Peppercorn flavoured vegetable oats - Potluck party, cyber style January 28th 2014

 How many of us,  look  for an instant breakfast oats,  at your favourite  stores??  Yes, I can see many hands raising!!  All  thanks to an casual check-up, my dietician advised to consume  oats atleast once an week, in order to enrich my good cholestrol... Now, for an girl like me, who thought that oats were only for saints.. this was an serious layback... :P

 Gradually, my attitude changed... With an NOT-SO-SWEET TOOTH,  I  opted for masala oats once an week, untill I came across Shama Nagarajan's oats porridge.  She was my partner for poluck party, cyber style and I followed her post.  With just oats and your own vegetable/spice blend, I could actually foresee an tasty and healthy breakfast here,for, this ensures zero preservatives or zero dehydated vegetables. This peppercorn flavoured vegetable oats is an fresh breakfast blend, which amplifies your morning stamina, to kick-start your day!!   :)  :)

Milagu kaarakozhumbu

    Hyderabad is found rainy these days, hunger peeps in quite randomly due to the season.  My mind carves for more hot n spicy food.  It was during one such moment that I recalled this dish.

This dish, milagu karakozhumbu is often made by my mom due to my dad's insistence.  Milagu kaarakozhumbu is an good cold- releiver and also heats up your body to prevent winter chill.  This is done so due to presence of wonderful n healthy indian spices like peppercorns, garlic, jeera combo.  Just imagine to have them with hot rice on a rainy day....  :) hm... wow.... No pizza's or no burgers can compensate for such an powerful Indian dose :)

I served this with cabbage-carrot poriyal and hot rice.  The entire combo felt great on stomach and my heart too!

Malvani fish curry

This is my third post for malvani cuisine.  The beforesaid cuisine, which is known for its hot fiery seafood, encloses coconut due to its abundant presence.  Following here below is hot fish curry..

Ingredients required

To be roasted and ground into powder

• 2 tsp whole cumin/Jeera
• 3-4 whole dry red chillies
• 1 tsp whole dhanya
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp rock salt

Milagu cauliflower fry

Cauliflower is blooming nowadays and i can find it more frequently here @ hydi... Eversince the price went reasonably low, my father-in-law makes a point of buying more gobi ... and  yes, my refrigerator is flooded with cauliflowersss :)  :)  Thinking to make more gobi dishes... this post is a dry side-dish of cauliflower with peppercorns and other dry spices, thus making an excellant combo with paruppu saadham, keerai saadham, sambhar etc.  Go ahead and try ... its so simple....

Ingredients required

To temper

• 4 tsp oil
• 1 tsp rai/mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp broken urad dal
• 1 tsp chana dal
• 8-10 whole dry red chillies
• 10-12 curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp hing/perungayam
• 2-3 tsp of finely chopped onions
• 2 tsp coarsely crushed peppercorns

other

• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 1/2 tsp salt

Method

In a kadaai, heat oil and add ingredients for temper one by one

Now, throw in cauliflower florets and cover the kadaai.  

Sprinkle water now and then and cover cooked till cauliflower is done.  Sprinkle salt.  If wanted add pepper powder (if u need more other than tempering, which completely suits ur taste buds) and serve hot with rice and dal.

 

The Ultimate Indian Masala Chai Recipe: A Cozy, Healing Evening Ritual

Masala tea is a deeply refreshing and comforting beverage, especially on windy evenings when you need something to warm you from the inside out. Prepared by adding an exotic blend of traditional Indian spices—with fragrant cardamom and warming ginger leading the flavor profile—this authentic brew does more than just taste incredible. It also carries potent medicinal benefits, making it an excellent, time-tested natural remedy to soothe a cold and sore throat.

Here is how you can easily brew this aromatic spice-infused tea right at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Homemade Chai Spice Mix:

7-8 green cardamom pods (for that signature sweet aroma)
1-inch cinnamon piece
2-3 whole cloves
2-3 black peppercorns (adds a subtle, healing kick)
1/2 tsp fennel seeds (sombu)
1/2 tsp star anise
1/2 tsp dry ginger powder (optional)

For Brewing the Tea:

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp black tea leaves/powder (such as 3 Roses or your preferred blend)
2 tsp fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 tsp sugar (adjust to taste)

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Step-by-Step Method

Craft the Spice Blend: Lightly dry roast all the ingredients listed under the spice mix in a small pan until fragrant. Transfer them to a mortar and pestle and crush them into a coarse powder.
Heat the Liquid Base: In a tea pan, combine 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of water and bring it to a gentle heat.
Infuse the Aromatics: Turn down the heat to a simmer. Add the finely chopped fresh ginger, your freshly crushed spice mix, and the sugar to the pan.
Add the Tea: Finally, stir in your black tea powder. Let the mixture simmer on low for two minutes, allowing the tea to fully infuse with the rich spices and milk.
Strain and Serve: Pour the liquid through a fine strainer directly into your favorite mug.

Enjoy your hot, steaming cup of comfort!

There is nothing quite like a hot cup of authentic Indian Masala Chai to slow down a busy day. By blending everyday kitchen spices like cardamom, cloves, and ginger, you create a powerful drink that boosts immunity, fights off seasonal colds, and wraps you in pure comfort. Try whipping up this quick recipe tonight, put on your favorite music, and let the rich aroma transform your evening.