Soya Chunks Ularthiyathu

Lent and advent are two times of the year that we try too many recipes. Because feeding pure non veg family, vegetarian food alone for those number of days is a difficult thing. Soya chunks is one thing that remains in stock during this time. Nutritious and similar in taste to chicken/meat makes them a hit at home.

Soya chunks ularthiyathu is so simple. I have used a some what similar recipe as that of beef ularthiyathu, but this soya chunks ularthiyathu is half the effort and mess that is created by beef. So why don't you too try it. It goes perfect with chapathi or rice. Don't forget to make additional chapathi or rice. Because I know it is gonna be a hit and they would eat more than usual :).

Lady's Finger Stir fry/ Vendakka Mezhukupuratti / Okra Stir Fry (Indian style)

I have seen many people hating Lady's finger for their mushy or gooey texture. Frankly, I too hate it for the same. But if cooked in a way that they stay separate and not clinging onto each other with those gooey texture, I love them. It would be one veggie that I would so love to have and so does my family. 

Now, how to get that perfectly done lady's finger is not rocket science. You could refer to tips section to know how. BTW, have you noticed, that the way you cut your lady's finger, decides its taste. I usually go by cutting them vertical, thin and long. I find it more tastier than the horizontal, disc shaped ones. Am I sounding weird or have you too noticed it? Before, I confuse you or make myself sound like one idiotic person to you, let me put a full stop to this conversation and move on to the recipe for the day.

Padavalanga Thoran / Snake Gourd stir fry with coconut

Padavalanga Thoran was one of the frequently made thorans for rice while we were in Bangalore or Pune. When we came to US we really missed having it. Here in Indian stores, we get it once in a while. So we still get to have it once in a while.

At my home, I have never had it. My mom never made it. Honestly, I don't know why she never made it. It was after marriage that I got introduced to it. My MIL makes it often and it was a love at first bite :P,  when I had this. Slightly crunchy and with the goodness of grated coconut in it, it is very unlikely that a mallu wouldn't love it. Try it and let me know if you like it. 

Idichakka Thoran / Tender Jackfruit Stir fry with coconut

Jackfruit/ Chakka is in season now. This time when we were at home, my mom had made Idichakka Thoran which was so delicious. I quickly made a note of the recipe to make it myself.

They taste yumm that you would want to make it quite often. But cleaning it, is a bit messy and difficult. But I could go through it to enjoy this awesome side dish. When I found that it was available in the market here, I quickly grabbed it and made it the same day.

Asparagus Thoran / Asparagus Stir Fry with coconut

During my initial days in US, I used to wonder what to cook other than the usual carrot, cabbage, beans etc. I used to wonder what could I make with Asparagus. They used to look like bamboo shoots and I used to think they might be so difficult to cut through. Then my co-sis-in-law once told that they make stir fry's out of it and its super addictive. That's how I gave it a try. And yes it indeed is addictive.

Later, we kept trying other veggies that we used to find in the usual stores other than making curry using just Indian veggies. Stir fry's using broccoli, mustard greens, collard greens etc. taste great. Infact, one such trials led to the invention of Kale kootu, which we absolutely love having till date.