About

This site contains mostly of recipes from the region of North Karnataka. North Karnataka is an expanse of plateau, lying between 300 and 700 meters elevation. It covers the Belgaum District, Bellary District, Bidar District, Bijapur District, Bagalkot District, Chikmagalur District, Chitradurga District, Hubli-Dharwad District, Gulbarga District, Raichur District, and Shimoga District. It mostly lies on the plateau which extends north into eastern Maharashtra and east into the Telingana region of Andhra Pradesh.

The cuisine of North Karnataka comprises of diverse vegetarian dishes. Because most of the districts that comprise this region are on the boundaries of Karnataka, the cuisine is influenced by the neighboring states of Maharashtra (mostly eastern) and Andhra Pradesh. Because of the agriculture habits in the area, the main meals consist of Jowar, Wheat and Rice preparations. Another speciality of this cuisine is the use of peanuts – they say – give a north Karnataka woman peanuts and she’ll cook up a feast. I think this influence is really more from the Maharashtrian cuisine where peanuts are extensively used. Another ingredient that is used a lot is garlic. Garlic is very good for health – especially to lower cholestrol. Most of the other spices/powders used in the cooking are known to possess beneficial properties for one’s health. The vegetables in the north Karnataka region are VERY tasty – it could be mostly because there is not much water supply and so vegetables do not absorb too much water and thereby retain all the flavour.

A typical meal consists of pickle, salad (kosambri), vegetable dish (palle) or lentil dish (kaal), chutneys, curd, bread (chapati, rotti etc), dessert (this does not have to be eaten at the end), rice and different curries/soups (saar) and finally curd rice. 

When I think of my childhood days, I can still smell the aroma of my mom’s and grandmother’s cooking. It is amazing how tasty and healthy our food is. I did not see many recipes for these yummy dishes anywhere online. So I am starting this site to put all my family/region recipes here. The intent is also to have these recipes available to future generations of our family. Hope you enjoy cooking and savoring these recipes as much as I do. My parents, Amma and my SIL Pallavi will be helping with the recipes as they are the experts in our family. My hubby Srikanth, kids – Mihika and Ruhika, my  brother Shashwat and my daddy will endorse these recipes . Ofcourse if you have comments to endorse/improve the recipes, those are welcome too.

This site is dedicated to my parents(Drs. Rajani and Shankar Bennur), my Grannies (Amma, Ajji and Chigawamma) and my beloved Grandfather (Ajjaree) Shri C.S. Bennur and Miraj Ajjaree.

Love,

Harsha