Hi, everybody, It's amazing how soon 2017 ended, and here we are in 2018 already!! wishing you all a very Happy New Year and wishing you all the new year brings you joy, peace, and prosperity. I know I had been away from blogging as my health was playing up and I traveled a lot last year! Last few months I was mentally stressed out with my son's career! and now I am over the moon as my son got his admission to medicine which has brought all the happiness back. All his hard work paid off he is happy lad now, as his dream is shaping up.

Coming back to this recipe, Avarekaalu is one of the favourite winter veggies in Karnataka. If you want to enjoy this you need to be there! we even have an avarekaalu mela in Bangalore!. It's an experience in itself, when the market is flooded with these beans, right from buying to cooking we enjoy every bit of it.

Buying the best ones is, you need to smell them the ''Sogadu'' So-ga-doo (probably essence would be the word) what it is called, to check the purity of the beans which tells you how fresh it is,  some people rub it in the hand to check the smell of it. You can get the smell even if you are further away from it actually. The fresh and tender ones are my favourite as they can be used in Akki Rotti and Sundal(salad)!! Avarekaalu is like you name it we make it kind of veggie!

Vendors are crafty must be careful when we buy sometimes we end up with fewer pods of the beans! We usually buy bagful definitely not less than 2kgs at least! usually, we all sit together to remove the pods from the beans, chatting and planning what to cook.  As kids and even at this age till today I get terrified about these beans are the little pests which crawl out of them.  So, you should definitely look out for them! They are like little caterpillars sized but green in colour! sometimes you find them inside the beans as well.

ARE YOU INTERESTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT HYACINTH BEANS?

These are seasonal and sold during the winter month December - January and usually appears in all festival dishes, one such festival my mom makes every Sankranthi / Pongal is this Avarekalu Tovve also known as Hyacinth Beans Dal, which is a very simple recipe.
Avarekalu has an outer skin this is soaked for a few hours or overnight and in the morning if you pinch it between your fingers the pod comes out and this is called Hitakid (Pressed) bele / (Pitakupappu)! and the skin separates out. In Karnataka and Andhra loads of dishes are made out of this!
Dehusking the beans from the pods is a little bit tricky, keeping them soaked in water helps you to press the beans easily! once you get the hang of it, it won't take long for you to do it.  But, it's an elaborate process needless to say, once done you can even freeze it in airtight freezer bags and use it whenever you want.

It's definitely worth it as the dish really tastes awesome.  In Bangalore, you can see people selling dehusked avarekaalu in liters and it's easy to buy from them as well.  I have given a few variations in the notes you can make with this dal, this also goes well with Indian flat bread like Chapathi, phulka etc..,

Let's get back to the recipe

WHAT IS TOVVE?

Tovve is a word used in Kannada one of the South Indian Languages, is nothing bu DAL! Dal is usually made with Lentils, either Tuvar, Bengal Gram, Urad (Black Gram) or Moong (Yellow Lentils).  They are cooked very softly or cooked to perfection and can be mashed up later, it's just how you like the texture! you can even thin it down or keep it thick.

HOW TO MAKE IT?

Very simple, As I have not used the usual Lentils/Dal, this is very simple you can cook it directly with the required amount of water in a thick bottomed vessel or can cook it in a pressure cooker for just one whistle.

WHAT IS SEASONING?

Seasoning a Dal is very simple, and here I have seasoned in a simple south Indian style, as we Indians season in many different ways.  Here I have seasoned it by using  Oil, which you can replace with Ghee or clarified butter, when warm it is tossed with Mustard seeds, Bengal gram Dal and Black gram Dal and for mild spicy, the dal use green chili or Dry Red Chili as you prefer.  Don't forget to add curry leaves if you can find them if not you can skip, but it takes your dish to the other level.

WHAT ELSE ARE WE GOING TO ADD?

We can add grated ginger, finely chopped coriander leaves and a dash of Lime or Lemon juice gives a magical charm to the Dal.

WHAT TO SERVE IT WITH?

Serve it with Rice, Roti, Naan, Bread.  Serve it in a bowl with a salad on the side loaded with veggies! If you do not rice you can choose any other alternative like cooked Quinoa, Bulgar wheat, millets or any other you choose to eat instead of rice!

Here I have some more dal recipes for you... 

