Ginger Kuzhambu (broth)

Ginger is quite a common ingredient in our southern Indian dishes. We use them in soups, rasams, the several side dishes that go with the Indian breads, vegetable dishes and many of our home made ayurvedic remedies. The best known use is for digestion. I use them in green juices almost all the time. The spicy, juicy kick that you experience from chewing a raw piece of ginger is heavenly.

Here's a delicious ginger Kuzhambu recipe. Perfect when you have a cold or a sore throat. Test it from vidyaswamyskitchen.com.

Scalloped Potatoes with Quattro Formaggio - great side dish for Thanksgiving

Try this happy dish for Thanksgiving this year. Will be a sumptuous addition. Something new, something cheesy.

Thanksgiving dinners are very traditional but a new addition will always get extra attention.This was a heat and serve dish promoted by Trader Joe's and I have given you the recipe to make it at home.  Quite easy using the never-can-go-wrong ingredients such as potatoes, butter, cheese...!  Find it on Vidya's Kitchen site.

Roasted Potatoes with fresh Fenugreek

This recipe originated from northern India; you will not find them in Indian restaurants though. Despite having potatoes in this recipe, it is quite healthy due to the ingredient, fenugreek. Fenugreek leaves, seeds and sprouted seeds are used in various Indian recipes. They are also used to treat several ailments.

An interesting fact is that many of the overpowering, spiced up oily foods that list Indian restaurant menus taste quite different when prepared at home, especially the healthy southern Indian dishes.

Try this potato with fresh fenugreek recipe from vidyaswamy's kitchen. 

Make canned soup healthier, tastier

We all reach out for that quick food soup for an easy, filling meal especially when we are out of ideas, or need that satisfying something to keep the day going.

Here's a recipe I think you'll love. Need not be made from scratch and hardly takes any time. Prep times is about 7 minutes, stove to table is about 20 minutes. Now that's hard to beat!  Check out this recipe from vidyaswamy's kitchen.com.

A yummy bengali dessert called Chum Chum

One of the best Indian desserts I've had. It is made of milk and light sugar syrup. Try this recipe from Vidya's kitchen.

Bengalis have a way with their desserts and somehow they never taste as good if people from other parts of India make it. I would say mine comes close.

Try this nutritious vegetarian recipe called Bisi Bela Bhath

The origin of this Kannada dish is Karnataka. It has unique, likable taste. The main spice ingredients are coriander, cumin, red chilies and cinnamon. What makes it nutritious are the vegetables and lentils.

Try this recipe from Vidya's kitchen.

Lightly-spiced toasted pumpkin fillets

The spiced pumpkin fillets are perfect as appetizers or as an extra side dish at the dinner table.

Extremely easy to make. Try them from Vidya's kitchen.

Roasted Eggplant with Tahini sauce

The recipe sounds lovely and the photograph is appetizing. I'm sure it tastes great too! - http://online.wsj.com/articles/einat-admonys-recipe-for-roasted-eggplant-with-tahini-sauce-and-herb-salad-1409168285

Buckwheat pancakes. Mmm Yum.

Photo courtesy from 'The Internet'

I am becoming a big fan of buckwheat pancakes. Several people I know are staying from gluten. What better way to start off the day than with buckwheat pancakes. It is filled with nutrition, some carbs, protein, vitamins plus a lot of taste. Extremely satisfying.

Start off making your pancakes just with the flour. You can then enhance the taste even more with fruits, nuts, cinnamon, etc.

Here is the nutrition fact I picked off Wiki.

1. Nutrition Facts
   BuckwheatBuckwheat
   

   Amount Per 100 grams1 cup (170 g)1 cup (170 g)

   Calories 583

2. % Daily Value*

   Total Fat 6 g	9%
   Saturated fat 1.3 g	6%
   Polyunsaturated fat 1.8 g
   Monounsaturated fat 1.8 g
   Cholesterol 0 mg	0%
   Sodium 2 mg	0%
   Potassium 782 mg	22%
   Total Carbohydrate 122 g	40%
   Dietary fiber 17 g	68%
   Protein 23 g	46%

   Vitamin A	0%	Vitamin C	0%
   Calcium	3%	Iron	20%
   Vitamin D	0%	Vitamin B-6	20%
   Vitamin B-12	0%	Magnesium	98%

Crockpot Lasagna

If you want rich taste and a satisfactory palette, then this Crockpot lasagna does complete justice.

Absolutely delicious, try it from Vidya's kitchen.