Horse Gram in English is called in local Indian Languges in different names according to the region Kollu/ Kulith/ Hurli Kaalu/ Muthira / Ulavallu  are some of them.  We use them in different ways, Horse Gram is rich in proteins & Iron, Our elders in the family used to say, that it should be used in limited quantities. Pregnant woman were not allowed to eat usually in the earlier stages of pregnancy almost 6 to 7 months, as according to Ayurveda it produces heat in the body so usually is used in winter like a winter warmer, making soups, Rasam (Hurali Saaru), Molake kattida palya (sprouted stir-fry), Podi, Basaaru etc.

This is a chutney which I have made using Kollu and Paruppu, I made this with Dosa.. spicy and nice..

KOLLU (HORSE GRAM) THOGEYAL (CHUTNEY) 

Recipe: south Indian

cooking time : 30 minutes

  

INGREDIENTS:

2 tbsp Horse Gram

2 tbsp Channa Dal

1/4 cup (nearly 50 grms) freshly grated coconut

5 to 6 sprigs of Coriander leaves

5 to 6 leaves of curry leaves ( Karuvepillai / Karibevu)

5 to 6 Red chillies ( used 5 Byadgi & 2 Guntur )

2 to 3 flakes of Tamarind

2 tsp of Rock salt

Pinch of Asafoetida

little oil

Seasoning

1 tbsp of oil

1 tsp of Mustard seeds

3 to 4 curry leaves

METHOD:

In a wok take little oil 1/4 tsp fry Horse Gram for 5 to 10 minutes in a low to medium flame, remove it on to a plate, in the same wok with 1/4 tsp of oil add channa dal and fry until it changes to golden colour.

Now take both of them in the same wok together, to this add Red chillies, coriander leaves, curry leaves and  Tamarind and fry for few more minutes switch off the stove and to this add coconut and fry for 2 minutes.

Allow it to cool down, take it in a mixer to this add salt and asafoetida and grind it into a powder do not add water as you want it completely powdered well. You can keep it just like that and use it as a powder ( fry coconut a bit more time ), will store up to 3 to 4 days I think OR proceed and make it into a chutney like this....

 

Once done add 1/4 to 1/2 cup water and grind it again for an other time just once it mixes well and becomes a chutney.

In a little kadai (pan), heat oil add mustard seeds once they splutter add curry leaves and switch it off pour this on the chutney and enjoy.

Enjoy with hot rice topped with a tbsp of Ghee or as a side with Dosa or Idli, it also goes well with Venthya Kozhambu.

The post Kollu Thogeyal ( Horse Gram Roasted Chutney ) appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Rasam is such a comfortable food, that nobody would say No, I think.  I used to love Rasam from childhood, but still shouldn't tell lies right ?, Sometime I would love to eat it just like that but most of the time I would always demand that I need something to go with it, like vadam ( papads in different ways ), later stages I would go with some dry curry then on I still love eating it with Onions, Cucumbers or Tomatoes, and do you know one another thing I would love to eat Rasam with is Pulkas / Chapatis :)).  Oh! that's my favourite too.., writing this is making me nostalgic reminding me of how my Dad used to chop all the veggies in a plate and keep it in a designed pattern, he still does this to his grandchildren, My kids love to have food in my mom's house not just because it is paati's cooking ( Nan's cooking).  It is because how my Dad does these little things which is very interesting for them!!.
Coming back to this recipe.., A little twist to our authentic Rasam.
Check out my little tips for variations for this recipe.., hope you enjoy and try out and tell me how you like it...
Look at the Lovely colour of my Rasam..

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER ( RED CAPSICUM )  RASAM



INGREDIENTS:
1/4 Cup Tuvar Dal
1 Tomato
2 Red Bell Pepper
1 Onion
2 Cloves of Garlic
2 tbsp thick Tamarind juice *
2 twigs of Curry leaves
2 to 3 tbsp of Coriander Leaves
2 tsp of Salt
1/4 tsp Sugar
2 to 3 tsp of Rasam Powder **
A pinch of Hing (Asafoetida )
1 lt of Water

SEASONING:
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1/2 tbsp of oil / Ghee
1/2 tsp Jeera /Cumin seeds

