Ragi & Nuts Laddu

Ragi and Nuts laddu is a sweet dish and you can  relish these laddu in the morning as energy booster.

Ragi & Nuts Laddu has lots of dates, almonds, cashews, little figs and very little ghee. I have also used fresh rose petals which we get from our home garden. It has turned the laddu very tasty.
I tried these laddu for taking it for travelling and also packed some to give it for my sisters. Laddu is good to bite at any time of the day and provides good energy to stay cheerful whole day.

Let us see some benefits of eating dates in our diet.

Dates are very nutritious. They are a source of antioxidants. They can help to reduce blood pressure.
Dates are good for brain health.They are good for bone health. They are rich in fiber. They are rich in antioxidants. They help in controlling the blood sugar level. They are good natural sweetener.
No Sugar or jaggery added in this Ragi&Nuts Laddu.
 It is good for any age group. Good to pack for kids snack, ladies day out, travel and picnics.
Used a pack of dates instead of sugar or jaggery.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Ragi flour : 1/2 Cup
Dates : 500 Grams.
Almonds : 1/2 Cup.(20 to 25).
Cashews : 2 Tbs
Coconut : 1 Cup (5 to 6 tbs).
Rose petals : 2 Rose flowers.
Gasagase/ Poppy Seeds : 1 Tbs full.
Figs : 3 to 4
Ghee : 2 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Take out the seeds from dates and put it in a pan. Keep on the fire and stir slowly. As you stir,  hot dates turn soft. You must do it on low flame, so that it does not get burnt.

2. Grate coconut. Cut almonds and cashews in to small pieces.

3. Dry roast 1/2 cup of Ragi flour and put it in a big bowl.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add dates and stir slowly till they turn soft.

5. Put off the fire and take out the dates to a big bowl.
6. Add grated coconut to a pan and dry roast. Add poppy seeds and roast for a minute.

7. Take it out and put it to a big bowl. Cut figs into small pieces and add it to dates mixture.

8. Just stir rose petals in that hot pan. (No need to be kept on fire). Add this to a big bowl).

9. Now kneed dates nicely.
10. now add roasted coconut, poppy seeds, cut almonds and mix it slowly while you kneed dates.

11. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put 2 tbs of ghee and fry cashews nicely till it turns golden brown.

12. Add this fried cashews with ghee to dates bowl and kneed it again to get good form of sweet ball.

13. See that all the ingredients mixes well.

14. Take a handful of the mixture and make laddu. Laddu is ready to serve.

15. Serve or eat as you like and keep the rest in a box.

 Note :
When you stir dates it turns soft and it is easy to smash it to soft texture. No sugar or jaggery is added here. You can powder almonds and add it to the Laddu. Adding pieces of almonds taste better. (Optional). Adding coconut is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves  30 Laddus can be prepared. ( According to the size you want).

Time : 30 Minutes.

Pumpkin Spicy Mustard Curry

Pumpkin spicy mustard curry is a side dish and it is one of the traditional dish from Udupi.

Udupi Brahmins have their own style of cooking, use of spices are simple and good for health. 

That how they got the popularity and Udupi Brahmin's hotel is very famous world wide.

Here is Pumpkin dry curry which is a simple and yummy dish that every one love to have it.

I have used pumpkin, mustard seeds, red chilly powder and coconut.

Let us see the benefits of eating pumpkin on our diet.

Pumpkin is very nutritious and rich in Vitamin A.

It is rich in Antioxidant and helps to reduce chronic diseases. It helps to boost energy. Vitamin A in pumpkin helps to protect our eye sight. Pumpkin is low in calorie and good for shedding extra weight. They are rich in Vitamin C, potassium and fiber. Pumpkin is good for our skin.

No Onion OR No Garlic is used in this Pumpkin Spicy Mustard Curry.

Let us see the recipe now :

Things needed :

To cook :

Pumpkin : 1 Bowl

To Grind : 

Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon

Coconut : 1/2 Cup

Red chilly powder : 1 Teaspoon

Tamarind : Very little quantity. (Half of small marble size).

