Ask Latha

Hi Everyone,

I created this page for a couple of purposes:

1. Many friends and readers ask for recipes that are currently not listed. This page will simplify that. Here you can ask for something that you otherwise cannot find. If I know how to make it or anything about it I’ll be sure to write/post about it. If not, I will tap all my resources to find out more about the recipe for you and me. This will help make this site a better place for me and you :-)

2. Any general comments or questions you have can be answered here? For ex: Where do we find a particular ingredient or what is something called? Will help make this interesting!

Hopefully, this will help me chronicle recipes better and not get into a routine! Thanks for stopping by.

18 Responses to “Ask Latha”

  1. Kalai Says:
    February 1, 2008 at 3:42 pm

    Hi Latha! I was wondering if you might have a recipe for kaarabaath. My husband is from Bangalore and loves it as does my mother who tasted it in Bangalore. I’ve been trying to find a good recipe that tastes like the ones you get in Bangalore restaurants, but no luck yet. Any thoughts?

    Thanks so much!
    -Kalai :)

    Hi Kalai - Sure i do have a good recipe. I will post it shortly. I know the Khaarabhath’s in Bangalore are very delicious…

  2. Kamini Says:
    February 11, 2008 at 3:40 pm

    Hi Latha,

    I would love to have the recipe for Huli Pudi (what was sent to Nupur for Arusuvai); or the name of a good brand which I can buy from the Indian store.
    Thanks so much!

    Kamini

  3. Geeta Athreya Says:
    February 12, 2008 at 3:01 am

    Dear Latha,
    I came across your site. Interesting!! Very good. Can you tell me what is this starter in the Orange bread? I live in Delhi , so where can I get a starter whatever that means!! Thanks. Geeta Athreya.

  4. Geeta Athreya Says:
    February 12, 2008 at 3:03 am

    Dear Latha,
    I know what a starter is — like yeast. But what is your starter– I already sent you a mail on this just now, but forgot to tell you that I know what a starter generally is. Thanks. Geeta

    Thanks Geeta for your lovely comments (including the previous one). I’m sure u know what a starter is. This starter is an Amish starter that originally was a secret recipe that only the Amish made. Now its available on the internet. You can actually make the starter at home by yourself - its quite simple. The end product is like a creamish white batter - almost like a sourdough bread batter. Here’s the recipe for the starter. If u do try it let me know how it works out!

  5. reddy Says:
    February 14, 2008 at 5:16 am

    Hi Latha,
    Your site is very interesting. Why dont you monetize your website? if you have any plans to earn money from your website, please contact me

    Reddy

  6. chitra Says:
    February 18, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    Hilatha
    long time reader of your blog.i need the recipe for the much talked about Huli pudi please or where i can get it.

    Sure Chitra! I’m actually going to post the recipe soon.. i have all the pictures taken. The USB drive on my computer at home has malfunctioned so I was unable to upload the pictures yesterday! Will do it soon… Thanks for visiting!

  7. Stephanie Says:
    March 22, 2008 at 12:43 am

    Dear Latha,

    I recently came across your blog and i love it! I work for Haldiram’s USA Inc. and Ethnic Kitchens Inc. and would love to talk to you about advertising on your site as well as getting you some gift baskets to give away to your readers. Please email me at Stephanie@ethnickitchens.com

    Hope to hear from you soon!

    Stephanie

  8. roopa. g. Says:
    March 24, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    Hi Latha,

    I came across your blog. The posts are very helpful. I have a blog on interior decoration. I request you to please visit the blog and post your comments. http://roopavuchi.blogspot.com

    Roopa.

  9. Pallavi Says:
    April 14, 2008 at 7:14 pm

    Wow ! Awesome collection. I have just read a few of them.. and they sound very interesting.
    Thanks for sharing ! BTW, I am kinda confused about which region you are from in South India. You have a mixture of Telugu, Tamil and Kannada words in your recipes :)

    - Pallavi

    :-) Thanks for your kind words Pallavi. Sorry it took so long to get back to u. I’ve been preoccupied with some other stuff and blogging and cookign have taken a backseat! Well, to answer your question - My mom is a Tamilian and my Dad is an Andhrite and I was born and brought up in Bangalore :-) We predominantly speak Telugu at home, but that has not stopped the influence of all three regions :-)

  10. kevin brownridge Says:
    April 16, 2008 at 7:19 am

    Hi Latha
    I am a south african living in australia.in south africa we have a masala called “red leaf masala”.i cannot find anything called leaf masala in australia.do you know if there is another name for it?
    thanking you
    kevin

    Interesting Kevin, i have never really heard of it. Will do some research and see if i can find out more on it… will keep you posted.

