If you have a lot of sour buttermilk, add half the quantity of water to it and allow it to stand for two to three hours. Then slowly drain off the watery thin portion – the buttermilk that remains in … [Read More...]
Honey Suckle Mistletoe
As we hiked in the Malnad region, I came across a creeper with flowers that I had not seen before and took pictures to identify. Found out that it is the Honey Suckle Mistletoe plant. Other common … [Read More...]
Halasinahannina Gidde – Halasinahannina Gatti – Jackfruit Idli – Pelatha Gidde
In Mysuru, we do get Jackfruit and it is enjoyed as is and was not aware of the various dishes that can be prepared out of this fruit. When I heard about this dish, I wanted to taste it and … [Read More...]
Dates and Tamarind Sparkler – Kharjur Sharbat – Kharjurada Panaka
Tomorrow is Rama Navami and custom beckons us to prepare Kosambari and Panaka (Salad and Juice). Dates and Tamarind sparkler is a healthy and refreshing drink sans … [Read More...]
Mixed Fruit Arrangement
Doctors advice that we need to include different color fruits and vegetables in our diet. India being a tropical country has vibrant color fruits available throughout the year. A fruit … [Read More...]
Happy Ugadi 2024
I wish you all a very happy Ugadi and Hindu New Year. This year it is the Sri Krodhi Nama Samvatsara. Wish you a prosperous and healthy new year! Habbada Adige (festive food) plays a very … [Read More...]
April 2024 Hints
April hints are as follows: Add a pinch of sugar to the water while blanching any greens. The sugar helps to retain the color even during cooking. Add a pinch of salt to the water used to … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Stuffed Karela – Stuffed Bitter Gourd Recipe
Bitter gourd stuffed with Onions and Masala and shallow fried. Cuisine: North India. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 8 small Karela/Hagalkayi/Bitter Gourd preferably … [Read More...]
Majjige Dosa
Soft Crepes/Pancakes prepared using Rice soaked in Buttermilk. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Rice 3 Cups Buttermilk Oil for … [Read More...]
Beladahannina Panaka – Wood Apple Juice Recipe – Bael ki Sherbat
Beladahannina Panaka is a juice prepared using Wood Apple. This is prepared on Rama Navami and distributed to the devotees. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Ripe Beladahannu / … [Read More...]
Gojjina Pudi – Gojju Powder – Menaskai Powder – Gotsu Powder
Gojjina Pudi is masala powder used to prepare Gojju a type of sweet curry. Cuisine: Bangalore and Mysore Time Required: 15 Minutes. Ingredients: ½ Cup Red Chilies 1 Cup Urad Dal/Black … [Read More...]
Vaggarane Avalakki – Poha South Indian Style – Beaten Rice in Seasoning
A dish prepared using Poha/Flattened Rice. Vaggarane Avalakki is extremely tasty and much sought after to be prepared for breakfast. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 40 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Hunase Saaru – Puli Rasam – Tamarind Soup
Hunase Saaru is a watery accompaniment served with plain Rice and is prepared using Tamarind. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 2 tbsp Saarina Pudi / Rasam … [Read More...]
Vegetable Dosa
Nutritious vegetable dosa that can be served with no accompaniments! Cuisine: South Indian Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 tsp Oil 1 tsp Jeera 1 tsp Mustard Seeds A pinch of … [Read More...]
Bruschetta
Grilled Italian breads rubbed with garlic, topped with Tomatoes, and drizzled with Olive Oil is a very popular and tasty starter. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 loaf Bread, cut … [Read More...]
Travel
Lalgarh Palace, Bikaner
An architect’s delight, the Lalgarh palace in Bikaner was built between 1902 and 1926. Built in Rajput, Mughal, and European architectural styles, the building was custom-built by Maharaja Ganga Singh … [Read More...]
Karwar
The beach town of Karwar is situated in Uttara Kannada district 520 Km from Bangalore. India’s greatest poet and noble prize winner Rabindranath Tagore in 1916 wrote “The sea beach of … [Read More...]
Keladi Rameshwara Temple
The Keladi Rameshwara temple complex built by the Nayakas in Keladi is a must visit to experience the Malanadu architecture. The wooden pillars supporting the sloping roof welcome you to into a huge … [Read More...]
Karapuzha Dam
The main purpose of building Karapuzha dam was to utilize Karapuzha River for irrigation purpose. Karapuzha River is a tributary of Kabini River. This is one of the biggest earth dams in India … [Read More...]
Raja Seat – Coorg
Raja Seat means King’s Seat. It is view point in Coorg, which used to be a favorite place for the royals of Kodagu to hang out and watch the sun setting in the horizon. A small structure is built with … [Read More...]
Srirangapatna
The historic place of Srirangapatna / Srirangapattana is situated on the banks of river Cauvery at 15 Km from Mysore. Srirangapatna is noted for its ruler Tipu Sultan, the Ranganatha Temple, … [Read More...]
Bangalore Fort
It took me few years to realize that Bangalore has an ancient fort, which was open to public. Bangalore fort was built by the founder of Bengaluru Kempe Gowda I in 1537 using mud. Kempe Gowda was a … [Read More...]
Festivals
Chhat Pooja
Thou by whose luster all the world of life comes forth, and by thy beams again returns unto its rest, O surya with the golden hair, ascend for us day after day, and still bringing purer innocence – … [Read More...]
Ritu – Indian Seasons – Rithu
Ritu means "season" in ancient Indian calendars used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. There are six ritus or seasons. The word is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Ṛtú. Every season, … [Read More...]
Hoovilya
Hoovilya is an auspicious ritual conducted just before major celebrations like Marriage or Upanayana / Sacred thread ceremony in Karnataka. It is more like an all women’s party, where at least 5 or … [Read More...]
Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is a celebration of married life. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm by married women of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. It falls 9 days before Diwali. For … [Read More...]
Ashada Shukravara
Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) pooja / ritual is performed on all the Fridays of the Hindu month of Aashada, July-Aug in Gregorian calendar. This year (2020) Aashada starts on 22nd June and the … [Read More...]
Mangala Drowya and Pooje Samaanu
Mangala Drowya and Pooje Samaanu means sacred items used on auspicious occasions like marriage rituals, upanayana (sacred thread ceremony), shrimantha (arathi to pregnant women), namakarna (naming … [Read More...]
Rama Navami
Rama Navami is a festival celebrating the birth of Sri Rama, son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. “Yada Yadaa hi dharmasya gnanirbhavathi bharatha Abhyuththaana madharmasya thadathmaanam … [Read More...]