Vegetarian Cuisine

Pancakes made from sprouts?

2011-09-19T05:17:00.002-04:00

Nithya always has something interesting to share.Here is a nice recipe for fenugreek sprouted pancakes (dosa).Check the recipe by clicking here.I can't wait to try it.

Food Cultures of Pakistan – A Tantalizing Thali of Surprises!

2011-06-21T12:03:00.008-04:00

By luckyfatima Pakistan is roughly the same size as France or Texas, and has a wider variety of available cuisines than an outsider may ever have imagined. I love to learn about food and culture and wanted to share with you a few interesting aspects of Pakistani cuisine based on regional features of the country that few may know about.Is Noodle Soup a Pakistani Food?In parts of Pakistan, the

Tips on Teaching and Cooking South Indian Food (Idli/Dosa/Chutney)

2010-09-17T07:49:00.004-04:00

Next month, I will be teaching a series of classes on Indian cuisine in Rochester, NY. You can see the list of classes here. In the meantime, if you're interested, you can see this video I made from a class I gave earlier this year on South Indian Cooking. In this video I show how I prepared for the class- all the cooking gadgets, utensils, pots and pans I required to manage the class along with

Recipe Review June 2010

2010-06-03T23:54:00.004-04:00

Food and RecipesDhal or Lentil DishesAayi's Recipes - Chana Dal Soup (Poli Saru/Holige Saru) Idli Varieties**Idli is a breakfast food or snack made of steamed ingredients formed into something that looks like a muffin top. ;-) It's usually eaten with chutney or sambar.Sailaja Kitchen - Yellow Corn Meal Idly

Classes on Indian Cooking and Culture in Rochester, NY

2010-05-11T12:38:00.008-04:00

Scheduled*See the Brighton Continuing Education Brochure for details when ready. Masala Madness (title to be changed)Have you ever wondered what comprises the garam masala, sambar powder or rasam powder that spices your dhals, curries, stews and soups at Indian restaurants? Do you want to learn how to make your own fresh made all-spices mixes inspired by the authentic family traditions of India?

Recipe Review May 2010

2010-05-07T19:27:00.004-04:00

Some yummy recipes I found on blogs the past month- Enjoy! Brinjal Masala Kuzhambu - Kamala's Corner Chickpeas Sundal Recipe/ Kadalai Sundal - Edible Garden Green Gram Sprouts - Kamala's Corner Grilled Paneer Sandwich - Sailu's Kitchen Kalaikkose Pirattal (Brussel Sprouts Curry) - Solai's True Chettinad Kitchen Matzo Ball Soup & Amaranth

Readymade Indian - Baghara Baingan by Deep

2010-05-07T13:31:00.003-04:00

I have never had a homemade version of this dish.However, this product seems to be well made. I used the oven warming instructions. It warmed evenly. It has a full, flavorful taste. It is not hot spicy immediately, it kind of builds. If you eat mildly spicy, like I do, the hotness will build on you. Else, if you eat hot and spicy, this may be mild. I ate one helping (there are about 1.5 helpings)

Easy Salsa Recipe- With a Twist

2010-04-07T13:07:00.002-04:00

Easy Salsa Recipe- With a TwistThis is a chunky salsa good for dipping chips or adding as a topping to dish of your creative desire.¼ cup finely diced onions¾ cup diced, juicy tomatoes¼ cup diced red bell peppers (capsicum)3 tablespoons diced fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves1/4 cup cooked corn kernelsDash saltLemon juiceOptional Green Chilies or Jalapeno peppers as per taste (finely sliced/diced

A Rare Manuscript on the Tamil Brahmin Cooking

2010-03-20T20:09:00.007-04:00

Review of Viji Varadarajan's and Padmini Natarajan's Classic Tamil Brahmin CuisineJennifer KumarNone of that westernized Indian food here! Viji Varadarajan and Padmini Natarajan recently released an updated version of their cookbook Classic Tamil Brahmin Cuisine: Pure Vegetarian South Indian Samayal. With over 70 mouthwatering vegetarian dishes, having this book is a good place to start learning

Marvelous Miso Soup

2010-03-08T16:30:00.004-05:00

I have loved Miso soup since my first taste maybe back in the late 1990s when I visited a Japanese Restaurant for the first time.Since I have eaten Miso, I have purchased Miso soup packets at American grocery stores like Wegmans in my area. The product I purchased, in the Amazon box to the right, was so easy to make- heat water, mix the soup powder and eat! For an American like me a bit nervous

Indian Spice and Cooking Class in Rochester, NY

2010-03-05T18:10:00.009-05:00

These classes were available in April 2010. If you're interested in learning more about Indian cooking (from India) or Spices of India, keep up-to date by visiting my page on Facebook or my website- classes section. If you're interested in finding ways to learn more about me and my work, mentoring on topics of cross-cultural adjustment, visit my site here.I am reprinting the class descriptions