To Add :

Salt : As required 

Jaggery : 1 Tablespoon

Coriander leaves : 1 Tbs

Seasoning :

Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon

Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tsp

Urid dal : 1/2 Tsp

Curry leaves : 6 to 8 

Method :

1. Wash and remove the skin of pumpkin and cut into small pieces.

2. Grate coconut and dry grind it with mustard seeds, tamarind and chilly powder.

3. Keep a pan on the fire and put oil. Add mustard seeds,urid daland let mustard seeds splutter.

4. Add curry leaves, pumpkin pieces and stir nicely.

5. Add water and cook till the pieces turn soft.

6. Add jaggery and little turmeric powder.

7. Add salt and stir. Let all the moisture dry. 

8. Add ground mustard - coconut mixture and mix it well.

9. Let it cook on low flame for 2 minutes.

10. Shift the curry to a serving dish , add cut coriander leaves and serve as one of the side dish.

Note 

Do not cook the vegetable very soft or over cooked. It does not taste good. 

Adding jaggery to the curry is optional.

Use of any cooking oil instead of coconut oil is optional.

Adding more chilly is optional.

Time : 30 Minutes.

Serves : 2 to 3.

Tondekai Palya

Tondekai / Ivy Gourd is loved by most of us. Tondekai as we call in Kannada Langurage.  I have tried some dry palya /dry curry and it taste Yummy.

Tondekai/tindli, Tindoora, Kowai por Kowekai as it is called in different Indian Language.

I have used Tondekai, rasam powder, jaggery and dry ground coconut mixture.

Let us see some benefits of Tondekai/Tendli/Kowekai in our diet.
Ivy gourd /Tondekai helps to regulate the blood sugar level. it helps in preventing obesity because it is rich in anti obesity properties. It helps in improving digestion. It cures diseases because it is rich in anti oxidant properties. It protects against allergies. Tondekai helps to cure infections. It helps in increasing metabolism in our body. It prevents kidney stones.it helps in curing anemia since it is filled with iron. It is rich in minerals and vitamins. It has minerals like iron,potassium and calcium, It is rich in vitamin B 1, and B 2.
The fruits of Ivy gourd are used as traditional medicine in Ayurveda for several diseases and infections. The leaves are used for treating fever, bronchitis, jaundice and osteoarthritis.
No Onion - No Garlic  Tondekai Palya/Dry Curry.
It is simple, quick, yummy and healthy.

You must use tender Tondekai . 

Ingredients :

Tondekai : 1250 Gr.
To Add :
Rasam Powder : 2 Teaspoons full.
Coconut : 1/2 Cup
Green chilly : 1
Salt : As required
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tbs
Jaggery : 1 Teaspoon
Seasoning :
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6

Method :

1. Wash and cut tondekai and keep it aside.

2. Grate cocontu and dry grind it. Keep it aside.
3. Wash green chilly and slit, wash curry leaves, coriander leaves and cut into small pieces.
4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil, mustard seeds and urid dal. Let mustard seeds splutter.
5. Add curry leaves and slit green chilly.
6. Add cut tondekai and mix it nicely. Add little water and cook till it turns soft.

7. Tondekai should be cooked till soft. Then you add salt and little turmeric powder.
8. Add rasam powder, jaggery and mix all the ingredients nicely.

9. Add dry ground coconut and mix it well. Let it cook on low flame for 2 minutes.
10. Mix it and check all the moisture is disappear. Shift the Tondekai Palya to a serving dish.

11. Add cut coriander leaves.

12. Serve as one of the side dish  and enjoy.

Note :

You can cook tondekai in pressure cooker for 2  minutes and then add it to seasoning done.
Use of Onions and garlic is optional.
Use of jaggery is optional.
Tondekai has little bit of tangy taste. So no need to use any lemon, tamarind, or any other tangy extract.
Use of coconut is optional. It adds to the taste.
I have used MTR Rasam Powder.  Use of any brand of spice is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.

Serves : 3 to 4

Avarekai Rava Rotti

ಅವರೆಕಾಯಿ /Field beans is a pod which is available during winter and its the season you get the best Avaekai. Here I have tried Rava rotti adding Avarekai and it is the yummy rotti and I assure you to try and enjoy.

