Bottle gourd + Whole Moong Curry

Bottle gourd  + Whole moong curry is mild spicy curry and it is very easy to prepare with minimum time. It is very simple and healthy curry.

I have used Whole Moong, toor dal and bottle gourd. Mango tokku  (chutney is used for making the curry bit spicy.
It is very simple dal with vegetable and the Whole Moong.
Whole Moong provides loads of proteins to our body. Bottle gourd helps the body to be cool and takes care of blood pressure and control it. It is filled with lots of minerals and vitamins. It is fiber rich and helps the people who are in trouble with constipation.
No Onion or No garlic is added to this Bottle Gourd + Whole Moong Curry.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

To cook :
Whole Moong : 1 Cup
Bottle Gourd : 1 Bowl
Toor dal : 1/4 Cup

To Add :
Mango Tokku : 1 Teaspoon
Turmeric powder : A little
Green chilly : 1
Ginger : 1 Teaspoon (Grated)
Salt : As required
Coriander leaves

Seasoning :
Cooking Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspooon
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A little
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8

Method :

1. Wash and soak whole moong for over night. Or 4 to 5 hours.
2. Wash and slit green chilly and peel off the skin of ginger. Wash it again and grate it.
3. Wash and peel off the skin of bottle gourd and cut into small pieces. (Desired size).

4.Now put washed toor dal, soaked whole moong, cut bottle gourd in a pressure cooker.

5. Cook with required water. Let it get cool.

6. Open the lid, add slit green chilly, mango tokku, salt, grated ginger and mix it well.

8. Cook on medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes.

9 Shift the curry to a serving dish and add seasoning.

10. Serve for lunch, dinner or even with idli and dosa.

Note :

 You can cook bottle gourd separately. Use of pressure cooker is optional.
Adding only one green chilly since mango tokku is spicy.  Adding more chilli is optional.
Adding any other spice is optional. Soaking whole moong is optional. You can cook directly.
Time : 25 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 5.

Mixed Dals and Bottle Gourd Curry

Mixed dals and Bottle Gourd Curry is a side dish and is easy to prepare and yummy to have.
I have just tried this curry and You can also try and enjoy your main dish with this yummy curry.

I have used Channa Dal, Moong dal and toor dal, bottle gourd and some spices. I has some mango fruits brought from Udyavara. Instead of tamarind pulp a slice of mango fruit is used. It gave a good taste of sweet and aroma to the curry.
Curry powder/ Sambar powder is having a little bit of cinnamon in it. The aroma adds to the taste and helps the food to digest easily.
Dals are rich protein content and it provides good energy to our body. Bottle gourd is rich in fiber and good content of minerals and vitamins. It helps to control the blood sugar in our body.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this curry.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Chana dal : 1/4 Cup
Moong dal : 1/4 Cup
Toor Dal : 1/4 Cup
Bottle Gourd : 1 Bowl (Half of 1 medium size Bottle Gourd).
Mango Fruit : 1 Big slice
Green chilly : 2
Ginger grated : 1 Teaspoon
To Add :
Salt : As required
Curry Powder : 1 Teaspoon
Coriander leaves
Coconut : 1 Tablespoon (Optional)
Seasoning : 
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A little
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8

Method :

1. Wash and cook dals separately and keep it aside.

2. Wash and peel off the thin outer layer and cut into small pieces.
3. Wash and slit green chilly, peel off outer layer of ginger and grate it.

4. Put bottle gourd pieces, slit green chilly, grated ginger and a piece of mango in a pressure cooker and cook. Let it cool down.

5.Keep a big pan on the fire and heat. Add cooked bottle gourd pieces mixture, cooked dals and salt. Mix it well. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

6. Add curry powder and a pinch of turmeric powder and mix it well. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes and shift the curry to a serving dish.

7. Add mustard, jeera, ingh, curry leaves seasoning done in coconut oil and add it to the curry.

8. Add 1 tablespoon of grated fresh coconut and serve. We had this curry for lunch.

Note :

Use of any curry powder is optional.
Adding fruit mango pieces is optional. You can add tamarind pulp and little jaggery.
Use of any cooking oil is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4.

Home made curry powder :

2 tbs of coriander seeds, 1/4 ts of methi seeds, 1/4 tsp of urid dal, 1/2 tsp of cumin /jeera seeds, a very small piece of cinnamon and  3 t 4 byadagi chilly. Dry roast on low flame and dry grind it. Adding ingh and curry leaves while roasting /frying is optional.

Just enough for 1 time. 

Bottle Gourd - Almond Kheer

Bottle Gourd - Almond Kheer is a sweet dish and it is one of the quick and delicious dish.
One of the yummy desert to serve after food.

