VIRUNDHOMBAL

Looking for a simple, flavourful lunch that comes together in just 20 minutes?Try this easy and traditional Poricha Kuzhambu!This comforting South Indian kuzhambu is a lifesaver on busy days—no tamarind extraction, no garlic or onion peeling required. Just use fresh vegetables of your choice, toor dal, and a fragrant, freshly ground masala made with urad dal, pepper, cumin, dry red chillies, and coconut. Back in my childhood, my mom often prepared this kuzhambu with garden-fresh drumsticks—it’s still one of my all-time favourites. This recipe is similar to our traditional puli illa curry (tamarind-free curry), with its signature roasted and ground spice-coconut paste. There's no need for any store-bought masala powders, except a little turmeric powder. In this version, I’ve used drumstick, brinjal, and potato, but you can mix in vegetables like broad beans, chayote, carrots, or green beans. If you're using a mix, be sure to balance the quantity so the dal doesn’t get overwhelme...

Welcome to our new series featuring my beautiful cast iron vessels! During our recent trip to Madurai, we discovered the wonderful Sikandar shop, where we picked up these stunning cast iron vessels. They have an amazing variety of products, and we were impressed with the quality. In today's post, I'll show you how to make a delicious sweet potato fry using one of our new cast iron skillets - and the best part? It's made with very little oil! Sweet potatoes are a staple in our kitchen, adaptable to countless preparations like fries, sabji, and roasts. This pan-fried version is quick and delicious, seasoned with a simple mix of crushed garlic and homemade red chili flakes. Customize the spices to your taste and enjoy a flavorful side dish.  This pan-fried sweet potato recipe is one of the easiest ways to get crispy sweet potatoes without any complicated steps. Many recipes suggest parboiling or steaming the sweet potatoes first to shorten the cooking time. However, this recip...