VIRUNDHOMBAL

Karuppu Kavuni Rice Dosa is a unique and healthy South Indian tiffin recipe made using traditional black rice. This dosa stands out with its naturally beautiful purple color and rich flavor. When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed by how vibrant and appealing the dosa looked on the tawa. This recipe works well whether you grind the batter using a mixer or a wet grinder. For best taste and texture, thin dosas turn out better than thick (kal dosa) with this batter. Karuppu kavuni rice, also known as black rice, is highly nutritious. It is rich in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, which give the rice its deep purple color. It is also a good source of fiber, iron, and protein, making it beneficial for digestion, heart health, and overall wellness. Compared to regular dosa rice, traditional varieties like karuppu kavuni and mappillai samba require longer soaking time, so make sure to soak for at least 7–8 hours. Since the rice and dal are soaked for a longer duration, fermentation...

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 ...

Ginger Thokku, also known as Inji Thokku, is a traditional South Indian condiment that is loved for its bold flavour and medicinal benefits. During my childhood, my grandmother used to prepare many varieties of thokku at home. I still remember enjoying her style of cooking, especially the generous use of oil and jaggery that made every thokku taste divine and stay fresh for a long time. This Ginger Thokku is my own kitchen experiment inspired by her methods. It turned out to be a big hit at home and tasted absolutely delicious with curd rice. You can also mix it with hot rice and enjoy it as Inji Puli Sadam. Watch the video carefully and try this traditional ginger thokku at home. Important Tips for Preparing Ginger Thokku 1. Peel the ginger and rinse it well. Chop the ginger into medium-sized pieces. If chopped too finely, ginger may taste bitter. Since the ginger is sautéed and then ground, medium-sized pieces work best. 2. Instead of grinding, you may also grate the ginger using a c...

Today, let’s prepare a soft, healthy, and delicious Little Millet (Samai) Idli, a perfect millet-based tiffin for breakfast or dinner. This recipe is completely rice-free, making it a great option for those looking to include more millets in their daily diet. I regularly prepare millet tiffins for dinner and have tried many millet recipes like millet khichadi, millet dosa, and millet kozhukattai. After experimenting with different methods, I understood one important rule while cooking with millets – proper soaking is the key. For easy digestion and soft texture, millets should be soaked for at least 3 hours. But for recipes like millet idli and dosa, soaking for a minimum of 5 hours gives the best results. Another important tip is to use a slightly higher quantity of urad dal compared to regular rice idli batter. This helps in achieving soft and fluffy idlis. By following these simple steps, you can easily prepare nutritious, light, and tasty millet idlis at home. This recipe has alrea...

Today we are going to enjoy another refreshing and colourful salad recipe. This is one of my all-time favourite salads – a simple yet flavourful Boiled Peanut Salad. Growing up, the aroma of freshly boiled street-style peanuts wrapped in newspaper pottalam still brings back warm childhood memories. Though those days are gone, this bowl of goodness always takes me back. Boiled peanuts are not only tasty but also packed with nutrition. They are rich in protein, fibre and good fats, which help keep you energetic and full for a long time. Peanuts also support heart health, improve digestion and provide essential vitamins and antioxidants. Including boiled peanuts in your diet is one of the easiest ways to add plant-based protein to your meals. To get perfectly soft-boiled peanuts, the cooking process is very important. Raw peanuts take longer to cook, so make sure to soak them for at least 8 hours. After soaking, pressure cook the peanuts with enough water and salt until they turn soft and...

If you're searching for a healthy, quick, and delicious salad recipe, this Broccoli Mushroom Salad is just what you need. Made with steamed broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, and sweet corn, this vibrant salad is not only visually appealing but also loaded with nutrients. The sautéed garlic and spring onions in coconut oil add a subtle depth of flavor, making every bite refreshing and satisfying. Whether you're trying to eat clean, looking for a light lunch, or adding more vegetables to your daily meals, this salad is a great choice. It’s easy to prepare, vegan-friendly, and gluten-free — perfect for anyone looking to enjoy healthy eating without compromising on taste. Watch the Broccoli Mushroom Salad Video Recipe More Healthy Salad Recipes You’ll Love Sweet Corn Pomegranate Salad Sprouted Green Moong Salad  Black Eyed Cow Peas and Sweet Potato Salad Healthy Black Chickpeas Salad  Rajma Sweet Corn Salad with Curd Dressing Broccoli Mushroom Salad Recipe Details  Ingredients...

