Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Sujatha Ram of Indian Veg Kitchen

Twice a month am introducing newbie bloggers to this immense blogging virtual world, just to showcase their blogs with their guest posts they prepred specially for me and i named the event as Rendez vous with a foodie. Many new fellow bloggers came towards me to join this event and shared their fabulous dishes since ever i started this event. Happy that this event is going successfully since a year. I came to know more about my guest hosts through their replies they shared for my questions along with their guestposts. Each and every posts of my guest hosts are unique in their own way.

Today's guest is an another wonderful sister i have met recently through Facebook, she was very kind and very humble and very sweet too. We are good friends since ever we started chatting and its really wonderful to know this busy working mom of two kids.I wonder always how working woman, busy mom feed their blog quite often. One among those active blogger aka mummy aka working woman is Sujatha Ram of Indian Veg Kitchen, my today's guest. Seriously i'll appreciate her for being active in this bloggy world often eventhough she is tighted up with many commitments. I have many favourites at Suja's space, love her bright and stepwise pictures. Everytime i bloghop her space, she never forget to make me drool. Have you ever heard about Karama Upma, a Tirunelveli special Upma prepared with rice flour, Suja shared this completely unknown dish with us. Trust me, if you go through her space, you will definitely spend your time in a wonderful way, please dont forget to keep aside few paper towel coz you wont stop drooling there.

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Arthy Shama of Cook With Arthy Shama

Do you want to know about Rendez Vous with a Foodie event happening twice a month in my space? its all about the newbie blogger who started crawling in this immense virtual world. Every 7th and 20th of the month i'll be inviting newbie bloggers from this bloggy world to write a guest post in my space.It can be anything, we dont have any specific cuisine or any specific theme. Obviously a couple of my fellow bloggers have participated and did their guest post since few months.I have to say a big thanks to each and everyone for being this much generous with me. Trust me, i never thought that this event will bring me many new bloggers to share their guest posts hee and it crossed already a year of celebration.

Today's guest host, i came to know her through a challenge and one fine day she pinged me asking whether she can make a guest post for this event, i immediately said Yes. She was kind enough to send me 

her guest post very much quickly eventhough i asked her to send me just few days before her slot.She is none other than Arthy Shama of  Cook With Arthy Shama.Arthy shares both vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes in her space.Actually i have couple of favourites from her space,few from her's are Boti Kebab,Watermelon Like Cake and Coffee Rolls.Her bakes rocks and am sure you will definitely enjoy going through her space as she shares many delicious and beautiful homely dishes.

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Aparna Bhat of Flavors and Colors

Twice a month am introducing newbie bloggers to this immense blogging virtual world, just to showcase their blogs with their guest posts they prepred specially for me and i named the event as Rendez vous with a foodie. Many new fellow bloggers came towards me to join this event and shared their fabulous dishes since ever i started this event. Happy that this event is going successfully since a year. I came to know more about my guest hosts through their replies they shared for my questions along with their guestposts. Each and every posts of my guest hosts are unique in their own way.

Today's host is one of my recent favourite blogger and whenever i go to her space, she speaks through her post and definitely with her beautiful clicks. Aparna Bhat of Flavors And Colors is my today's guest host, she is a Doctor by profession which i came to know the day she sent me her post with the questions i asked her to know more about this wonderful person behind Flavors And Colors, also while chatting with her i came to know that is a cousin of one of my blogger buddy who carries the same name too. Just go through her space, you will get to see a good collection of beautiful dishes you can dish out without any struggle. I have couple of favourites from her blog and trust me you will definitely enjoy going through her space.

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Joanne Ferguson of What's On The List

Twice a month am introducing newbie bloggers to this immense blogging virtual world, just to showcase their blogs with their guest posts they prepred specially for me and i named the event as Rendez vous with a foodie. Many new fellow bloggers came towards me to join this event and shared their fabulous dishes since ever i started this event. Happy that this event is going successfully since a year. I came to know more about my guest hosts through their replies they shared for my questions along with their guestposts. Each and every posts of my guest hosts are unique in their own way.

Blogging,this immense virtual world is definitely very close to my heart, i gained a bunch of good friends, well wishers and many blogger sisters. My today's guest is also one among them and she was a wonderful person who blogs at What's On The List. I happened to met her during a Food challenge and she was super kind enough to join me for making a guest post.She lives in Australia, am honoured to introduce Joanne Ferguson through my event.Am happy to say that i have an Australian blogger friend, obviously i have to say a big thanks to this beautiful bloggy world.

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Usha Rani of Maha's Lovely Home

Twice a month am introducing newbie bloggers to this immense blogging virtual world, just to showcase their blogs with their guest posts they prepred specially for me and i named the event as Rendez vous with a foodie. Many new fellow bloggers came towards me to join this event and shared their fabulous dishes since ever i started this event. Happy that this event is going successfully since a year. I came to know more about my guest hosts through their replies they shared for my questions along with their guestposts. Each and every posts of my guest hosts are unique in their own way.

Blogging,this immense virtual world is definitely very close to my heart, i gained a bunch of good friends, well wishers and many blogger sisters. My today's guest is also one among them and she was a wonderful person who blogs at Maha's Lovely Home.Actually i crossed her before a year and we became closer to each one through FB. She is one of my sweet sister and a young mom of two cute kids who blogs frequently with healthy stuffs. Her healthy bakes which are completely eggfree,butterfree and sugarfree will definitely makes you awestuck and her collections of foods are just tremendous.Just go through her space, you will get a good collections of beautiful dishes you can dish out without any struggle. I have couples of favourites from her blog and trust me you will definitely enjoy going through her space.

Let's hear from Usha Rani of Maha's Lovely Home..

Iam happy to write a guest post for Priya`s versatile blog where the wonderful lady shares interesting food recipes.. Priya sis is a lovely person n cares very much about other bloggers too..I really admire her cooking and especially baking skills.She is very down to earth,simple and spends her valuable time to write comments in each and every blog almost.Some times I surprise,that how she manages home,kids and blog.I tried few baking recipes from her space and they came out simply yummy.Also,Iam a big fan of her non-vegetarian recipes.Even though she presents a single picture,it says allot about the recipe.To be honest,hubby and kids of priya sis are very lucky on getting such a human being as life partner and mother...Sis,,I wish you all the best to future and to your blog..Keep sharing healthy recipes like this always with full of health and wealth.God bless you and your family for ever..

Actually my guest post was in march,and due to the occasions of my kids in India, I was busy and informed to sis that I can`t mail the post.Without any annoys she extended it and gave a chance to write today.Such a sweet lady..Thank you so much for giving this opportunity and Iam feeling thrilled on sharing a recipe in an amazing blog..Thank you so much once again!!!

1)Tell us about your blog and you?

Me Usha Rani.wife of simple+smiley good  business man and the most Important proud ful  mother of world`s beautiful handsome and sexy boys(MAHADEV N MAHADHIP)..an experimental girl...I write at Mahaslovelyhome which is my cook blog.It`s a very simple blog with south indian and baking recipes(mostly). I share recipes which are easy to cook and saves time mostly.Recently what I observed is more than the traditional n authentic recipes,I have my own creative recipes in my blog. also recently started another blog with name SOME THING HELPFUL where I share blog related techniques,kitchen tips which helps every one...

