Kitchen Corner-Try It

Beef Kothu Parotta/ Kothu Roti- South Indian Street Food Today's recipe is absolutely comfort food- it is street food at its best, satisfying, and delicious. Kothu Parotta is a South Indian street food delicacy and is popular in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A variation of kothu parotta is  Kothu Rotti  popular in Sri Lanka from where this recipe originated. It is a humble dish, but one of the most innovative street food delicacies and an exciting way to use up leftovers. The platter may not be aesthetically pleasing- here you have in front of you heaping bits of chopped flatbread soaked in spicy gravy, topped with vegetables, meat, or scrambled egg. But it is seriously addictive, aromatic, and heartwarming. You will be coming back for more! But the best experience is watching the street vendor make kothu parotta. It is hard to not notice the musical rhythm of experienced chefs while making kothu parotta. It is cooked on a hot flat griddle, using heavy spatulas that rese...

Chakka Pazham Pori- Chakka Appam/ Ripe Jack Fruit Fritters Today's recipe is a snack made with ripe jack fruit. It is a deep-fried jack fruit fritters gently laced with the flavor of cardamom. This snack is very similar to the ever-popular street food of Kerala - Pazham pori , made with ripe plantain. I make pazham pori all the time, yet this one with chakka or jack fruit is so unique in taste. It is extremely flavorful and absolutely delicious-a die for! There is a beauty in the simplicity of traditional tea-time snacks. We often refer to them as  naadan palaharam . Some recipes make you nostalgic and we keep coming back to it time and again. It brings back memories of some distant times. I don't even remember this existed until my mom reminded me of chakka pazham pori. I am so happy I tried this again and along with it came a flood of childhood memories :) This is a sure winner if you have sudden guests at home. The flavor of ripe jack fruit dipped in sweet c...

Ennai Kathikkai- Baby Eggplant/Brinjal Masala Ennai Kathikkai is a traditional South Indian curry made with baby eggplant/ aubergines/ brinjal. A quintessential dish from the Tamilian cuisine, this curry is absolute comfort homey food, best served with steamed rice. Tamil cuisine is famous for its lip-smacking kulambu/ gravies and you will be hooked to this curry. Ennai Kathirkkai means eggplant in oil. There are two reasons why it is called so, first, the baby eggplant/brinjal is sauteed or fried in oil, and secondly, the gravy of roasted masala is slow-cooked and simmered till oil separates. This may sound complicated, but it is an easy recipe. It is the slow simmering of the roasted gravy along with the fried eggplants that does all the magic! Ennai Kathikkai is a tangy and spicy gravy. It is somewhat similar to the Kerala eggplant theeyal with onions, coconut, and tamarind. It is the right balance with coconut, turmeric, chilies, earthy spices, onion paste, and tamarind- ...

Zucchini and Mushroom Chicken Today's recipe is a copycat Panda Express style zucchini and mushroom chicken. It tastes almost like your favorite take out meal. Now, my friends, I am not claiming this is the exact spot on a recipe, but it tastes delicious and is your ticket to a tasty weekend meal in a jiffy. Your family will love this every time you make. My long time favorite had been Panda express Beijing beef, but sometimes I find it too sweet. This one is my recent favorite, simple and unassuming, with a balanced taste and a subtle peppery heat. The sauce is a light ginger-flavored sauce and it tastes delicious with steamed rice- delightfully crispy and delicious chicken bites with sauteed zucchini and mushrooms. The added benefit is that it has loads of veggies too. What you add to it is totally up to you. Here it is zucchini and mushrooms. Mushrooms add a depth of flavor and zucchini is crisp and tender. It is irresistibly appetizing. You'd be surprised at how simp...

Easy Masala Cashew Nuts/ Roasted Kaju with Ghee Masala flavored cashew nuts are a seriously addictive snack with the right balance of heat and flavor. It is a perfect combination of spicy, salty and with a touch of sweetness. Cashew nuts are one of my favorite nuts. It has a natural sweetness and milky flavor and they taste delicious. But here is an interesting twist, kick it up a notch higher with this masala flavored roasted cashew nuts. They make impressive gifts during holidays or festivals. Spiced kaju or cashew nuts are very popular in India. You can buy roasted or deep-fried cashew nuts from bakeries. This tastes just like the store brought ones and you will be surprised how easy it is to make them at home. It is a versatile recipe and you can use any nuts of your choice. It is so good for snacking at home or as a party treat. Cashews are rich in Vitamin E, Vitamin B and iron with heart-healthy fats and protein. The magic ingredients in this recipe are earthy spices, cu...

Easy Mocha Truffles Truffles are some of my absolute favorite decadent chocolate treats and these beauties combine two flavors, coffee, and chocolate! I am a life-long chocolate lover. So making chocolates or confectioneries at home is something I enjoy- almost therapeutic experience! Are you a chocolate lover? If you want to indulge yourself with some easy homemade chocolate treats, try these coffee-flavored delicious mocha truffles. These simple to make truffles are delicious and will surely satisfy your sweet tooth cravings. It surprisingly took no time at all to make these indulgent treats! Truffles are so easy to make and I have made them countless times over the years. It is such a versatile recipe and you can add different flavors to suit your taste buds. It is perfect at any time of the year, but they make impressive gifts during holidays or special occasions like Valentine's day. At home truffles always are a big hit, especially these coffee-flavored ones. These have...