METHOD:
First of all wash the lentils - Tuvar Dal, and Tomato with a cup of water and a tsp of turmeric cook it in a pressure cooker up to 2 or 3 whistles.
Meanwhile apply a bit of oil on Red Pepper, Onions , Tomato and Garlic cloves ( do not remove the peel ). Keep all this on a meshed plate on the stove top.***, keep the flame in a medium flame and roast them turning them now and then until you feel that they are kind of roasted and cooked.
This can be noticed in different ways, do not roast it too much where the skin becomes too black, if it is a bit blackened here and there, it is fine.  Tomatoes starts oozing out the juice.
As I don't throw away the blackened bit, which is the one gives the roasted flavour to the Rasam.
Once you have done the roasted bit, take them out and allow them to cool down. Grind the cooled Roasted bit into a smooth paste.

Take the cooked Tuvar dal in a big vessel ( A vessel which fits around 1 and 1/2 lt of Water).
Add Tamarind Juice with 2 Cups of water and allow it to boil, for 3 to 4 minutes, then add the Ground paste and required quantitiy of  Rasam Powder, Asafoetida, salt and sugar.
Allow them to boil for further 3 to 4 minutes, then add the remaining water. Increase or Decrease the quantity of water according to your liking then add finely chopped Curry leaves and Coriander leaves. Bring to a low flame from medium flame.
In a small pan heat oil / Ghee, once hot add mustard seeds and cumin seeds , saute them when they splutter ****, switch of the stove add this seasoning to the Rasam.
Enjoy it with hot Rice and a dollop of ghee and with your favourite Dry curries . Papads  or Salads of Veggies....

Tips :
You can even omit Tuvar Dal if you do not want to use it.
* Tamarind Juice - If you are using fresh Tamarind use around 15 grms of tamarind flakes soaked in hot water  or In a microwave safe bowl, take Tamarind flakes and 1/2 cup of water and heat it for just 1 minute. It will be very hot, leave it for few minutes or if you want to use it immediately add 1/2 cup of cold water which brings down the temperature and allows you to squeeze the Tamarind juice or use the ready made one.
** If you do not have Rasam Powder try this powder which gives you a flavourful rasam.
 Quick Rasam Powder:
1 tbsp Coriander seeds,
1 tsp Cumin seeds, `
1/4 tsp Fenugreek seeds,
1/2 tsp Black Pepper,
1/4 tsp Mustard seeds,
3 to 4 Curry leaves
5 to 6  Badgi chillies ( If you don't get Badgi chillies then get some Kashmiri chillies, which gives colour and some birds eye chillies according to your taste of spiciness/ hot you like )

METHOD: Heat a tsp of oil , first add fenugreek seeds when they turn golden in colour add the other Ingredients and fry all of them in a low flame, so they don't get burnt away and every thing fries as needed, Other wise you can fry each of them separately but use oil only once.  When cooled grind them into a smooth powder. use this instead of Rasam powder.
*** Meshed plate  is something like this I use.. (will post the photo soon )
**** Splutter - If you are new to seasoning be careful, you can close it with a lid otherwise, as they splutter haywire and it might hurt you .

I served this rasam with a simple Beetroot stir fry...

The post Roasted Red Bell Pepper / Capsicum Rasam ( Kind of thin soup ) appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Lo! here is an other Thogayal recipe, This can be also used with Chapatis, add an other 1/4 cup water to loosen it a bit and goes very well with plain idlis and Dosas.
I always end up with lot of coriander stalk, so i keep using them in lot of different dishes so I don't have to bin them.  This is one such recipe which I made use of the stalks.

INDIAN HERBS CHUTNEY
INGREDIENTS:
2 stalks of Curry leaves
1/2 cup Mint leaves (around 4 to 5 stalks)
A bunch of coriander stalks
1 fistful Tuvar Dal
1 fistful of Channa dal
1 fistful of urad Dal
1 fistful of grated fresh coconut
5 Red Chilies
4 Guntur Chilies
1 tsp of Pepper Corns
2 Tamarind Flakes
1and 1/4 tsp Salt
1 tsp Oil

