Food lovers, get ready! Semmaiyaana Saapaadu is making a grand return to your screens, bringing a fresh concept to the show. This season, the heartwarming mother-daughter duo will not only show their culinary skills but also embark on a flavorful journey, learning new fusion recipes from different guest chefs in each episode.
Episode 5 | Butter Chicken | Ghee Rice
Ingredients : Chicken Marinade
- 2.5 kg chicken, boneless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cups fernleaf fresh yogurt
- 12 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
- 2 tablespoon tomato puree
- 6 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 6 teaspoons ground coriander
- 6 teaspoons ground cumin
- 6 teaspoons chili paste (adjust to your spice preference)
- 3 teaspoons garam masala
- 6 teaspoons salt
- Juice of 1 lemons
- 2 tablespoons kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
For the Butter Chicken Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (about 3 sticks)
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 5 large onions, finely chopped
- 8 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
- 6 large tomatoes, blended into puree
- 4 teaspoons ground coriander
- 4 teaspoons ground cumin
- 4 teaspoons garam masala
- 4 teaspoons chili paste (adjust to your taste)
- 1 cup cashew nuts (optional, blended into paste)
- 2 cups fernleaf fullcream milk
- 2 cups water
- 4 teaspoons sugar (to balance acidity)
- Salt to taste
- 3 tablespoons kasuri methi (crushed)
- Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) for garnish
Unique Ingredient:
- 2 cups pumpkin, peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes (adds a subtle sweetness and texture)
Instructions:
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine the 2.5 kg chicken, 3 cups fernleaf fresh yogurt, 8 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste, 6 teaspoons ground turmeric, 6 teaspoons ground coriander, 6 teaspoons ground cumin, 6 teaspoons chili paste, 3 teaspoons garam masala, 6 teaspoons salt, juice of 1 lemons
- Mix well until the chicken is fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 15-20 munites, or overnight for the best flavor.
- Cook the Chicken:
- In a large pan or grill, cook the marinated chicken in batches until it’s cooked through and slightly charred on the outside. This will take about 6-7 minutes per batch. Set the cooked chicken aside.
- Prepare the Butter Chicken Sauce:
- In a large pot, heat 4 tablespoons vegetable oil and 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Add the 5 finely chopped onions and cook until they are softened and golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.
- Add the 6 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the pureed tomatoes, 4 teaspoons ground coriander, 4 teaspoons ground cumin, 4 teaspoons garam masala, and 4 teaspoons chili paste. Stir to combine and cook for about 10-15 minutes, until the tomato mixture thickens and the oil begins to separate from the sauce.
- Add the Pumpkin:
- Add the 2 cups of diced pumpkin to the sauce and stir. Let the pumpkin cook with the sauce for about 10-15 minutes, or until the pumpkin pieces are soft and slightly caramelized in the sauce.
- Combine Chicken with the Sauce:
- Add the cooked chicken pieces to the sauce and mix well.
- Pour in the 2 cups fernleaf fullcream milk and 2 cups water (or chicken stock), stirring to combine. Let it simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce is creamy.
- Stir in the 3 tablespoons crushed kasuri methi for that authentic flavor.

Ghee Rice with | Ingredients
- 5 cups basmati rice
- 1 1/2 cups ghee (clarified butter)
- 5 large onions, thinly sliced
- 12 cloves garlic, minced
- 4-inch cinnamon stick
- 5 green cardamom pods
- 5 cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 8 cups fernleaf full cream milk
- 2 tablespoons salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
- 1 cup cashews (optional)
- Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) for garnish
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Unique Ingredient:
- 1/2 cup dried papaya, chopped into small pieces (adds a sweet, tropical flavor)
Instructions:
- Rinse and Soak Rice:
- Rinse the 10 cups basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Soak the rice in water for about 30 minutes, then drain well.
- Prepare Ghee:
- Heat 1 1/2 cups of ghee in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the 4 large onions and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 12-15 minutes. Remove half the fried onions for garnish and set aside.
- Cook Aromatics:
- In the same pot, add the 12 cloves garlic, 4-inch cinnamon stick, 10 cardamom pods, 10 cloves, 4 bay leaves, 2 teaspoons cumin seeds, and 1 teaspoon black peppercorns.
- Saute for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
- Add Rice:
- Add the soaked and drained rice to the pot and fry it gently in the ghee for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the rice is well-coated with ghee and the spices.
- Add Milk:
- Pour in 8 cups fernleaf full cream milk and add 2 tablespoons of salt.
- Stir gently and bring it to a boil.
- Cook the Rice:
- Once the milk starts to boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the milk is absorbed. If necessary, add a little more milk during cooking if the rice appears too dry.
- Add Raisins, Cashews, and Dried Papaya:
- In a separate pan, heat a little ghee and fry the raisins and cashews until golden.
