Cowpeas - Tomato Curry

This is an easy and yummy dish with Cow Pea and Tomatoes. It is simple, delicious and goes well with almost all the main dishes.

have used cow peas, tomatoes and simple spice powder.

Let us see some benefits of eating " cow pea/black eyed bean "  in our diet.

Cow peas are a very healthy legume. They help to improve our digestion. They are very good for sleep disorders. They are good source of antioxidants. They promote healthy skin and good for weight loss. They also help to improve blood circulation and manage diabetes. Cow peas have good amount of minerals and nutrients. They are packed with protein. They are good for strong bones. They support healthy metabolism and anemia. Cow peas are loaded with nutrients. They are rich in fiber, protein, potassium, low in fat and calories.
  As I said earlier Cowpeas - Tomato Curry is easy to prepare and definitely liked by all aged group.
Let us see the recipe now:
No Onion or No garlic is used in this curry.

Ingredients.:

To Cook :
Cow pea : 1 Cup
Toor dal : 1 Handful
Methi seeds/Fenugrik seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
To Add :
Tomatoes : 3 to 4
Ginger : 1 Inch
Spice Powder : 1 Tablespoon
Green chilly : 2
Garam Masala Powder : (MTR) : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : To Taste:
Lemon : 1/2 Lemon juice (Extract of 1/2 lemon)
Turmeric powder : A little
To Season :
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Green chilly : 1
Ingh : A little
Curry Leaves : 8 to 10 Leaves

Method : 

1. Wash and cook toor dal and black eyed beans with methi seeds. (1/2 teaspoon). (Pressure cook for 6 to 8 minutes and let it cool.

2. Wash and cut tomatoes. Remove the seeds as much as possible.
3. Wash and cut coriander leaves and remove the outer layer of ginger, wash and grate it again.
4. Wash green chilly and slit and keep it aside.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil. Add mustard seeds and jeera.
6. When mustard seeds starts to splutter add green chilly, ingh and curry leaves.

7. Let it mix well. Add  cut tomatoes and fry for 1 minute. Add cooked dal and black eyed bean and mix it well.

8. Add salt, a little water, turmeric powder and mix it again.
9. Let it cook on low flame. Add a tablespoon of spice powder, 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala and mix it well. Let it boil nicely.

10. Add grated ginger, slit green chilly. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Shift the curry to a serving dish.
11. Add lemon extract and cut coriander leaves.

12. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note : 

Soaking cow peas for over night is optional. I straight cooked black eyed bean. Adding more spices is optional. Use of any other cooking oil is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 4 to 5.

Home prepared Spice powder :

Ingredients : 

Dry roast 1 tablespoon of coriander seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of urid dal, 1/4 teaspoon of methi seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of jeera/curmin seeds and 5 to 6 byadagi chilly one by one. Dry grind and cool it. Always it is better to use fresh spice powder. 

Palak/Spinach - Jack Seeds Curry

Palak /spinach leaves are the healthiest leaves. They available plenty around the year. Here I have tried " Palak/spinach  - Jack Seeds Curry and it goes well with almost all the main dishes.

 I have used palak, jack seeds, toor dal, coconut and some simple spices which are available plenty in our kitchen store.
Let us see some benefits of using Methi seeds in our diet.
Fenugrik / Methi seeds are loaded with medicinal values. It is rich in fiber and helps to lower the blood sugar level. It helps to keep our body cool and good for digestion. Methi seeds are good for heart burn and diabetes. It is good for balancing cholesterol level in our body. It is good herbal remedy for menopause and the menstruation period. ( It helps to reduce the abdomen pain during periods). Methi seeds are good for loss of appetite. They are rich in antioxidant properties.
Normally the people in Dakshina Kannada, Malenadu and surrounding areas do not use much of onions in cooking. They prefer to use the particular vegetable ( choose any one vegetable) for a curry.
No Onion or No Garlic is added in this Palak/Spinach -Jack Seeds Curry.
Let us see the recipe now

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Palak/Spinach leaves : 1 Bundle ( Small )
Jack Seeds : 1 Handful
Toor dal : 1/2 Cup ( Two Handful )
Methi Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
To Grind :
Spice Powder : 2 to 3 Teaspoons
Tamarind : 1 Small marble size
Coconut : Fresh : 1/2 Cup
To Season :
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry leaves : 5 to 6 leaves
To Add : 
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A pinch
Jaggery : 1/2 Teaspoon ( Or very little ).