METHOD:
In a pan heat oil and add all the dry ingredients (channa dal, Tuvar dal, pepper corns, chilies, Urad dal, tamarind flakes)
In a cup of water, cook all the stalks until they become soft in a low flame, Drain water if there is any left do not throw away the water, drain the water and keep aside, which can be used while grinding for chutney/thogayal.
Once they all change colour and add curry leaves and fry them too, they wilt away but see that they don't change colour, Take them out and keep aside to cool down.
Next fry Mint leaves and take them out and keep aside, until they wilt without changing colour.
Once everything is ready, Grind the dry ingredients into a coarse powder,
Now to this add all the herbs and grind them into a coarse paste.
If you want to eat it with rice, just keep the grinded mixture as you see in the photo that is like a thogayal and season it and serve it with a tsp of oil or ghee.
If you want to use it in any other way, add water and make it into chutney consistency and enjoy.

This is my 5th day submission for BM# 15 for Group 1
Check out all my other blogging friends for the rest of delicious recipes....
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#15

The post Indian Herbs Chutney/Thogayal appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Absolutely yummilacious!!, You will never want to try one more recipe, divine taste, and gorgeous.., I could say a lot more to this chutney powder.  If you are from Bangalore, Karnataka, everybody would know of Subbamman Angadi in Gandhi Bazar and definitely would have bought this kind of chutney powder.  I can promise you this recipe beats that recipe. This is second version with this kind of chutney powder. The first one is here.  You would love that too..., But this one is outstanding.
Last time when I went home, I stayed in my sis home, her MIL who is also related to us in many ways!!, makes this chutney powder my kids had fallen in love with this.  She is a very good cook, and she thinks I am the good one, bless her, she asks me what do you do with this, with that vegetable and things like that :). Basically she is a fantastic lady, very helpful, very understanding and I could write a lot more about her. She has a special place in whole of the family and everybody loves her to bits.

This post and this recipe is dedicated to her, she has a very special place in my Heart - I love you so much Leela aunty. The last time I was making this, I was chatting with Lata and told her I got tired of grating nearly a kg of Copra and my hands were paining, she asked me why are you grating so much, I said I miscalculated and I have ended up in making this Chutney pudi in Kgs!!. She thought I have gone completely bonkers.  Well, any way I made around 1 and 1/2  to 2kg of Chutney pudi I think, I did not measure, and it lasted more than 4 months.., I have to make it again, kids are demanding.., I got all the things only thing is I have to make it again (dreading to grate Copra though!!).
Here is the recipe details, hope you like it and enjoy it as we all do....

CHUTNEY PUDI - BANGALORE STYLE
Recipe source : Leela Aunty

 INGREDIENTS:

175 gms Channa dal (3/4 Pav)
115 gms Urad dal (1/2 + 2 tbsp Pav)
375 gms Copra/Dry Coconut
50 gms Guntur
50 gms Byadgi
12 gms Mustard seeds
40 gms Tamarind
1/2 cup / around 120 gms - Acchu Bella (Square Jaggery)
5 to 6 twigs of Curry leaves (around 1/4 cup)
2 gms of Hing/Asafoetida
1 and 1/2 tbsp Salt ( adjust accordingly)
Oil as required

SEASONING:
2 to 3 tbsp of Oil
1 tsp Mustard seeds

METHOD:
In a pan with a tsp of oil, fry each one of the Ingredients separately and in a low flame.
When you are frying dals & mustard seeds, add Dry red chilies with them and fry this way, Frying only chilies will  give that spicy aroma, which is quite harsh, and makes your throat tickle and you might start coughing.
Frying chilies in portions with other ingredients makes it more subtle and easy to handle the Ghaatu (or harshness).
First of all add a 1/2 tsp of oil fry Channa dal to golden colour.
Next Urad dal with a 1/2 tsp of oil to golden colour.
Then fry Tamarind until they become too soft, when they cool down they harden up.
Then fry mustard seeds they too change colour to a darker colour and starts spluttering.
Then fry curry leaves
Then grate Jaggery and keep aside.
Grate Copra/Dry coconut and fry them without oil into a golden colour and keep aside.
Allow all the ingredients to cool down completely, this way your mixie will not get spoiled.