- Add them, along with the 1/2 cup dried papaya to the cooked ghee rice and mix gently.
Episode 4 | A Creaamy Creation | Stir-Fried Chicken In Milk Sauce
Ingredients:
- 4 pcs chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-inch ginger, minced
- 3 green chilies, slit
- 4 cup fernleaf full cream milk
- 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar (to balance flavors)
- 1 ½ teaspoon white pepper (or to taste)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (for thickening the sauce)
- 1 cup water or chicken broth (for the sauce)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for flavor)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (for a touch of acidity)
- 1 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt to taste
Unique Ingredient:
- 1/2 cup goji berries (for a slightly sweet, nutritious twist)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, season the 4 chicken breast with white pepper, soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Let it marinate for about 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- In a small bowl, combine 4 cup fernleaf full cream milk , oyster sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Stir well to combine and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, soak the goji berries in warm water for about 10 minutes until they soften. Drain them and set aside.
- Heat 5 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and stir-fry for about 7-8 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the wok and set it aside.
- In the same wok, add a little more oil if needed. Add the sliced onions and stir for about 5 minutes until they become translucent and start to caramelize.
- Add the ginger and garlic paste, and slice green chilies. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour the milk-based sauce mixture into the wok, stirring to combine. Add the water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce, and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the soaked goji berries to the wok. They will add a natural sweetness and a slightly chewy texture that pairs wonderfully with the creamy sauce.
- In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with a little water. Add this to the wok and stir well. The sauce should thicken, coating the chicken.
- Add the cooked chicken back into the wok, tossing it in the creamy sauce and goji berries. Let it simmer for another 3-5 minutes so the flavors can meld together.
- Add rice vinegar and salt to balance the sweetness and round out the flavors.

Ginger Milk Curd | Ingredients
- 6 cups fernleaf full cream milk
- 3 tablespoons fresh ginger juice (grated ginger, squeezed to extract juice)
- 3 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or lime juice)
- ½ tablespoon water (for dissolving sugar)
Unique Ingredients:
- 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads (soaked in a little warm milk)
Instructions:
1. Soak the Saffron:
- Place the 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads in a small bowl and add 2 tablespoons of warm fernleaf full cream milk . Let it soak for about 5-10 minutes. This will release the color and flavor of the saffron, adding a beautiful golden and floral aroma to your curd.
- Grate fresh ginger (about 2-3 inches), and extract the juice by squeezing it. You will need 3 tablespoons of ginger juice for the recipe.
- Pour the 6 cups of fernleaf full cream milk into a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat the milk over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it just begins to simmer. Avoid boiling it, as the milk may scorch. Once it starts to steam and small bubbles form around the edges, reduce the heat to low.
- In a small bowl, dissolve 3 tablespoons of sugar in ½ tablespoon of water to create a syrup. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Once the milk is warmed, add the ginger juice and saffron-infused milk (with the saffron threads). Stir gently to combine. Allow the milk to simmer for about 2-3 minutes to infuse the ginger and saffron flavors.
- Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (or lime juice). Stir gently. The acidity from the lemon will cause the milk to curdle and form the curd texture. You should start to see small curds forming after 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the ginger milk curd to rest at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. The curds will continue to form as it cools.
Episode 3 - Malaysian Fusion | Ayam Masak Merah
Ingredients:
- 2.5 to 3 kg chicken, cut into pieces
- 5cups oil (for frying and cooking)
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 inches ginger, minced
- 3 teaspoons chili paste
- 2 teaspoons turmeric paste
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste (for a deeper red color)
- 2 cups fernleaf full cream milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Salt to taste
- 3 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped
- 5-6 kaffir lime leaves (for a citrusy aroma)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 5 cloves
- 5 cardaman
- 4 star anise
Unique Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried apricots, chopped into small pieces (unique ingredient for sweetness and texture)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Spice Paste:
- In a stone grinder, grind the soaked dried red chilies, garlic,tumeric and ginger into a smooth paste.
2. prepare the Chicken :
- Marinate chicken with ginger,garlic and tumeric paste. You can lightly fry the chicken in hot oil until golden brown for extra flavor, or skip this step for a lighter version. Set the chicken aside after frying.
- Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the dry spice,slice onion, and lime leafs cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns fragrant and the oil begins to separate from the paste.
3. Add the Ground Spices:
- Add chili powder, and tomato paste to the spice mixture. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the spices to bloom and coat the paste.
4. Add Tomatoes and Chicken:
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the tomatoes soften and start to break down.
- Pour in the 1 cups of fernleaf full cream milk into the pot. Stir everything together, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated and the sauce is creamy.
5. Simmer with fernleaf full cream milk :
- Add the chicken pieces into the pot and mix well, coating the chicken with the spice paste. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add the kaffir lime leaves and cinnamon stick to infuse the curry with a beautifully fragrant aroma. Stir well.