All I used is  the normal ingredients, like Avarekai, onions, ginger, coconut, green chilly and Rava/Semolina.
It is one of the simple but yummy rotti that is good for breakfast, dinner or even as snack.
Rava /Semolina is filled with minerals and vitamins. It is a coarse powder of dhurum wheat.
Rava keeps you full for a long time because it is digested slowly. It takes care of your blood sugar and blood pressure.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Rava /Semolina : Medium sized : 2 Cups
Curd : 1 Cup
Onions : 2 Medium sized
Curry leaves : Handful
Coriander leaves : Handful
Green chilly : 2
Ginger : An inch
Cooked Avarekai : 1 Bowl : 250 gr.
Coconut : 1 Cup
Salt : As required
Normal water : As required
Cooking Oil : 3 to 4 Tbs

Method :

1. Wash curry leaves, coriander leaves, green chilly and cut into small pieces.
2. Wash and cook field beans and keep it ready.

3. Remove the outer cover of onions and wash it, Cut into small pieces.
4.Remove the outer layer of ginger and wash it again. Grate it and keep it aside.
5. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
6. Take a big bowl and put all the ingredients like coconut, cooked field beans, grated ginger, grated coconut, salt, cut onions, coriander leaves and curry leaves.
7. Add rava/semolina and curd. Mix it nicely. Add required water and prepare rotti batter.
8. Let it be bit liquid consistency. It helps in making thin rotti. Leave the batter for 10 minutes.

9. Keep a dosa pan on the fire. Let the flame be very low. Heat and put a tsp of oil. Spread the oil around.

10. Take a handful of rotti batter and spread it around the pan as a circle shape.
11. After spreading the batter increase flame to medium. Let the rotti cook for a minute.

12. Turn the other side and cook. Crispy rotti is ready to serve. Prepare the rest of the rotti.

13. Serve with the side dish you have prepared.

14. Add ghee or butter on the top just before serving.

Note :

Let the batter consistency be little thicker than idli batter. It should not be very watery. Adding more chilly or any other ingredients is optional. Use of more oil is optional. Use of cooked Avarekai is better to add since use of raw field beans do not cook fast.
Time :30 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3 .

Jack fruit - Jaggery Kesari

Jack fruit is a seasonal fruit and we do make use of it and prepare varieties of Jack fruit dishes.
Here is a Jack fruit - Jaggery Kesari Baath and I am sure every one should love to have it.

Straight to the recipe since we all know about kesari baath, done using rava, sugar, ghee and cardamom.
Here I have used Medium size rava, instead of sugar I have used organic jaggery and jack fruit is added to the Kesari just like pineapple.
Try and enjoy and is not too late because jack fruits are still available in the market every where.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things needed :

Rave/Rava /Semolina  : Medium sized : 1 Cup
Jaggery : 3/4 Cup
Jack fruits : 10 to 12 fruits
Ghee : 1/2 Cup or little more ( I am fond of ghee).
Cardamom : 4 to 5 Pods
Cashews and Raisins : 1 Handful
Boiling water : 2 Cups
Saffron flakes : 4 to 5 rakes

Method :

1.  Powder cardamom and cut jack fruits into small.
2. Keep water for boiling.
3. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add 2 tbs of  ghee and fry raisins and cashews till they turn golden brown.

4. Add rava and fry nicely till the husky smell disappear. Add jack fruit pieces and mix it slowly.

5. Add boiling water to it. Mix it well and stir it turns thick.

6. Add jaggery and stir slowly and let the mixture get thick. Add little ghee and saffron rakes.

 7. Add powdered cardamom and mix it well. Add remaining ghee and mix it well.

 8. Shift the done Jack Fruit - Jaggery Kesari to a serving bowl and serve.

 Note : 

Cut jack fruits into very small pieces so that it cooks faster and soft. Adding more ghee is optional.
I have used organic juicy jaggery. You can powder jaggery if you are using normal jaggery which is available in the market.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 4 to 5.