Now Mix them all together with Hing , and grind them in batches as it is a large quantity to a very coarse powder, then in the end with the last two batches Grind the ingredients first then with one batch add grated jaggery and give a little pulse just to ensure it is mixed, don't run it too much. Next  batch of the powder ingredients grind Copra with a pulse, that is quick movements, to the first setting for a minute, come back and run the mixie again for a minute this way it will not become too soft and too oily.
Take all the Grinded ingredients into a large bowl now add required quantity of salt, mix them well together with you hand so that every thing is well incorporated.

Taste and adjust Salt and give a thorough mix.
Heat a pan , heat oil then add mustard seeds when they splutter switch it off.  Give it few minutes so it cools down add this seasoning to the Chutney powder, Mix well again.
It is now ready to be served.
This Chutney powder is Semma tasty ( very tasty), goes very well with Idlis, Dosas, Chapatis, my fav is with Rottis (Akki or Ragi rotti).
You can even enjoy like my friend U who sits on my breakfast bar with my pickle and chutney powder in front of her puts little on her palm, and starts licking it up!!, she is regular customer for this powder especially!!

MY TIPS:

In Bangalore, you get powdered Tamarind, you can substitute that instead of Tamarind which is very easy process.

This Chutney powder is the second entry for my Blogging Marathon started by Srivalli, check out all my other friends who are running this marathon with me.., Hope my friends and you all enjoy this as much as we do...
adieu.., c u soon with an other recipe....

Take an other look at my Chutney powder and I will sign off...

An update for this post:
As everybody is asking me what are those two different chilies I have and always have used in many of my recipes, I would like to elaborate about them a bit..

BYADGI CHILIES: It is very popular chili from Karnataka, It is grown in Byadgi town, in Haveri district of Karnataka. These chilies are crooked in shape and long, they give a deep colour to the dishes and mild in flavour.  These chilies have are not too spicy and gives a sweetness to the dish (don't get confused they are spicy too but not as spicy as the other varities - more like kashmiri chilies you can substitute kashmiri chillies )

GUNTUR CHILIES: These chilies are grown in Guntur, Andra pradesh, they are very spicy, you can see it in the left side of the photo.

So I usually combine both it to give the rich colour to the end product!!.., If are anytime in Bangalore get these Byadgi chilies and try it in your dishes you will notice the difference.  As I don't get them here I bring it from India!. You can only use just the Byadgi chilies and you will see the difference you find with the colour and the taste of the dish!
Try it out and tell me if you liked it....

As some of you have been asking me about Jaggery, I am doing an other update you can try using any other kind - I have give few links I found googling click on them.
Jaggery / Goor / Bella . I have found that you get in powder / block and some other forms. You just have to break them down. I measured the 1/2 cup jaggery which I had mentioned and weighed it was around 120 gms.  Hope this helps

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#15

The post Chutney Pudi - Bangalore style appeared first on My Veg Fare.

100 gms soft dates (around 12 to 13 )

20 gms Tamarind

10 gms Dry grapes

25 gms Jaggery

1 tbsp Coriander seeds

1 tsp Cumin seeds

20 gms (around 10 stalks) Fresh coriander leaves

20 gms (1/2 cup loosely packed) Mint leaves

2 Green Chillies

1 tsp Chat Masala (optional)

1 tsp Chilli powder (optional)

1 tsp of Salt

2 Cups water or 1 and 1/2 Cup Water**

METHOD:

First of all soak Soft dates and dry grapes in hot water using 1/2 cup of water, for at least 1/2 and hour to 45 minutes.

Next soak Tamarind and Jaggery  in 1/2 cup of water

Then in a dry wok roast coriander and cumin seeds and remove it on to a plate

Then roast Green chillies for a minute, then add coriander leaves and Mint leaves and dry roast for a minute and remove them  on to a plate.

Grind roasted coriander and cumin seeds into a fine powder.

Grind Coriander leaves, Mint leaves and Green chillies into a fine paste, using a tbsp of water at a time, into a fine paste.

Once they are soaked well enough, Drain the water on to a cup, do not throw the water, grind the dates and grapes into a smooth paste, Mix this paste into the drained water and filter it into a bowl, so if there are any impurities they will get filtered.

Next squeeze the tamarind and Jaggery well enough and filter this water also into a bowl, so if there are any impurities they will get filtered.