Method :

1. Remove the outer layer (hard cover) from jack seeds and cut them into small pieces.
2. Wash toor dal, jack seeds and pressure cook for 6 to 8 minutes and keep it aside. (Let it cool).
3. Wash and cut palak leaves. Pressure cook palak/spinach leaves with methi seeds till the leaves turn soft.

4. Grate coconut and grind it with spice powder and tamarind. Add required water to grind.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and put cooked palak leaves. Add toor dal and jack seeds.
6. Add required salt,jaggery and a pinch of turmeric powder. Let it boil for 3 to 4 minutes.
7. Now add ground coconut and spice mixture. Mix it well and let it boil for 2 to 3 Minutes.

8. Shift the ready Palak /Spinach - Jack Seeds Curry to a serving dish.

9. Add mustard seeds, urid dal, ingh and curry leaves seasoning to the ready curry and serve.
10. This curry goes well with almost all the main dishes like plain rice, idli, dosa, chapati or any type of rotis.

Note :

Using methi seeds to cook helps to reduce the cholesterol level in the food. It adds to the taste. Adding jaggery is optional.I have used clean tamarind. You can use tamarind pulp instead of tamarind. Soak tamarind in warm water and squeeze out the pulp. It is always better to use tamarind pulp. Use of home prepared spice powder is optional. You can use any type of sambar /rasam powder.
Use of coconut oil is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes 
Serves : 4 to 5.

Home prepared Spice Powder 

Things Needed :
Coriander seeds : 2 Tablespoons
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Channa dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Red chilly (Only byadagi) : 5 to 6
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch

Method :

Dry roast or fry  all the ingredients one by one with 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil and dry grind once it is cooled.
You can grind this spice powder with coconut or use it directly and prepare sambar. (with out coconut).
This proportion is good to use for 1 time..

Watermelon Rind - Tomato Sambar

Watermelon every where in the market. Let us see what to do with watermelon rind after eating Watermelon fruit. Try and enjoy this Sambar.

It is getting hot and the temperature is going high. Eating watermelon and cooling your body is one of the best way to escape the heat. What do you do with the rind after eating watermelon?  Normally we throw it away in the dustbin right?\ There are many ways to use the rind. . You can cook different varieties of curries, grind and use it in dosa batter, scrape it and use the juice to apply o your skin which helps you to take away the dead cells in our face.
I am using this rind to prepare so many types of curries. Here is one of the side dish. That is yummy Watermelon Rind - Tomato Sambar. This curry goes well with all most all the main dishes. Try and enjoy this Watermelon Rind  - Tomato Sambar.

