Field Beans - Malabar Spinach Dry Curry.

Field beans /Avarekai (Kannada) is a seasonal pod which is mostly grown during winter. It is one of the most favourate pod of Kannada people. (Karnataka /India).

I have tried field beans/Avarekai and Malabar Spinach which are grown in our home. Malabar Spinach are known as " Basale " in Kannada language is one of the healthy leaf which is loaded with vitamins minerals and it helps in keeping the body and mind cool.

Let us see the benefits of having Basale /Malabar Spinach leaves in our diet.
Basale leaves are very low in calories and fats. They have good amount of antioxidants. They are excellent source of natural fiber and good for easy digestion and it helps in reducing the cholesterol level in our body. They are rich in Vitamin A and it is essential for good eyesight. It is rich in Vitamin C and helps to develop strong resistance against infections and harmful free radicals. They contain B Complex vitamins and is good for women. They contain good amount of minerals like potassium. manganese, calcium, magnesium and copper. Potassium helps in controlling blood pressure.
I am Happy to say Basale Leaves/Malabar Spinach is grown in our home and it is such a beautiful feeling when you use your home grown vegetables and leaves.
Let us see the recipe Now :
Field Beans - Malabar Spinach Dry Curry goes well with almost all the main dishes and it is easy to cook, not much of spices and fits into everyone's favourite frame.

Things Needed :

Avarekai/Field Beans : 2 Cups (1/2 Kg).
Basale Leaves /Malabar Spinach : 1 Bowl
Green chilly : 2
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Methi Seeds /Fenugrik Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coconut oil : 2 Tablespoons
Ingh/Asafoetida : A little
Curry Leaves : 10 to 12 or more
Coconut : 2 Tablespoons
Ginger : 1/2 Teaspoon (Grated)
Salt : As required
Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons.
Method :
1. Wash and cut basale leaves and remove the pods from Avarekai. Wash it nicely.

2. Wash and cut green chilly, curry leaves and coriander leaves. Wash and grate ginger.
3. Pressure cook Basale /Malabar Spinach and Avarekai /Field beans with 1/4 teaspoon of methi seeds.
4. Add required water and cook for 6 to8 minutes. Let it cool.   

 

 5. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add coconut oil (1 tablespoon), mustard seeds and jeera.
6. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add ingh, curry leaves and green chilly. Fry for 20 seconds.
7. Add cooked avarekai and basale leaves. Mix it nicely and let all the moisture disappear. Add salt.

8. Let it cook on medium flame. Add turmeric powder and grated ginger.  Mix it in between so that it does not get burnt.
10. Add grated coconut and mix it slowly. See that all the moisture disappear.

11. Shift the ready to serve Field Beans dry curry to a serving bowl. Add cut coriander on the top.

12. Serve with any main dish like, plain rice chapatis dosas, pooris or roti.

Note : 

Use of tender Avarekai  taste better. You can use more /less chilly. (Optional). Use of more /less oil is optional. You can add little ( 1/2 Teaspoon ) pepper pods. (4 to 6). Adding methi helps in avoiding gastric or indigestion. The curry should be little spicy. (It taste better).

Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Avarekai Kodubale ( Field Beans Rice Rings)

Kodubale as these fried crisps are known as  in the whole world. Kodubale is a Kannada word. Kannada is an official language in Karnatka .  It is a beautiful language which has its own "Lipi ", (scripts), letters. ( Alphabets).
Kodubale is one of the favourite crisp of many people all over the world. (Indians and others too). Kodubale is prepared in many ways and with different ingredients. I have tried these Kodubales with Averekai/ Field beans which is again one of the favourite pod of many from Karnataka.