Dal Soup

Kolai er dal

Ridge Gourd Dal

HAVE YOU MADE IT?

Excellent! Glad you tried it! I hope you enjoyed the recipe if so, don't forget to share on our social media.  You like clicking photos why not take a quick pic of the dish share it on FB, Instagram, Pinterest, twitter using our hashtag #myvegfare or tag @myvegfare we are thrilled to see a recreation of this recipe.

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Avarekaalu Tovve / Thove (Hyacinth Beans / val Beans Dal)

Avarekaalu Tovve is served instead of a dal without any dals in it! spiced up and is served with hot rice and ghee for starting an elaborate meal like in festivals.

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 6 hours hours 50 minutes minutes

Servings 5

Ingredients

• 2 cups Fresh Hyacinth Beans / Avarekaalu
• 3 to 4 tbsp freshly grated coconut
• 4 stalks Chopped coriander leaves
• salt as required
• pinch Hing (Asafoetida)
• water as required

Seasoning

• 2 tsp oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp channa dal
• 1 tsp Urad dal
• 3 to 4 Green chillies
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 stalk curry leaves

Instructions

• Once the beans are taken out of the pods wash and soak it in water for few hours or over night.
• In the morning discard and clean the soaked pods again in fresh water and drain them. Sometimes you can just keep them in the water as it helps when we dehusk the skin from the beans.
• once the beans are dehusked, take them in a thick bottomed vessel add 1 and 1/2 quantity of water of the measure of the beans and cook in a low to medium flame, it won't take long for it to cook.
• Keep an eye on it and stir now and then just to check if it doesn't get stuck to the bottom, if water is decreasing top it up with extra water for it cook until well done.
• Once the avarekalu is cooked with a masher, mash few beans don't mash them all just a few this helps in thickening of the gravy.
• Once done, switch of the stove. In a wok heat oil add mustard seeds when it splutters add chopped Green chillies and saute for a minute or two.
• Then add cumin seeds and rest of the ingredients under seasoning and fry for a minute or so, until the dals change colour. Add this seasoning to the cooked Avarekaalu.
• Add required quantity of salt, Hing and freshly grated coconut mix well and switch on the stove, if it is too thick thin it down with little water and allow it boil for a minute so, they are well combined and the dals get spiced up. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve it with hot rice a dollop of Ghee

Notes

This is made just with Avarekaalu usually, If you want you can add Tuvar Dal or any other Dal of your choice.  But, cook the dals and Beans separately otherwise Avarekaalu will become very mushy.
You can pressure cook Avarekalu but it will become very mushy and you will not enjoy the dish as you won't get a bite of the beans at all.
As amma makes it usually during the festival we don't add onion or garlic, if you like you can season them with onion, garlic, and even tomatoes.

 

The post Avarekaalu Tovve / Thove (Hyacinth Beans / Val Beans Dal) appeared first on My Veg Fare.

It is also called Unde Huli! Nucchinunde always brings me a lot of old memories,  my memories are always entwined with my Maternal aunt (my periamma) but not with my grandmother!!   This is something you cannot find in a restaurant it is just purely Homemade.  Sometimes Amma (mom) would make it for our after school snack.

I customorly make it during Neeru thumba habba during Diwali, the first day of Deepavali with sweet kozhukottai which is a tradition I follow from my Ajji!

Wonder why is it called Nuchina unde?

It is very simple in Kannada Nucchu means Broken and  Unde means Ball.  Nucchu (Broken) can be of anything !!.

Why another name Unde Huli then?

This spicy ball is also used in making Majjige Huli (spicy Yogurt gravy) and can also be added in Khuzmbu/sambar.  It is a very delicious dumpling.

when can we eat this? 

You can have it for breakfast /Lunch / Dinner, highly nutritious and protein-packed as well, You can even send it in Lunchboxes what more can you ask for :).

How can we eat this?

You can just eat it without any sides or you can make coconut chutney to go with it, also with any kind of tart plain gojju, I will post the recipe soon. I just love munching on it, without any sides.

Do we have to use the same measurements?

It is very versatile you can change the ingredients your liking, I usually mix all the three dals.  It is usually made with more Tuvar dal and less channa dal, urad dal, and moong dal is not used! But, I love using all of them to make it more nutritious.

What else can we add not add to this recipe?

