Festive Foods

Details of special food cooking on various festive days.  This may vary based on sambrathayam and vazhakkam...

Tamil New Year Day - Payasam, thayir pachadi, veppampoo pachadi, curry, koottu, more-kuzhambu, rasam, aamavadai, appalam, kosumalli, paanagam, neer-more

Aadi Pandigai - Thengai paal payasam

Aadi Perukku (Aadi-18) - Chitra-Annangal, Aviyal / Mo-Kuzhambu, vadaam, appalam, replace payasam with Vellam-Satham or sakkarai pongal.

Aadi-Velli - Payasam, ulundhu vadai, Maavilakku

Varalakshmi Vratham - Kozhkattai, Ulundhu vadai, Pacharisi Idli

Gokulashtami - Murukku, Uppu Seedai, vella seedai, ulundhu vadai, Vella-Aval, Thayir-Aval, Vennai, Pal, thayir.

Aavani Avittam - Idli, Appam, Payasam, Thayir pachadi, 2-kosumalli, curry, Mor-kuzhambu, rasam, Aama-vadai, appalam, Poli.

Navarathiri Arambam - Payasam, Pachadi, Kosumalli, Currym Koottum Mor-Kuzmbu, Rasam, Aama-vadai, Appalam.

Navarathiri (Friday) - Specially Payasam

Saraswathi Pooja - Payasam, Pachadi, Kosumalli, Curry, Mor-Kuzhambu, Ulundhu Vadai, Sooyaam, appalam

Purattasi Saturday - Payasam, Maavilakku (1mugam)

Deepawali - payasam, Aama-vadai, pachadi, curry, koottu, sambar, bakshanangal.   Bajji, chutney and Idly Molagapodi with sutta ennai for breakfast.

Karthigai - Payasam, Aama-vadai, pachadi, curry, kottu, mor-kuzhambu, Appalam.  Evening - Appam, nel-pori-urundai, Aval-Pori-urundai, Some people have Adai too.

Thiruvathirai - Kali, 7-kaai Koottu (Thalagam)

Bogi - Payasam, Thayir Pachadi, 2-Kos-Malli, Mor-Kuzhambu, Aama-Vadai, Appalam, Poli.

Pongal - Ven & Sakkarai Pongal, Pachadi, kos-malli, sambar, rasam, Ulunthu-Vadai

Kanu - Kalantha saatham, appalam, Aviyal, Mor-kuzhambu, Vadaams and pappads / fryums

Karadaiyan Nombu - Vella adai, Uppu adai, Vennai.

Srirama Navami - Neer Mor, Paanagam, Kos-malli.

CONCLUDED... Post your feed back please

Onion Rasam

Today's 23/06/2019 recipe : Onion Rasam

Posted by Swaminatha Sharma

The other names for this Rasam are "Fata-Fat Rasam",  "Chat-pat Rasam" etc.  The unique flavour of this rasam likes in the Onion added with crushed pepper and Plain Jeera.  This Rasam is mainly used in Konkani region and norther parts of India, which is made in minutes and which is too healthy during climatic changes.  In a Kadai, add 2 tsp of oil, add 1 tsp of mustard seeds, 2 nos of miedium sized finely chopped onions, 2 arks of curry leaves, 1 tsp of turmeric till golden brown.  Add sea salt and mix well.  Once cooked, add 2 glass (around 600ml) of tamarind water squeezed from 1 lemon sized tamarind.  Once started boiling, switch off, remove and top up with 1/w tsp of ghee and finely chopped coriander leaves... Your Onion rasam is ready to serve with Plain Rice and pappads.  Get us your feedback.  Thank you. 

Pacha-Maa-Podi Upma - பச்சமாப்பொடி உப்புமா

Pacha-Maa-Podi Upma - பச்சமாப்பொடி உப்புமா

Yet an another traditional cuisine Pacha-Maa-Podi Upma - பச்சமாப்பொடி உப்புமா from our interior tamilnadu specially by our grannies, which is almost a forgotten one. Its another version of Mor-Koozh. The name itself denotes, its made of raw rice flour, but the aroma and taste lies with the Dahi Mirchi (Mor-Molagai) and Red chillies, added with Asafoetida, channa dal and curry leaves. The recipe is very simple and can be made in minutes time. 

