Simple and easy tomato rasam recipe - Tomato rasam recipe without tamarind

Rasam holds an important place in South Indian meals. The taste of a rasam varies according to the ingredients we use. 

Here we are going to see a simple tomato rasam. I have prepared this rasam with my sambar powder itself.

When we prepare any recipe using toor dal or moong dal, we can collect the dal water and use it for this rasam. That will also be fine.

Capsicum or Bell pepper curry, Simple Capsicum curry

Capsicum is a vegetable with an abundant source of vitamin C. It also holds a few more vitamins and minerals and dietary fiber. 

The best way to get the nutrients from a vegetable is to limit the use of water while cooking the vegetable. Steaming is the best method to retain the nutrients. 

This simple and very easy Capsicum curry is prepared without water. 

Tomato chutney with onion - Tomato chutney for Idli and dosa

Tomato + Onion chutney is a very easy recipe and the specialty of this chutney is, it goes well with idli, dosa, kara kozhakkatai, and chappathi.  

You can instantly grind this chutney as the ingredients are the basic ones in our kitchen.

We can bring some taste differences in this chutney, by varying the proportions of tomato and onion. 

One is using equal quantities of both, next one is with more tomatoes+less onion and the last one is with more onion+less tomatoes. 

Here I have used more tomatoes option.

Coriander leaves or Kothamalli podi for rice

Coriander or Cilantro, known as Kothamalli in Tamil,  has multiple health benefits.

Coriander leaves are a wonderful source of dietary fiber, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and a few more. It also contains vitamins C and K. It has anti-inflammatory properties.

Some of the health benefits are,

Lowers cholesterol level in the blood
Good for digestion
Promotes liver function
Stimulates insulin secretion

Helps those suffering from Anemia.

Herbal bath powder - Kuliyal powder - Homemade herbal bath powder recipe

Herbal bath powder, which is rich in natural ingredients is very easy to prepare. The main ingredient is whole green gram. 

I prepare this powder.  I am fond of natural products and I prefer them.  

The ingredients are easily available in stores or in naatu marunthu kadai. It is a substitute for soap. 

Herbal bath powder's benefits are amazing. 

Cabbage thoran - Cabbage stir fry - Cabbage poriyal

Cabbage is a low calorie, fiber-rich, leafy vegetable.

It is a storehouse of many essential vitamins and minerals.

Here we are going to see Cabbage thoran. Thorans have a place in the everyday lunch menu of Kerala.

Cabbage thoran is a common and frequently made one.

It is a healthy and delicious recipe and also easy to make.

Moringa - Drumstick leaves kootu - Murugai keerai kootu - Moringa leaves stew

Drumstick or Moringa leaves have many health benefits. It is an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. 

Moringa is native to India and it is easily available in local vegetable markets throughout India. It is a tree that is commonly cultivated in houses.

The dried leaves can be used to make a rice mix (Muruga ela podi).  Here we are going to see Moringa leaves kootu, which is highly nutritious. It is a very healthy recipe, rich in iron, which should be consumed frequently.

Pumpkin fibrous strands and seeds thogayal - Pumpkin thogayal - Poosanikkai thogayal

Pumpkin is one of the widely grown vegetables, which is rich in fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. It is good for our health. 

Pumpkins are a member of the gourd family, which includes Cucumber, Honeydew melon, Watermelon and Zucchini.

All the parts of a Pumpkin are edible. Here we are going to see a thogayal, which is made from the strands and seeds (inner soft part) of a Pumpkin. Pumpkin seeds are used to make halwa.

Ennai kathrikkai - Stuffed Brinjal curry

Brinjal is a common vegetable, which is widely used in India.  It is also known as eggplant. 

This stuffed Brinjal curry is one the best side dishes for curd rice. This is also a good combination for rice with sambar and rasam too.

There are a few variations in this preparation. Here I have narrated a simple version that brings out soft and delicious curry.

Ash gourd spiced buttermilk - White pumpkin or winter melon spiced buttermilk - Poosanikkai buttermilk - Ash gourd coolant

White pumpkin or Ash gourd has many health benefits. It has an important place in our Ayurvedic medicine.

Ash gourd is rich in water, vitamins B, C, other minerals, and fiber. Buttermilk is rich in calcium and other minerals. Ash gourd with buttermilk and a few other spices is very good for digestion and aids in peptic ulcer.

It reduces excess heat in our body and can be taken as a mid-day drink.

Bitter gourd deep fry - Pavakkai fry

Bitter gourd or Pavakkai has many health benefits. Usually, we have to consume bitter gourd without losing its nutritional value. 

Normally, we prepare porial or sambar. Here for a change, we are going to prepare a deep-fry side dish, which is an excellent combination for curd rice and sambar rice. You can take this along with curd rice while traveling.

It is a very tasty and crunchy side dish, which you can prepare swiftly, with very few ingredients.