You can add different greens here I have used Dill and Ponnanganni keerai (Sessile Joyweed).  Dill leaves are the commonly used you can also use mint, fenugreek, coriander and also can use chopped Onions with coriander and curry leaves, Now with all the things I have told you definitely know this is going to be very tasty.
So, it means you can add all these! don't add spinach, amaranth those kind of greens.

Is it healthy?
Off course it is highly nutritious and a completely protein packed food.  Here we are using... Legumes / pulses / Lentils
1. Toor / Tuvar / piegeon pea - split Piegeon peas is a yellow lentil
2. Channa Dal / Bengal gram Dal - split black chickpeas that have skin removed
3. Urad Dal
4. Moong Dal / Yellow gram Dal - split green gram

This recipe is :
#Vegan and Gluten free
# Can be served as a starter
# fasting ( farsan) recipe
# Party or tea time snack
# Pantry staple ingredients

Nuchinunde (Steamed Lentil Dumplings)

Cuisine : Indian
Recipe Author : Jayasri
Recipe Type: Breakfast/ Lunch
Prep Time : Soak time (3 to 4 Hrs) and 30 minutes
Cook Time : 15 minutes
Shelf Time : one-day

Ingredients:
Tuvar Dal 1 Cup
Channa Dal 1/3 cup
Urad Dal 1/4 cup
Moong Dal 1/4 cup
Dill leaves 1/4 bunch ( around 1/2 cup)
OR
Ponnangani Keerai ( around 1/2 cup)
few sprigs of coriander leaf
one sprig of curry leaves
one inch Ginger
6 to 7 Green chillies
salt to taste
Asafoetida / Hing 1/8 tsp
Chopped coconut pieces

Method:

Wash and soak all the Dals. You can soak the dals separately or together for at least 2 to 3 hours.

Once soaked drain all the dals for some 10  to 20 minutes so there is no water left.

Clean all the greens thoroughly with water 3 to 4 times so, there is no impurities left, chop them up finely.   Green chilies and ginger as well.

Grind the Dals in a mixer coarsely with green chilies and ginger and a little coconut.   Grinding Dals properly is very important don't forget they need to grinded COARSELY they should be grinded as we do for Ambode ( Chatambade / channa dal vada)

Check my NOTES FOR MY TIPS

In a large bowl take the coarsely ground dal with the chopped greens, salt and Hing.
Mix them all together with some more chopped coconuts.
Make small oval-shaped balls out of it and steam them in an Idli cooker or place them on Idli moulds and steam in a cooker for 15 minutes without the weight in a medium flame.

Once done take them out serve them with coconut chutney or with a dollop of ghee.

Notes:
Don't forget, to grind the Dals coarsely. I usually take little quantity of the dals grind then first with green chillies, ginger and coconut to a paste, take it out and grind the dals in 2 to 3 parts in little pulses like a quick turn of the knob  2 to 3 times in my Mixie Jar which grinds to a corase consistency that way!
When making for festivals make as said in the recipe above you can omit Onions, garlic and Ponnangani Keerai.
You can just add coriander, curry leaves, and coconut without any other greens
You can also add chopped veggies to make it more inviting for kids!!
You can add onions, garlic, ginger, coriander and curry leaves.

Nuchiunde is made with only Tuvar Dal. But you can always use any dals in different variations.

You can add this in Majjige Huli ( Yogurt gravy) or in Sambhar and call it Unde Huli (Parup Urandai sambar), which is dumpling in Sambhar.

Hope you enjoy making this for the festival...

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Nuchinunde ( Undehuli) - Steamed Lentil Dumplings / Vegan and Gluten Free

A very healthy and nutritious, protein packed steamed Lentil dumplings which are spicy and tasty with loads of flavours

Course Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch

Cuisine Indian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 18

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• Tuvar Dal 1 Cup
• Channa Dal 1/3 cup
• Urad Dal 1/4 cup
• Moon Dal 1/4 cup
• Dill leaves 1/4 bunch around 1/2 cup
• OR
• Ponnangani Keerai around 1/2 cup
• few sprigs of coriander leaves
• one sprig of curry leaves
• one inch Ginger
• 6 to 7 Green chillies
• salt to taste
• Asafoetida / Hing 1/8 tsp
• Chopped coconut pieces

Instructions

• Wash and soak all the Dals. Drain all the dals for some 10 minutes so there is no water, Clean all the greens chop them up, green chillies and ginger as well.
• Grind the Dals in a mixer coarsely with green chillies and ginger and little coconut.
• In a large bowl take the coarsely ground dal with the chopped greens, salt and Hing.
• Mix them all together with some more chopped coconuts.
• Make small oval shaped balls out of it and steam them in a Idli cooker or place them on Idli moulds and steam in a cooker for 15 minutes without the weight in a medium flame.
• Once done take them out serve it with coconut chutney or with a dollop of ghee.