2)Before and after blogging, tell us what blogging changed your life?

I started my blog in 2011 november.on that time my little son was months baby and up to one year I posted recipes without touching others blogs.that means it was in sleep mode.Again in december(2012) seriously decided to work on it..Blog kept me always busy,made me to think creative,still learning photography,blessed good friends and most Important It made me to feel  that Iam not alone. Because  here in Foz we don`t have any Indian(hindu) people.so, you can imagine my situation..

3)When and what motivated you to blog about food?

When I was new to here(foz) I was depended on few blogs who posts step wise pics too..One fine day while I was in front of the system unexpectedly created my blog with my kids name and later took it serious to work on it..

4)There are a tons of blogs/pages on food these days, what accordingto you is the speciality of your blog and the food you cook?

 what you said is right!!..I observed many blogs.N every year the number is increasing,.It`s really a good improvement..Coming to my case,baking recipes of MLH are healthy n proudly what I feel is  most of the recipes are egg less and butter less.Even though my english is not,I feels happy whenever I write about my kids. :)

5) When it comes to cooking, who is your inspiration?

Inspiration!!!..Cooking is not a civil examination to inspire from others..According to me every woman is a good cook. when she turns into wife post,obviously she cook tasty food with  a  touch of love for her family..After thinking seriously about this question I think my mom, Hubby and my heart and soul are the inspirations.

6)Every newbie blogger faces tons of challenges when its comes to blogging, tell me about one of the challenges you faced and how did you overcome it?Please specify with the facts.

To change the look of blog I suffered allot and using google I(am) learned(ing) about gadgets and widgets which are important to blog.also,I suffered allot for recipe index and blog header.With the help of other blogs and websites I learned at least some thing which  helped my blog.

7)What is your best recipe and your favourite recipes you have blogged till now?

Each n every recipe is my favourite in my blog., a few,chicken dum biryani,ice cream recipes,mango recipes,all diet juices are my favourite.

8)Few tips about food photography?

I think iam unfit to answer this question..Heheehe..even though I handle canon,truly don`t know any thing about photography.But, will share personally what I feel,

1.Use pleasant looking colors kitchen towels.Also If you use veggies or fruits try to assemble fresh ones.

2.Arrange the food(recipe) neatly in the serving bowl(plate)

3.Try to click in day time.means natural light.

4.Click from different angles and click from top positions may looks good(I believe)

5.Keep it simple n don`t load with un necessary stuffs.

6.step wise pics are really helpful .

9)What is your budget for the props,do you have any or else do you manage with your household stuffs?

After deciding to settle down here in foz I started purchasing kitchen materials especially for blog purpose.in the previous two years I purchased allot and I kept blog using stuffs separately.few are high in price too and decided to don`t buy any thing this year.;)

10)How do you plan your blog posts? Do you post rarely,regularly or once a week?

From last year Iam regular in blogging,posting 3-4 recipes per week.even in the 2 last months, when I was in my India trip I arranged scheduled posts and still I have some more posts in draft..But,This year I have some Important promises.So.hope I will be regular same like always.

11)Do you have any other passions apart from food blogging or blogs you own?

Yeah.I love drawing,reading novels+stories,listening music,shopping,watching detective shows n madly watches movies.Nowadays spending some time on FB too.;)

Coming to the recipes,Walnuts are very healthy and less in calories.But sadly my two kids hates to eat those nuts.So,specially for them I prepared this rice by adding big handful walnuts and they liked it very much.For a combination I cooked chicken kurma in south indian style by using coconut as a main ingredient and both are tasted good. 

PREPARATION TIME- 30 MINUTES

COOKING TIME- 20+20 MINUTES

CARROT WALNUT PULAV:

WHAT YOU NEED

Grated carrot-1 cup

chopped  green bell pepper-3/4 cup

canned sweet corn-3/4 cup

walnuts-15

basmati rice-2 cups

red chili powder-1 tsp(as per taste)

salt-to taste

onion-1 med size

biryani garam masala-1 tsp

turmeric powder-1/2 tsp

ginger garlic paste-1/2 tbsp

coconut milk-1/2 cup

TO TEMPER

1 tbsp-oil

1 tbsp-ghee/butter

cardamom pods-3

cloves-4

cinnamon stick-2 inches

shahejeera/black cumin-1 tsp

HOW TO COOK

Heat a pan and dry roast walnuts and break into 4 pieces.Wash rice and soak for 20-25 minutes.

Heat a big pan with oil+ghee and saute Ingredients which given below to temper.

Fry well and throw chopped onion and saute for 2 more minutes in big flame.

Next add carrot,bell pepper and corns and mix well..Add enough salt and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.

Then add GGP,chili powder,turmeric and mix once again..after 2 minutes add coconut milk,masala powder and walnuts..stir once again well.

Then add enough  water and rice and let it cook until rice done.

Chicken Kurma:

WHAT YOU NEED

Chicken boned pieces-900 grams(i used frozen thigh pieces/small drum sticks)

coconut-med size 1/2 kernel

khus khus/poppy seeds-1 tbsp

red chili powder-to taste

salt-to taste

turmeric powder-1/2 tsp

chicken garam masala-1 tsp

ginger garlic paste-1/2 tbsp

mint leaves+cilantro leaves-hand ful

cumin powder-1/2 tsp

onion-1 big

tomato-1 med size

green chili-2 long

yogurt/curd-1/2 cup

coriander powder-1/2 tsp

oil-2 tsbp

cardamoms-3

cloves-4

cinnamon stick-1 inch

bay leaf-1 small

black cumin-1 tsp

HOW TO COOK

Wash twice chicken and remove skin part.Marinate with curd/lemon juice and turmeric,salt,chili,cumin  powder fro 30 minutes at least.

Now heat pressure cooker with oil and fry cardamoms,cloves,cinnamon stick,bay leaf,black cumin for half minute.

Then add chopped onion ,chopped green chili and fry til turns into light browny.Then add chicken and mix well..After 3-5 minutes add chopped tomato to this.mix once.

Now add washed green leaves and mix.pressure cook for 2 whistles in medium flame.

Mean while chop coconut and grind with khus khus by adding lit bit of water.

Once after releasing pressure in cooker turn on again and add coconut mixture and cook for 5 minutes in high flame.stir in between to avoid burning..

Finally add garam masala and and coriander powder.turn off after 5 minutes and throw some more fresh coriander leaves if you have and serve hot with rotis or pulkas.

Hope you all enjoyed this fantastic dishes from Usha, stay tuned for an another beautiful guest post by an another buddy blogger.

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Swasthi of Indian Healthy Recipes

Twice a month am introducing newbie bloggers to this immense blogging virtual world, just to showcase their blogs with their guest posts they prepred specially for me and i named the event as Rendez vous with a foodie. Many new fellow bloggers came towards me to join this event and shared their fabulous dishes since ever i started this event. Happy that this event is going successfully since a year. I came to know more about my guest hosts through their replies they shared for my questions along with their guestposts. Each and every posts of my guest hosts are unique in their own way.