Mix both the filtered Juices into a bowl with  the rested of the Ingredients, Green paste, powders and salt and allow it to boil.

You might need an extra half cup of water when doing all this process.

Start boiling the Juices it starts thickening so keep on stirring so you don't want to end up with lumps.

Taste and increase or decrease the masala powders to your taste.

MY TIPS:

**I have indicated these stars to tell you...

If you are planning to make it into a sauce for any chats use 2 cups of water. But, if you are planning to use it in Breads like a chutney use 1 and 1/2 cup of water.  It becomes much thicker or  you can still reduce the water quantity and make it much more thicker but be careful stir continuously as it thickens and becomes more like a paste and you can apply for sandwiches. 

The post Sweet and Sour Chat Masala Sauce appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Curry Leaves Powder

The most beautiful, gorgeous and rich herb with amazing flavour and  or shall I say to the Asian countries.  The most aromatic herb I would say in my kitchen or should I say in every  Indian kitchen.  

Coriander and Curry leaves are a must in every Indian kitchen, I just can't live without them!. 

First time when I came to UK I went and bought Coriander leaves for the first time, I was so shocked it was a small bunch,  and costed a fortune (£1), for a few days I used to use it scarcely but couldn't stay away from it for a long time, even if it was very expensive.

But, when I go to London, I act as if I have won a bumper prize I pick up at least 4 bunches, and with that I get few greens which I never get it here. I envy people living in India are lucky they get so many types of keerais (green leaves), aren't they lucky ?.

Murraya Koenigi is the botanical name and colloquial name for this herb is called Curry leaves, Kadi Patta-Hindi, Karivepillai- Tamil, Karibevu- Kannada, Karapincha - Sinhala, Karivepaku- Telagu... Check out this website you can find the name of this leaf in 52 different Languages/countries.

Curry Leaves has a great medicinal value, which is why it is widely used in Asian Continents, Curry leaves are also used in Ayurvedic medicine (alternative medicine), Curry leaves are rich in minerals, Iron and vitamins -  

Check out the websites at the bottom of the post for lot more information on curry leaves.
From Wiki:The leaves of Murraya koenigii are also used as a herb in Ayurvedic medicine. They are much valued as an anti-diabetic,^[2] antioxidant,^[3] antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory,hepatoprotective, anti-hypercholesterolemic etc. They also contain iron.
This recipe I got basically from Kusuma aunty, my sis's MIL, when she came to visit here, she served this and my H and kids loved it, I tweaked  it a little bit and here is my version, Thanks to her this is our family favourite now....

This is my version:

INGREDIENTS:

I have measured the ingredients in gms
60 gms Curry Leaves
80 gms Garlic Cloves
100 gms Dry coconut /Copra
60 gms Tamarind
140 gms Peanuts
40 gms Dry Red Chillies (Badgi)**
Salt as required
1/4 cup Grated Jaggery

SEASONING:
1 tbsp Oil
1tbsp Channa dal
1 tbsp Urad dal
1 tsp mustard seeds

Take curry leaves and just pluck the leaves out, wash them and wipe them clean and dry them with a tea towel or kitchen towel. Once they are dry, Crush the Curry Leaves by grinding them in a mixie in 1 minute turning (Or shall I say in short bursts). just like the above click.

Take a wok or a wide pan add 1/4 tsp oil, once it is hot add the seasonings, once the dals change colour, to this add the Crushed Curry Leaves and fry them in a very low flame, keep on frying until they are nicely roasted, just like the above click.
It should not loose its colour, but should be dry.

Then peel the skin of the Garlic cloves fry them in the same wok for just 2 minutes then grind them in a mixie again with short turns and keep them aside. (sorry forgot to click this step next time I will update).

Then as always when I  am using Tamarind I always roast them on stove top, once they are cool I cut them them little pieces so the mixie will not get into problems and them I grinded them, Just once then grind them with curry leaves and keep aside.

Then Roast ground nuts remove the skin once they are a bit cool, then as I have told in my earlier post, after the skin is peeled, break them open and remove the pod from each peanut, as they tend to give a bitter taste. just like I have shown above.

Grate Jaggery and keep aside (sorry no click will update soon)

Grate Dry copra/ Dry coconut, fry them 2 minutes in the same pan without any oil.