Bale means Bangles which is a tradition wear for hands. Again my sweet country is rich in beautiful customs and traditions. Ok coming back to Kodubale it is in the shape of Bale means bangle. Rice crisps are prepared in the shape of bangles and fried.
This time I have used Rice flour, small quantity of maida and cooked fresh  Avarekai.(Field beans).
Kodubale is good to munch at any time of the day. It is an fried dish and during rainy season/winter our body needs some kind of oiling it craves for these type of food ☺☺.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed : 

Avarekai : 1 Cup ( Fresh avarekai seeds)
Rice flour : 2 Cups
Maida/All purpose flour : 1 Tablespoon
Butter : 1 to 2 Tablespoons
Red Chilly Powder : 2 Teaspoons
Jeera/ Cumin Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Water : As required.
Cooking Oil : To Fry

Method :

1. Remove the outer layer of field beans/Avaekai and put the seeds, soak in a bowl of water.
Remove the skin from the seeds. ( Squeeze out the outer part of the seeds).
2. We call these seeds as chithikida avare.(Squeezed out seeds).
3. Pressure cook these seeds with 1/2 cup of water for 6 to 8 minutes. Let it cool down. Remove the extra water and keep the seeds aside. ( Extra water can be used for mixing the flour later).
4. Now put the cooked avarekai in a big bowl. Add chilly powder, salt and jeera.
5. Smash it nicely or you can dry grind it to paste consistency.

6. Add rice flour, maida butter and mix all the ingredients nicely with cooked filed beans/avarekai.
7. Add required water and prepare kodubale dough. (You can use avarekai cooked water now).

8. Kneed the dough well and take a small quantity of dough and roll as stick on a flat surface.
9. Just turn this as circle shape and press the end slightly.

10. Prepare kodubales and arrange it on a plate.
11. Keep a pan on fire and heat. Add oil and let it get hot.

12. Put already prepared kodubales and fry in low flame first and then medium flame for very little time.
13. Fry on both sides and remove it from oil once it turns golden brown. Put them on a kitchen tissue.

14. Repeat the same and prepare remaining kodubales. At time you can fry 3 to 4 kodubales. (According to shape and oil quantity).

15. Kodubales are ready to serve.

16. You can also prepare these mini kodubales with the same kodubale dough.

Note : 

Adding more spice is optional. You can use hot oil instead of butter. You can use sesame seeds instead of jeera/cumin seeds. Use of more oil to fry kodubale is optional. I used 1 1/2 Cup of oil.
Time : 40 Minutes. (All together).
Serves : According to your wish. 

Avalakki Chakkuli /Flattened Rice Chakli

ಅವಲಕ್ಕಿ /Flattened Rice/Aval/ Poha or Poa is prepared using the rice. Avalakki chakli/chakkuli/muruku is one of the quick crispy, crunchy fried snack and chakli/chakkuli/muruku is loved by most of us.

Avalakki Chakkuli can be prepared whenever you want it.  

I have used flattened rice, rice flour, salt and curd. 

Chakkuli is one of the famous snack dish that loved by many. It can be munched any time of the day. It goes well with all the time. Kids love to eat chakkuli and is a perfect snack for their tiffin box.Ladies can enjoy this chakkuli during their get together or kitty party, one dish party, picnic and travelling too. Avalakki Chakkuli is good for kids snack box. 

Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients 

Thick Avalakki/Poha/Aval/Flattened Rice : 1 Cup
Thick Curd/Yogurt : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Rice flour : 2 Cups or little more
Chilly Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ellu/Sesame seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera / Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : To taste
Butter : 1 Tablespoon
Cooking Oil : 2 Cups

Method :

1. Clean and wash Avalakki/flattened rice and soak mix it with thick curd for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Grind it in dry grinder with out using water.

3. Put the ground avalakki mixture in a big bowl. Add rice powder, chilly powder, jeera, sesame seeds and salt.

4. Add butter and mix it nicely and prepare dough. Add water if required. Kneed the dough nicely.
5. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put oil and let it get hot. (Medium flame).
6. Now put a small portion of the dough and press it in circle shape. Prepare 3 to 4 chakkuli on the plate.

7. Put this chakkuli and fry on both sides. Remove it from the pan once it is done.

8. Put it on a kitchen tissue and let the extra oil absorb by kitchen tissue.

9. Repeat the same with remaining dough.
10. Serve hot Avalakki Chakkuli with a cup of coffee or tea. Store it in a airtight glass bottle.