Today's guest post is from a super chef, a health freak who never stopped surprising us with her beautiful dishes stuffed with healthy ingredients in it.Yes my today's guest is none other than Swasthi of Indian Healthy Recipes aka Swasthi's Recipes.Swasthi, her blog speaks a lot about her passion for her healthy cooking and blogging.She shares many South Indian dishes with stepwise pictures and none will go wrong with her instructions. I have became an ardent fan of her way of cooking with healthy stuffs,traditional foods and wonderful eggless,sugarless bakes. Seriously if you go through her space, am sure you will definitely fallen in love with her space.Good friends are very rare, but believe me even this virtual world brings you many wonderful friends, trust me apart from few, most of the bloggers i crossed in this virtual world are genuine,down to earth with huge heart.One among those wonderful bloggers i have crossed in this immense virtual world is Swasthi,i have to say a big thanks to her for giving me this incredible guest post and loved it. 

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Sundari Nathan of My Magic Pan

Every 7th and 20th of the month,am hosting Rendez Vous With A Foodie, an event happening twice a month in my blog,the main motto of this event is to introduce budding bloggers to this immense virtual world.Today is an another special day for me,yep today's host is a wonderful person, before going to know about her, if anyone want to be my guest and if your blog is less than two years please do contact me through Facebook or by a mail with your facebook name to add you in this new adventure.

My today's guest host is one among a newbie blogger who i have crossed recently, one fine day she pinged me asking whether she can join this event. Who can resist to this friendly request? i said immediately Yes. When she pinged me i was India, with a nasty net connection i couldnt able to chit chat with her for a long.Thank god she was very humble and accepted immediately the slot i suggested to her. Then later once i came back home, i pinged her and we talked for a while. Trust me, she was very kind enough to accept when i changed the slot i have suggested earlier coz of an another blogger who is in vacation. Do you want to know whom am talking about??  She is Sundari Nathan of My Magic Pan.

We dont need many years to get connect in this virtual world, we get easily friends here that too if you have same passion. Myself and Sundari have same passion of foods thus our friendship is growing up day by day and am thanking god for giving me this wonderful sister aka blogger friend.This virtual bloggy world never let me down and its like a mother who never forget to give much love and support.Sundari shares many delicious dishes in her 5 months old blog baby, you can authentic dishes,beautiful bakes and more delicious foods.Just go through her space to see all her efforts she is putting on her space since October 2013.I have few favourites from her space eventhough i love very much her prefectly prepared delicious Mysore pak..

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Savitha Ramesh of Savitha's Kitchen

Life is becoming a roller coaster for me, three months stay in hometown changed my life style a lot. Dont talk about the jetlag,am suffering very much with it. Am sleeping and eating as per Indian time, early wakeup is just killing me.Hope within a week, everything will be alrite. Without any delay let me start with an another guest post by a wonderful blogger. Yea its 20th February and am here with my monthly event called Rendez Vous with a Foodie, an event i have started a year back. If you are my follower,you might have noticed that every 7th and 20th of the month i'll be introducing a newbie blogger to this immense virtual world.I know that my co-bloggers aka my virtual sisters will definitely join their hands to make this event a big success and trust me they proved that,yes this event is a big hit. I have to say big thanks to each and everyone for giving me this immense support since a year.Next month is going to be the first anniversary of this event,happy to say that 22 bloggers have already written a guest post specially for me,obviously i feel honoured and blessed.

My today's guest is one of my favourite blogger Savitha Ramesh of Savitha's Kitchen, she blogs since 2010,she shares many authentic dishes from Tamil Nadu and from many more cuisines. Dont ask me about her baking skills, she was just amazing and one of her post French Yule Log Cake will speaks a lot about this. If you are her friend in FB, you might have crossed many beautiful cake she prepared for many special occasions like Valentine's day; birthdays etc, seriously i wish to have some patience as much as Savitha especially when its come from cake decorating. Actually i crossed Savitha through this immense world before two years and immediately i started following here,since ever i have became an ardent fan of her space.

Have you ever seen her detailed post about Kumbakonam Degree Coffee aka Filter Coffee, if not seriously your are missing something. If you are a coffee lover like me, you cant stop yourself drooling over her fabulous post about our morning raaga aka filter coffee. I can talk for hours about Savitha's space without any break,dont forget to go through her space if you are in search for Authentic South Indian dishes that too she shares her posts with stepwise pictures. Obviously,am sure that whoever started cooking recently wont go wrong after going through her stepwise pictures. 

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Sathya Priya of My Kitchen Odyssey

Every 7th and 20th of a month,you guys would have noticed that am inviting few of my new buddies to share their guest post in my space, seriously am blessed to get this much generous friends in this virtual world.Twice a month am introducing newbie bloggers to this immense blogging virtual world, just to showcase their blogs with their guest posts they prepred specially for me. Since ever i started this event, its running with huge success and all my guests never surprised me with their humble and delicious dishes.Today is one more fantastic blogger who never stopped sharing many traditional and many more stunning foods.

She is Sathya Priya of My Kitchen Odyssey, she shares many beautiful Chettinad dishes in her space along with some International foods too. Seriously Sathya Priya is a newbie blogger and her blog is just six months old.She left a comment asking whether she can make a guest post for me, how wonderful na,obviously i mailed her with the details and trust me she send me back her guest post within three days. Thanks to Sathya for being this much fast so that i can schedule the guest post for today before two months earlier coz i'll be in India while this post is up in my space. Coming to Sathya Priya's space, if you are an ardent fan of Chettinad cuisine dont forget to go through her space, some of my favourite dishes from her space are Vellai Paniyaram,tongue tickling Maangai Pachadi and the list goes on.

Now lets hear from Sathya Priya of My Kitchen Odyssey..

1)Tell us about your blog and you?
I am sathyaPriya new blogger.I started blogging 6 months ago .My blogsite is My Kitchen Odyssey.In my blog you can see lots of chettinad dishes and other dishes that we love .My theme is do it from scratch and be healthy.

2)Before and after blogging, tell us what blogging changed your life?

I feel alone all the time after i come to US so wanted to have some friends and the neighbourhood here is like a city, all ppl are busy with their work.I should have a hobby /friends to keep me busy.So that why i started to blog .

I got lots of friends, i am learning new things everyday.Blogging keeps me busy and gives me immense pleasure.

3)When and what motivated you to blog about food?

I always wanted to try many new dishes and want to impress my husband and kid.I usually forget the recipe which i do.thats how i started to  write .So i can keep track of my recipes and inspire others to cook.

4)There are a tonsof blogs/pages on food these days, what accordingto you is the speciality of your blog and the food you cook?

I come from karaikudi where chettinad food is very famous.So i cook chettinad specalities and all of the dishes i share are totally made from scratch (home made) .I always try to give step by step pictures for the beginers to cook with ease .And last but not least i always want to eat a healthy food and give viewers a healthy food.