Once every thing is ready grind the roasted curry leaves with this grind Dry chillies, Roasted Tamarind, Roasted peanuts and Copra.
Once they are well grinded together with required quantity of salt, finely add garlic and Jaggery give one more turn in the mixie do not over do it, if you grind garlic too much it becomes like paste, so be careful.

Take them out from the mixie, mix them well in a big bowl with your hand or with a spatula so they are well combined together taste and adjust salt.
and your very Nutritious Curry leaves powder is ready to eat with hot rice and Ghee... Enjoy
I will post few more versions of my curry leaves powder I make...
Check out these links to know more about Curry leaves

Kusuma Aunty's version wasn't too different, as hers was the basic recipe.., what I tweaked about this was I just added Groundnuts, as they have lot of proteins in them. If you want to skip it that makes Kusuma Aunty's recipe! 🙂 enjoy however you like....

http://www.prokerala.com/health/medicinal-herbs/curry-leaf.php
http://ayurvedichomeremedies.blogspot.com/2011/08/ayurvedic-home-remedies-medicinal-uses_14.html
http://www.diabetesmellitus-information.com/diabetes_herbs.htm
http://www.health-enz.com/herbs/curryleaf.shtml
http://www.diethealthclub.com/health-food/curry-leaves-health-benefits.html
http://jaiho-dubai.blogspot.com/2011/07/curry-leaves.html
http://www.diethealthclub.com/health-food/curry-leaves-health-benefits.html
http://benefitsofindianfood.blogspot.com/2007/03/curry-leaves.html

I am sending this to Walking through memory lane of Gayatri's event

The post Curry Leaves Powder appeared first on My Veg Fare.

SAMBHAR - ARICHUVITTA SAMBHAR

INGREDIENTS:
1 Cup Thuvar Dal
small Tamarind
10-12 Small Onions
3 Nos Green chillies
1 Tomato
curry leaves
small Marble sized Tamarind
1 and 1/2 cup of Chopped Vegetables (I used carrot, beans, potatoes)
Salt as required

ROAST AND GRIND
1 tbsp Channa dal
1 tsp Urad dal
1/2 tsp Fenugreek seeds
5-6 Red chillies
1 and 1/2 tsp Coriander seeds
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tsp Jeera /cumin seeds
1 tsp Oil

TO TEMPER
1 tsp Mustard seeds
3/4 th tsp Fenugreek seeds
Asafoetida/Hing
1 tsp Jeera
1 tsp of Oil

METHOD:

Heat a tsp of oil and fry all the Ingredients under Roast and grind and when cool make it into a smooth powder.
In a pressure cooker, cook the dal with a bit of turmeric and 1 and 1/2 cup of water until soft.
Now heat a tbsp of Oil, put in all the Ingredients under the temper heading and roast it until they all change colour, now add the chopped pearl onions fry until they turn transparent and now add chopped tomato and green chillies, curry leaves, cook them until they are soft.
Microwave tamarind in a cup of water, they would have become soft now keep it aside for few minutes until they are enough to handle to your hand, add a bit of cold water which makes it cool sooner.
Squeeze out the water, take the filtered juice add it to the cooking onions and tomatoes.
Now add the chopped vegetables until they are well cooked.
Now add the mashed and well cooked dal to it and cook all of them well together.
Now add the powdered sambhar powder to it and boil it for a few more minutes.
Now the Sambhar is ready to go, Enjoy it with warm rice and a dollop of Ghee.

This recipe goes to my Event Bloggers Marathon 

The post Sambhar-ArIchuvitta Sambhar II appeared first on My Veg Fare.