Notes

Notes:
When making for festivals make as said in the recipe above you can omit Ponnangani Keerai.
You can just add coriander, curry leaves and coconut.
You can also add chopped veggies make it more inviting for kids!!
Don't forget, grind the Dals coarsely.
Usually Nuchiunde is made with only Tuvar Dal. But you can always use any dals in different variations.

You can add this in Majji ge Huli ( Yogurt gravy) or in Sambhar and call it Unde Huli, that is dumpling in Sambhar.

The post Nuchinunde ( Undehuli) - Steamed Lentil Dumplings / Vegan and Gluten Free appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Pappu is nothing but Dal cooked on its own or with some vegetables or edible greens, is a classic Andhra cuisine is spicy and delicious! A dry curry and different podis and pappad are like heaven have come down to earth.

photo updated on 5th Jan 2018

This is an Andhra dish I learned from Swapna's mum, My friend Uma also keeps doing this often, This is the third time I am making this. uma, who is from Andra gave me a thumb sign after eating it. So, here I am with the recipe. Basically, they cut green chilies into it and cook with the dal and green leaves, I have altered it a little, as my children have to eat, I did not want them to bite hot and spicy chili bits. Otherwise, the method is same. But, one more thing I have changed is I have used different combinations of vegetables and leaves whenever I cooked this. Uma told me even using parsley it was good so, I did try that too.... and it came out well, you can use a variety of vegetables and green leaves to cook this Pappu.

Ingredients:

1 bunch Methi/Fenugreek/Menthya soppu Leaves
1 bunch Dill leaves
1 Tomato
1 cup Tuvar Dal
2 to 3 Green chillies
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
4 to 5 Garlic pods
2 medium onions
1 to 1 and  1/2 tsp Red chilli powder (instead of Red chillies)
salt as required
2 tbsp Thick Tamarind extract
1 tsp Dhania powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tbsp oil

Seasoning:
1/4 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tbsp urad dhal
1/2 tbsp channa dal
2 to 3 Red Chillies
1 stalk Curry leaves

METHOD:

Wash the Green leaves thoroughly and chop them, wash Dal.
Take a Vessel, Add the chopped leaves, Washed Dal, a pinch of turmeric powder, green chilies, 1 Onion and 2 cloves of garlic pressure cook them till 2 to 3 whistles.
Allow it cool, Meanwhile, Take a wok or pan heat oil, add the seasonings with red chilies, chopped garlic, and chopped onions and fry them till they become transparent.
Then add the Tomatoes and saute until they are cooked
Take the cooked dal along with the greens, mash them thoroughly with a masher, until dal and green leaves are well combined together.
Add the fried seasonings, required quantity of salt and allow it to boil for few minutes with the tamarind extract.
Add 1 tsp of Dhania powder and  1 tsp of cumin powder
Garnish it with chopped coriander and  curry leaves and allow it to boil for another 2 minutes
serve hot with cooked rice and a dollop of ghee.

NOTE:

Increase or Decrease  chilies or Tamarind according to individual taste
You can use Red chili powder instead of Red Chilies
When using Tomatoes check the sourness of the fruit and add Tamarind, you can also use Green gram dal with this instead of Tuvar Dal
Swapna's mum even told me you can omit dhania, jeera and chili powder and add Dhaniyalu podi in it. This podi I will be posting it in my Masala powder Recipes.

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Methi & Dill leaves Pappu (Andra dish)

Pappu is nothing but Dal cooked on its own or with some vegetables or edible greens, is a classic Andhra cuisine is spicy and delicious! A dry curry and different podis and pappad are like heaven have come down to earth.