5) When it comes to cooking, who is your inspiration?

My First insipiration is grandma .Always she used to cook diff varieties and love to feed us.

Next is my mother-in -law she cooks delicious food with in minutes .I wonder how she is so quick.And ofcourse my mom she always do fresh and 3 diff veggies when we were kids.So love her freshness and affection.My friends,relatives list is countless.

6)Every newbie blogger faces tons of challenges when its comes to blogging, tell me about one of the challenges you faced and how did you overcome it?

First when i started blogging i dont know how and where to start.Then after few days of research i found guest post is a wonderful intro for a new blogger.so was thinking of guest posting .

But i am a new blogger ,how will i do that.when i shared my post in google plus i came to know linsy .She is a very wonderful person .I did  a guest post in her blog and got a very good introduction.

7)What is your best recipe and your favourite recipes you have blogged till now?

Pineapple salsa is my favourite.Because its very diff from  what i do everyday .Its very healthy ,easy recipe.

8)Few tips about food photography?

When your viewers see your blog your photo gives them the first impression .If its impressive they start reading further.I mean the photo should be appetizing.

When i started my blog i am zero in photography .Now i know how to present the food .

9)What is your budget for the props,do you have any or else do you manage with your household stuffs?

I will manage with my household stuff itself.I always wanted to make a recipe with the things i have in my hand.That is a challenge to me.When there is a baking recipe i will get them apart from my budget.

10)How do you plan your blog posts? Do you post rarely,regularly or once a week?

I post alteast 3-4 post a week.

11)Do you have any other passions apart from food blogging or blogs you own?

I love to save money apart from blogging.So used to collect coupons.now i dont have time to collect them.Photography ,music ,designing are the few fields i love .

Pal Kolukattai:

I grew up in Karaikudi a relatively well known town in the chettinad region of Tamilnadu. Chettinad region boasts of palatial houses and chettinad food is famous world over renowned for the uses of aromatic spices.There are a few dessert dishes unique to chettinad and paal kozhukattai is one among them.

This is my mom's recipe.She used to grind the rice dough by soaking the rice and grinding it in wet grinder. When we were kids during holidays my mom used engage us a little by asking us to shape the kozhukattai. We used to have lots of fun with the dough.

I thought of making this the traditional way but was a little sceptical because of the complexity. Also I was a little worried that my daughter would use this as substitute for her play-doh.

So I did it the easy way and got it done in no time.

Preparation time:5 min

Cooking time:15 min

Serves:2-3

Ingredients:

1 cup rice flour

1 cup jaggery

4 1/2 cups water+1 cup 

2 tbs coconut

Murukku press

Method:

heat one cup of water until it bubbles.

Sieve the rice flour and place it in a mixing bowl and add the heated water to it and mix well.

The dough is ready.

Keep the murukku press handy.

Heat 4 1/2 cups of water until it boils (Until bubbles rise).

Separate the dough in to 2 and roll them between your palms to a large cylindrical pieces.

Keep the dough inside the press and start pressing it (It might split in between but keep pressing).

Lower the heat and get the second part inside the press.

Pic3 shows the traditional method of rolling the kozhukattais

Increase the flame and press the second part of the dough into the hot water.

In the mean time grate the jaggery and remove the impurities.

Wait until the dough boils and rice dumplings become opaque.

Add the filtered jaggery and stir it until  everything starts thickening.

Finally add coconut and cardomom and switch off the flame.                      

Paal kozhukattai is ready to be served .

Note:

It will be piping hot ,serve after it cools down a little.

1 cup is the right level amount of jaggery . But you can adjust according to your taste and jaggery nature.

Cardamom is optional.

Add more coconut if you like to taste it more in the dish.

Thanks very much for this great opportunity priya.

Hope you all enjoyed this droolworthy Pal Kolukattais cooked up by Sathya Priya, stay tuned for an another guest post by an another blogger soon.

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Sangeetha of Eat N Eat Little More

Bloggy world is an immense world and its wonderful to find out friends with same passions for foods.Many new bloggers join this world every day and really its hard to track them. If a new blogger who have a passion for food starts a blog, i know how its hard to get introduce to this immense world. Keeping this on my mind, i started a new event. Rendez vous with a foodie, a monthly event happening twice a month, this event is specially created for new bloggers who blogs since less than two years. This event will showcase their blogs, their passion for foods and many more. If you want to join me, just send me a message in our Facebook group or leave your mail address in this comment section. This event is going successfully and happy that i came to know more about my guest hosts through this event.

Coming to today's guest host, i came to know her through a challenge, one fine day she pinged me asking whether she can join this event, how wonderful na. Who can resist to this friendly request? i said immediately Yes. Actually i suggested an another date to Sangeetha of Eat N Eat Little More,but suddenly the host of today couldnt make her post coz of her trip to India. Immediately i pinged Sangeetha asking whether she can make a guest post for me and gave her 10days to send me her guest post. But seriously Sangeetha is just amazing, within a day she send her guest post with pictures and her replies for the questions i asked for. Through her replies i came to know that she wasnt living far away from me. Am in Paris and she is in Germany, wish a day she or myself should plan to trip to meet each other either in Paris or in Germany. From the way Sangeetha talk through her words, i can definitely say that she is a humble, very friendly and very kind human, thanks Sangeetha for being this much kind with me eventhough i didnt gave you much time to you for making your guest post.Wish our friendship bond gets very closer as much as possible in future.

Lets hear from Sangeetha of Eat N Eat Little More.

I was constantly seeing in my blogfeed Rendezvous with a Foodie in Priya's space from long time and she was doing this just to bring a new blogger to limelight. An attempt to push the upcoming bloggers a step up in the ladder of blogging . I really appreciate this attempt of hers. I was very much willing to feature in her space and for that I did drop a request and she accepted my request with no further due and even scheduled a date for me. I was quite amazed with this warm acceptance she showed. I still remember the day she posted a recipe of Eggless Choux with eggless chocolate mousse and she annonced that it had been 5 years since she started blogging. I was so much amazed when I learnt that. Yes this needs constant dedication. And I believe she does post even now with same zeal. And to talk about her food photography skills, they are excellent. No doubt in that. To mention a few, I can say the Spiral Moon Cake, Laugenbrezel etc.

I can no more tell I'm new to blogging world as it is almost reaching an year since I started blogging. Cooking was my hidden passion I believe as that revealed only after I came to Germany. Until then I was just an admirer of all who are excellent cooks. I started cooking more and more with different ingredients adjusting to our taste, learnt few traditional recipes from mom and my MIL, few from friends and relatives. Finally with constant request I gave an entry to Blogging world with my tiny blog 'Eat n Eat little More' and now that I have entered I wish to keep going and not stop at any point of time. It is no more a hidden passion rather I proudly say I'm a Food blogger.

