The Singing Chef

The Singing Chef The Singing Chef is a home cooking blog that focuses on simple, fuss free baking and vegetarian cooking from all over the world.

A food blog that has over 500 easy to cook recipes. The variety ranges from simple home made pies, cakes and muffins to traditional Indian food as well as western and oriental dishes. Whether it is a healthy lunchbox option you're looking for or a quick sinful dessert, this is a vegetarian's one stop shop.

Term 2: Lunchbox 1I took all of last week off. We spent a few days in Bali and the rest in Singapore. I thought I might ...
24/03/2026

Term 2: Lunchbox 1
I took all of last week off. We spent a few days in Bali and the rest in Singapore. I thought I might cook some elaborate meals or try something fancy. Instead, I used the time to rest.
This morning, we spring back into action. Almost as though this term break didn’t even take place. I’m glad I got the chance to rest and reset.
I’d stashed away some Paratha stuffing over the weekend and I used it inside a Wrap. I also soaked Chana Dal last night and made Cheelas for lunch.
Today, for recess, Mr. 15 and Ms. 10 had Potato Paneer Wraps. For lunch, Mr. 15 had Chana Dal Cheelas. For snack, they had Apple slices and Butter Cookies. Additionally, Ms. 10 had Tapioca Chips.
It’s so hot here that I think my everyday, lazy meals will become a fixture. Is the heat getting to any of you too?

2026 Term 1: Lunchbox 43-47I know I’m late in posting these lunchboxes. But since Term 2 has already begun, I decided to...
24/03/2026

2026 Term 1: Lunchbox 43-47
I know I’m late in posting these lunchboxes. But since Term 2 has already begun, I decided to document these here today.
March 6, 2026: Masala Fried Rice for recess and Moong Dal Vadas for lunch.
March 9, 2026: Besan Cheela for recess.
March 10, 2026: Podi Idli for recess and Quinoa Bee Hoon with Vegetables for lunch.
March 11, 2026: Lemon Rice for recess a Vegetable Uttapam for lunch.
March 12, 2026: Potato Bhaji Buns for recess and Uttapam for lunch.
March 13, 2026: Uttapam fo recess (and assorted snacks for Mr. 15).
It was probably a boring week in terms of lunchboxes which explains why I didn’t write about them.
Now, it’s done!

Saturday LunchI asked what he’d like for lunch and he said, “Sambar”. And a couple of minutes later, he added, “Mango P...
21/03/2026

Saturday Lunch
I asked what he’d like for lunch and he said, “Sambar”. And a couple of minutes later, he added, “Mango Pachadi?”
So I built this entire meal around that. I made use of quite a bit of the fresh produce we’ve brought home in recent days.
Fresh Radish went into an Arachivitta Sambar. The Brinjal was used in Ennai Katrikkai, a dish I hadn’t made in years. And what’s Sambar without a Roast on the side? So, a simple Urulaikizhangu Roast to go with the Sambar.
And when all this was being made, how could Rasam be far behind? I made a Yelimichai Rasam (also after years).
The Pachadi/Thogayal was made with Raw Mangoes, Coconut and Coriander. And some multicoloured fryums were fried.
After what seemed to have been a very long time, I had a four course meal: Thogayal Saadam, Sambar Saadam, Rasam Saadam, and Tayir Saadam (with that irresistible Fresh Mango Pickle).
Today, I missed having something sweet at the end of the meal. But the satisfaction after having eaten this was something else.
What did Saturday lunch look like for you?

Yugadi/Ugadi 2026When and I got married and created our own family unit, we brought with us different traditions. Thing...
19/03/2026

Yugadi/Ugadi 2026
When and I got married and created our own family unit, we brought with us different traditions. Things that were done in his home and things that were done in my home. To add to it all, I came from a mixed heritage home myself. So, over the years, we’ve made our own traditions. Some his, some mine and some ours. This way, we keep a bit of what we grew up with and we give our children something that is theirs.
Yugadi or Ugadi is one that is common to his side as well as to Amma’s side of the family. It marks the start of the Lunar New Year. For years, we only made the Yugadi Pachadi (Mugga Kosumbari), Ugadi Pachadi (comprising all six tastes) and Mugga Dali Kheeri. Later, we added Punpole and Mamidakaya Pulihaara.
Last year, I went all out. And I did so again this year. To all the dishes that were made anyway for Yugadi, I added some more traditional stuff. I made Dali Saar, Surnu ani Chana Ghasshi, Tendli-Bibbe Upkari and Panak.
Instead of Panpole, I made fried Poornam Bobatlu and I also made the customary preparation of Kadu-God (Cumin, Neem Leaves and Neem flowers fried in Ghee, mixed with Sugar/Jaggery and Pepper.) The concoction prepares us to take the good times and the bitter times in our stride.
Wishing you and yours a very happy Yugadi/Ugadi and a happy new year. However you celebrate today, I hope you have much to be grateful for! In these current times, personally and globally, hope and gratitude remain what anchor us.