  11. shilpa Says:
    June 3, 2008 at 11:54 am

    Hi Latha

    Great site, really apreciate ur effort. Had a small query, can u fry the the masala cookies or is baking a must. I am new to baking,a bit apprehensive on using the oven.

    Thanks Shilpa for your lovely encouraging words! Frying the masala cookies would result in a vada like outcome rather than cookies. I think if this is your first time baking, there can be nothing easier than this recipe :-) Do give it a try, maybe u can make half the quantity and once you’re more confident then you can try more later! Cheers!

  12. shilpa Says:
    June 9, 2008 at 10:31 am

    Hi Latha

    Thanx for introducing me to baking.The cookies came out very nice ,as you said soo simple to make and were over in no time:-), a small request, do you know the recipe for maddur wada?

    Take Care
    shilpa

    Thanks Shilpa, glad the cookies worked out for you. Here’s the recipe for Maddur vada that i had posted a long time back, its an excellent recipe - tried and tested :-) The pictures dont show up on this post in my wordpress blog -so I’m giving u the link to my blogspot )old) blog. Let me know if you try them. Enjoy!

    http://masalamagic.blogspot.com/2006/06/maddur-vada.html

    Cheers!

  13. shilpa Says:
    June 9, 2008 at 5:18 pm

    Hi Latha

    Thanx for the recipe, u r such a sweetheart :-) Will let u know how they turn out.(am sure they will be great)

    Thanx again
    shilpa

  14. shilpa Says:
    June 16, 2008 at 9:10 am

    Hi Latha

    yummy dishes on the home page, cant wait to try the pasta.
    As i had expected maddur vada came out great,had some friends over for coffee who had never tried it before and they simply loved it:-).Thanx a lot Latha

    Thanks Shilpa! Glad u guys enjoyed the recipe!

  15. charles Says:
    June 22, 2008 at 10:26 pm

    hi latha,

    i need a recipe for dil pasanad.
    thx

    Hi Charles, i have nto made dil pasand at home, will see if i can find a recipe and try it some time, my kids would love to try it!

  16. shilpa Says:
    July 5, 2008 at 7:06 pm

    Hi Latha

    Tried Masala kharabath today it was really yummy.I have a request, do u know the recipe for thatte the tamil version of nipattu.

    thanx
    shilpa

  17. Shanon Says:
    July 17, 2008 at 12:39 am

    Hi Latha!

    I have read your blog since last year, and I love it! I love Indian cuisine as well. Can you give me an idea of a complete menu for my husband’s birthday? There are so many recipes here that I am overwhelmed and dont know where to begin…

    Thanks,
    Shanon

    Thanks for your kind words Shanon. What were u thinking of as far as your husband’s birthday? I mean - were u planning an Indian menu? And how many people? And i suppose u are looking for both veg and non-veg items on your menu right?

  18. Shanon Says:
    July 21, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    Yes, I am planning an Indian menu, for 8 people. We eat meat, but we can eat vegetarian for one meal. Where do I start?

    Sounds good Shanon. Since it summer I am thinking you would want to plan something around fresh vegetables and fruits etc. Here’s an idea:
    Appetizer:
    A simple Salad of Fresh chopped cucumber, some sprouted green moong, roasted coarsely broken peanuts and some seasoning.
    Surely a fried item - there’s lots to be said about Indian fried food - Onion Pakoras are great - I usually make Sailu’s recipe. See this post.

    Main course:
    Maybe a bread (like Naan, chapathis or Puri)
    1 Paneer Gravy dish - like this.
    1 Vegetable Kurma dish - like this.
    1 Chicken Gravy Dish - like this
    1 Simple Rice dish - something you can eat with all the gravies. Like Ghee Rice
    or
    Sailu’s Coconut Rice - thats a classic recipe.
    And some cooler such as Raita. Any raita would do fine.

    Of course to go with all this Mango lassi would be great!

    And for desert:
    Gulab jamuns
    or just some plain icecream and pound cake drizzled with chocolate syrup and topped with chopped walnuts and pistachios would be great!
    OR better still to enjoy the flavors of summer, some chopped watermelon and cantelope - sprinkle some salt and pepper on them, garnish with finely chopped mint leaves and serve cool.

    Of course, these are just suggestions… the food blogging world is so vast and there are wonderful recipes out there. Hope this helps!

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