1)Tell us about your blog and you?
To tell about me, I'm a software engineer by profession, now spending my time in the world of food blogging. I must say I was very new to cooking as before marriage I was pampered with all cooking done by my mom and I never bothered to enter kitchen. After marriage also I never felt that managing kitchen is difficult as I used to go to work and just managing a simple sambhar or a sidedish was not so difficult for rice to set our dinner table. Breakfast and lunch used to be in office canteens for both me and my hubby. I realised the importance of  cooking different and healthy when I relocated to Germany and I was having a small kid of 1 year by then. I started cooking varieties at home as I was free almost all the time.To be frank it is not so easy to spend daily outside here in Indian restaurants or any other eating joints as they seem to be extremely costly when compared to the bills we used to pay in Bangalore hotels (now even they are getting costlier day by day as I heard from my friends). Cooking became my passion then, not sure if it was inherited as my mom used to love cooking and she too used to prepare delicacies infact she learnt many sweets and savories during our stay in Gujarat.

2)Before and after blogging, tell us what blogging changed your life?
Yes it has changed my life for sure, I became a busy mom now with my Food blog coming into existence. A kind of satisfaction with this I get which can't be expressed in words though.

3)When and what motivated you to blog about food?
I was never ever hitting google for a basic recipes or for simple dessert like carrot halwa or gulab jamoons as for me then my Google was my mom or mother in law. I used to give a call and they used to help me out. But after I came here slowly and gradually I used to try out recipes that I followed in Youtube. Soon I started hitting Google for the same and saw umpteen number of sites(blogs) and was amazed with the beauty and clear cut explanations being provided. I was indeed very much interested to own a blog of my own where I could store few recipes that I learn from net or from family and friends and keep it for my future reference. More over I had ample amount of time and found food blogging to be an ideal way to spend time and soon it became an obsession for me.Hence came into existence Eat n Eat little More.

4)There are a tonsof blogs/pages on food these days, what accordingto you is the speciality of your blog and the food you cook?
I could just say I'm no greater than any other. But definitely I can say it is a pure veggie blog as I abstain to the usage of even eggs in my cooking being a pure vegetarian and proud to own few recipes that are part of our family tradition.

5) When it comes to cooking, who is your inspiration?

Cooking is something that all or any one can do, but I definitely am inspired by my mother as she is a great cook according to me.

6)Every newbie blogger faces tons of challenges when its comes to blogging, tell me about one of the challenges you faced and how did you overcome it?

I can say I faced lot of difficulties. To get in pace with blogging world, I was not aware of how to begin with. I just had a dream alone. I used to share pics in Facebook in my albums. Few friends of mine suggested me as why not I include recipes too as they seem to be very much interesting. I started writing them up as they requested. Soon I was requested to make them public rather that sharing with few friends of mine. One of my good friend asked me to start a blog. I initally had spent around a day's time to coin a name for my blog. He helped me alot in the intial phases, guiding me every now and then. I'm really happy that I could overcome quite a few if not many under his guidance. He helped me with header. Setting up a blog using Blogger was quite easy for me. But the way it should look and all sorts of customisations were based on his suggestions, to tell an example,Having Recipe Index as a dropdown on the side bar will help users to select desired recipes from categories specified.

7)What is your best recipe and your favourite recipes you have blogged till now?

Best recipe is Indian Butter Cookies/Nankhatai as it was my 1st attempt and that was the best cookies I ever had.

Favourite is Instant Jalebi. I was happy with the outcome on my second attempt.

8)Few tips about food photography?

I'm very new to photography. I'm not a good photographer but still try to get the best shot out of all to put it up here. I still can suggest one thing which I have got ot know from personal experience that day light is the best light for photography and avoid using flash though I cannot at times when it comes to night time photography.

9)What is your budget for the props,do you have any or else do you manage with your household stuffs?

No I must say, till date I have not purchased props to decorate. I use what are available in my pantry.

10)How do you plan your blog posts? Do you post rarely,regularly or once a week?

I plan daily but end up posting twice or thrice in a week nowadays when compared to my initial days of blogging due to my other commitments here.

11)Do you have any other passions apart from food blogging or blogs you own?

I do not own any other blog other than this food blog, but yes I love learning new languages and now I'm going to a class to learn German.

Lets move off to my post here today Garlicky Cheesy Fusilli Pasta. I got the recipe from a friend of mine Chaithra Mailankody. I altered it a little adjusting to our taste.

Garlicky Cheesy Fusilli Pasta

Makes 2 serves

Ingredients:

Fusilli Pasta-250 gms

Garlic-3-4 pods chopped

Onion-1 big chopped thin lengthwise

Green Capsicum-1/2 chopped

Black pepper powder-1 tsp.

Garlic salt/Garlic powder-1/2 tsp.

Milk-2 cups

All purpose flour-1 tbsp.

Cheese slices-2

Oregano-1/4 tsp.

Oil-2 tbsp.

Salt to taste

Recipe:

Boil water adding salt as required and when boiled add pasta and cook them till aldente. Drain and set aside.In a pan add oil, when hot add chopped garlic and saute till rawness is almost gone.

Add onions and saute on high flame followed by that add capsicum and saute on high flame.

Add pepper, garlic salt and saute on high flame.

In a bowl add milk and all purpose flour and make a lumpfree solution out of it and pour it over the sauteed mixture and add salt as required keeping in mind about the salt in pasta and the garlic salt being added and cook on a low flame.

Add cheese once the mixture begins to slowly thicken.

Cook till mixture thickens.

Pop in the cooked pasta and mix well till all pasta is well coated.Add oregano on top.

The garlicky cheesy fusilli pasta is ready to serve.

Notes:

Do not cook pasta too much ahead from the time of preparing pasta as that may make them dry and the sauce prepared will not coat the pasta well.It is best to cook pasta simultaneously as you prepare the sauce. But if your are not sure of cooking together do cook just before preparing the sauce, drain and set aside.

Cook pasta till 'Al dente' Al dente' is an Italien word which describes Pasta and means means "to the tooth" or "to the bite", referring to the need to chew the pasta due to its firmness.

Saute the capsicum on a high flame so as to retain the crispiness of the veggies. You may add as many veggies as you like.

You may add more of black pepper if you like it more spicy.

Hope you all enjoyed this creamy pasta from Sangeetha of Eat N Eat Little More, stay tuned for an another guest host..

Rendez Vous With A Foodie~~Shey Divine of Just Not The Cakes

Do you want to know about Rendez Vous with a Foodie event happening twice a month in my space? its all about the newbie blogger who started crawling in this immense virtual world. Every 7th and 20th of the month i'll be inviting newbie bloggers from this bloggy world to write a guest post in my space.It can be anything, we dont have any specific cuisine or any specific theme. Obviously a couple of my fellow bloggers have participated and did their guest post since few months.If you are interested do let me know, i'll send the details about this event.

Today's guest host, i came to know her through few challenges and one fine day she pinged me asking whether she can make a guest post for this event, i immediately said Yes. She was kind enough to send me 

her guest post very much quickly eventhough i asked her to send me pretty much earlier coz of my trip to India. She is none other than Sharanya aka Shey Divine of Just Not The Cakes. She is a young chef, an excellent baker who creates many delicious and beautiful cakes from her kitchen. If you go through her creations, you will get tempted and obviously you will definitely drool over her unique creations.Wish a day, i'll do as much as like Shey's creations. Not only she bakes, she dish out so many incredible dishes and am a great fan of her few dishes which makes me hungry whenever go through her space, one of her recent post i have completely fallen in love is  Kesari Raj Bhog. Do check Shey's space friends, am sure you will be amazed to see all her bakes and dishes.