Ingredients : Raw Rice Flour 1 cup, Thick / Sour Curd 1/2 cup, Salt to taste, Mo-Milagai 2nos, Red Chillies 2nos, Curry leaves 1 arc, Channa Dal 1 tsp, Mustard Seeds 1/2 tsp, Asafoetida 1/2 tsp, salt to taste and Oil 5 tsp.

Mix Rice flour with salt and sour curd into dough form and keep ready, In a Kadai, add 5 tsp of oil, splutter mustard seeds, challa dal, curry leaves, Asafoetida, Mor milagai and red chillies and add the rice dough and mix well. Keep on stirring in between so that the dough starts to crumbling and until you get the texture. Please note that the curst of the upma which form in the bottom of the kadai tastes so good. And see that its not burnt while cooking this upma.

This can be served either as Breafast / Evening snacks or for Dinner. Its very good in digestion and health factor too.

Palak Murukku

Recipe for Palak Murukku
Posted by Swapna Kumar Neelamraju
Posted on 28/06/2019

Besan , palak n chilly puree, salt and Carom seeds.  Put hot oil in the above mixture (without puree)and then add the puree and make its dough. put this in the mould and press it.

Cream of Spinach Soup

Recipe for Cream of Spinach Soup

Posted by Swaminatha Sharma

Very simple.  Take 1 cup of spinach cut into fine pieces and bring to boil along with 10 pods of garlic.  Allow to cool strain water and make it to a fine paste in mixer. Keep the strained water separately.  In a wok, add 2 tsp of Ghee / Butter and add the grinded paste.  Add the strained water and mix well.  Add water if required.  Add salt and Pepper powder.  Mix 1 tsp of Corn flour in water and pour in the boiling soup.  Adjust the thickness of our choice.  Remove and serve hot in Soup Cup topped up Fresh cream along with with Fried Raisins / Fried Breads of your choice. Aaharam's Special Cream of Fresh Spinach Soup is ready.

Sabudhana Vada

Recipe by Mrs. Meera Sriram, USA
Posted on 26/02/2019

Ingredients :
160 gms sabudana
1 large potatoes boiled
handful of roasted peanuts
(grind peanuts coarsely)
small ginger piece finely chopped
1 green chilly finely chopped
salt
cilantro chopped
curry leaves chopped
lemon juice 1 tsp

Method : Soak sabudana for 4 to 5 hours. drain water completely and tranfer to a bowl. mash and add boiled potatoes to that. add rest of the ingredients and mix well. make balls and then gently make patties. fry in the oil until golden brown.

Ellu Thogayal - Sesame chutney

Ellu (Sesame) Thogayal 

Saute Ellu 4 tsp, urud dal 1 tsp, red chillies 4, Tamarind 1 nellikai size, garlic 2 pods, Oil 2 tsp, salt as required, one by one in kadai in oil and allow to cool.  Grind to thogayal consistency adding little water.  Serve with Ulunthu satham / Lemon rice / Coconut rice / Plain rice of your choice. 

Tirunelveli Ulunthu Satham - Urud Dhal Rice

Tirunelveli Ulunthu Satham.  

Here is the recipe  Soak 1 cup rice for about 20 mins and keep aside.  In a Cooker, add 2/12 cup water, add Jeera and Venthayam.  Once starts boiling, add 1/4 cup of Urud dal (with skin) and cook for 10 mins.  Now add Rice, required salt, grated coconut, curry leaves and sesame oil and pressure cook for 3 whistles and allow to cool.  Remove mix well and serve hot with Ellu chutney.

Coriander Chutney

Recipe for Coriander Chutney. 

