I have never personally eaten these idlis but have heard a lot about how delicious it is from the temple. When researching for the recipe, I landed on many different variations. Some had used only raw rice whereas some had used only idli rice. That is when I read this article in The Hindu newspaper where they had given the different recipes they use in the temple and the other restaurants in Kancheepuram which are famous for serving this idli....

However, in this recipe, we will use the help of two shelf-stable pantry items, canned condensed milk and milk powder, to get that same rich taste without having to spend hours waiting for milk to boil. In addition, saffron strands and cardamom powder infuse the fudge with a floral, nutty, and warm taste that is iconic to desi desserts. The condensed milk gives this Indian fudge-y dessert its sweetness and the milk powder makes the dish extra milk-y in taste....

published Jun 28, 2021, updated Oct 16, 2024 Flatbreads and pizza are one of those go-to meals that I know everyone will enjoy. I’m always looking for ways to update classic recipes, so when I first came across lahmacun while in Istanbul a few years ago I knew I had to give it a whirl! Also called Turkish pizza, it’s a unique type of Mediterranean street food that’s usually rolled up and eaten on the go....

Blogging has really taken a back seat this month as our summer break is in full swing. I am trying my best to keep up with my BM buddies to finish the theme, but I am invariably running a day or two late. Dad is visiting us as well and we have been going around a bit. His vacation is very short though and the boys have already started begging him to extend his vacation....

published Apr 26, 2021, updated Nov 10, 2023 Today’s recipe for hashweh is perfect when you want a quick weeknight dinner without sacrificing on flavor. This classic Lebanese dish is hearty enough to be enjoyed by itself and comes together in only 30 minutes. When mixed with rice, it reminds me of a Cajun Dirty Rice, but with Middle Eastern flavors! Hashweh, also spelled hashwee and hushweh, is a Lebanese staple where ground beef or lamb is cooked with a variety of aromatic spices and pine nuts and optionally mixed with rice vermicelli pilaf....

Crispy pita on the outside, filled with a spice-scented kafta mixture on the inside. Meat stuffed pitas are perfect to serve as an appetizer at parties, they would be delicious on a mezze platter, and they also work equally well as a main course. I serve them with a fattoush salad or a Shirazi salad with tons of dried mint and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses. And the only thing that makes Lebanese arayes better is a swoop of creamy Lebanese garlic sauce (aka Toum) to dip them in....

You guys! I finally got it right. This blueberry bread has had me going crazy this past week. With the weather being so dreary here the last couple of days and and constant fails in the kitchen with this blueberry studded breakfast cake, I was just about to give up on this little patch of sunshine. While I know the north has been having some really chilly days (think I heard -30 wind chills in Chicago earlier this week <– yikes), the south has also had their share of what is considered ‘cold’ here....

Serve them with our fluffy mashed potatoes or our warm zucchini salad for a lighter meal. You can never underestimate the value of a good and reliable chicken recipe collection. Chicken is the meat, that is the most popular and also most affordable. No wonder it’s so loved. That is the reason I will never get tired of creating new recipes with this versatile meat. Chicken Cutlets Chicken breasts are not always my favourite part of the bird but they do have their uses and benefits....

published Feb 08, 2023, updated Aug 14, 2024 The hardest thing about making this Italian-inspired marinated mushroom recipe is waiting for the mushrooms to marinate! While they can be ready in as little as two hours, I like to let them marinate overnight. That way, the meaty mushrooms have time to soak up the maximum amount of the sensationally savory marinade. These herb-infused marinated mushrooms make a crowd-pleasing appetizer. They are fancy enough to be served at any party and easy enough to whip up on a weeknight....

published Aug 14, 2023 This Mediterranean barley salad recipe has it all! This dish comes complete with smoky spices, tender grains, sauteed veggies, fresh herbs, and a divinely delicious sauce. It is also one of those recipes that will fill you up without slowing you down. You are going to love the way that the cooling tahini sauce complements the sweet, warm earthiness of the barley and sauteed veggies. Top off your Mediterranean barley salad with a handful of plump pomegranate seeds and freshly toasted pine nuts and get ready to swoon!...