- Add the chopped dried apricots into the curry. The apricots will soften as they cook and release their natural sweetness, complementing the spices and the creaminess of the milk.
- Season with salt to taste and add sugar to balance the heat and acidity of the tomatoes.
6. Simmer the Curry:
- Cover the pot and let the chicken cook in the creamy sauce over low-medium heat for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Stir occasionally, and check the consistency of the gravy. If it’s too thick, you can add a little more milk or water to adjust the consistency.
7. Final Adjustments:
- Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add a little more sugar or salt to balance the flavors as you prefer.

Roti Jala | Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups fernleaf full cream milk
- 1 cup water
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons melted fernleaf butter
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (for color and flavor)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Unique Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup toasted coconut flakes (for texture and added flavor)
Instructions:
1. Make the Batter:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups fernleaf full cream milk , 1 cup water, and 2 large eggs until smooth and well combined.
- Add the 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Whisk until the batter has a silky consistency. The batter should be pourable but not too runny. If the batter is too thick, you can add a little more milk or water to reach the desired consistency.
- Heat a non-stick pan or flat skillet over medium heat. You can lightly grease the pan with fernleaf butter or oil to ensure the roti jala doesn't stick.
- Pour the batter into a roti jala mold or a squeeze bottle with a thin nozzle.
- Once the pan is heated, pour the batter in a circular motion, creating a lacy, net-like pattern on the surface of the pan. Start from the center and move outward in a spiral or crisscross pattern to form the "lace" effect.
- Cook the roti jala for about 1-2 minutes until the edges start to lift from the pan. It should be lightly golden but not crispy.
- Carefully flip it to the other side and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- As soon as you remove the roti jala from the pan, sprinkle the toasted coconut flakes over the top while the pancake is still warm. The coconut flakes will add a delightful crunch and richness.

Episode 2-Healty Twist | Salmon Curry
Ingredients:
- 7 fresh salmon fillets (cut into medium-sized pieces)
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large onions, finely chopped
- 3 tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
- 4 green chilies, slit
- 2 tablespoons coriander powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin powder
- 3 teaspoon turmeric paste
- 1 tablespoon garam masala powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 6-7 curry leaves
- 4 tablespoons tamarind pulp (dissolve in water)
- 1 cups fernleaf full cream milk
- 2 cups water (adjust for consistency)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) for garnish
Whole Spices (for tempering):
- 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 3-4 green cardamom pods
- 1-inch cinnamon stick
- 4-5 cloves
- 8-10 dried figs, chopped into small pieces
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Salmon
- Season the salmon pieces with a pinch of salt and turmeric powder. Let them marinate for 10-15 minutes.
- Heat 5 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or wok over medium heat.
- Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick,curry leaves and cloves. Stir them until they begin to crackle and release their aroma, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the chopped onions and stir until they turn golden brown and soft, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste,choped tomatoes and green chilies. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the chopped dried figs. Stir them into the mixture and cook for another 2-3 minutes. The figs will soften and release their sweetness into the curry base.
- Add the , coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric paste, red chili paste,garam masala and salt. Stir well and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the tomatoes break down and the oil starts separating from the masala.
- Add the tamarind water and stir it in.
- Gently add the marinated salmon pieces into the curry. Stir carefully so as not to break the fish pieces.
- Let the fish cook in the curry for about 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon is tender and fully cooked through. Stir occasionally but gently to avoid breaking the fish.
6. Taste the curry and adjust the salt and spice level. You can add sugar (optional) if the curry feels too acidic from the tamarind.

Quinoa Pudina Rice | Ingredients
- 2 cups quinoa (washed and drained)
- 1 cups fernleaf full cream milk
- 4 cups water
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
- 1-inch cinnamon stick
- 4-5 cloves
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 3-4 green cardamom pods
- 3 medium-sized onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
- 3-4 green chilies, slit
- 1 cups fresh mint leaves (pudina), chopped
- 1 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder (optional)
- 1 cup toasted walnuts
- 1 cup toasted cashews
Instructions:
1. Boil the Quinoa in Milk:
- Rinse the 2 cups of quinoa thoroughly under cold water.
- In a large pot, bring 1 cups of fernleaf full cream milk and 4 cups water to a boil.
- Once the milk is boiling, add the washed quinoa and a pinch of salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 15-18 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow the quinoa to absorb the milk and become tender. If the milk evaporates too quickly, you can add a little more milk or water as needed.
2. Cook the Spices & Onions:
- While the quinoa is cooking, heat 6 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, and bay leaves. Stir for 1-2 minutes until they start to crackle and release their aroma.
- Add the sliced onions and cook them until golden brown, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste and green chilies, and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add Fresh Herbs & Seasoning:
- Stir in the chopped mint leaves (pudina) and coriander leaves. Stir for 2 minutes until they are wilted and aromatic.
