Cucumber Kichadi | Vellarikka Kichadi

Cucumber Kichadi | Vellarikka Kichadi

Cucumber’s smothered in a creamy coconut and yogurt gravy seasoned with ground mustard seeds. It’s one of the very few sadhya dishes that are not vegan. But that can easily be solved by either swapping the dairy yogurt or curd with your favorite homemade or store-bought non-dairy yogurt, 

Moringa Stir-fry | Muringaella Thoran

Moringa Stir-fry | Muringaella Thoran

Moringa is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree native to the Indian subcontinent. Its leaves and fruits are a staple in Kerala households. Almost all parts of the tree are eaten or used as ingredients in Ayurvedic medicine.   Moringa leaves are rich in many important nutrients, 

Banana Blossom Coconut Chutney | Vazhakoombu Chamanthi

Banana Blossom Coconut Chutney | Vazhakoombu Chamanthi

Coconut chutneys are another one of my all-time favorite foods. So here is a great way to up the nutrition and flavor of your coconut chutney while doing your small part to reduce food wastage. Let’s put those beautiful, nutritious purple leaves from the outer 

Banana Flower Fritters | Vazhapoo Bajji

Banana Flower Fritters | Vazhapoo Bajji

I make these with the flowers in the outer layers of the banana blossom. The blossom gets turned into a stir fry and these get turned into crunchy snacks for tea. There’s no reason to throw away the outer purple layers that you peel off 

Banana Blossom Stir Fry | Vazhakoombu Thoran

Banana Blossom Stir Fry | Vazhakoombu Thoran

Banana blossom is the superfood you haven’t heard of yet! It’s packed with essential nutrients such as phosphorous, calcium, potassium, copper, magnesium, iron, antioxidants, and fiber. According to Ayurveda, it balances pitta and is used to treat bronchitis, constipation, and ulcer, among other things. If 

Kerala Style Mango Pickles | Kadumanga Achar

Kerala Style Mango Pickles | Kadumanga Achar

These wild fermented mango pickles are my all-time favorite pickles and an absolute must-have for a sadhya. I can happily eat a big plate of rice or idlis with just these pickles. Not only is it incredibly flavorful, it also has chock-full of nutrients. I like 

Candied Plantain Chips | Sharkara Varatti

Candied Plantain Chips | Sharkara Varatti

These thick-cut plantain chips coated in coconut sugar and spices are another important part of any sadhya that can be a hit or a miss. For some, these are the first things they reach for when they sit down in front of the banana leaf, 

Plantain Chips | Ethakka Upperi

Plantain Chips | Ethakka Upperi

There is nothing like fresh homemade plantain chips! Once you make them at home you’ll never go back to store-bought chips, I promise you.

How To Fry Pappadams

How To Fry Pappadams

Papadum is a side dish often served with rice in Southern India. Well, it’s a side dish depending on who you ask because my daughter will try to convince you that it’s a proper meal. In all fairness, pappadams are well-loved by people of all ages 

Onam

Onam

Today marks the first day of Onam, the largest indigenous festival in Kerala. Legend has it that Mahabali, a beloved king from Kerala who was known for being just and kind, visits his residents during this period every year. A popular folk song we all grew