Medhu Vadai

Urad dhal - 1 cup, soaked in Water for 3 hours

Peppercorn - 1 tbsp.

Cumin - 1/2 tbsp.

Onion - 1, diced

Green Chilli - 4, diced

Ginger - a small piece, grated

Curry Leaves

Salt

Oil

Grind the soaked Urad Dhal to a fine paste with very little Water. Aerate the Dough by mixing with your hands fast. The Dough should float when placed on a bowl of Water.

Crush Peppercorn and Cumin seeds coarsely in a mortar using a pestle.

To the prepared Dough add Onion, Green Chillies, Ginger, Curry Leaves, Pepper - Cumin Powder and required Salt. Mix well and make Lemon sized balls with the Batter. Slightly flatten the batter in your palms and make a small hole in the center. Gently drop the Batter in hot Oil and deep fry until golden.

Serve warm with Coconut Chutney.

Carrot Halwa

Milk - 6 cups

Carrot - 4 cups, grated

Sugar - 1 1/4 cup

Salt - a pinch

Ghee - 1/2 cup

Cardamom powder - 1 tsp

Mixed Nuts - 2 tbsp., chopped

Khoya / Milk powder - 2 tbsp.

Rose essence - 1 tsp

Bring Milk to a boil and add grated Carrot.

Cook on low heat for about 1 hour or until all the Milk evaporates, stirring occasionally.

Add Sugar and a pinch of Salt. Mix well.

Once all the moisture is evaporated stir in Ghee, Cardamom powder and mixed Nuts. Saute until the mixture starts leaving the sides of the pan.

Add Khoya and Rose essence and saute for another 5 min.

Kondaikadalai Sundal

Oil – 1 tsp

Mustard – 1 tsp

Urad Dhal - 1 tsp

Red Chillies – 3 to 4

Asafetida – a pinch

Curry leaves

Onion - 1 cup, diced

Ginger - 1 tsp, grated

Chickpea (White or Black) – 1 cup, soaked in Water overnight and pressure cooked with required Salt for 3 whistles and drained

Salt & Pepper

Coconut gratings – 1/4 cup

Lemon Juice (optional)

Mango gratings (optional)

Heat Oil in a medium pan.

Temper Mustard, Urad dhal, Red chillies, Asafetida and Curry leaves.

Saute Onion until translucent.

Add Ginger and saute for a few seconds.

Now add the Chickpeas along with required Salt & Pepper; mix well.

Turn off heat and garnish with Coconut gratings.

Note: You can also add in few drops of Lemon juice or a small piece of Mango grated finely.