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Veena of Great Secret Of Life

Good friends are very rare but believe me even this virtual world brings you many wonderful friends,eventhough many people around you may says that never trust this virtual world. Even i was before as though, but slowly i changed that opinion and trust me apart from few, most of the bloggers i crossed in this virtual world are genuine,down to earth and with huge heart. When i started this Rendez vous with a foodie event, a bunch of new bloggers joined their hands immediately with me and this event is running very successfully since ever i started this event.

Every 7th and 20th of the month,am hosting Rendez Vous With A Foodie, an event happening twice a month in my blog,the main motto of this event is to introduce budding bloggers to this immense virtual world.Today is an another special day for me,yep today's host is a wonderful person, before going to know about her, if anyone want to be my guest and if your blog is less than two years please do contact me through Facebook or by a mail with your facebook name to add you in this new adventure.

Veena, her blog speaks a lot about her passion for cooking and blogging.She share many South Indian dishes with stepwise pictures and none will go wrong with her instructions. I have became an ardent fan of her way of cooking with healthy stuffs,traditional foods and wonderful eggless bakes. Seriously if you go through her space, am sure you will definitely fallen in love with her space. Veena, who blogs at Great-secret-of-life eventhough i dont know much about her, slowly i came to know that she is not only a sweet person and a very down to earth human who supports everyone with her constant visits and her encouraging words.Everytime i go to her space, i always amazed to see the varieties of dishes she shares in her space and now am an ardent of her space.

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Rafeeda of The Big Sweet Tooth

We might have crossed so many friends in our life, some may stay and some may go but some will never go and they will stay in our heart for ever. This blogging world brought me many friends who later became my virtual sisters and the number of virtual sisters are increasing day by day, but never mind i just adore the support and the love they brings me. Whenever i ask their support, they will definitely shower me with their huge support, thats why i created this event Rendez vous with a Foodie. I know i can trust my co-bloggers aka my virtual sisters to join their hands to make this event and trust me they proved that and this event is a big hit. I have to say big thanks to each and everyone for giving me this support.

If you are my follower,you might have noticed that every 7th and 20th of the month i'll be introducing a newbie blogger to this immense virtual world.My today's guest is known other than Rafeeda of The Big Sweet Tooth, a wonderful person, absolutely a very sweet sister who cares a lot for others. Earlier i thought she might be a homemaker who cooks quite often then later from her posts i came to know that she is a working mom with two adorable kids. I was astonished to see how frequently she blogs and participates in many challenges eventhough she is busy working mom.

Initially, her blog's name attracted me a lot, coz am also having a big sweet tooth. When you saw someone who is having the same taste and same passion for foods obviously you will get attract to them and you may turn curious to know more about them.This is wat happened for me when i crossed Rafeeda's space, happy that she is an adorable person who have a huge heart thus i simply became her ardent fan. Actually I always love her Malabar dishes and obviously i was waiting eagerly for her guest post. Trust me, she didnt disappointed me and send me a wonderful,droolworthy Malabar Biryani. Thanks Rafee Sis, coz of you finally my space have a wonderful Malabar biryani now.

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Manjula Bharath of Desi Fiesta

Every 7th and 20th of the month,am hosting Rendez Vous With A Foodie, an event happening twice a month in my blog,the main motto of this event is to introduce budding bloggers to this immense virtual world.Today is an another special day for me,yep today's host is a wonderful person, before going to know about her, if anyone want to be my guest and if your blog is less than two years please do contact me through Facebook or by a mail with your facebook name to add you in this new adventure.

Coming to today's host, she is a one of my soul mate again, actually i dunno anything about her a year back. I came to know about her only through SN Challenge, an event by  Divya Pramil when she challenged us with the famous Rajasthani Ghevar, its was like hi and bye relation before. Suddenly we came closer through FB coz of guest post by Sangeetha of Spicy Treats,from that onwards we started chitchatting, then only i came to know that Manjula is a Rajasthani gal who speaks tamil,my mother tongue fluently. She is also very special to me as much as like my other virtual family members, my bubbly sister who never fails to make me laugh by her naughtiness.

Do you how she was inspired to start her blog??, she told that am the one who inspired her.Trust me, that day i was like a person who won a jackpot, watelse a food blogger need. Inspring a foodie to start a blog,thats seriously something special na and its was like an achievement for me. Manjula, a super jovial person who speaks tamil like a pakka chennailite never failed to amaze us with her frequent blogging, that too she is a Thali queen who challenged a complete Rajasthani Thali for the SN Challenge, am happy to say that through her i learned many Rajasthani delicious dishes.

With a toddler at home,she is a busy mom but still she cooks easily a Thali and will surprise you. Do you know for Onam she prepared an Onam Sadya Feast.Seriously its rare to see an enthusiastic person like her in this virtual world. Manjula have her own way of cooking and makes anybody to drool in front of her pictures. Needless to say about her pictures, you may think that she own a DSLR,nope she is capturing her food clicks with P&S, whoever go through her pictures wont trust that her pictures are clicked with a P&S. She proved that we doesnt need a DSLR for food photography even with Powershot we can make magic. Today am very proud that she is my guest host today, its was so special and very emotional moment for me. Thanks Manjula for making a beautiful guest specially for me.

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Sangeetha of Spicy Treats

My readers and followers will definitely know about the monthly event happening twice here. Rendez vous with a foodie, this event is specially for newbie bloggers who started their blog recently. Do you want to showcase your blog to this immense virtual bloggy world, then join me and send me your guest post. This event is going successfully since ever i started and a bunch of my co bloggers showered me with their love by joining their hands with me. Nothing is impossible with all your constant supports and encouraging words.Every 7th and 20th of the month, a guest aka a newbie blogger will post her dish in my space along with their replies for few questions i'll be asking for. So that we can know a bit about them and get to know about them through this event. Do you want to join, then leave me your mail address or else join us in Facebook group.

Life is not full of roses,but sometimes we can make changes in our life if you have good and humble friends besides us.Trust me, my life have changed a lot since few years, that too in this virtual world. I have few friends who are my soul mates, blog mates, my chat mates etc etc. One among my chat mate aka soul mate is Sangeetha of Spicy Treats, actually we have the same wavelength obviously we became friends easily. Since we have the same passion for foods, we are very close to each other now. Earlier we used to talk through Facebook, then one fine day i got her number and called her. From that day onwards, we came so closer and we talk for hours and hours through fone.We know each other very well, if i feel down or if am happy, i'll immediately share with couple of my close friends aka bloggers. When i lost my father, Sangeetha was one among those friends who didnt hesitate a second to call me while am crossing a difficult and very painful moment of my life.