Note : 

Let the dough consistency be like normal chakkuli dough. Not so hard or very soft. Adding spice more /less is optional. No need to add more butter. It might turn soft and absorb more oil.
Time : 30 Minutes.
20 to 25 Chakkuli can be made. (According to size).

Field Beans - Pigeon Peas Vegetable Saagu (Curry)

Field Beans/Avarekai (Kannada word) and pigeon peas are still available in the market. So hurry up and prepare as many dishes as you can by using Avarekai. It the best choice to use the seasonal legumes, vegetables and fruits.

I have prepared Vegetable Saagu (curry) with these Pigeon peas. (Togari Kalu) and Avarekai (Field Beans) and some vegetables.
Saagu is one of the best dish to have and it is always loaded with vegetables. Poori Saagu, Rava Idli -Saagu, Capati -Saagu and Set dosa - Saagu are the yummy combinations which go hand in hand.
Let us know some benefits of having "Ginger" in our diet.
Ginger is one of the healthiest spice. It is loaded with medicinal properties and powerful benefits for our body and brain. Ginger helps to decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart diseases. Ginger is good for easy digestion. Ginger is good for common cold, gastrointestinal irritations and in cold season. It helps to keep the body warm. Ginger is good for inflammation and pain reduction during the menstrual time for ladies. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ginger may lower the bad cholesterol and helps to improve the good cholesterol levels. Ginger is good for treating infections in our respiratory system.
Let us see the recipe Now :
No Onions OR No Garlic is added in this "Field Beans -Pigeon Peas Vegetable Saagu. (Curry)".

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Field Beans : 1 Cup
Pigeon Peas : 1 Cup
Chayote  Squash /Chow Chow/ Seeme Badane Kai : 1
Carrots : 2
Spices to Grind :
Fresh Coconut : 2 Tablespoons
Roasted Chenna/Huri Kadale/Pottu Kadale : ! Tablespoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Pepper Pods : 3 to 4
Ginger : 1 Teaspoon . (Grated)
Coriander seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Green Chilly : 3 to 4
Tamarind Pulp : 1 Tablespoon
Coriander leaves : 1 handful (2 to 3 tablespoons).
To Add :
Cumin/jeera seasoning ( 1/2 Teaspoon jeera).
Ground spice mixture
Kasoori Methi (Raw Dried Fenugrik Leaves : 1 Tablespoon
Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Butter : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : As Required
Turmeric Powder : A pinch

Method :

1. Remove the pods from Avarekai and Pigeon Peas and wash the pods.
2. Wash and remove chayote squash, carrots and remove the outer layer and cut it in to small pieces.
3. Cook Avarekai, pigeon peas and the vegetables til they turn soft.
    ( Pressure cook for 3 to 4 minutes).

4. Wash green chilly, coriander leaves and grate coconut. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and wash it again. Grate it and keep it aside.
5. Soak a small marble size tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp after 5 minutes.

6. Grind grated coconut, jeera, coriander seeds, green chilly, roasted chenna, pepper pods, grated ginger, tamarind pulp and coriander leaves with little water.

7. Keep a big pan on the fire and put oil and jeera. Let jeera turn slightly brown.
    Add cooked  vegetables, salt and turmeric powder.

8. Mix it well and let it cook for 2 minutes. Add ground coconut - spice mixture.

9. Add water if required and boil for 3 to 4 minutes.
10.Add dried methi/fenugrik leaves. (Kasoori methi).

11. Shift the curry to a serving dish. Add  a tablespoon of butter and mix it well and serve.

12. Serve with chapatis or any other main dish you have prepared. We had " Field Beans - Pigeon Pes Vegetable Saagu " with Chapatis.

Note :

Do not over cook the veggies. Do not add much spices. Adding roasted chenna helps the curry to be thick and adds to the taste. Adding red chilly is optional. Adding onions and garlic to the curry is optional. Adding more/less chilly is optional. You can use fresh Peas/Whole Green Grams or any other legumes instead of Pigeon peas
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 4 to 5.