Saute 3 cups of Coriander leaves and 4 leaves of Mint leaves in 2 tsp of oil and keep aside. In the same wok, add 2 tsp of oil and saute 1 tsp of Channa Dal and Urud Dal, 1 tsp of asafoetida, 2 red chillies, 1/2 tomato and rock salt until aroma arises. Switch off, and grind all in a mixer with little water and make it chutney. Temper Curry leaves, Mustard seeds and serve with your main dish. Yummy Coriander Chutney is ready.

Thavala Adai

Typical / Traditional brahmins Thavala-Adai Recipe

As per request posting recipe of Thavala-Adai. This recipe is very simple and most used in interior parts of Tanjore Delta from time immemorial, which simple and easy to make. Please note that the lingering taste of this Thavala Adai would be achieved only with Boiled rice and not with raw rice. 

Soak Puzhungal Arisi (Boiled Rice) and Kadalai Paruppu (Channa Dhal)  in the ratio 2:1 for 2 or 3 hours. After 3 hours, grind to a coarse paste as it should neither a batter of Idli / Dosa or Vadai.. it should be in between that. and keep aside. In a kadai add Gingelly oil or groundnut oil, splutter mustard seed, Red chillies according to your taste, urud dal, channa dal, asafoetida (hing) along with required salt and once finished.. .add grated coconut, just fry for a minute and add to the batter.. Mix well and in a deep bottom kadaai (Thavalai means Paanai or Kundaan, which means a curve bottomed) or in Vaanali, add oil and once heated, pour 2 karandi of the batter and cover with a lid and cook in medium flame.. once cooked, turn over and cook other side by adding oil again according to your requirement.

Once both sides are cooked, Special / Traditonal Thavala-Adai is ready to serve with a hot / spicy chutney of your choice.....

Raw Tamarind Chutney

Recipe for Puliyangai Thogayal. 
(As requested)

1 cup of Puliyangai (Remove skin and seeds), Urud dal, 1/4 cup, Channa dal 2 tsp, Red chillies 4 nos (Or more according to your spicy level, Grated coconut 2 tsp, Garlic 5 pods, salt and Oil as required.

In a kadai add oil, temper urud dal, channa dal, red chilly, garlic one by one. Add puliyangai and Coconut and saute well. Remove, add salt, allow to cool and grind in mixer as Thogayal adding little water. Temper with Mustard seed and curry leaves and serve with Plain rice.

Aalu Handi - ஆலு ஹண்டி

Aalu Handi - ஆலு ஹண்டி 

A Typical road side food being served in north India especially for vegetarians at Dhaba.  This food is always served hot with Roti (Tandoori) / Naan and tastes yummy.  One of my Chef friend from Rajasthan, during his visit to south India tour, shared this recipe to me and today thought of doing this.  Recipe is very simple, authentic and traditional.  In star hotels, Potato is replaced with non-veg items and the entire procedure is same.  

Ingredients, 15 ml Oil and 15 ml ghee.  Finely chopped onions 2 nos, Tomato Puree (2 nos), 1 nos slitted Green chilly, 1/2 inch Julienne Ginger (Cut into short, thin strips) Aaharam Chilly powder 1 and 1/2 TSP, turmeric powder 1/2 tsp, Freshly grounded Coriander seeds 1 & 1/2 tsp, Cumin Powder 1 tsp, Yoghurt 1 cup, fresh cream 1/2 cup and Potato diced 1 cup, 1 tsp kasuri methi and 1 tsp garam masala.

Heat Oil in kadai, add ghee and onions. Add salt and fry till golden brown.  Now add slit chilly, ginger, ginger garlic paste and mix well.  Add tomato puree, tomatoes mix will, cook in medium flame with closed lid for 5 mins.  Remove lid, mix well, add all the spices, yogurt and cover again for 2 mins in medium flame.  Once potatoes are cooked, add Fresh cream, kasuri methi and stir well.  Now top up with 1 tsp of Garam Masala  mix well and serve hot with Roti / Naan of your choice.  This goes good with Steamed basmathi rice too.  Serve with Pride...!!! Serve with Joy....!!!