Let us see some benefits of eating Watermelon rind in our diet.
Watermelon rind is also beneficial to our body in so many ways. Loads of nutritional value is filled in watermelon rind. It is filled with water and it helps the kidney to work efficiently. It also helps in lower the blood pressure. It is filled with vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and A. It has some amount of potassium and zinc. Eating watermelon rind helps in fighting the radical damage and boost the immune system. It helps in taking care of the healthy kidney and helps and maintain the acid level in urine. It is good for people who suffer from kidney stones, it helps to breakdown the stone and flushes out the tiny particles.  It regulates the blood pressure in our body.  It is good for treating urinary tract infections. It helps in reducing inflammation in our body and take care of our health. It is a good source of beta - carotene and good for our eyes.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this Watermelon Rind - Tomato Sambar. It is very simple and healthy. The curry suits to all the main dishes of your choice.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Watermelon Rind : 2 to 3 Cups
Toor dal : 1/2 Cup
Tomatoes : 2 (Medium sized )
To Add :
Home made spice Powder : 2 to 3 Teaspoons
Green chilly : 2
Coriander Leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Mustard - Jeera Seasoning : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : To Taste
Turmeric Powder : A pinch
Dry ginger powder : 1/4 Teaspoon
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
To season :
Ghee/ 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 watermelon nicely and keep it in a big bowl before cutting. ( At least for 30 Minutes).
2. Cut watermelon and remove the fruit part. Remove the outer layer of the rind.
3. Cut the rind into small pieces. Keep it aside
4. Wash and cut tomatoes and remove its seeds.  ( Your wish).

5. Wash and slit green chilly,  cut coriander leaves and curry leaves.
6. Put watermelon pieces, cut tomatoes and washed toor dal in a pressure cooker.
7. Add 1/2 cup or little less water and cook for 65 to 6 minutes. ( Use the weight).

8. Remove the lid of pressure cooker once it is cooled.
9. Add salt, raw methi seeds, turmeric powder and mix it well.
10. Let it boil for 2 minutes. Add home prepared spice powder. Add dry ginger powder.
11. Mix it well and cook for another 3 minutes. Put off the gas.

12. Shift the ready Watermelon Rind - Toamto Samabar to a serving dish.

13. Add mustard seeds, jeera, ingh and curry leaves seasoning to it.

14. Add cut coriander leaves and serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Use a pressure cooker to cook watermelon rind pieces or it remains hard and the curry does not taste good. Do not over cook. 2 whistles are enough. You can cook the dal separately. Adding any other spices of your choice is optional. Remember use of home prepared spice is healthy. Adding fresh grated ginger is optional. The thickness of the curry can be your choice. If you like bit watery add more water and use little more spice. Or use more dal to get the thickness.
Time : 30 Momites.
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Home Prepared Spice Powder :

Dry roast, coriander seeds, ( 2 Tablespoons ), urid dal, 1/2 Teaspoon, red byadagi chilly  4 to 5, dry coconut (kobbari/Copra) 2 to 3 tablespoons. Dry grind once it is cooled. You can use this as spice powder for curries.

Channa Dal - Ridge Gourd Tovve/ Dal

Tovve /Dal is one of the must dish served in the beginning of the food. tovee is full of dals and is normally with very little spices.

Tovve is eaten with ghee and it provides minerals and vitamins.
I have prepared Heerekai/Ridge Gourd with channa dal/Kadale bele and it goes well with almost all the main dishes.
Tovve is filled with proteins, because we do use lots of dal while preparing it. Adding vegetables helps to digest the food we eat.
Different types of dals can be used for preparing Tovve. Moong dal, Toor dal, Masoor dal and even pulses like pea pods, cow pea, black eyed bean and whole moong  are used preparing tovee.
Let us see some benefits of eating channa dal in our diet.
Channa dal/split bengal gram is one of the nutritious dal . We indians use this channa dal for many dishes.It is filled with nutrition and minerals.
Channa dal is low in fat and it helps to lower the cholesterol. It is good for diabetes. It has minerals like zinc, folate and proteins. It helps to boost our energy and immunity. It is good good for weight loss. It is good for people who suffer from high blood pressure. It protects from digestive problems.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this Channa Dal - Ridge Gourd Tovve/Dal.

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Channa Dal : 1/2 Cup
Ridge Gourd : 2 ( Medium sized )
Methi Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
To Add : 
Green chilly : 2
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Lemon Extract : 1 Tablespoon
Ginger : An Inch
Salt : As required
Fresh grated coconut : 2 Tablespoons
To Season : 
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Curry Leaves : 6 To 8
Oil/Ghee : 1 Teaspoon

Method :

1. Wash and cook channa dal with required water.

2. Wash and remove the edges and the outer layer of Ridge Gourd and cut it in to small pieces.
( Use the outer layer to prepare chutney) .

