Cooking Is Easy

Kheer or Payasam with semiya or rice is a festive season special. This Diwali, I am sharing quick condensed milk semiya payasam...its so quick and easy that you get the payasam ready in about 15-20 minutes and with little effort. Since one tin condensed milk is used, the payasam is rich and creamy.....and nuts and raisins roasted in gheee add a light crunch and flavor. I used almonds instead of cashewnuts for this payasam....and I loved the change....who wouldn't love a nutty crunch in the payasam!! and raisins, I love thee!! This is one of the quickest payasam, and a no excuse one for this Diwali with guests and family around, try this payasam and indulge in....and hit the gym after all the sweet indulgence :) Try carrot halwa/gajar ka halwa or pressure cooker semiya payasam. ...if you can spare some time for elaborate cooking this Diwali. Notes: There is no sugar in this payasam, condensed milk will give all the needed sweetness; still if you are more on the sweete...

Schezwan noodles dosa, is a very quick and easy dosa with a Chinese twist to  plain dosa . Kids will love this dosa filled with schezwan noodles.

Challas or Saralas or instant pickled onion is Kerala's own onion salad, which is a must with Kerala fish fry , biriyani , chicken fry , or even plain roti .

Karimeen pollichathu (pearl spot) is one of the "star" foods of Kerala, marinated pearl fish is wrapped in banana leaf and grilled resulting in one of the delicious fish delicacy of Kerala. For meen pollichathu banana leaves or vazhayila is important, please do not use aluminium foil, as the taste and flavor will be compromised. With vazhayila, we are making fish packets, the sauteed masala is spread on the fish and the plantian leaf is closed and tied with a string....and it is grilled on a tawa. Traditionally, most kerala recipes calls for shallots or "cheriya ulli" and it does take the taste to a next level when you use shallots. I would always recommend using shallots to get that authentic Kerala taste. Here I am using onions though if you prefer you can use shallots. If you like microwave cooking....you can bake it in it as per the time required....I do not use microwave cook nor cook in it....so I do not know anything more than this, that you can ba...

Fresh Apple Cake with cinnamon-sugar-butter streusel topping is a very quick and easy cake.....with an extra cinnamony crrrunnch!! Apples are in season now, and I love to bake with seasonal fruits...... orange cake and apple tart are my favorites This fresh apple cake is a really quick and easy one, it is the kind of cake where you need not pull out your hand mixers or even a whisk.....or even bring butter to room temperature.....its a really quick stir-and-bake sort of cake....which I am sure you will love as much as I did. I got the recipe, from an old magazine and had tried it a few times and completely forgot about the recipe......and when apples are in season, who can resist making fresh apple cake!! The cake has a crumb topping with cinnamon, sugar, and butter.....I love crumb cakes ....who wouldn't love to bite into a crunchy crumb?? The original recipe had oil, but since I had plenty of homemade butter in the refrigerator; I used it....okay! I admit I am a butt...

Chinese batter fried shrimp, is more of an appetizer which my kids love to munch on. Marinated shrimp is dipped in batter and deep fried.....oh yum!!