TAMARIND RICE /PULIYOGARE WITH PULIKAACHAL

INGREDIENTS:
1 big lemon size Tamarind
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp Asafoetida
1 tsp Jaggery
Salt as required
1 and 1/2 cup water
curry leaves
1 fist full of peanuts/ground nuts

TO TEMPER
1 tbsp mustard seeds
7 to 8 Red chillies (she uses 10-15)
4 tbsp Urad dal
3 tbsp Channa dal
1/4 tsp Asafoetida
curry leaves
5 to 6 tbsp Sesame oil

TO ROAST AND GRIND
2tbsp of Channa dal
4 Nos Red chillies
3/4 tsp Fenugreek seeds/Venthyam
1 tbsp Urad dal
1 tsp Pepper

METHOD:

Take a pan fry all the Ingredients under to roast and Grind with a tsp of oil and roast them until the colour changes and allow it to cool, then grind to a smooth powder.
Meanwhile take the lemon sized ball of Tamarind in a 1 and 1/2 cup of water put it in a microwave safe bowl and microwave it for 1 minute. ( I always do this as it is so fast method when I am in a hurry to make sambhar, Rasam etc.., when I decide what I am going to make first thing I microwave Tamarind in water and allow it cool until I require it,  by that time it would have a cooled for our hand to handle this is the quickest way to make the tamarind soft and easy to handle).
Squeeze the lemon juice and keep it aside filtering the pith.
Take a large pan heat oil and add all the things under the heading to temper when they change colour,  add the Tamarind juice, allow it boil until the raw smell disappears.
Now add the  powder to the boiling tamarind water, now keep a careful eye on it turn the stove into a medium flame and keep stirring it and it starts thickening and becomes like a paste (rather should say like lehyam).
Switch of the stove, now add it to the cooked rice ( with another 2 tbsp of oil).
I grated 100 gms of dry coconut and 4 tbsp of Black Sesame seeds (fry the seeds in a wok till it starts spluttering now take it of the stove) grind both of these into a powder.
Add this to the Rice with the Pulikaachal mix well with Rice.
Do not serve it immediately, leave it at least for 1/2 an hour, this helps the rice to absorb the paste well into it and it tastes gorgeous.

I am sending this to my own event Blogger Marathon from Raks kitchen....

The post Tamarind Rice/Puliyogare with pulikaachal appeared first on My Veg Fare.

GUJARATI DAL

INGREDIENTS:
1 Cup Tuvar Dal
2 Drumsticks
1 Medium sized carrot
1/2 cup Lilva Beans
7 to 8 French Beans
A fist full of Ground nuts (Peanuts)
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 Green chillies
5 Nos soft dates
1/2 tsp Cumin powder
1/4 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Ginger
1 tsp Coriander powder
few Coriander leaves

FOR SEASONING:
1 tsp Ghee
1/2 tsp Fenugreek seeds
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
4 Nos Red chillies
curry leaves
A pinch of Asafoetida

METHOD
Cook Tuvar dal with turmeric powder and dates ( but in the recipe what valli sent us was you have to use dried dates soak them in warm water and cook them with other vegetables, as I had no dried dates and I did not want my kids to find out what was in it I cooked them together with Tuvar dal and mashed them well) in a pressure cooker for 3 whistles.
chop the Veggies, cook them in a vessel with 2 to 2 and 1/2 cup of water with a ladle in the vessel and close the top with another broader vessel ( say like a besan type of vessel) with a cup of water in it. This helps in cooking the veggies quicker and faster in a medium flame, keep an eye when it is boiling so it doesn't burn underneath with no water :)). Add the masala powder, tamarind and Jaggery and let it also cook when the veggies are half cooked.
Once the veggies are done, add the Dal to them mix together and cook them again for few minutes adjust salt and curry leaves.
Meanwhile in a small wok, heat a tbsp of Ghee and add all the Ingredients under seasoning fry them for 2 minutes, add this to the dal and serve hot with a dollop of ghee and rice or with chapati or pulka.l
Mmm.., very delicious, you too make this healthy recipe and enjoy it.

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STUFFED SMALL BRINJALS / THUMBIDA BADANEKAAYI / BARWA BAINGAN

INGREDIENTS:
For the Curry:
16 Small Brinjals
Few Curry Leaves (2 to 3 sprigs)
1/4 Cup or 5 tbsp of Oil
1 tsp of Mustard seeds
1/2 tsp of Turmeric powder
Marble size Jaggery (optional)
20 gms/size of Marble/ 5 to 6 Flakes of Tamarind
Few Coriander Leaves to Garnish (5 to 6 stalks)
2 Medium sized Onions
4 to 5 Garlic Pods
Salt as Required