If you’re looking for a light, refreshing, and protein-rich salad, this Rajma Sweet Corn Salad is the perfect choice! Almost 19 years ago, when we were in California, I used to enjoy the Chipotle burrito rice bowl. It was a wholesome meal with black-eyed peas, long grain rice, sweet corn, sour cream, guacamole, and tossed capsicum onion slices(fajita). Among all the Italian, Mexican, and Chinese restaurants I tried in the US, that Chipotle burrito bowl has always been my all-time favorite. Recently, when I prepared this Rajma Sweet Corn Salad with curd dressing, the taste immediately reminded me of that burrito bowl I loved so much. The combination of rajma and sweet corn with the creamy curd dressing brought back those nostalgic flavors in a healthier, Indian-inspired way. Rajma (kidney beans) takes a little longer to cook than other legumes like chickpeas or peanuts, but the effort is worth it. With the sweetness of corn, the crunch of fresh veggies, and the tangy curd dressing, this...

Looking for a delicious and guilt-free curry that doesn’t compromise on taste? Try this Oil-Free Vegetable Kurma – a wholesome, light and flavorful South Indian-style kurma made without a single drop of oil or dairy. This kurma is a perfect blend of fresh vegetables, onions, tomatoes, whole spices and a fragrant coconut paste. Everything is pressure cooked together to lock in the flavor and nutrition, resulting in a creamy, aromatic kurma that pairs beautifully with chapati, dosa, idiyappam, aapam and even plain rice.  Why You’ll Love This Oil-Free Kurma: No Oil Used – Completely free from refined oil or ghee, yet rich in taste Dairy-Free – No curd, cream, butter or milk – making it light and vegan-friendly Easy to Digest – Steamed vegetables and natural spices support better digestion Wholesome & Nutritious – Packed with vitamins, fiber and healthy fats from coconut Perfect for Healthy Eating – Ideal for weight-watchers, post-illness recovery, or clean eating diets Simple Ingr...

Today’s recipe is a simple, wholesome Bitter Gourd Fry that’s both flavorful and light, using just 2 tablespoons of oil. It’s a great way to enjoy this nutritious vegetable without overwhelming bitterness. We begin by lightly steaming the sliced bitter gourds, which helps mellow their natural bitterness while preserving their shape. Next, they’re gently tossed with a few basic spices and slow-roasted in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. The result? Crisp, golden edges with deep, earthy flavors — all achieved with minimal oil. Why cast iron? Cooking in cast iron not only enhances texture and flavor but also distributes heat evenly, making it perfect for achieving a delicious roast without soaking in oil. It’s a practical and healthy choice for everyday home cooking. A few tips to get the best results: Steam just until tender – avoid overcooking to keep the slices firm during roasting. Stir occasionally – this helps the pieces brown evenly and prevents sticking. Serve this fry as a perf...

Today we are going to see a simple and nutritious Black Chickpeas Salad, perfect as a wholesome meal! Black chickpeas (kala chana) are packed with protein, fiber, iron, and antioxidants, making this salad both tasty and highly nourishing. We combine fresh vegetables like cucumber, tomatoes, onions, and grated carrots with perfectly cooked black chickpeas, seasoned with pepper powder, green chillies, and fresh lemon juice. When prepared carefully, this salad becomes a complete, refreshing, and healthy meal! Important Tips for Best Results  Cook the black chickpeas until soft to ensure they are easy to digest and mix well with the vegetables. Chop onions and tomatoes finely to get a balanced texture and flavor in every bite. Add pepper powder, green chillies, and lemon juice in the right quantities to bring out the best taste without overpowering the salad. Make sure the vegetables and spices are added in correct proportions for a perfect flavor balance. Serve immediately after mixin...

After a long gap, I'm excited to post our Sathumaavu drink recipe, made with our signature homemade Sathumaavu mix powder! This wholesome blend of 21 nutrient-rich ingredients has been a hit among kids and adults alike. Following the overwhelming response to our Diwali orders, we're thrilled to officially add Sathumaavu mix to our Virundhombal Foods. The Magic of Homemade Sathumaavu Mix Our Sathumaavu mix powder is carefully crafted with 21 wholesome ingredients, ensuring a delicious and nutritious drink. Watch our short video to learn how to prepare this comforting beverage using our mix. Ingredients  2 tbsp sathumaavu mix powder 1 cup water 1 cup milk 1/4 cup palm jaggery syrup (or 2 tbsp jaggery) Cooking Directions  In a deep vessel, mix 2 tbsp of sathumaavu mix powder with 1 cup of water, stirring well to avoid lumps. Cook on low heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture starts to thicken. As the mixture cooks, its color will change to a darker shade of brown. Continu...