"If you don't eat your vegetables, how will you grow up into big, strong dinosaurs?", Sid gently reprimands (elephant sized) baby dinos in Ice Age - Dawn of The Dinosaurs. That must be a standard meal time line for every mom. I am no exception. For the first three years of his existence, Rudra depended on tomato rasam with rice or Pappula podi with chapati or dosa for survival. Being a highly self critical mom, I couldn't bear it. Many would agree there am sure. Consequences of nutritional deficiencies looming large on our consciences isn't exactly comfortable. I must have tried curried vegetables, boiled vegetables with sauces mixed into them, boiled, roast and seasoned veggies...but nothing works. After a morsel, they are relegated to the dustbin. Finally, we are now skirting the problem thus. Veggie Rice: - Wash rice of required quantity, soak and keep aside. - Pick a selection of vegetables (leafy greens also can go into this) keeping compatibil...

My best friend and one of the amazing mom's I know, Sandhya, suggested this recipe when I told her that am at a loss for a dosa/ idli accompaniment for my son. I was sure I did not want sauce or ketchup on my son's plate this early. Neither did I prefer curry or chutney as he has only begun learning of tastes. Sandhya adviced Pappula Podi and its a huge hit. Rudra, my son, has it with most south Indian breakfast items as well as with rice at times. Pappula podi is mildly spicy, contains ingredients that aid digestion and is a handy serving accompaniment even for adults. Ingredients: Jeelakarra(Cumin seeds) - 1 tbsp Miriyalu (Pepper corns) - 1/2 tsp Dhaniyalu (Coriander seeds) - 1tbsp Dried red chillies - 5 Menthulu (Fenugreek seeds) - a pinch Putnala pappu (Roasted bengal gram) - 1 cup Salt to taste Process: Roast all the ingredients separately, except the putnalu and grind them together in a mixie. Add putnalu at the very end and run the mixer once again. Adjust salt as per p...