Soya 65

Recipe for Soya-65

Bring to boil Soya chunks, drain and squeeze water and keep ready. Sprinkle 2 tsp of Corn Flour, 2 tsp of Rice Flour, 1 tsp of GG paste, 1 tsp of red chilly powder, 1 tsp of Dhania powder, a bunch of finely chopped coriander leaves, squeeze 1/2 lemon, add required salt and organic Colour a pinch and mix well. Add 1 tsp of Thick beaten curd (Optional). Dont add water. The water in the Soya chunks would be enough. Mix well and keep the marination for 30 mins. In a kadai heat oil and deep fry soya chunks. Fry some curry leaves and garnish over the Soya-65 and serve hot...

Panneer Khurchan

Panneer Khurchan

Recipe by Chef Swaminatha Sharma

In a chinese Wok add 2 tsp Ghee, saute jeera and onion until transulent.  Add green chilly, ginger garlic paste and saute well.  Add sliced Capsicum, sliced tomato one by one and cook until meshy.  Add red chilly powder, Dhania powder, Jeera powder and Amchur Powder and mix well.  Now add required salt and diced panneer to it and mix well.  Dont add water as it is a Dry Gravy.  Remove and sprinkile finely chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with Tandoori Roti.

Panneer Lazeez

Today's 10/11/2018 Special cuisine - Panneer Lazeez

Prepared by Chef. Suprajaa Sharma

Boil 2 onions and make it to fine paste.  Saute 2 tomatoes with Red chilly in Butter and make it to puree.  In a wok add butter / ghee, chopped onion and garlic, and add onion paste  and cook well.  Add turmeric powder, chilly powder and cook until fine aroma arises.  Add tomato puree and cook well.  Add 1 tsp of Kasuri Methi and mix well.  In the meantime take 10 to 15 nos of cashew, and make it to a fine paste and mix now to the above mixture.  Cook well in medium flame until you get a required consistency.  Now add dhaniya and jeera powder for flavour.  Now add cross chopped Panneer and mix well.  Add 2 tsp of Honey over it and mix well.  Sprinkle finely chopped coriander leaves over it and remove from flame and serve hot with Rotis / Phulkas / Naan of your choice.  Your special Panneer Lazeez is ready.  (Note : You can top up with grated Cedar Cheese for additional flavour / aroma / richness)

Putra Kameshti Homam

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Aalu Mattar Sabji

Recipe for Aalu - Mattar Sabji (No-Onion / No-Garlic)

Bring to boil 250 gms of aalu and a hand full of fresh peas, peel skin, cut to cubes and keep ready.  In a chinese wok, add butter / ghee, splutter mustard and Jeera.  Add tomato puree and mix well.  In this add the cut potatoes and peas, add salt, turmeric, chilly, dhaniya and jeera powders, mix well and check for water consistency.  Finally add Kasuri methi and a tsp of butter over it and mix well.. Switch off flame, remove and garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with Phulkas / naan / Roti of your choice.  

Milagannam - மிளகாணம்

"மிளகாணம்" - என்கிற கறிவேப்பிலைக் குழம்பு நாக்குக்கு ருசியைக் கூட்டும். இரும்புச்சத்து கொண்டது. இதைச் சூடான சாதத்தில் போட்டுப் பிசைந்து சாப்பிட்டால் சுவையும், மணமும் அசத்தும். இதை நல்லெண்ணெய் சேர்த்துச் சாப்பிட்டால் வயிற்றுப்புண் ஆறும். ஜீரண சக்தி பெருகும். நோய் எதிர்ப்பு சக்தி உண்டாகும். பார்வைத்திறன் அதிகரிக்கும். பித்தம் குறையும். Milagannam - the traditional Kuzhambu is good for health which tastes good and cleanses stomach, increases metabolism and eye sight, reduces Piththa and cures stomach ulcers when taken with Gingelly Oil. Taste would awesome.

