It has been a long time since I disappeared from here! Reason being, I had been on a vacation to India. Getting back to the normal routine now.. This year Pillayar Chathurthi is on the 13th – Thursday. Am sure all of you would be busy with your preparations! This Sweet Ammini Kozhukattai is a sweet variety. I simply love these mini kozhukattais. I have already posted a Spicy version of this for those who do not have a sweet tooth unlike me. Check it out HERE. U can cook these mini buddies and make both the versions if u wish too.

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Pina Colada Popsicles is a creamy and yummy popsicle made with fresh pineapple and coconut milk. I had recently posted Virgin Pina Colada recipe. U can choose that if u just want to slurp it with a straw. This popsicle is like an upgrade to it, in the sense a much creamier version as we are going to enjoy it in the form of popsicle. U can make a lot of variations to this popsicle. See the tips section for options. Check my wide range of popsicle/ice cream recipes HERE.

Aglio E Olio is a traditional Italian recipe made with either spaghetti or pasta. I recently tasted this in a Italian restaurant. It was an open kitchen kind of restaurant and the chef made the food right in front of us. So I was curious to know the recipe when we ordered this. Trust me this is such a simple recipe with full of flavours from garlic and olive oil. We just loved it for its flavours. Compared to my Cheesy Pasta recipe, this is a guilt-free recipe as not much cheese is added here. The chef just drizzled some parmesan cheese on top, but I have skipped that as well.

Kasi Halwa is a very popular South Indian Halwa served in weddings. It is nothing but Halwa made out of grated white pumpkin (also known as ash gourd). The only job is to grate white pumpkin. It can be made very quickly and easily. Does not require a lot of ghee unlike this Atta Halwa. Love the glossy texture of this Halwa. I have had no plans of making this halwa at home as we hardly get White Pumpkin here. So when I happened to see it during my shopping, was so excited that I almost bought half of a big sized pumpkin. Only after reaching home did I realise the weight & price. Its so damn costly here 🙁  But after making this halwa, was so happy and totally forgot everything 🙂

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Strawberries are in season. I am not a big fan of strawberries as such, just like the look of it and its attractive colour. But I love the smell and flavour in the Strawberry Ice Cream. This is yet another simple no churn ice cream. U dont need an ice cream machine or hand blender, a normal mixie jar would do the job perfectly. And also no need to whip it every 2 hours unlike this Custard Powder Ice Cream. Easy is it not!?! Utilise the summer/strawberry season and enjoy! 🙂

Virgin Pina Colada is an easy and refreshing drink made with pineapple and coconut milk. Originally it is made with rum, but this is a non-alcoholic version. This is a super kids friendly drink, healthy too. All u need is fresh or canned pineapples, coconut milk and ice cubes. Oops I ended up telling the recipe here itself.. Hehehe yes it is so simple. I recently tried this Virgin Pina Colada in a Mexican restaurant and totally loved it. Apart from this yummy drink, I also made a creamy popsicle. Recipe coming soon..:) Do check my collection of summer recipes HERE.

Just to remind u all that I have been posting a Lunch Menu Series , this week it is an elaborate South Indian Lunch Menu 🙂 This Menu consists of Rice, Sambar, Rasam, Vazhakkai Fry, Seppankizhangu/Arbi Fry & Medhu Vadai. Once in a while we love to have an elaborate meal like this. Tamil la sonna Full Kattu 🙂 The only thing missing in this is a payasam. Otherwise this would have been a complete meal. Never mind, shall include in yet another meal. Have mentioned suggestions below for you to include though 🙂

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Pottukadalai Thuvaiyal is a super easy and quick thogayal recipe. Pottukadalai or Porikadalai is known as roasted gram dal in English. It tastes divine with rice and Puli Kaichal. This thuvaiyal tastes good with rice, keerai and puli kuzhambu too. This can be a handy option for bachelors. This does not involve any cooking at all as this does not even require tempering. Just grind a few ingredients and TADAA thuvaiyal ready.

Yayy!! Popsicle mode is on 🙂 This summer, infact it is just spring here and it is pretty hot. We are craving for some popsicles or chilled fresh juices now and then. This Grape Popsicle is a refreshing fresh fruit popsicle, perfect for the season. I bought some cute mini popsicle moulds during my last week shopping. So here I am to show off 🙂 I am the only person to have a sweet tooth at home. Could not just stop with one popsicle, Enjoyed 2 at a time without any guilt considering the size.. HEHEHE.. Well if u dont want a popsicle just put a straw and slurp it! Do check my summer special recipes HERE

Spring Onion is a veggie which many of u might use just to garnish in salads or soups. This Spring Onion Sabji is a simple yet yummy side dish to go with chapathi or even rice. This is Chotu’s favourite. Chopping spring onion might take some time but it is not a difficult task. It will reduce in amount once it gets cooked so u might have to watch out the amount of spring onion u need for your family. Trust me, this sabji is so unique and flavourful. Do check my collection of Dry Sabji recipes HERE.

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