- Add garam masala and salt to balance the flavor. Stir well.
4. Combine Quinoa and Spices:
- Once the quinoa is cooked and the milk has been absorbed, gently fold the cooked quinoa into the pan with the spices and herbs. Stir well to mix everything evenly.
5. Add Walnuts and Cashews:
- Gently fold in the toasted walnuts,toasted cashews and some lemon juice. These nuts will add a satisfying crunch and nutty richness that complements the creamy quinoa.
Episode 1-Tamil Nadu Flavours
Karaikudi Mutton Curry | Ingredients
For the Marinade:
2 kg mutton
2 teaspoons turmeric paste
3 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
2 tablespoons red chili powder
Salt to taste
6 tablespoons Fernleaf fresh yogurt
For the Curry:
8 tablespoons oil (coconut oil)
4 large onions (finely chopped)
4 tomatoes (grilled on fire chopped)
3 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
6 green chilies (slit)
5 dry chili
4-5 sprigs curry leaves
4-inch cinnamon stick
10-12 cloves
4 cardamom pods
1 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoons cumin seeds
4 teaspoons coriander powder
4 teaspoons garam masala
2 teaspoons black pepper corse
1 1/2 teaspoons red chili paste
2 cups Fernleaf full cream milk
3-4 mutton boiled water
Fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)
Instructions:
Marinate the Mutton:
Boil mutton with 1 tablespoon of tumeric paste for 1 hour.
In a large bowl, combine the boiled mutton pieces with turmeric paste, ginger-garlic paste, red chili paste, salt, and fernleaf fresh yogurt. Mix thoroughly and let it marinate for at least 20 - 30 munites
Prepare the Curry:
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, fennel seeds,curry leaves and cumin seeds.
Add the chopped onions and ginger garlic paste, stir until golden brown (this can take about 10-15 minutes).
Add the chopped tomatoes and green chili cook until they become soft and break down, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the coriander powder, garam masala, black pepper powder, and red chili paste. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Cook the Mutton:
Add enough mutton boiled water (about 3-4 cups, depending on your desired consistency) to cover the mutton and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
Add the marinated mutton pieces to the pot and sear them for about 10 minutes, ensuring they are browned on all sides.
Add enough water (about 3-4 cups, depending on your desired consistency) to cover the mutton and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
Simmer for 1.5-2 hours, or until the mutton is tender and the curry has thickened.
Finishing Touches:
Once the mutton is cooked and tender, stir in the fernleaf full cream milk and simmer for another 10 minutes to incorporate the flavors.
Adjust salt and spice levels as needed. If the curry is too thick, you can add a bit more water to get your desired consistency.
Lemon Rice | Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups basmati rice
- 5 cups water (for cooking rice)
- 2 cups fernleaf full cream milk
- 5 tablespoons ghee
- 1 tablespoons mustard seeds
- 1 tablespoons urad dal
- 5 dried red chilies (broken)
- 5 strip curry leaves
- 2 ½ teaspoons ginger paste
- 2 green chilies (slit)
- 2 ½ teaspoons turmeric powder
- ½ cup lemon juice (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)
For Caramelized Onions:
- 3 large onions (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons ghee (for caramelizing)
- 1 cinnamon stick (for infusion)
Instructions:
- Cook the Rice:
- Wash the rice thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch.
- In a large pot or rice cooker, cook the rice with 5 cups of water and 2 cups fernleaf full cream milk. Once cooked, spread it out on a tray or large plate to let it cool slightly.
- Caramelize the Onions:
- In a separate pan, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee over low-medium heat.
- Add the cinnamon stick and let it infuse into the ghee for about a minute.
- Add the sliced onions to the pan and cook slowly over low heat, stirring occasionally. Caramelize the onions for about 15-20 minutes until they turn deep golden brown and soft. The key here is to cook them slowly to bring out their natural sweetness. Remove the cinnamon stick after the onions are caramelized.
- Prepare the Tempering:
- In a large pan, heat 3 tablespoons of ghee over medium heat.
- Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add the urad dal, and dried red chilies, and sauté until the dal turns golden.
- Add curry leaves, green chilies, and grated ginger. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add turmeric powder and cook for another minute.
- Combine Rice with Tempering:
- Add the cooked rice to the pan with the spices.
- Add salt to taste.
- Add Lemon Juice:
- Stir in the lemon juice and adjust it according to your taste for tanginess.
- Caramelized Onions:
- Gently fold in the caramelized onions. The sweet and savory caramelized onions will add richness to the dish.
- Stir everything together gently so that the rice is evenly coated with the onions and the flavors are well combined.
Don't miss to watch the season premiere on 18 March, every Tuesday at 9 PM on Astro Vinmeen (Ch 202), available via TV, Astro GO, and On Demand.