Niger Seeds Chutney Powder (Hucchellu Chutney Pudi)

Niger Seeds/Hucchellu/Gurellu are roasted and powdered and used as one of the side dish with almost all the main dishes. I have tried this Niger Seeds Chutney powder with organic Niger Seeds.

I have used Niger seeds, red chilly, dry coconut and curry leaves.
Gurellu/Hucchellu/Niger seeds chutney powder is very famous side dish in Uttara Kannada /North Karnataka. It goes well with Jolada rotti and other rottis. It is also called as Gurellu Chutney pudi.
Let us see some benefits of having Niger seeds in our diet.
Niger seeds contain oil. Niger Oil helps to improve the cholesterol balance and the oil contain high level of Omega -3 fatty acids. It has anti inflammatory properties and helps to lower the blood pressure and reduces the strain on cardiovascular system. It has a rich source of antioxidants. They do contain nutrients like protein, fiber and good health ability. Niger seeds contain minerals like magnesium, potassium and zinc and Vitamin C. It is good for people who suffer from insomnia or chronic restlessness. They are good for cough and cold. They helps to protect the skin.
Lets see the recipe Now.
No Garlic is added to " Niger Seeds Chutney Powder".

Things Needed :

Niger Seeds/Ucchellu /Hucchellu/Gurellu : 100 Grams
Dry coconut : Grated : 1 Cup
Red (Byadagi) Chilly : 10 to 12
Ingh : Asafoetida : A little
Curry leaves : 2 Handful.
Tamarind :
Salt : As required

Method :

1. Clean and dry roast Niger seeds/Ucchellu/Gurellu and leave it for cooling.

2. Wash and dry the curry leaves and dry roast it till they turn crispy. Add tamarind and dry roast.
3. Grate or cut dry coconut and dry roast it for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Put all the roasted ingredients in a big bowl. Add dry ingh and required salt.

5. Dry grind it till they turn powder. (Dry grind it in smaller quantity).
6. Put the dry ground Niger Seeds chutney powder in a bigger bowl and let it cool.

7. Put it in glass bottles and store it. Use/Serve whenever you want it.

8. It stays for months together but it is better to prepare in small quantity and use the fresh powder.

Note :

Dry roast on low flame. Over roasted seeds might give out the bitter taste. Adding fresh coconut is optional. Dry roast fresh coconut gratings nicely. Adding roasted garlic is optional. Adding jaggery is optional. ( I have not added). Adding mustard seeds seasoning is optional. I have not added.
Time : 20 Minutes.

Little Millet Kichdi

Little Millet/Same/Sama is one variety of millet from millet family. Now a days millets are consumed for healthy living. We can prepare many dishes using this millet. Sama/Same is used even on special days and during fasting days. I have tried Little Millet kichidi/Spicy Pongal.

Kichidy is a mixture of Rice/Wheat/Same/Navane  (Any one of them) and toor/moong dal mixture. Kichidi is also prepared using whole moong and any of the said grains.
For the healthy option many people have adopted millets in their regular diet. Millet  do wonders if followed strictly.
Let us see some benefits of eating " Little millet|" in our diet. 
Little millet is rich in dietary fiber and it has the excellent antioxidant properties. It helps to reduce the cholesterol level and helps in digestion. It has a good source of Vitamin B properties and gluten free. It helps to lower  type 2 diabetes. Improves the digestion and protect childhood astama.
No Onion or No Garlic is added in this Little Millet Khara Pongal.

You can have them for breakfast/lunch/dinner and even ladies kitty parties. Good to enjoy as brunch on holidays for the working women and lazy Sundays.
Lets see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

Little Millet : 1 Cup
Moong dal : 1/2 Cup
Green chilly : 2
Grated ginger : 1 Teaspoon
Ghee : 2 to 3 Tablespoon
Cashew Nuts : 1 Tablespoon (Cut into small pieces)
Jeera/Cumin seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Pepper Pods : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 8 to 10
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : As Required

Method : 

1. Clean and wash little millet and keep it aside.
2. Clean and wash moong dal and drain all the water. Crush pepper pods and keep it aside.

3. Keep a pan add 1 tablespoon of ghee and fry washed moong dal for a minute.
4. Add 2 glasses of water and add washed little millet.
5. Let it cook nicely . (I have cooked moong and little millet in a big pan/vessel.

6. Wash and cut coriander leaves, curry leaves and cut (slit ) green chilly.
7.  Keep a big pan and add remaining ghee, jeera and crushed pepper. Add cut cashews.

8. Add slit green chilly and fry for 30 seconds. Add curry leaves and a pinch of ingh/Asafoetida.
9. Add cooked little millet and moong dal. Mix all the ingredients nicely.
10. Add a pinch of turmeric powder, grated ginger and salt. Let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
11. Stir in between so that it does not get burnt at the bottom.
12. Shift the ready " Little Millet Kichidi " to a serving dish. Add cut coriander leaves.

