American Sugar Cookies | Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies | Christmas Cookies Recipe

Christmas and baking does ring bells to me ;-) I still remember a few years back when I did a Christmas Cake that tuned hard as stone ;-) of course it was way before my life as a blogger. The reason I brought this up is that if you are new to baking don't be worried disasters happen and we must learn our mistakes and keep trying until we get them right. If there is a baker that told me that not one of their bakes was a disaster I will sure have a good laugh. No one is a born expert we all learn, relearn, explore and create. Baking of course is science in pure sense but if you have a good recipe then you sure are going to have a good result. Well enough with the rambling and yes this is one fail proof recipe that may be you should give a try. I am sure it will turn out just perfect.

Sugar cookies or old fashioned sugar cookies are sure in a baker's list to bake for Christmas. They are pure easy and can be packed in goodie bags and distributed in parties. They are firm on the outside with a sift inside and not too firm like our Indian variety of biscuits. Sugar cookies have a buttery flavour along with a dash of vanilla. 

Thinai Paruppu Sadam | Thinai Arusi Paruppu Sadam | One Pot Foxtail Millet Recipe

Arusi Paruppu Sadam is a famous Kongu Nandu Recipe, from South India. Almost most homes in Coimbatore and nearby towns cook this sadam of rice and thoor dal. Today for a variation I made this Tamilian favourite rice dish along with Thinai/ Foxtail Millet. I must share the goodness of millets and why our forefathers ate them, they are filled with fibre, proteins, minerals and vitamins. They are so filling and yet gluten free, a great addition if you are someone who wants to diet but eat healthy. Since they contain complex carbohydrates they are great for diabetics. Nowadays with the boom of many organic stores in India we find these millets priced high but mind you millets are in general organic because of the nature in which they are cultivated since they are resilient to pests. 

I must tell you that I am so loving this combination of millet and dal makes it wholesome with added vegetables. I felt so full just like eating rice but I know this is sure a healthy alternative to white rice. Foxtail millet does not have any distinct taste like brown rice, they are bland and require flavouring or can be paired with curry. 

Eggless KulKuls Recipe | Kalkals | Kidyo | Sugar Glazed Curls| Goan Christmas Palaharam Recipe

Kulkuls / Kalkals / Kidyo is one of my favourite snakes during Christmas. Amma usually makes a small batch that serves for our family. Not only does she make this during Christmas but otherwise too. I can't believe that we are in December 2013 and this sure was a speedy year. Since there are 16 days to Christmas I thought let me share our family favourites during this season. Being Tamil Christians we make lots of edible goodies that we call as Palaharam. A good list of 8-10 sweets and savouries that are made in a huge batch and served as gifts to friends and family every year. This year I am trying my best to be a good wife and make palaharams at home ;-) hopefully my family enjoy them. Christmas is a season to celebrate the birth of Jesus into this world. Just as the Father gave us His son, Christians everywhere make goodies and distribute them. Not only edible gifts but other gifts to near and dear. Lets celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and stay close to our family.

Kulkuls are traditional Goan sweet snack traditionally made for Christmas and served to near and dear during the festive season. They are deepfried and sweet, but the version I have shared here is partially sweet since I wanted to use powdered sugar I did not add much sugar to the dough. You can go ahead and increase the sugar content. The texture of Kulkuls are a firm outside and soft inside. The trick is in shaping the kulkuls so take care and practice a few times to get the exact shape. 

Vazhaipoo Poriyal Recipe | Banana Flower Stir Fry

Vazhaipoo / Banana Flower is a large reddish blossom that grows along with bananas and interestingly every part of the banana plant is used for cooking recipes in the Indian cuisine. Much as banana flower is popular I must admit that cleaning them is sure a challenge, but after you cook them you can be sure that it was worth all the effort. I must say that banana flower is very good for women in particular and has many medicinal values which are sure to be considered while you plan to cook them up. 

Vazhaipoo poriyal is a mild tasty vegetarian stir fry that goes well as a side to rice and curry. This is a basic recipe that you can try if you are cooking vazhaipoo / banana flower for the first time. Take note that I have used one entire banana blossom for this recipe. 

Fresh Ginger Tea | Inji Tea | Ginger Tea with milk | Ginger Chai

Marriage has taught me all things tea ;-) since my husband is a coffee lover I am so bored over coffee that my morning is never complete without a fragrant tea. A few weeks back I had posted my favorite Cardamom Tea and Sukku Kaapi (Dry Ginger coffee)today I want to share another version of tea which is really soothing and it is Ginger tea. In fact you can do a fusion of Cardamom and Ginger tea for better taste. So with my hot cuppa I am so glad to invite you over for today's post. in my hometown you will find many tea wales selling ginger tea in huge carriers that they transport in cycles and for just a mere Rs4 you will get awesome fresh and piping hot ginger tea.

Ginger is inevitable in Indian cooking. Most Indian recipes call for Ginger/ Garlic paste. But it would not be fair if I don't mention few of the many benefits of Ginger along with this recipe. Ginger has many medicinal properties of which the key benefits are aids digestion, improves immunity, relieves stress, relieves menusural discomfort and nausea, reduces inflammation, increase blood circulation and respiratory disorder to name a few