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About... Cooking Desi Food Recipes Southern India Things Desis Do

Gunpowder Spice Mix: The Fiery South Indian Flavor Booster

Milagai Podi, or Gunpowder Spice, is South India’s favorite spicy, nutty, and aromatic dry chutney powder. Learn how to make it at home, its best uses, and other unique South Indian podi varieties!

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About... Cooking Desi Food

What are spices?

Spices have shaped global cuisine for centuries, from India’s turmeric to Mexico’s chili peppers. Explore the history, traditional uses, and health benefits of essential spices that bring flavor and culture to every dish.

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About... Cooking Desi Food Southern India

Southern Spices – Bold & Aromatic Flavors

South Indian spices bring bold flavors, tangy notes, and rich aromas to regional cuisine. Learn about essential spices, regional masalas, cooking techniques, and how these ingredients shape the unique flavors of South Indian dishes.

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About... Cooking Desi Food

Garam Masala

Garam masala is a fragrant Indian spice blend used to enhance curries, lentils, and marinades. Learn its history, ingredients, and how to make a fresh, homemade version for richer, more aromatic flavors.

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About... Cooking Desi Food

What is Curry Powder?

Curry powder is a British invention inspired by Indian spices but not commonly used in Indian cooking. Learn about its history, ingredients, global uses, and how it differs from authentic Indian spice blends like garam masala.

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Cooking Desi Food Recipes

What are dal, tadka, ghee and hing?

Dal, tadka, ghee, and hing are the four pillars of Indian cooking, bringing flavor, aroma, and depth to everyday meals. Learn their history, uses, and how to incorporate them into your own cooking!

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Historical Places Southern India Temples Travel

Meenakshi Temple

The Meenakshi Temple is one of the most significant and revered temples in Tamil Nadu, India. Top Image Credit எஸ்ஸார், CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Where is the Meenakshi Amman Temple? The Meenakshi Amman (Amman – Mother) It is located in the city of Madurai, and is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, an incarnation […]

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About... Festivals

What is Ugadi?

What is Ugadi? Ugadi is a popular festival celebrated in the South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. The word “Ugadi” is derived from two Sanskrit words “Yuga” meaning era or age, and “Adi” meaning beginning. Ugadi marks the beginning of a new era or a new year, and it is celebrated with […]

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About... Holi

What is Holi?

What is Holi? When is it? Holi is a festival in India – the festival of colors (or colours). Holi is a popular festival celebrated in India and Nepal, which is also known as the “Festival of Colors.” The festival is typically celebrated on the full moon day in the Indian calendar month of Phalguna, […]

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About... Desi Languages

Languages!

India is a linguistically diverse country with over 1.3 billion people speaking more than 19,500 languages and dialects. However, according to the 2011 Census of India, the total number of mother tongues spoken in the country is 1,369. Out of these, the top 10 most widely spoken languages in India are: (Image Source for the […]