13. Add a tablespoon of ghee. Mix it well.
14. Serve with pickle, any type of chutney, papad and ghee.

Note :

Use of pressure cooker helps the dish to be fast. ( I have not used pressure cooker for cooking the ingredients). Adding more chilly is optional. Adding onions and garlic to pongal is optional. You can also add little grated coconut on the top. Ghee and pickle goes well with kichidi. Adding any other spices like garam masala , chat masala is optional.

Time : 20 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3

 Pressure cooker helps the ingredients to cook faster.
You can also add all the ingredients together and cook in pressure cooker which is very east and fast. (optional).

Colocassia Dry Curry

Colocossia/Kesuvina soppu is grown in our home in the pots.  I usually prepare chutney or gojju with these leaves.

Remember to use tender colocassia. It is always good to use tender leaves that gives us good result. This is a Colocassia leaves dry curry and we can have them this curry with plain rice, chapatis, any type of roti or rotti and even pooris.
Its sweet, sour and spicy. We do love the combination of sweet, sour and spicy.
I have used jaggery, home made spice powder and tamarind pulp.
Let us see Some benefits of eating " Coconut" in our diet.
Coconut is rich in fiber and energizing. Dietary fibers can boost our health by helping the bowel movements to be normal. They help us to prevent blood sugar and lowering blood pressure. It also protect against from diabetes and boost immune system. Coconut helps to improve cholesterol levels.
Fresh coconuts have anti fungal, anti viral and anti bacterial properties. It also improves the digestion and helps absorb nutrients, vitamins and minerals. They contain minerals like manganese, copper, potassium, phosphorus and zink. These minerals in coconut help to maintain the normal body functions and promote health.
Lets see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

Cooking :
Colocassia leaves and stems : 1 Big bowl. ( 8 to 10 leaves and stems from the same leaves)
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons
Tamarind : 2 marble size (1/2 lemon size)
Spice powder : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Seasoning : 
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Oil : 1/2 Tablespoon
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Corinader leaves : 2 Tablespoons
Adding :
Fresh coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Coconut oil : 1 Tablespoon
Method :
1. Wash and clean colocassia leaves, remove the hard part behind the leaves and cut into small.
2. Cut the stems of the leaves carefully and remove the unwanted outer layer from the stems.

3. Soak tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp to a bowl and keep it aside.
4. Grate coconut and keep it aside. It should be fresh.
5. Wash curry leaves and coriander leaves and cut into small.
6. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add a tablespoon of oil, mustard seeds and urid dal.
7. When mustard seeds splutter add curry leaves and ingh/asafoetida.

8. Add cut colocassia leaves and fry nicely. Add tamarind pulp and jaggery.
9. Add turmeric powder and salt. Mix it well and let it cook till soft.

10 Add spice powder and mix it well. Let all the moisture disappear.

11. Shift the curry to a serving dish. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil. Mix it well.

12. Add cut coriander leaves and Fresh grated coconut. serve " Colocassia Dry Curry " curry with the main dish you have prepared.

Note : 

You can use palak/spinach or Harave/Amaranth leaves to prepare same curry. Do not add so much tamarind or jaggery. Palak does not take so much of tamarind. so very little tamarind should be used. Use of jaggery optional. You can use onions. (optional). Use of more jaggery or chilly is optional.
Time : 20 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Spice powder recipe :

Dry roast urid dal and coriander seeds with a teaspoon of oil. Add red chilly while frying the spice. Put off the fire and add one handful of curry leaves and mix all the ingredients well. 
Dry grind it once it is cooled. Using home made spice powder taste good.

Sweet Potato - Basale (Malabar Spinach) Curry

Sweet Potato - Basale (Malabar Spinach) Curry is a gravy dish. Basale/Malabar Spinach is loaded with healthy properties and grow nicely even in pots. I have used one full bowl of leaves from our home garden.

I have used Basale, sweet potatoes, coconut and some spices.
Let us see some benefits of having Tamarind in our diet.
Tamarind contain chemincal compounds, minerals, vitamins and dietary fiber. The dietary fiber in tamarind helps in preventing constipation. They also help in reducing the bad cholesterol level in our body. Tamarind is rich in tartaric acid. It gives sour taste to food and it is powerful antioxidant. It helps our body to protect from harmful free radicals. Tamarind has rich source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium. Potassium helps in controlling heart beat and blood pressure. Iron content in tamarind helps in production of red blood cells. Tamarind has good source of Vitamin A, folic acid, Vitamin C.
" Sweet Potato - Basale Curry " goes well with almost all the main dish.
Let us see the recipe now:

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Basale  /Malabar Spinach 1 bundle
Sweet potatoes : 2
To Grind :
Coconut : 1/2 cup
Red byadagi chilly : 4 to 5
Coriander seeds : 1 1/2 Tablespoons
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Tamarind : Small marble size
Seasoning ;
Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds " 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : a pinch
To add :
Salt : To taste
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and cut Malabar Spinach/Basale leaves and keep it aside.
2. Wash and remove the outer layer of sweet potato and wash it again and cut it into desired size.