RECIPE FOR MILAGAANNAM @ CURRY LEAVES KUZHAMBU

In a kadai add gingelly oil, saute pepper, jeera and 2 handful of curry leaves.  Grind this in a mixer to fine paste.  In a kadai, add gingelly oil 3 tsp, add asafoetida, mustard seeds and allow to temper.  Now add 2 red chillies to it and 2 or 3 pieces of drumstick (optional) and add Tamarind paste and bring to boil to thick consistency.  Now add the grinded paste to it and bring to boil again.  Remove from flame and serve hot with plain / steamed Rice.

BeSalaa

A signature cuisine specially from Aaharam Kitchen   A special dry dish made with green beans tossed in butter with spinach and Tulsi for a perfect flavour & aroma.... A best side dish accompaniment for any main dish. Goes yummy with toasted plain bread along with a Mint Juice...... (Onion and Garlic adds additional flavour to the dish)

Recipe for BeSalaa...  :  

Cut fresh green beans to 2 inch thick, bring to boil with salt, strain water and keep ready.  In a kadai add 2 tsp of butter, add jeera, sliced onion, sliced garlic and toss in high flame.  Add chopped spinach (Manathakkali Keerai is good), fresh Tulsi leaves, chopped coriander leaves, curry leaves and 1 no sliced green chilly.  Now add cooked beans, sprinkle little salt, saute in high flame for 2 mins, sprinkle a pinch of sugar over it and remove from flame.  Serve hot with Toasted Bread and Mojito / Mint juice..... 

Guru Peyarchi Homam 2018

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On 4th October 2018, Vilambi Varusham, Purattasi Maasam, 18th day (Thursday) at around 40.00 ghatis.. (10.00pm), planet Jupiter would be transitting from Libra (Thula rasi) Visaka 3rd Quarter to 4th Quarter to Scorpio (Vrichika rasi) and bestow its full benefic strrenth to Scopio (Vrichigam), Taurus (Rishabam), Cancer (Katakam) and Pisces (Meenam).  On this auspicious day, Aaharam would be conducting a special Homam after many years for the welfare of its members and their family members.  The homam has its own speciality as it is being conducted at Aaharam premises with Vedic Pandits who are well versed with.  

Those  interested to participate in this Special Guru Peyarchi Homam, shall mention their Gothram, Natchatram and Name with a donation of Rs. 150/-  (Per Person) directly to our Aaharam's Indian Bank Current Account given below.  All details of gothram, natchatram and rasi has to be registered in the link given,  so that the prasadam for those who cant attend in person shall be sent by post by next day.  Should you have any queries, please call on our Admin Mr. Swaminatha Sharma and Mr. Ravi Ramamurthy who would be co-ordinator on this Event.   

You can reach Sharma on 9842324598 and Ravi Ramamurthy on 9790011531 for further queries.  Registration starts on 06/08/2018 and ends on 30/09/2018..

Direct Payment to M/s. Aaharam, Indian Bank

IFSC Code : IDIB000S260  |  Account # : 6350899195

Type : Current Account

Araichu Vitta Sambar

ARAICHU VITTA SAMBAR.... 

One of the traditional recipe again from Tamil brahmins, which almost occupies in many festives / events.  I have normally heard that this araichu vitta sambar goes well with fresh green vegetables... But my favorite always only with pacha sundakkai, which tastes yumm and good for health too... A member from other group has requested to post how to make this Araichu vitta sambar, traditionally.  The traditional method lies, in making of the Grinded Paste.. especially in Ammikkal... Brahmins use fresh vegetables, while non-brahmins use Chinna vengayam aka Shallots for this Araichu Vitta sambar in villages.  Here is the proportion for grainding the paste of the ingredients...

Dhaniya 1 tsp, Channa Dal 1 tsp, Red Chilly 4 nos, Aaharam Asafoetida 1/2 tsp, Grated Coconut 5 tsp, Dry saute all the ingredients, and grind to paste, adding little water.... As usual, while making sambar, add this paste and bring to boil.  

(Hint : some people use 2 red chillies and add Sambar Powder additionally.. But this paste itself is sufficient to make Araichu vitta Sambar.)