For the Masala Powder :
1 Cup Coriander seeds
1 tbsp Urad dal
1-1/2 tsp Bengal gram Dal
1/4 tsp Fenugreek seeds
1-1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp Poppy seeds
1/2 tsp Pepper corns
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
2 Sticks (1'' Pieces) Cinnamon sticks
4 Cloves
3 to 4 Marati Moggu
1/4 tsp Asafoetida/Hing
1-1/2 tbsp of White Till seeds
1-1/2 tbsp of Uchellu / niger seeds
60 gms / more than 1/4 cup of Dry Copra
1/4 Cup Peanuts/Ground nuts
6 - 5 Guntur -Badgi Dry Red Chillies

METHOD:
First of all soak around 20gms/size of marble/5 to 6 Flakes of Tamarind in 1 cup of hot water
In a tsp of oil add Fenugreek first, when it turns golden brown in colour, add cinnamon sticks, Marati Moggu, cloves and fry for a minute, then add Mustard seeds, pepper corns, Dry Red Chillies and cumin fry for a minute when they smell very nice, and the cumin turns golden in colour, then take all of them out in a plate, now add Channa dal fry with a drop of oil until it changes colour take it out, then another tiny bit of oil and fry Urad dal until it changes colour take it out, then add another tiny bit of oil add Coriander seeds and fry until they change colour to golden colour, Leave them on the plate until they cool down. (you can also fry the dals and coriander seeds together with the other ingredients one by  one)
In the same wok fry ground nuts nicely until it changes colour, may be 5 minutes to 7 minutes, the skin starts peeling off, take it out and allow it cool.
Then fry both the Till seeds  separately (White and Niger seeds) until they start popping or spluttering out, take these out on to a plate to cool
Grate the Dry Copra/ Coconut fry just for a minute and keep it aside to cool.
Rubbing in both palms remove the skin and the small nodes in the Ground nuts and Grind just the two parts of the nuts and powder and keep aside.
Once they are all cool Grind the dals first into a smooth powder then to this add the Till seeds and the Dry Coconut/Copra and make the powder.
Now your Masala powder is ready. This powder can be stored in an Air tight container. when ever you want to make this gravy, Vegetable bath, or any dry curry with any other vegetables which might go well with the masala, Gojjus or you can even use it for sambhar (omitting adding of til seeds).

Once the Masala is ready now the process is easy.
Here I did a little variation, actually I did not grinded both the coconuts into a smooth paste rather than using the Dry copra to make the masala powder as I intended to use all the powder immediately and I did not keep it for any storing.
Take the 2 Onions and Garlic pods and grind them into a smooth paste.
In a bowl take the Masala powder, Ground nut powder, Onion - Garlic paste, and Coconut paste mix all this together with 1 tbsp of salt.
Slit open the Brinjals as shown and fill up them with masala powder and keep it ready. you will be left with some masala powder paste as well.

Take a large pan/ wok heat 1/4 cup of oil to this add mustard seeds, when they splutter add turmeric powder and slide in the filled Brinjals and curry leaves into the pan and saute them carefully for 2 minutes until all the brinjals are coated with oil.
You will be left with some masala powder paste, to this add nicely squeezed Tamarind water to this remaining paste, mix well together  add this to the Pan as shown in the picture add another 2 to 3 cups of water depending on how gravy you want your subzi to be and also adjust the salt, remember you have already added some to the powder paste while filling the Brinjals, Cover and cook for about 20 to 25 minutes in a low flame, just check now and then and turn them around slowly, so that they don't get squished and dry up, if it dries up add a bit of water.

But, usually it cooks well in that flame and the gravy thickens too, chop few fresh coriander leaves and Garnish and serve hot with Roti, Naan, pulkas or chapatis.
Here is an other click of my Badanekaayi Yennagai..

will write about Jolada rotti soon....

Variation: If you cannot get Tamarind you can substitute it with 2 small Tomatoes.
Do not forget to adjust salt and Red chillies to your taste, as chillies usually differ.

I am sending this to Kavita's Healing food - Egg plant event , started by Siri.
Hope you enjoy making it as we did.. Have a good day... take care... bye..... c u soon.....

The post Stuffed Small Brinjals North Karnataka Style/ Thumbida Badanekaayi/ Barwa Baingan appeared first on My Veg Fare.