3. Cook Basale/Malabar Spinach and sweet potato till soft.
4. Grate coconut and grind it with tamarind (remove the seeds if any), raw coriander seeds and jeera.
5. Grind it nicely and remove from the mixi jar. ( Use only required water).

6. Keep a pan on the fire and put cooked sweet potato and basale /malabar spinach.
7. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and required salt. Mix it well and let it boil for a minute.
8. Add ground coconut -spice mixture and mix it well. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

9. Shift the ready Sweet Potato - Basale curry to a serving dish.
10. Add cut coriander leaves and mustard seasoning.

11. Add a spoon of ghee and mix it nicely.
12. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note:

You can use a pressure cooker to cook leaves and sweet potatoes. (Optional). This curry is called Hasi Huli (curry) since the spices are used raw. (Not roasted). Use of jaggery is optional. I have not used.
It has no dals in in it. (Toor /Moong). Use of dals are optional. You can also use very little (1 teaspoon of) soaked raw rice while grinding coconut and spices. It helps the curry to be thick but the taste differ.  I have not used. This is one of traditional raw spice curry in Dakshina Kannada/South Canara and Malenadu side. Use of onions and garlic is optional. I have not used.
Time : 20 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4 

Sweet Potato - Brinjal - Tomato Curry

Sweet Potato - Brinjal/Egg Plant/badanekai/Kattarikai and tomato curry is sweet and spicy curry.
NO Onion or No Garlic is added in this " Sweet Potato - Brinjal - Tomato Curry". 

It goes well with almost all main dishes. Good to have with plain rice, chapatis, pooris and all types of rotis. Adding sweet potato adds to the sweet taste and helps the curry to be thick.
I have used small brinjals/badanekai, tomatoes, capsicum and sweet potato. Added some home made rasam powder and very little urid dal powder. (Roasted and powdered).
Brinjal lovers always love to have brinjals cooked in different ways. It is for the brinjal lovers. It suits to all age group and goes well with any main dish as I said it earlier.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this " Sweet Potato - Brinjal - Tomato Curry"

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Brinjals/Egg Plants/Badane Kai/ : 4 to 5
Capsicum : 1
Tomatoes : 2 to 3 (Medium size)
Sweet potato : 1 Big one
Fresh spice powder : 2 Teaspoons
Green chilly : 2
For seasoning :
Mustrd seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Methi seeds : 4 to 5 seeds
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry leaves : 5 to 6
Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch
Oil : 1 Tablespoon
To Add :
Ginger : Grated : 1 Teaspoon
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons
Sambar powder : 2 Teaspoons

 Method :

1. Wash and cut brinjals and put it in a big bowl of water. . Pressure cook sweet potato and remove its outer skin once it is cooled. Keep the sweet potato aside. Cut cooked sweet potato into small pieces.
2. Wash and cut capsicum and tomatoes in to small pieces. (Remove the seeds from both the veggies before cutting).
3. Wash and slit green chilly, remove the outer layer of ginger wash it and then grate it.
4.Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put oil and mustard seeds, urid dal and methi seeds.Let mustard seeds splutter. Add jeera and green chilly.



4. Add curry leaves and ingh. Fry for a little. Add cut brinjal and fry for 2 minutes.
5. Add cut tomatoes, capsicum and fry nicely. Add turmeric powder and little water. (1/2 Cup).



6. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add cooked sweet potato pieces and stir nicely.
7. Add sambar/rasam powder. Mix it well. Let it cook for a minute.

8.Shift the ready " Sweet Potato- Brinjal - Tomato curry to a serving dish.

9. Add cut curry leaves and serve the dish with your choice of main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Add 1/2 Cup of water and cook all the vegetables till soft. Adding sweet potato adds sweet taste to the curry. Adding jaggery is optional. I have used home made Sambar Powder. Choice of Sambar powder is optional. Use of coconut is optional. I did not add. Adding any other spice instead of sambar powder is optional. Use of fresh sambar powder adds to the taste. Use of onions and garlic is optional. Fry them and then add brinjal and other veggies.
Time : 20 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4 
Home made Sambar powder :
1/4 Teaspoon methi seeds/Fenugrik seeds
2 Tablespoons of coriander seeds :
1/2 Teaspoon of jeera/cumin seeds
4 to 5 Red chilly
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Dry roast the ingredients one by one on low flame and dry grind it once it is cooled. ( 1 Time use).