Sangee, i can speak for hours about her,no no for a whole day oh no may be month, yes she have that much of qualities to say. Actually am lost with words now, i seriously want to find a new definition for the friendship that i share with Sangeetha, its a sister-friend relation which i treasure a lot.Sangeetha is a wonderful friend, very honest friend, a down to earth person who speaks always from her heart and a darling if you get to know more about her. She is busy mom of two cute and charming boys, eventhough they keep her busy Sangee never failed to take care of her blog baby. She feeds her blog baby very regularly by her fabulous clicks with stepwise pictures.Couple of her recipes are my favourites and i can provide a huge list of my favourites from her space. Am honoured that finally Sangee is my guest host today and happy that she made this guest post specially for me. Thanks again Sangee.

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Sangeetha Priya of Nitha Kitchen

My readers and followers will definitely know that every 7th and 20th of the month i'll be inviting two newbie bloggers from this bloggy world to write a guest post in my space.  If anyone want to be my guest and if your blog is less than two years please do contact me through Facebook or by a mail with your facebook name to add you in this new adventure. Hope many of you will join ur hands with me. Obviously the motto of this event is to introduce the upcoming new bloggers to this immense virtual world.

Blogging,this immense virtual world is definitely very close to my heart, i gained a bunch of good friends, well wishers and many blogger sisters. My today's guest is also one among them and she was a wonderful person who blogs at Nitha's Kitchen. Actually i crossed her before a year and we became closer to each one through FB. She is one of my best friend, a sweet sister and a young mom of two kids who blogs frequently with healthy stuffs. She shares many traditional dishes from her native which are seriously very close to my heart and the list of my favourite dishes from her space is very long.She shares stepwise pictures of her recipes, also she will give definitely DIY ideas and one among those is her pumpkin cookies, check her idea here really tremendous and brilliant na,she have many interesting recipes like this and sure her space is definitely a treasure, if you are searching Kongunadu style dishes.

Do you want to know more about Sangeetha Priya of Nitha's Kitchen,just go through her small interview...

1)Tell us about your blog and you?

I am Sangeetha Priya, started my career as Computer faculty in School and simultaneously finished my master degree. I worked in MNC as Software Engineer for few years n now full time home maker lives in U.S with my hubby and 2 kids. I blog for Nitha Kitchen which is almost 1 n 1/2 years old. Nitha is my daughter name, she just started her preschool n younger son is staying at home. 

2)Before and after blogging, tell us what blogging changed your life?

 My cooking remains the same but improved a lot in baking also do experiments especially with it. Now I have started cooking for a varied audience from different places of the world. I get recipe requests from my Readers, friends and family members living in home town, so blogging molded me and happy to share the recipes. Also I learnt few terms like Vegan and because of it my photography skills is improving.

3)When and what motivated you to blog about food?

Before marriage like everyone says I never involved in cooking. After getting married I quit my job and was alone at home that made me to develop my cooking skills. Later I was so crazy to click step by step pictures, it’s my hobby and love to share the final outcome with my parents. It went like that for almost 2yrs with loads of recipes, one special day we invited our close friend for lunch and she suggested me of starting a blog. My Husband then helped in creating it. He helped a lot in domain change, template designing so and so.

4)There are a tons of blogs/pages on food these days, what accordingto you is the speciality of your blog and the food you cook?

It’s a mix of traditional Indian n trendy unique recipes. I have loads of healthy and reduced fat recipes. Most of them are prepared with easy homey ingredients and simplest process; also I explain it with step by step pictures.

5) When it comes to cooking, who is your inspiration?     

My Mom, Maternal Grandma and Aunt (Paternal Sister) are my great inspiration.

6)Every newbie blogger faces tons of challenges when its comes to blogging, tell me about one of the challenges you faced and how did you overcome it?

Initially I designed my site by referring Raks and Sharmis space. I hard coded by searching various sources in Google. When getting stabilized by mistake I moved the blog to my daughters own domain without thinking about the future. We realized later and moved to my new and existing domain. My husband helped a lot in domain change. Also I appreciate my Co bloggers with their activities in Facebook groups n other social medias, I learnt several new aspects. Particularly I thank Sangee and Preeti for my tuned pictures.

7)What is your best recipe and your favourite recipes you have blogged till now?

All my recipes are favorite, here are few of my best n favorite foods: Ancient Thinai Urundai/Foxtail Millet Honey Balls, Arisiyum Paruppu Sadham, Almond Pista Rolls/Apple Shaped Almond Katli, Keerai Bajji/Gram Flour Spinach Fritters, Bitter Gourd Pulav/Pavakkaai Pulao, Thinai Murukku/Millet Chakli, Eggless Pomegranate Cupcakes with POM Cream Cheese Frosting.

8)Few tips about food photography?

I am not a great photographer but to my knowledge I suggest taking pictures in natural light and also in different angles.

9)What is your budget for the props,do you have any or else do you manage with your household stuffs?

I don't have any budget, depends on the shop and H mood , it varies from 1 to 20 USD. I usually manage with my household stuffs but in future I may hunt for it.

10)How do you plan your blog posts? Do you post rarely,regularly or once a week?

By regular I post weekly 3 recipes at least, If I get time I increase the count, anyways it depends on the kids at home.

11)Do you have any other passions apart from food blogging or blogs you own?

Yes, I always flair for gardening and online window shopping. But these days with my lil one it’s hard to spend much time in lappy though I am maintaining a very small garden in my patio 

Today’s recipe is simple and delicious savory snack and my mom makes this especially for dinner. 3-4 soiyans aka South Indian kachoris is more than enough for a person. This kachoris' are made of rice batter and no needs fermentation, you can use mixie/blender to grind the batter. When added in hot oil it gives “soi” sound so we call it as Soiyan in our surroundings. I am not a frequent deep fry maker but once in a while I make it for dinner as Mom's recipe are something special right .The best side for this fritters is spicy coconut chutney.

Soiyan/Rice Batter South Indian Kachori:

Ingredients

Idli Rice - 1 Cup

Whole Urad Dhal/Gotta  - 2 Tbsp

Fenugreek - 1/2tsp

Cumin Seeds - 2tsp

Salt - As needed

Oil - To deep fry

Method

Soak Rice, Urad dal and fenugreek for at least 5 hours (Stepwise Pic 1, below).

Grind to fine paste, make the batter bit watery when compared to usual idli batter (Pic 3). 

Add cumin and salt to the batter, keep it aside for 15 minutes (Pic 2).

Meanwhile heat oil in a small pan/kadai, drop a ladder full of batter in the center of the pan, It pops up very well (Pic 4).

You can another spoonful of batter after the first one raise up (Pic 4).

The fritters once starts changing light brown, flip it and cook both sides well ie till nice golden color.

Remove and drain the excess oil using paper towel, also you can wipe well with paper towel, if needed.

Coconut chutney is the best accomplishment for this kachori, also paired with dal/paruppu sambar.

The outer layer is crisp and inner is soft...

Note:

1.     It depends on the rice, you can take it out when it is light brown and make sure it is well cooked inside.

2.     If the batter consistency is thin then you get crisp outer coat, if its thick, then it attains soft kachoris.

Hope you enjoyed this fantastic Kongu dish and stay tuned for an another guest post by an another foodie blogger..

