Pure vegetarian meals prepared in the Tamil communities are said to be delicious and wow people who ate hardcore meat eaters. On Puthandu, better known as Tamil New Year a full-fledged feast or virundhu is prepared. An array of pachadis, sambhars, rasams, papads, rice vadas and idlis are made and served on a plantain leaf – the traditional way.
Kuzhi Paniyaram – To make these soft spongy rice balls you need the paniyaram chatti –a non-stick pan with circular moulds in it. Add a couple of ingredients to idli batter, depending on if you want a sweet or savoury paniyaram and serve with chutney or just plain ghee.
Vengaya Sambhar – This sāmbhar is made with the small sambhar onions that are typical to south India. Slightly sweet and with a good amount of tang this lentil preparation is a universal favourite. It is eaten along with rice or used to dunk crisp vadas in. If you don’t want to eat a sambhar try making a Paruppu Urundai Kozambu which is lentil koftas in a flavourful South style curry.
Here wishing everyone a Happy New Year, Happy Cooking and Happy Feasting!
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