Recipe Review March 2010

2010-03-04T22:56:00.005-05:00

This month's review, has a list of wonderful posts on various food-related topics, some falling outside the topic of 'recipes'!This month, other food related topics include grocery shopping, fridge inventory, cooking gadgets tutorial and discussion with Sailu, natural (Siddha) remedies using Indian food items, and a wonderful prize for fusion cuisine by Sailaja (by the way, Happy One Year blog

Recipe Review February 2010

2010-02-05T18:17:00.005-05:00

Recipe Review February 20104th Sense SamayalCornmeal DosaNithya shows us how to make an easy non-fermented dosa with the use of corn flour. I have yet to try my own hand at this.Aayi's RecipesTomato RasamShilpa prepares rasam 'from scratch'- no ready made rasam powder allowed here! I prefer making rasam this way because the taste of the broth is much more fresh and powerful. This kind of rasam is

Flavours from a South Indian Kitchen

2010-02-01T08:41:00.010-05:00

If you can not hear the audio, refresh browser or click here.Tempted by the flavours, spices, aromas, textures and variety of South Indian and Indian cuisine? Today, I introduce you to Srivalli of Cooking for All Seasons. Click on the audio to listen a 5-minute review of her blog and new e-book "Flavours from a South Indian Kitchen." She is an amazing inspiration to cooks, women and working

Recipe Review January 2010

2010-01-01T11:39:00.002-05:00

4th Sense Samayal by NithyaBlack Gram Dosa / Azhagar Kovil DosaA unique crepe made of soaked lentils, rice mixed with spices.Cabbage Coriander Aromatic CurryThough cabbage is not a vegetable I prefer, I am always tempted to eat cabbage prepared pan-fried in the aromatic spices of the South Indian cuisine.Aayi's RecipesHorsegram Idlis (Kulitha Idli)This steamed breakfast or snack cake is usually

2009 - A Year of Friends and Food!

2009-12-27T19:06:00.005-05:00

All photos used with prior permission by photographers.Initiating this blog almost two years ago, my intention was to create a space to catalog my recipes, without the intention of creating a community as it has, especially over the past year. This year, after thirty-five posts, including posts on cookbook and website reviews and guests posts, this blog has amassed over 20 subscribers. Thank you

Coconut Chutney - Dosa- Idli Photologue

2009-12-24T08:09:00.015-05:00

article by Jennifer Kumarphotos: Krishna KumarA nice, sour fermenting smell pervaded the entire home as I lifted the cover from the idli-dosa batter! What a nice pre-Christmas gift. This time, I deviated from the regular 3 cups idli rice/1 cup urad dhal with 2 cups long grain rice from the Mexican store and 1 cup idli rice to 1 cup urad dhal, nicely ground with a few fenugreek (methi) seeds and a

Temptations from the Tamil Table: Review of Viji Varadarajan’s Samayal South Indian Cookbook

2009-12-09T10:56:00.008-05:00

Jennifer Kumarphotos submitted by Viji Varadarajan I would need to live three or more lifetimes just to experience the full range of amazing vegetarian food options in Tamil –South Indian cooking. However, with the aid of Viji Varadarajan’s Cookbook, Samayal: The Pleasures of South Indian Vegetarian Cooking, I can learn at least the Tamil Brahmin, or Tambram, cuisine spiced with few other

Paneer Makhani - Fried Homemade Cheese Cubes in Flavorful Cream Sauce by Srivalli

2009-12-07T23:38:00.005-05:00

Srivalli from Cooking 4 All Seasons has graciously allowed me to reprint this recipe in it's entirety on my blog.I am sharing this with you, my readers, to introduce you to Srivalli and her amazing cooking and photography talents- both tempt the tastebuds. Recently, Srivalli has published an e-book with some really unique and simple-to-make Indian recipes. I will share that with you tomorrow!!

Recipe Review December 2009

2009-12-04T23:18:00.001-05:00

Aayi's RecipesDried Gooseberry Gravy(Sukkil AvaLe Kadi/Tambli)Shilpa shares a 'bitter' taste of India in this unique recipe.Edible GardenGobi ManchurianThis unique Indian dish is a favorite and a special dish among some of my friends. This dish is a cauliflower (gobi) speciality with a nice gravy that, I think is Chinese influenced. But, until I read the recipe on this site, I never realized the

Indian Inspired Vegetable Soup/Stew

2009-12-03T09:04:00.002-05:00

INGREDIENTS 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup diced onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp ajwain seeds 15 baby carrots finely sliced3 ribs celery, sliced thinly2 cups diced green, red and/or orange peppers Salt/pepper to taste 2 bay leaves 1 tbspn Cumin powder 2 tbspn Corriander powder 1/8 tsp turmeric powder ½ tbspn red

Recipe Review November 2009

2009-11-06T08:49:00.006-05:00

Greetings, Friends:It's been a few months since the last time I printed this column. I go through phases - being inspired to cook or at least, dream, about cuisine based on purely by my emotions and taste buds! This month, there was such a wide variety and long list of recipes that inspired me (and few I have actually prepared at home), that I wanted to share the links from Nithya, Aayi, Abhilash