Rendez Vous With A Foodie - Nalini Suresh of Nalini's Kitchen

Twice a month am introducing newbie bloggers to this immense blogging virtual world, just to showcase their blogs with their guest posts they prepred specially for me and i named the event as Rendez vous with a foodie. Many new fellow bloggers came towards me to join this event and shared their fabulous dishes since ever i started this event. Happy that this event is going successfully since the month of march and i came to know more about my guest hosts through their replies they shared for my questions. Each and every posts of my guest hosts are unique in their own way.

Today is 7th october and its time for an another guest post, today's host is very much close to my heart.Life is beautiful when you are surrounded by simple and broad minded peoples as like you, couple of months back my days were not that much funfilled as like now. Yes few buddies from this immense virtual world came very much closer to me and i got a bunch of close friends to whom i can share my happiness and sorrows, trust me they are my family now, eventhough we never had a chance to meet personally, virtually the bond between us is getting more closer and closer.One among those kind hearted and very humble person is Nalini suresh of Nalini's Kitchen, eventhough she is very busy with a young boy and a toddler baby gal she blogs quite frequently. Seriously i admire her enthu  and loves her fabulous dishes she shares in space.

I can talk for hours about Nalini, she is a very jovial person she can change her environment in a couple of second with her humour. Many peoples can come and go in your life but only few will stay with us, Nalini is one among those person very special for me.Nalini is a wonderful,sweet,honest,modest, down to earth and a humble heart, who will get very much easily closer to you. I love her space, she shares many beautiful dishes with eye catchy clicks, anyone can learn easily with her detailed stepwise pictures. When i asked Nalini to make this guest post, i asked her to share some village style foods coz my space have rare numbers of village style foods.She was kind enough to accept and send me a fantastic village style food,which makes me nostalgic.

Lets hear from Nalini of Nalini's Kitchen..

Today I am so excited to do a guest post in one of a well known blogger Priya.She is one such caring person and passinate blogger,never forgets to visit my blog with her lovely words.Though she ia a mom of 3 kids her dedication towards blogging is amazing and like the way she posts.She is a wonderful baker and all her baked goodies are super duper.

When Priya came up with the idea of rendez vous for newbies I was really happy and excited.
Coming to the recipe,its a village style chicken recipe which is a stew like preparation popular in Southern part of Tamilnadu.This saaru/stew goes very well with Idly,dosa,idiyaapam and even plain white rice.

1)Tell us about your blog and you?
I am Nalini Suresh,full time home makerlives in U.S with my hubby and 2 kids.I blog under Nalini's Kitchen which is 2 years old.

2)Before and after blogging, tell us what blogging changed your life?
I always have a passion towards cooking and like to do lot of experiments in the kitchen.So I don't feel any changes after I start the blog except the interest towards photography and props hunting.

3)When and what motivated you to blog about food?
Couple of my friends motivated me to start a blog after tasting my foods and my hubby dear supported me to start a blog.He helped me a lot to create the template and buying props.All the credit goes to him.

4)There are a tons of blogs/pages on food these days, what accordingto you is the speciality of your blog and the food you cook?
I cook simple,healthy South Indian vegetarian and non vegetarian food and eggless baking.Most of my recipes are with stepwise pictures which would be very helpful for the beginners.

5) When it comes to cooking, who is your inspiration?
Of course its my mom.Being a full time working mom she cooks and feed us delicious and the same time a healthy food.She has lots of interest and passion towards cooking and trying out new recipes.

6)Every newbie blogger faces tons of challenges when its comes to blogging, tell me about one of the challenges you faced and how did you overcome it?
I have lots of technical issues in my blog which I cannot fix it.My hubby dear and my friend Revathi helped me a lot to come out this issue.
Next thing is I was not aware of the social medias like Facebook,Pintrest.Sangee of Spicy treats helped me a lot.

7)What is your best recipe and your favourite recipes you have blogged till now?
All my recipes are favorite,the best ones are karivepillai kulambhu,kathirikkai konda kadalai kulambhu,Pepper chicken,mutton sukka and my native's special sweet Asoka Halwa.

8)Few tips about food photography?
Take pictures in the natural light with a decent and neat presentaion.
Don't use flash and try to take pictures in a day light.
Try to take pictures in different angles.

9)What is your budget for the props,do you have any or else do you manage with your household stuffs?
I don't have any bugets but I make sure the buget won't go beyond 10USD.I have interest towards buying the culinary gadgets and crockery before blogging,so I use some of my household stuff also.
But now the interest has become more and whenever I go for shopping never forget to get a small prop for my blog,it doesn't matter if its a big mall or dollar store.

10)How do you plan your blog posts? Do you post rarely,regularly or once a week?
I try to post 4-5 recipes per week but these days with a year old active girl at home its really difficult to post like before so i limited to 2-3 posts per week.

11)Do you have any other passions apart from food blogging or blogs you own?
Yes,I do embroidery,knitting and painting.But these days with my lil one its hard to find time to do,so I do it rarely.

Village style Chicken Stew/Kozhi Saaru

Ingredients:
Chicken(with bones)-1lb(450 gms)
Onion(finely chopped)-1
Green chilly-2
Turmeric powder-1/4tsp
Red chilly powder-1tsp
Curry leaves-1 sprig
Coriander leaves(chopped)-for garnishing
Oil-2tbs
Salt-1+1/2tsp

To saute and to grind:
Shallots-10
Tomato(medium size)-2
Ginger-1 inch piece
Garlic-4-5 cloves
Red chilly-3-4
Coriander powder-1tbs
Coconut(grated)-3tbs
Cloves-3
Cinnamon-1 inch piece
Fennel seeds-1tsp
Cumin seeds-1/2tsp
Black pepper-1tsp
Poppy seeds-1/2tsp

Method:
Wash and clean the chicken and cut into bite size pieces.Add the turmeric,red chilly powder and 1/2tsp of salt to it and mix it well.
Keep it aside.

Heat a pan with 2tsp of oil,crackle the fennel and cumin seeds then add the other whole spices.Now add the shallots,garlic and ginger,saute it till transparent.

Now goes in the chopped tomatoes,cook it until mushy,finally add the grated coconut and coriander powder,give it a mix.Put off the fire.Let it cool down completely,grind it to a fine paste.

Heat the pan with the remaining oil,once the oil becomes hot saute the onion,curry leaves and green chilly till transparent.Add the chicken pieces and saute till it changes the color.

Now add in the ground masala paste,salt and mix it well.Add 3 cups of water to it and cook it covered in a medium flame till the chicken becomes tender and soft.

Finally sprinkle the chopped coriander leaves and put off the fire.

This curry needs to be slightly watery so adjust the cocnsistency accordingly.

If you want to use ginger and garlic paste omit the whole ginger and garlic while sauting and use it while making the curry,after the onion is sauted.

Hope you all enjoyed Nalini's delicious chicken stew, stay tuned for an another guest post from an another young and newbie blogger soon.