VIRUNDHOMBAL

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...