If you love drinks like margaritas, then you’ve got to try my Cranberry Margarita recipe and my Classic Margarita recipe! mixed berry margaritas Do you guys like margaritas as much as I do? (If you’re on this post, I’m guessing you do!) They are perfectly tart, not too sweet and always refreshing. With the warmer weather coming I decided it’s time to whip up some festive cocktails. You can make this margarita frozen or on the rocks....

Monster Energy Balls If you are a fan of monster cookies like I am, you are going to absolutely love this healthier version! Monster cookie energy bites have some delicious ingredients like peanut butter, M&M’s, chocolate chips and oats. They are a sweet treat that are packed with nutrients, making them the perfect go-to snack or dessert! If you need an easy snack or dessert to pop into your kid’s lunch boxes or to have on hand when that sweet tooth hits, look no further!...

published Jan 02, 2023 If you are a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine, you’re going to love today’s recipe. Mutabal is a charred eggplant dip with an intoxicatingly smoky flavor and silky smooth texture. We use garlic, lemon juice and cumin in this recipe. Some versions include different herbs and spices, or even yogurt. Different regions use alternate spellings too, including m’tabbal, mutabel, or moutabel. No matter the spelling, mutabal is a delicious way to use eggplant....

Peanut butter, banana, and chocolate (or any combination of the three) are some of my favorite dessert flavors. Between peanut butter banana ice cream, chocolate banana crepes, and peanut butter chocolate cake, I’ll never tire of this trio of ingredients. This time, though, I’ve combined all three flavors in this simple, healthy, and wholesome banana pie. Healthy Chocolate Banana Pie This banana dessert falls somewhere between a no-bake peanut butter pie, chocolate banana tart, and chocolate icebox pie/ freezer pie – but healthier....

This month’s marathon has helped me learn the names of the traditional Tamil Nadu dishes that I have eaten in the past but never knew were called. This particular one, the cashew nut Nokkal or the Mundhiri Paruppu Nokkal, for example, is something I have seen a lot inside the paruppu thengai koodu (the traditional cone) at weddings and functions but never knew that it had a different name when made as a snack of its own....

Are you a pancake and a crepe lover? Why not give our Crepe Cake Recipe a try? Pancakes belong in the comfort food pantheon. I don’t know if that’s controversial, but I am convinced and willing to make the case to anyone who is doubting. As a family, we used to bounce between thick, fluffy American-style pancakes and thin Eastern European blini. Although I will always love those classic pancakes, I do love a bit of variety, which is where these wholesome oatmeal pancakes really shine....

Diwali festival is around the corner and it is one of my favorite times of the year. You may ask why. I just love making several different sweets and snacks that I mostly have saved only to make during this time. I miss the festivity that we have back in India, but we have created our own ritual here over the years. Luckily we live in a county where fireworks are legal and we get to do that a lot....

Did I just say olive oil pound cake? Oh yes, I did. Olive oil. This stuff isn’t just for making savory dishes. It pairs so beautifully with lemons and a few select spices. And we use just enough olive oil to make the pound cake incredibly moist and tender. Today’s lemon pound cake recipe inspired by our upcoming trip to Italy! Can you tell I’m already dreaming about consuming my body weight in cheese, pasta, and pizza?...

I love one-pan recipes because they’re easy to clean up! Try my One Pan Meatball Stroganoff and my One Pan Mexican Chicken and Rice Bake for more low effort and easy to clean meals. One Pan Sausage and Vegetable Skillet I love one-pan meals because they are super easy to make and the clean-up couldn’t be easier! This easy one-skillet meal is loaded with potatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, and sausage....

What you need to make this recipe Chicken – for an authentic orange chicken taste make sure to use skinless and boneless chicken breasts cut into small chunks. You can also use chicken thighs (skinless and boneless) but the texture will be slightly different from the classic takeout dish. Oranges – this is one of the most important ingredients because it gives the sauce that classic sweet orange flavor. I find that using freshly squeezed orange juice and zest is the way to get the best flavor!...