Sambar powder or Sambhar Podi or Sambhar Hudi is a popular South Indian-style spice powder prepared by roasting and blending a few aromatic spices. This spice mix is the main ingredient used to make sambar, Bisi bele bath, rasam, etc., which is then served with idli, khotte, moode, rice, vada, dosa, upma, paniyaram, idiyappam/shevai, etc. Each region has its own variations, like Udupi Sambhar, Andhra Sambar, Madras Sambar, Kerala Sambar, Jain Sambar, Brahmin sambar, temple-style sambar, etc....

If you are struggling to get dinner on the table on weeknights then here is your solution. In my household, it gets pretty hectic sometimes and it’s so hard to find time to cook a decent meal on a weeknight. And this blackened shrimp and pasta fits the bill- not a whole lot of cooking but with tons of flavor. Not only that it’s great for busy weeknights, but it’s also fantastic for a dinner date night with your partner....

The first time I saw a blue velvet cake, I was mesmerized. The 3-layer wonder was impressive enough from the outside with its white, creamy frosting. But the biggest wow factor was the unexpected, bold pop of blue when we cut into it! Of course, I couldn’t wait to get home and try it out in my kitchen. Since then, I’ve taken blue velvet cake to baby showers, holiday parties, and summer picnics for a guaranteed crowd wowwer!...

Homemade Ice Cream There are very few things in life as satisfying as standing over an ice cream maker, watching it churn simple cream and sugar into homemade ice cream! Making ice cream at home not only allows you to play with out-of-the-box flavor combinations, but it also conjures up nostalgic sensations of simpler times and easy living. Today’s Blueberry Pie Homemade Ice Cream is our new current ice cream obsession....

When I was young, one of my favorite memories was making these Caribbean boiled dumplings with my beloved auntie. I especially loved the kneading and the shaping part. It feels like I’m playing with Play-Doh, but I get to eat them for real after. Aah! The joy of eating them after my “hard work” is very fulfilling, indeed, said the little me. And, of course, it has remained my go-to comfort food until now....

When I was growing up, my auntie was my cooking hero. Everything she touched turned delicious, and one of her specialties was grilled chicken. She could turn the cheapest, toughest cut into a juicy delicacy. She almost always soaked raw chicken breasts in a mystery liquid, but one day she let me in on her secret: brine! It was a complete game-changer because brining is a foolproof way to get juicy chicken breasts every time....

Growing up, Terry’s Chocolate Orange always meant that the festive season had really arrived. There was nothing quite like cracking one of those blue boxes open, and if you got the orange core in the centre? Amazing. As the years went on, I made it my mission to extend our enjoyment of that amazing confectionery into homemade bakes, which means we get to enjoy the taste sensation for dessert or just as a treat....

It’s all made in one pan, is made with plenty of easy ingredients and is ready in under 30 minutes. It’s also hearty, satisfying and SO delicious! It’s no surprise to me that this Chorizo Pasta recipe is so popular. You can’t get enough of this one! And it appears very regularly on my meal plans too, probably for all the same reasons… For starters, one pan meals are our midweek sanity saviours aren’t they?...

Why We Love This Cinnamon Pie Recipe Holiday pies are something I look forward to each and every year. Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie, chocolate pie… I seriously cannot get enough of them! However, this year I wanted to try a new (at least new to me) pie variety for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Not that there’s anything wrong at all with the classics; but sometimes you just want to mix it up, right?...

Coconut Laddo is a great sweet to offer as prasad during Indian festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam, and Navratri. Nothing can beat the joy of sharing a platter of delicious homemade sweets with family and friends. Reasons To Love Nariyal Laddo gluten-free easy and instant no artificial color or flavor only 3-ingredients required Ingredients Required For making nariyal laddo or coconut laddo only 3 – ingredients are required: Coconut Condensed Milk Dry Fruits Powder Coconut: To make instant coconut ladoo, you can use readymade packaged or freshly desiccated coconut....

