a mixie – and to my surprise, dishes like millet idli, dosa, and kuzhipaniyaram turned out absolutely perfect! One key tip I learned through this journey is soaking. Proper soaking (more than 6 hours) not only improves texture but also makes millet-based dishes easier to digest. This Ragi Flour Kuzhipaniyaram is one such super-hit recipe at home. Made using ragi flour and idli rava instead of rice, this batter gives you soft, fluffy paniyarams with a slight crispness outside....

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring, and this colourful paneer vegetable stir fry is a perfect example! Made with fresh broccoli, beans, carrot, and capsicum, along with protein-rich paneer, this dish is simple, wholesome, and full of flavour. These days, I’ve been enjoying preparing light and healthy breakfasts, and this recipe has quickly become one of my favourites—it’s filling, nutritious, and comes together in no time. What I love most about this stir fry is how vibrant and versatile it is. With minimal oil, no heavy sauces, and a touch of simple spices, the natural flavours of the vegetables and paneer really shine through. The lightly spiced, pan-roasted paneer adds a delicious texture, while the garlic and green chillies bring in that perfect hint of heat. If you’re someone who enjoys experimenting with healthy dishes like I do, this recipe is definitely worth trying. It’s quick, colourful, and easily adaptable with any vegetables you have on hand. Do watch the...

Today we are making Drumstick Mango Sambar – a quick and delicious mini version of the traditional Tirunelveli-style Idi Sambar! Unlike regular sambar recipes that require a long list of ingredients for the sambar powder, this version uses just 3 simple ingredients to create a fresh, aromatic, and flavorful spice mix. It’s perfect for busy days when you still crave that authentic homemade taste. I learned this recipe from Ganapathi Aachi during my visit to Tirunelveli last year. With her warm and loving tone, she said, “Edukku di niraiya ingredients? Indha aachi sollura madhiri idi sambar senju paaru… attagasama irukkum!” (Why so many ingredients? Try making it the way I say… it will turn out amazing!). And truly, it does! The simplicity of this recipe brings out such rich and comforting flavors that instantly remind you of traditional home cooking. This easy method keeps all the authentic Tirunelveli flavors intact while saving time in the kitchen. The addition of drumstic...

There are endless varieties of masalas and gravies in our everyday cooking. These days, I consciously try to prepare most dishes using minimal oil and without adding rich ingredients like fresh cream or cashew paste. Personally, I feel that light gravies and simple masalas are easier to digest and also give a lot of satisfaction after a meal. Rich, cream-based gravies can always be enjoyed occasionally, maybe once a month — that’s my personal choice. Today, I got fresh cauliflower and tender green peas, and I decided to make a simple homestyle masala using very little oil and no cream. By lightly roasting the vegetables and cooking them in a well-balanced onion-tomato masala, the flavour turned out so comforting and delicious. This kind of curry feels light on the stomach, yet full of taste, making it perfect for everyday meals. This Cauliflower Peas Potato Masala pairs beautifully with chapati, roti or rice and is a great example of how simple ingredients, when cooked with care, can c...