Oondhiya is an ever-popular Gujarati delicacy of veggies and methi muthias cooked with a powerful, freshly-prepared masala. While it takes a little time to prepare the vegetables, the rest of the process is made easier in this recipe using the microwave oven. Traditional veggies like surti papdi and kand are used in the Oondhiya, giving it an earthy and homely taste. The muthias too have the intense taste of fenugreek and a nice, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Instead of deep-frying, steaming or baking the muthias, we have made them easily in the microwave oven. By combining the muthias and veggies with a flavour-packed coconut paste, we get a traditional treat that is best enjoyed with Puris and Kadhi .

Here is a spicy preparation of yam, which goes well with rice and bland gravies like more kuzhambu. The scintillating blend of spices used in this curry is sure to tickle your taste buds and leave you asking for more! in tamilnadu, they often say that this curry is so aromatic that the neighbour will know if you are cooking it right!

Pongal Kootu is a tongue-tickling mixed vegetable curry made during Makar Sankaranthi or Pongal in South India. It is made with local vegetables that are in season at the cusp of winter and spring. This curry brings together veggies and beans of different textures and flavours, cooked with tamarind pulp and dal, and flavoured with an aromatic and flavourful paste of roasted spices and coconut. Although you can enjoy this Pongal Kootu immediately after preparation, it gets better and better as it cools down, as the veggies soak up the flavours of the spice paste and the kootu thickens to a curry-like consistency. You can cook it in an earthen pot if you have one. It tastes great with hot rice or dosas , and is a classic combination for Ven Pongal and Chakkrai Pongal! Try other South Indian recipes like Masala Vadas or Ginger Pachdi .

Toovar dal with vegetables is a wholesome dish, full of vegetables and protein-rich dal. You need not stick to the veggies i have used – just open your fridge and throw in anything you find. You will love the fact that such a tasty and sumptuous dish can be prepared with just about no oil! remember to add the jaggery and tamarind, as they provide a much needed twist to cover up the plain taste of dal.