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And corn souffle is a classic casserole that invariably makes its way to the table. It’s somewhere between cornbread and creamy golden corn casserole. This corn souffle delivers every time, with or without a special occasion. I often make it at home because I don’t have the patience to wait for the holidays. LOL. Luckily, canned corn is very accessible and affordable. Whew!...

This recipe is so cozy it’s great for cooler weather, but so darn delicious that I cook it all year round. I love the flavors and how versatile it is. You can serve your chops over a big bed of egg noodles, family style (the kids love this!), or make it fancy with steamed rice and a glass of white wine for date night. It’s perfect for any occasion. It’s also a breeze to make because everything comes together in under an hour....

I’m sorry, but the quality of coffee does matter. I made the mistake of getting used to the good stuff, and now I can’t stand the generic store brands. You might get away with instant in some of the desserts, but if you are a coffee enthusiast, then go ahead and get the good stuff. Your taste buds will thank you. Different Styles of Coffee There are so many ways to make coffee, and each method affects the taste....

About Pav Bhaji You ask any Indian what food they miss the most when living in another county, I am sure the immediate answer would be street-food or chats (chaat). Indian chaat recipes are among the most popular recipes in the world. Pav bhaji is one such recipe that is loved by people of all age groups. Mumbai street style pav bhaji is a must-try dish if you visit Amchi Mumbai....

This is one of my favorite fall and winter pasta recipe! Skip the regular marinara and try out this homemade sauce that is not only tastier but also healthier and loaded with full of nutrients. I love the beauty of this pasta sauce. Even without using any cream or butter it still is creamy and buttery!!!! Definitely yes. It is a good source of fiber, Vitamin C, magnesium and potassium....

If you love living vicariously through others, and don’t like to leave the comfort of your own home, maybe today’s post isn’t for you. However, if my recent posts on visiting Monaco, Nice, Saint Tropez and Cannes, France have inspired you to plan your own trip to the French Riviera, allow me to share some information that will hopefully make your vacation smooth and easy! French Riviera Travel Tips Pack Light It’s tempting to overpack for a trip to the Côte d’Azur....

|| Wish you all a very Happy Gowri Ganesha Festival || Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi in South India, is a very auspicious day celebrated throughout the country. On this day, we pray to Lord Ganesha or Ganapati Bappa that all good tasks started this year should be completed without any vignas (obstacles). Lord Ganesha is also called Vigna Vinayaka. Ganesh Chaturthi Special Recipes Ganesh Chaturthi sweets and lunch recipes, prasadam and naivedyam, vary from one family to another, region to region, and from state to state....

Easy Homemade Ginger Candy There is nothing better, in my humble opinion, than giving gifts of food for the holidays. Nothing. Think about it… Yummy edible gifts check all of the boxes for what makes a perfect present. They are best when made from scratch, food gifts are budget-friendly yet super thoughtful, they create an experience and fond memories. Plus, there’s no household clutter. See? Perfect! This recipe for Easy Ginger Candy is a fun and memorable gift that your family and friends will certainly love....

Leafy green salads are traditionally absent from Pakistani cuisine. Our palate is accustomed to richly spiced curries, heavily laden with meat and vegetables. However, I love salads and am always trying to find ways to incorporate them into my family’s diet. I like to add some of the bold flavors I’m accustomed to enjoying by making my dressings from scratch. The sweet and spicy pecans, made from scratch, add bold flavor and texture to this salad....

My love affair with grits started when I arrived in the States. We’d eat them weekly, and I remember learning how to get them perfectly silky and smooth. So, it seemed natural to turn this traditional comfort food into a breakfast casserole. Treating my overnight guests to a luxurious breakfast makes me happy. This variation has all the creamy nostalgia of traditional cheese grits with some country breakfast faves. It’s easy to make ahead and reheat, giving you more special time around the breakfast table!...