2026 Term 1: Lunchbox 42It’s Thursday and my fridge still contains so much food. I decided that it was best to use up wh...
05/03/2026

2026 Term 1: Lunchbox 42
It’s Thursday and my fridge still contains so much food. I decided that it was best to use up what I could. And I wanted to spare my children one more “Fried Rice”.
I tossed some Kway Teow Noodles in the leftover Thai Curried Pumpkin Soup. I also pan fried and steamed some Korean Dumplings.
Today, for recess, Mr. 15 and Ms. 10 have pan fried Vegetable Dumplings. For lunch, they have Thai Curried Pumpkin Kway Teow. For snack, they have Strawberry Creams and Bourbons as well as a homemade Carrot Zucchini Mini Loaf each.
Their smiles this morning said it all. The easiest of cheat meals will always yield the happiest smiles.

Idiyappam StewOn Monday, when I went to the Perumal Temple, I stopped at a store and picked up a couple of Idiyappam pac...
05/03/2026

Idiyappam Stew
On Monday, when I went to the Perumal Temple, I stopped at a store and picked up a couple of Idiyappam packets.
Since we had a Holi meal on Tuesday, I put off eating these to Wednesday.
Last night, dinner was ready in a jiffy.
Using the sauté mode on the , I heated some Coconut Oil and added Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves and Star Anise to it. Then, I added Onions and Curry Leaves along with Chilli, Ginger and Garlic pastes and sautéed everything together for a few minutes. Then, I added Salt and mixed Vegetables (Carrots, Beans, Potatoes and Peas). I added a little water and set the mode to Pressure Cook for 5 minutes. When the mixture had cooked, I opened the cooker and added a carton of Coconut Milk and let it all come to a gentle boil.
And that’s it! We had a very fragrant Stew that paired wonderfully with these store bought Idiyappams. Weeknight dinner made super easy!

2026 Term 1: Lunchbox 41Since I’d made Dahi Vadas for dinner last night, I kept things simple with plain Vadas in today’...
04/03/2026

2026 Term 1: Lunchbox 41
Since I’d made Dahi Vadas for dinner last night, I kept things simple with plain Vadas in today’s lunchbox.
Today, for recess, Mr. 15 and Ms. 10 had plain Vadas/Bondas. He had some Green Chutney to go with it. For lunch, Mr. 15 had vegetable Phanna Sheet. For snack, they had a Bourbon and a Strawberry Cream biscuit each.
We’ve been asked by Ms. 10 to reduce the number of snacks that are added to each lunchbox. Less is more, I’m told, in this case.

Holi 2026The festivals are coming at us fast.And given how low-key everything is this year, I’m just trying to mark thes...
03/03/2026

Holi 2026
The festivals are coming at us fast.
And given how low-key everything is this year, I’m just trying to mark these occasions.
Today was a bit rushed.
I had planned to make Punpole and Gujiyas. I also wanted Dahi Vadas.
Except for soaking the chana dal, everything began only after I got home from work. Somehow, dinner was on the table by 8.
Everything turned out rather… mediocre.
My Punpole needed more time. The stuffing was a little too moist, and the dough could definitely have rested longer. But I ploughed through.
The dough for my Gujiyas behaved more like shortcrust pastry. I couldn’t shape the edges properly, so I air-fried them instead of deep frying. They were delicious — more like cookies than Gujiyas.
I made the Vada batter in the mixie and didn’t have time to whisk in air. The Dahi Vadas weren’t hard, but they weren’t quite soft either. No pomegranates in the house, so I used grated carrots instead.
A colourful plate of food to mark the festival of colours.
Flawed, hurried, slightly improvised — but still bright. And perhaps that is what Holi really is.
Hope you had a good one!