3. Cook ridge gourd pieces till they turn soft.
4. Wash and slit green chilly, cut coriander and curry leaves.. Extract lemon juice from lemon. (1 lemon).
6. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and wash it again. Grate it and keep it aside.
7. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add ghee/oil and put mustard seeds and jeera.
8. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add cut green chilly and curry leaves. Add ingh.
9. Add cooked dal and  ridghe gourd pieces. Add little turmeric powder. Add grated ginger.

10. Add required salt and water. Mix it well and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add Lemon extract.

11. Shift " Channa dal - Ridge gourd Tovve to a serving dish.
12. Add little  grated coconut and coriander leaves. Serve with the main dish of your choice.

Note :

Channa dal must be cooked well. It is better to cook in pressure cooker. Do not allow it to over cook or it turns fully powdered grains.
Adding green chilly is your choice. You can use red byadagi chilly. Seasoning with ghee is optional. I have done with coconut oil and I top up the tovve with a tablespoon of homemade ghee.
Adding any other spice is your choice.
Time : 20 to 25 minutes.
Serves : 2 to  3 .

Spicy Brinjal Sasive.

Whenever  we travel to Udupi I make sure to buy some Mattu Gulla (Special type of brnjal of from a place called Mattu near Udupi). Mattu gulla taste different, tasty and soft. It does not take much time to cook either.

Sasive /Sasme..is a Kannada word, Sasive is  one of the side dish,
There are varieties of Sasive preparations one can do easily.  Preparing sasive is easy. We can cook vegetables and mix with mustard coconut mixture or you can cook vegetables and then add the ground spice (containing mustard seeds, coconut and little chilly).

Here is a recipe of " Brinjal Sasive ".  It is  done in just mixing the coconut - mustard seeds ground mixture to cooked brinjal.
This is one of the traditional dish of South Canara. My doddamma used to prepare this Brinjal Sasive very nicely. She used to cook brinjal on charcoal. Those days there were no gas stoves or gas supply to house. People had to cook with the help of wood which they get in their surroundings. We had lots of coconut , jack fruit trees, mango trees around our house. Doddamma used to use the dry sticks from the trees and coconut shells and other  things. It is a nice memory that I have.
 I have mentioned the speciality of this brinjal in my earlier post. Mattu Gulla is very famous and especially its grown in particular place called Mattu. The seeds of this Gulla is given to people by Yati. Vadhirajaru.
Any type of brinjal can be used. (Optional).
Sasive is one of the traditional dish of South Canara, Malenadu and Coastal areas.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

Brinjal/Badanekai/Gulla : 1 (Big one).
Green chilly : 2
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Coriander leaves
Curd /Yogurt : 1 Cup
For Seasoning :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Ingh/ Asafoetida : A little

Method :

1. Wash and cut brinjal and soak in water for 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Remove from the water wash it again and cook with little water till it is soft.
3. Grate coconut and grind it with mustard seeds, green chilly.

4. Remove the ground paste and put it in a big bowl.
5. Now put cooked brinjal in a big bowl and smash it nicely.

6. Put  ground coconut mixture, required salt and mix it well.
7. Add a cup of thick curd and mix it. Shift the ready Brinjal Sasive to a serving dish.
8. Keep a small pan on the fire and heat. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil. Add mustard seeds and urid dal.

9. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add ingh and curry leaves. Put off the fire. Put this seasoning to Sasive.
 10. Add cut coriander leaves and serve ready sasive with rice/chapati etc.
Note :
Brinjal should be cooked well. You can cook brinjal on gas burner  (Optional). Adding more /less chilly is optional. Use of coconut oil is optional. You can also prepare varieties of Sasive using different vegetables.
Time : 15 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3.