 This way you can make kids eat some veggies. Bottle gourd is full of fiber, rich source of vitamins and minerals. Jaggery and almonds provide energy and boost your health.
We South Canara People have sweet tooth, and do eat lots of Payasa/kheer. Many vegetables are used in preparing Payasa/Kheer.
I have used jaggery, bottle gourd, almonds, coconut milk, poppy seeds and Seasoned with cashews, and raisins. Added cardamom to give inviting aroma.
We had some guest some time last week and I prepared this delicious Bottle gourd - Almond kheer.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed : 

Bottle Gourd Gratings : 1 Bowl
Jaggery : 1 Cup
Coconut : 1 Cup
Almonds : 6 to 8
Poppy Seeds : 1 Tablespoon
Cardamom : 3 to 4 Pods

Method :

1. Wash bottle gourd and take out the outer layer and grate bottle gourd.
2. Grate coconut and keep it aside. Soak almonds in hot water and remove its skin.
3. Clean poppy seeds and soak in plain water for 5 minutes.
4. Keep a pan and add 1 cup of water. Heat it. Add jaggery and let it melt completely.
5. Sieve jaggery liquid and keep it aside.
6. Now keep a pan on the fire and put jaggery liquid to the pan.
7. Let it boil for 2 minutes. Add bottle gourd grating and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
8. Grind, coconut, almonds, poppy seeds and cardamom with little water.
9. Grind it nicely. It should turn into fine paste consistency.
10. Add this ground coconut mixture to boiling bottle gourd mixture.
11. Let it boil for 5 minutes. Let it cook on low flame. Stir in between Shift the Kheer to a serving dish.
12. Add ghee fried cashews and raisins to the kheer and serve.

Note 

Adding more almonds makes the kheer thick. It is just enough to add 5 to e almonds to get the aroma and good health. You can add more jaggery. But I like mild taste. Adding ghee fried cashews and raisins is optional. You can add them with out frying .
Time : 20 Minutes. 
Serves : 4 to 5 .

Bottle Gourd - Cluster Beans Curry

Bottle gourd and Cluster Beans Curry is a side dish prepared using bottle gourd and cluster beans./Chavali kodu /kayi.

I have used bottle gourd, chavali kayi /cluster beans some fresh fried spices and coconut.
Cluster beans/chavali kayi or chavali kodu/gori kayi is a seasonal vegetable. It is one of the beans family vegetable that we use in curries, dry curries and even rice baat./baath/Rice dish.

Let us see some benefits of eating " Cluster Beans " in our diet.
Cluster Beans called as follows in different Indian Language.

Gori Kayi/ chavali kodu /chavali kodu in Kannada ( Karnataka),
Kothavara : Tamil,
Kothamara : Malayalam.
Govar : Gujarati,
Govari : Marati,
Guar ki Phalli : Hindi,
Goruchikkudu : Telugu.
Cluster beans is full of nutrition and filled with proteins, minerals and vitamins. It is full of dietary fiber. It is very low in calories. Cluster beans is good for anemic people. They are rich in iron.
Cluster beans contain gylco nutrients that help in controlling blood sugar. They are good for bone healthy. They do contain phosphorous and calcium. They are good for blood circulation in our body. They help to control the blood level in our body. They are rich in fiber and good for people who suffer from constipation and bowel movements.Cluster beans is good for pregnant women because they contain Iron and folic acid. It contain Vitamin K and good for the fetus in the womb.
This Bottle Gourd - Cluster Beans Curry is goes well with almost all main dishes like plain rice, chapatis, pooris, naan, roti, dosa or idli.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this Bottle Gourd - Cluster Beans Curry.

Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Cluster Beans : 250 Grams.
Bottle Gourd : 1/2 of one big bottle gourd.
To Fry :
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Urid Dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander seeds : 1 Tablespoon
Curry leaves : 8 to 10
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Chilly Powder : 1 Teaspoon
To Grind :
Fresh Coconut : 1 Cup
Fried spices
Tamarind : Small Marble size
To Add : 
Salt : As required
Turmeric Powder : A pinch
Slit Green chilly : 2
Mustered Seasoning : 1 Teaspoon

Method :

1. Wash and remove the edges of cluster beans and cut into small.

2. Wash and remove the outer layer of bottle gourd and cut into small. Cook with required water.

3. Grate coconut and keep it aside. Wash and slit green chilly.
4. Keep a small pan on the fire and heat. Add little coconut oil ( 1/2 tsp). Add 1/4 tsp of methi.
5. Fry till they turn golden brown. Add urid dal and fry till it turns golden brown.

6. Add coriander seeds and fry for 10 seconds. Put off the fire and add curry leaves and ingh. Add chilly powder and mix it well. Let it turn cool.