Temples of SingaporeA few years ago, I’d started visiting temples a lot more regularly. No, I hadn’t turned more religio...
03/03/2026

Temples of Singapore
A few years ago, I’d started visiting temples a lot more regularly. No, I hadn’t turned more religious all of a sudden. I had, however, reignited my love for Sarees.
I was draping Sarees on Sundays and instead of just sitting at home in them, I thought, “Why not go somewhere to mark the occasion?” was born from this endeavour.
We also tried to visit a different temple every Sunday.
In 2026, I am slightly disappointed with the fact that 2 months went by and I didn’t drape any of my Sarees yet. I did, however, make a thing. After dropping the children off at their weekend morning classes, I started running errands. And I started temple hopping.
It’s been 9 temple visits, and the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple has featured a bit more often, so it hasn’t been 9 temples yet.
Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnanamuneeswarar Temple
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Sri Mariamman Temple
Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
Sri Krishnan Temple
Sri Thendayuthapani Temple
Murugan Hill Temple
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
I must try and bring the Sarees out and drape them. And I just try and cover as many temples as I can. There are some favourites I still haven’t gone back to this year. There are also so many new temples waiting to be discovered.
Years ago, when I started this endeavour, I wondered if I’d run out of Sarees or temples first. I guess we’ll have to find out!

2026 Term 1: Lunchbox 40 (also 38 and 39)I spent a few days last week in Bangkok and, as a result of that, I missed post...
03/03/2026

2026 Term 1: Lunchbox 40 (also 38 and 39)
I spent a few days last week in Bangkok and, as a result of that, I missed posting the usual lunchbox posts. Boxes were packed, photographs were taken and sent to me, but I didn’t get around to writing about them.
This morning, since I had to take 2 separate photographs of the lunchboxes anyway (because Ms. 10 now wants to leave for school at the same time as she used to wake up 2 months ago), I thought I’d at least write about the boxes that were prepped since I got back.
Today, for recess, Mr. 15 and Ms. 10 have Oats and Rava Paniyaram with Carrot, Zucchini, Capsicum and Coriander. For snack, they have Cucumber Sticks, Malt Biscuits and Khakhra.
Yesterday, for recess, Mr. 15 and Ms. 10 had Vegetable Noodles. For snack, they had Strawberry Creams, Bourbons and a slice of homemade Cake each.
On Friday, for recess, Ms. 10 had Pepper Egg Buns from a bakery next door to where I work. For lunch, she had Spinach Egg Rice. For snack, she had Bourbons and Apple slices.
Even if recess is that extra meal that my children don’t eat on non school days, there’s no harm in keeping it nutritious. And maybe fun?

Remembrance MealI’ve gone through the day with very mixed feelings. Grief does come in waves. One moment, I’m laughing a...
02/03/2026

Remembrance Meal
I’ve gone through the day with very mixed feelings. Grief does come in waves. One moment, I’m laughing at a memory, and the next, tears are flowing.
Two years ago, today, I got that dreaded phone call that told me Appa was no more. No warning, no chance to say goodbye.
I’ve been processing this since. And maybe it will take a lifetime for me to come to terms with it all. But I’m forever grateful for all the memories.
Appa had once told me, “If you want to make me happy, learn to make Menthi Kuzhambu for me” and I (thinking it was too much trouble) said, “It’s OK with me if you’re not that happy... let’s have Paruppu Kuzhambu”. Now, I know better!
Today, I made us a meal that I’m pretty sure he’d have enjoyed.
Rice
Parangikkai Menthi Kuzhambu
Keerai Kootu
Kothavarangai Paruppu Usli
Sakkaravallikizhangu Vadakkal
Appalam
Thinking of you, today and everyday, Appa.
❤️

Sunday MealsI’ve had a relaxing Sunday and I enjoyed 3 great meals.In reverse chronological order:Sunday Lunch: Thai Cur...
01/03/2026

Sunday Meals
I’ve had a relaxing Sunday and I enjoyed 3 great meals.
In reverse chronological order:
Sunday Lunch: Thai Curried Pumpkin Soup with Quinoa Noodles and Sautéed Vegetables. I came across this Thai Curried Pumpkin Soup in a novel I read many years ago and was intrigued enough to look it up. I can’t say it’s a staple, but it is something we eat every now and then. I added some Quinoa Noodles as well as Sautéed Vegtables to the Soup and made it a slightly more filling meal.
Sunday Lunch: Palak Dal Dhokli. I suggested Bisi Bele Bhat for lunch and it didn’t get a very warm reception. I proposed the Gujarati cousin and the yays were loud. I mixed Moong and Masoor Dal and added a whole lot of Spinach and cooked them together. Then I proceeded to make Dal Dhokli using this mixture as a base. It’s not the authentic stuff I learnt from , but it’s become my very own now. Warm, comforting and loved by everyone!
Sunday Breakfast: I found some Pane Di Casa again at yesterday and this morning saw me taking a trip down Nostalgia Lane! Buttered PDC with Pitle and some Pitti Chitni, accompanied by a cup of strong Filter Coffee was among the better ways of starting my Sunday.
It’s back to school and work tomorrow, and it’s exam week as well. I can’t believe it’s already March and we are only left with 2 weeks of this term!

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