Course Main Meals (Lunch/ Dinner)

Cuisine Andhra Cuisine

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 4

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• 1 bunch Methi/Fenugreek/Menthya soppu Leaves
• 1 bunch Dill leaves
• 1 Tomato
• 1 cup Tuvar Dal
• 2 to 3 Green chillies
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
• 4 to 5 Garlic pods
• 2 medium onions
• 1 to 1 and 1/2 tsp Red chilli powder instead of Red chillies
• salt as required
• 2 tbsp Thick Tamarind extract
• 1 tsp Dhania powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp oil
• Seasoning:
• 1/4 tsp Mustard seeds
• 1 tbsp urad dhal
• 1/2 tbsp channa dal
• 2 to 3 Red Chillies
• 1 stalk Curry leaves

Instructions

• Wash the Green leaves thoroughly and chop them, wash Dal.
• Take a Vessel, Add the chopped leaves, Washed Dal, a pinch of turmeric powder, green chilies, 1 Onion and 2 cloves of garlic pressure cook them till 2 to 3 whistles.
• Allow it cool, Meanwhile, Take a wok or pan heat oil, add the seasonings with red chilies, chopped garlic, and chopped onions and fry them till they become transparent.
• Then add the Tomatoes and saute until they are cooked
• Take the cooked dal along with the greens, mash them thoroughly with a masher, until dal and green leaves are well combined together.
• Add the fried seasonings, required quantity of salt and allow it to boil for few minutes with the tamarind extract.
• Add 1 tsp of Dhania powder and 1 tsp of cumin powder
• Garnish it with chopped coriander and curry leaves and allow it to boil for another 2 minutes
• serve hot with cooked rice and a dollop of ghee

Notes

Increase or Decrease  chilies or Tamarind according to individual taste
You can use Red chili powder instead of Red Chilies
When using Tomatoes check the sourness of the fruit and add Tamarind, you can also use Green gram dal with this instead of Tuvar Dal
Swapna's mum even told me you can omit dhania, jeera and chili powder and add Dhaniyalu podi in it. This podi I will be posting it in my Masala powder Recipes.

The post Methi (Fenugreek) and Dill leaves Pappu(Dal) Andhra Cuisine appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Ridge Gourd 

This is very simple dish which my mother-in-law always prepared, she always prepared the basic type of this which was very quick and easy for a fast life, it is absolutely tasty and  very delicious with hot rice, spoonful of Ghee and more molaga (upperi/salted chillies/uppu menasinakaayi). When I started cooking I slightly altered by using vegetables in it. Here goes the Recipe

RIDGE GOURD TOVVE


Ingredients:
1/4 cup of Moong dal/Hesaru Bele/Paitham parup
1 Large Ridge Gourd

Seasonings:
1tbsp channa dal/Kadale Bele/Kadalai parup
1tbsp Urad dal/Uddina Bele/Ulundu parup
1tsp Mustard seeds/saaseve/Kadag
1 sprig curry leaves/Karibevu/karivepilai
1 tsp Cumin seeds/jeerige/seeragam
2 red chillies
A pinch of Asafoetida
Salt to taste

To Powder: 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp cumin seeds

METHOD :

1. First scrape the skin out of the Ridge Gourd and cut them into  cubes cook them separately with 1 and 1/2 cup water, Once cooked drain the water and use the same water with extra 1 cup and cook Moong dal in a Pressure cooker up 2 whistles.
2. Or the easiest method to save time what I do is, Take  2 cups of water  cook Moong dal with the vegetable in a pressure cooker for 2 whistles.
3. For seasoning, take a Kadai, heat a tbsp of oil add mustard seeds, once they splutter add channa, urad dals, chillies , jeera and add them to the dal-vegetable.
4. Add the coarsely powdered pepper and cumin seeds to the sambhar which really gives a good flavour with a pinch of asafoetida
5. Add washed curry leaves and cook them all in the stove for 5 to 6 minutes
6. Serve this sambhar with hot rice or with chapati

Variations: some people do not prefer to eat pepper, they can omit the powder and  just add the seasonings, my Mom-in-law always cooked it with just 1 or 2 Tomatoes, you can do this with chow-chow, cucumber, Dudhi (Bottle Gourd), Snake Gourd etc.,

The post Ridge Gourd Dal ( Peerthangai Masial ) appeared first on My Veg Fare.