Horseradish Spiced Mashed Potatoes

2009-11-03T12:25:00.008-05:00

Today I was hanging out at the book store looking at some cookbooks. I found an interesting one called, Sam the Cooking Guy: Just a Bunch of Recipes. In this book, our fearless and creative chef, Sam Zien introduces me to a horseradish mashed potato dish! I was instantly enthralled because I love horseradish! Since I became a vegetarian, I haven't figured out how to use horseradish, because in

Palak Paneer - Fried Homemade Cheese Curds in a Flavorful Spinach Puree

2009-10-31T15:55:00.008-04:00

By: Jennifer Kumar Ingredients: 1 Packet of Paneer (Make your own homemade paneer, recipe, with video, here.) 5-6 oz spinach (generally a small pack of spinach ready to use, prewashed from produce section) oil 1 cup roughly cut onion, then pureed 1 cup diced tomato, then pureed 1/4 tsp garlic paste 1/4 tsp ginger paste 1 cup water 1/2 tsp cumin 1/4 tsp coriander 3/4 tsp garam masala salt

Indian Cooking Coaching Classes for Indian H4 Wives, Others, In Rochester, NY

2009-10-29T09:32:00.003-04:00

Authentic JourneysIndian Cooking Coaching ClassesAre you?A H4 wife or dependant parent from India new to cooking and Rochester?Looking for ways to pass time- by learning Indian cooking through one-on-one coaching in your home?Are you an international student from India (girls, only, please)?A working professional woman from India on assignment in Rochester, New York?Who am I?I am Jennifer Kumar

Want to see Yogurt from a different perspective?

2009-10-24T12:13:00.008-04:00

Review of Viji Varadarajan’s book, A Healthy Taste of Indian Culture: Cooking with YoghurtJennifer KumarAmericans are used to seeing and tasting sweet blends of yogurts with fruits and sweet flavorings. Indians, and South Indians particularly don’t omit all sweets from yogurt, but we can get to taste a different side of yogurt with the yogurt dishes of Viji Varadarajan’s book, A Healthy Taste

Cornbread with Cream Corn and Red Bean Curried Gravy

2009-10-23T21:33:00.005-04:00

This dish is inspired by a dish we love at Cheesecake Factory called "Sweet Corn Tamale," and my love for the layered, flavorful tastes of India and Mexico. I hope you're tempted to try the same!Ingredients:Small -sized sweet corn cakes (ready made in the store)For gravy:2 tbspn oil of your choice (vegetable or olive)pinch cumin seeds1/2 cup small diced red onion1/2 of 1 jalapeno, finely diced1/4

Okra Curry- the Martha Stewart Way and the Jennifer Kumar Way

2009-10-13T11:23:00.004-04:00

This post is just for fun!! There is a video below. Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!Ingredients...olive oil1 red onion cut in long pieces1 tbspn yellow mustard seeds1/2 tsp cumin seed1/2 tsp coriander powder1 lb whole okras not cutlong cut tomatowaterSee, or at least, hear, her make this recipe, below in a really raw video.The method is so different from the Indian way. No popping of seedsThis

Introduction to Indian Cookery- A Class with Jennifer of this blog!!

2009-09-28T20:05:00.007-04:00

Want to learn a little about the ingredients used in Indian cooking?This short class will introduce you to some basic ingredients used in Indian cooking and what they are used for. You will also be able to touch, feel and smell the ingredients. All participants will be able to take some pre-measured and bagged ingredients with recipe to take home and make their own Indian meals!** The classroom

Some Recipes from Facebook

2009-08-20T07:48:00.006-04:00

Join me on facebook for additional easy, Indian Inspired recipes!Links to notes:Bachelor's style Kerala South Indian Breakfast (potato stew)Easy Mocha - Affectionately known as Coffee Chocolate (made with Bru Coffee)Indian Inspired Six Bean/Lentil StewKerala Cookery Tips- Chiratta Puttu/ PuttuLemon RicePongal - Flavorful Indian Porridge with Rice and Lentils (look for comments, mostly!)Readymade

Recipe Review August 2009

2009-08-07T08:15:00.000-04:00

4th Sense Samayal By NithyaAlligator FryThis is a unique name for a unique vegetarian dish- bittergourds stuffed with spicy dhals and deep fried! Creating cute little alligators from bittergourds is creative, indeed!Chayote or Chowchow CurryChow Chow is a very unique vegetable and even more appetizing when taken as a side dish with South Indian food.Chenna/Chick peas RasamNow, Nithya has

Besan Omelette

2009-08-04T07:24:00.004-04:00

This chickpea based recipe is a vegan alternative to an egg-based breakfast.Although I have been making this breakfast alternative for the past few years, I never got it quite right. The main problem I continued to have was the ratio of water to besan flour. Today, as I made it again, I thought carefully about this and how to approach it. I decided to take more careful measurements. The end

Vegan/Vegetarian South Indian Stew

2009-07-13T10:39:00.005-04:00

This South Indian vegetarian (Vegan) stew is inspired by the recipe Vengaaya Sambhar by Viji VaradarajanIngredients: