Tried and Tasted Event - Chettinad Recipes

Hello Friends,

This month I decided to host the "Tried and Tasted Event" myself here in Classic Chettinad Kitchen.  The concept of the event "Tried and Tasted" is to try from others blog and let them know that their dish tasted great in our kitchen too. We do this by giving credits to them in our blog post.

All of us who like cooking and experimenting our kitchens go through others blog in search of recipes. We bookmark many of them, try them and many of us also post it in our blogs.  Most of the times we surely give credit to the owner of the recipe but many a times we forget.  We all fall in love with some blogs for many different reasons. Some blogs for their drooling photos, for their authentic recipes, for their healthy recipes, for their vegan recipes, for their eggless baking recipes, for the information they give about the food they prepare and still many many more reasons.  But all this involves hardwork.  We all bloggers know the hard work involved in maintaining a blog, writing posts and keeping it live. So this hardwork of someone, if we like, has to be appreciated.  This is the whole concept of the "Tried and Tasted" Event.

Coming to the topic of this months "Tried and Tasted" Event.  Since I am hosting an event for the first time in this blog, I have chosen "The Chettinad" theme. What does that mean?  Chettinad food is very popular not only in TamilNadu but also outside.  I have seen many many restaurants in Chennai and other places serving Chettinad food.  Even here in Sharjah, I have seen a few Chettinad Restaurants. All these restaurants are selling more of non-veg food under the name of Chettinad.  But Chettinad is very known for all varieties of food veg, non-veg, snacks, sweets etc. The speciality of its food is that it uses less oil, less spice and the food is very healthy and flavorful.  People of Chettinad had established their business long back in Burma, Saigon and Srilanka.  So you will find some influence of these countries in their food.  For example "Kavuniarisi" which is a sweet rice is from the influence of Burma, "Idiyappam with a combination of Sothi" is from Srilanka.

A Chettinad Vegetarian meal served during fuctions or in hotels consists of Soup, A sweet rice or a variety rice, white rice, with Paruppu Nei, Ketti Kuzhambu, Illam Kuzhambu, Sambar, Mor, Kootu, Poriyal, Pachadi, Mandi, Masiyal, Veg. Masala (Perattal), some fried snack, Appalam, Pickle and a Payasam.

A Chettinad Vegetarian tiffin mostly consists of Idli, Pongal, Some sweet dish like Halwa, Akkaravadasal, Vellai Paniyaram, Varamilagai Chutney, Coconut Chutney, Sambar. Here you will find a lot of variations.  You will find a combination of Idiyappam and Sothi,  Idiyappam and Kosmalli, Paal Paniyaram, Kandarappam, Kuzhi Paniyaram, Anju Arisi Paniyaram, Kalkandu Vadai, Kumayam, Rangoon Puttu etc, etc.  The list is endless.

And some of the special snacks list are Seepu Seedai,  Thenkuzhal, Kozhukattai, Masala Paniyaram, Cheeyam, Maavu Urundai and goes on and on.

There is a exotic variety of Non-veg food also which mostly consists of Mutton, Chicken, Fish, Prawns, Crabs, etc. But since I am an Eggeterain, I am not able to explain this section much.

There are many many sites with authentic Chettinad Recipes in this blogosphere. But since this event is all about trying out the Chettinad Cuisine, so you can try out from any blog / site having an authentic chettinad dish.  I am listing some authentic blogs / sites which contain Authentic Chettinad Recipes, so that it will be helpful.  I will be keeping on amending the list as when I come across some Authentic Chettinad Recipe sites in this month.  They have all sorts of recipes, Veg, Non-Veg, Sweets, Snacks etc. So try from any of the sites below or any other site containing Authentic Chettinad Recipes.  

Solai's True Chettinad Kitchen - Solai Aachi's blog is very very famous.

Chettinad Recipes - Mrs. Annam Senthil Kumar has written various articles and recipes in many magazines about Nagarathar Cooking and Traditions.

Thenu's Recipes - Thenu Aachi has authored a cook book.
Chettinad Fiesta by Meena Thennappan again a very famous blogger and has recently started doing T.V. shows.

Classic Chettinad Kitchen & Kitchen Chronicles

(I will also try to give a link to the Chettinad Recipe posts from both my blogs here so that it will be helpfull and will also give an idea.)

What is expected  for this "Tried and Tasted" event ?

1. You can go to any of these sites or other sites containing Authentic Chettinad Recipes, search for recipes under the "Chettinad Label", try them out and post them in your blog. Both Veg and Non-veg recipes are allowed. Since all the sites contain other dishes too please kindly search for the Chettinad Labeled dish.  The reason why I am stressing on this point is,  this events Theme is all about Chettinad food.
2. Stay as true to the original recipe(s) as possible. Therefore, there is no need for re-posting it, simply link to the original post.  Linking to the original recipe is a must.
3. There is no time-frame for the original recipe. It can be a very old post or a very new one.
4. Have you cooked from any of these sites before? As this event is all about tasting and reflecting on the taste, older posts are also welcome. Just Repost it to the present date and mention T&T event
5. Link your post to HERE (feel free to use the logo which will be up soon) and to my announcement post in Kitchen Chronicles i.e. http://delightsofcooking.blogspot.com/2012/12/tried-and-tasted-revamped.html.  Please always link to both sites, so both blogs are given credit and you are avoiding copyright fuss.
6. I will be adding a linky tool soon, so that you can easily link back your posts to me. Incase you have any problems in linking back you can send me an e-mail (kitchenchronicles1(at)gmail(dot)com) with Subject : T&T Chettinad, your name, your post URL as well as the original URL and a picture (300px by height, please).
7. Send me the posted entries on or before March 15th, 2013. 
8. The use of logo is very much appreciated, since it will help in spreading the word about the event. (I will update the post with the logo soon).
9. Please do not forget to link back your entry to my post using the linking tool.

Non-bloggers also can participate.

• Non-bloggers are more than welcome to participate (after all, our posts are mainly being written for them). Simply e-mail me with your experience of what you cooked and please include a picture. 
• The e-mails should be sent to  (kitchenchronicles1(at)gmail(dot)com) with Subject : T&T Chettinad, your name, the details of what you cooked, the recipe written in your own words will be much appreciated, the original URL and a picture (300px by height, please). 
• Please note : The photo of the food should be your own, original photo and not a photo copied from the net. 
• The bloggers know this rule.  That is why I am mentioning this specifically for Non-Bloggers. 
• If you don't wish to attach a photo it is ok. Just send me the recipe. And the other details. 

If you all have any doubts regarding the event, your are always welcome.  You can leave me a message in the comment section or email me.  Hoping to make this event successful with all your help and support.

Also I need guest hosts for the future "Tried and Tasted Event". If you are Interested in guest hosting the event please mail me at kitchenchronicles1(at)gmail(dot)com or leave me a message in the comment section below. You can here more details about the event.