7. Grind with coconut, tamarind and fried spices with required water.

8. Keep a pan on the fire and put cooked vegetables. Add little turmeric powder and required salt.
9. Add water if required. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Add slit green chilly.
10. Add ground coconut mixture and mix it well. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in between so that it does not get burnt.

11. Shift the curry to a serving dish. Add mustard seasoning and cut coriander leaves. (Optional).

12. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note : 

Cut the vegetables into small pieces. Keep the flame low while frying the spices. Do not add more oil while frying. Use fresh coconut to add taste and aroma. Use of onions and garlic is optional. ( I have not used ).
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.

Sorekai Sihi / Bottle Gourd Sweet Curry

Sorekai/Bottle gourd one of the wonderful, healthy vegetable is available in the market around the year. I do have done many types of curries and chutney using this vegetable. Here is one more curry Sorekai Sihi / Bottle Gourd Sweet Curry,  which is usually prepared during feat / festival.
I have used bottle gourd, fresh grated coconut, little jaggery,  3 to 4 almonds, and seasoned with home made ghee.

 
Let us see some benefits of eating " Fresh Ghee " in our diet.
Ghee is one of the good fat content that our body needs to be fit. They help in easy digestion and rich in the oil soluble Vitamin A and Vitamin E.. It contain anti oxidnt and anti- viral properties. They help and take care of immune system. They have good source of anti inflammatory properties also.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Sorekai /Bottle Gourd : 1 Bowl. ( Half bottle gourd of small size bottle gourd ).
Coconut  5 to 6 Tablespoons
Almonds : 4 to 5 pods.
jaggery : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : As required
For Seasoning :
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Red chilly : 3 to 4
 Curry Leaves. : 6 to 8

Method :

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of bottle gourd/sorekai and cut into thin /small pieces.
2. Cook with little water. Let it get soft.

3. Grate coconut and grind it with 3 to 4 almonds into thin paste. Add water if required.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and put cooked sorekai/bottle gourd pieces.
5. Add salt, little turmeric powder and let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Add ground coconut - Almond mixture and mix it. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

7. Keep a small pan on the fire and heat. Put a tablespoon of ghee. Add mustard seeds, cut red chilly.
8. Let it splutter. Add curry leaves and put off the fire
9. Add this seasoning to Sorekai Sihi./Bottle Gourd Sweet Curry.

10. Serve with hot rice or any other main dish.

Note :

Grind coconut into fine paste. Use only required water to grind. The curry should be thick. Adding almonds helps the curry to be thick. You can use a teaspoon of raw rice. Use of more coconut adds to the taste. Use of ghee adds to the taste. Use of jaggery is optional.
The vegetable should be cooked well. So that it mixes well with gravy.
Time : 20 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Simple Bottle Gourd /Sorekai Dry Palya

Bottle gourd/Sorekai/Doodi is one of the healthy vegetable and it available plenty all around the year.

I have done many recipes with Bottle gourd. Here is a simple,  yummy, easy dry curry which is very quick too. 

I have used simple spices and the bottle gourd. 

Let us see the recipe now : 

No Onion or No garlic is added to this Simple Bottle Gourd /Sorekai Dry Palya

Things Needed :

Sorekai / Bottle gourd pieces : 1 Bowl.

Red byadagi chilly : 2 

Jaggery : 1 Tablespoon
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds /Sasive : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal /Uddina bele : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry leaves :  6 to 8
Coriander leaves : 1 Tablespoon ( Optional)

Method :

1. Wash and peel of the outer layer of bottle gourd./Sorekai.
2. Cut bottle gourd into very small pieces and cook with required water till soft.

3. Grate coconut and keep it aside. Wash coriander leaves and curry leaves and cut into small.
4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add coconut oil, mustard seeds and urid dal.
5. Cut red chilly into two to three pieces and put it the seasoning.
6. Let mustard splutter. Add curry leaves and mix it once.
7. Add cooked bottle gourd pieces and jaggery. Mix it well.

8. Add turmeric powder (a pinch) and required salt. Let jaggery melt and mix it with the pieces.
9. Let all the moisture disappear completely. Put off the fire and add grated coconut.
10. Mix it well and shift the ready dry palya .curry to a serving dish.

11. Add coriander leaves on the top.

12. Serve with the main dish you have prepared. We had this curry as one of the side dish with our lunch.

Note :

You need to cook bottle gourd pieces till soft to get good taste. (Do not over cook).
Adding jaggery is optional. We like to add little jaggery in some of the dishes in Udupi style of cooking. Adding green chilly instead of red chilly is optional. Taste differ. No need to add more oil. Do not cook the curry after adding fresh coconut. Adding coriander leaves is optional.
Time : 15 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3 
Purely : Udupi Taste /Karnataka /India .