Udupi Saaru

Udupi food is very famous. People that too Brahmins from Udupi started hotels in different places and made good food for people and people enjoy the good food all over the world. I am proud that I come from Udupi and do have the interest in preparing healthy food. People can learn and enjoy the foodfollowing my blog. Here is such one recipe that which is very famous "UDUPI SAARU".

We do use fresh spices, fry the spices, powder it and then  use it for  one time.  Thats the secret of Our Udupi style. In some places they call it as rasam. Actually in Rasam there won't be any dall. The water is boiled, added tamarind, salt, pepper and jeera. So Saaru is very much different from Rasam.
Udupi Saaru will have toor dal in it. The fried spices like fenugrik seeds, coriander seeds, red byadagi chilly, ingh and jeera /cumin seeds is a must. Some time we do add ripe tomatoes and some time it is with out tomatoes. In temples it is normally with out tomatoes. The Temple saaru taste heavenly.
Let us see the recipe of Saaru Now :

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Toor Dal : 1 Small Cup
Tomato : 1 (big)
To Add :
Tamarind pulp : 2 Tablespoons
Ghee : 1 Teaspoon
Home Made Rasam Powder : 2 to 3 Teaspoons
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A pinch
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
For Fresh Spices :
Methi Seeds/Fenugrik Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Coriander Seeds : 3 Tablespoon (1Handful)
Byadagi Chilly : 5 to 6
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Seasoning :
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : Very little
Curry leaves : 5 to 6

Method :

1. Wash and cook Toor dal.

2. Soak tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp. Keep the pulp aside.

3. Wash and cut coriander leaves,curry leaves, tomato.
4. Keep a pan on the fire and add l tsp of coconut oil.
5. Add methi seeds and fry. Add coriander seeds and fry till they turn golden brown.

6. Add byadagi red chilly and fry. Put off the fire and add jeera and ingh.

7. Add curry leaves and leave it for cooling. Dry grind it once it is cooled.

8. Add toor dal to a big pan and mix the dal well by using a spatula or hand.
9. Add required water, salt, cut tomatoes, turmeric powder. Mix it well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

10. Add 3 teaspoons of dry ground fresh spice /rasam powder and mix it nicely. Boil it for 3 to 4 minutes.

11. Shift the rasam to a serving bowl. Add mustard seasoning and cut coriander leaves.

12. Add a teaspoon of ghee and serve with plain rice.

Note :

Toor dal should be cooked into soft texture. It helps to mix dal with water nicely. (Smash the dal nicely before adding water. 2 to 3 cups of water should be added. Rasam should not be water or thick either. Adding ingh helps to add the aroma and good for digesting. Fresh fried rasam powder adds to the taste.
Time : 30 Minutes. 

Serves : 3 to 4 .

Easy and Quick Dal

Easy and Quick Dal is one of the easiest way of cooking dal. It is filled with leaves, dal, spices and tomatoes.

I have put every thing together and cooked in pressure cooker.
This recipe has been told by Geetha Bangalore Upendra and It is packed with vitamins, minerals and proteins.
Then smashed everything together and added seasoning with mustard seeds and ingh/asafoetida.
Let us see this recipe now :

Things Needed :

Toor dal : 1/2 Cup
Tomatoes : 2
Palak /Spinach leaves : 1 Bundle (small).
Ginger : An inch
Coriander Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Green chilly : 2
Salt : As required
Seasoning :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coconut Oil : 1 Tbs
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Curry leaves : 5 to 6 Leaves

Method :

1. Wash and cut palak or your choice of leaves or mixed leaves.
2. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and wash it again. Grate it and keep it aside.
3. Wash and cut tomatoes and keep it aside.
4. Wash toor dal and put it in a pressure cooker. Add cut palak, grated ginger, cut tomatoes.
5. Add coriander seeds and  slit green chilly.
6. Add required water and pressure cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Put off the fire and let it cool.
7. Take out the cooked mixture and  churn once in a mixi jar.
8. Keep a pan on the fire and add coconut oil. Add mustard seeds.
9. Add little ingh. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add curry leaves.
10 . Add churned dal - leaves mixture and cook. Add required salt and mix it well.
11. Yummy dal is ready to serve.

12. Shift it to a serving dish and serve as one of the side dish.

Note :

Adding more chilly is optional. Use of any cooking oil is optional. Let cooked dal - leaves mixture cool completely. Just give a churn to get the full benefits.
Time : 20 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3 .

Haraka/Araka /Kodo Millet Dosa

Araka or Harka or Kodo Millet is one of the millet family good grain. Millet grains are used and is becoming more and more popular these days. I prepared Dosa using Araka millet and it is crispy, tasty and healthy. Try and Enjoy.

They do have full of healthy properties in them. They do have the ability to regulate our blood pressure level and blood sugar level. They are gluten free and rich in fiber. They are slow in digestion and keeps you full for a long time. They are rich in vitamins and minerals.
Let us see the recipe Now :
I have used Grinder to grind this dosa batter.

Ingredients :

Harka /Arka / Kodo Millet : 4 Cups
Urid whole ( white)  : 1 Cup
Methi seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Avalakki /Poha /Aval : 1/2 Cup  (Any Variety).
Salt : As required

Method :

1. Clean, wash and soak Haraka Millet for 3 to 4 hours.
2. Wash and soak urid and methi seeds separately.

3. Soak Avalakki/Poha separately.
4. Grind it all together for 20 to 25 minutes and take it out in a big bowl.

5. Add required salt and mix it well. Leave the batter to ferment for over night or 6 to 8 hours.

6. Keep a pan on the fire and clean it with a tissue or a kitchen towel.
7. Mix the ground batter nicely.

8. Take a ladle of dosa batter and spread it.
9. Add/ Sprinkle oil on the top. Cook on medium heat. Let it turn golden brown.

10. Turn the other side and cook for 10 seconds.

11. Take out the ready dosa and serve with the side dish of your choice.

12. Repeat the same and prepare rest of the dosas.

Note :

You can reduce the amount of millet and urid dal to half.  You can also use mixi instead of grinder to grind. Use very little water while grinding and then add required water if it needs.
Time = Soaking time - 3 hours minimum + grinding time 25 minutes + fermentation - over night or 6 to 7 hours + Dosa preparing 20 Minutes.
Serves : As you Use.

Watch : 

Kokum Juice

Kokum / Kokam /Punar Puli/ ಮುರುಗಿನ ಓಡು is one of the savoury fruit. Kokam /Kokum /Carcinia India is a fruit bearing plant and we use this fruit in our culinary as medicine. I have used this Kokam /Punarpuli in Juice and it is very healthy to consume during hot summer and all day round the year.

I have used dried Kokum fruit, jaggery, pepper pods, and little salt. 

Kokum is known as below in different languages in India.

In Kannada it is known as : ಮುರುಗನ ಓಡು , ಮುರುಗಲ, ಪುನರ್ಪುಳಿ, 

Konkani : Birinda , Hindi  and Gujarati : Kokam, Malayalm : Punarpuli , Tulu : Punarpuli , Marati : Bhernda, Biranda, Amlaveta, Amosole  Telugu : Chinta, Bengali : Mahada, Oriya Tintali

Let us see some benefits of having Kokam /Kokum /Punarpuli in our diet.

Kokaum helps and has cooling effect properties. It helps in reducing the pitta/bile in our body.

Kokum is good for digestion. It has anti inflammation properties. It is good prevention for gastric ulcers. It also helps to ease anxiety and depression. Good for diabetes and takes care of the skin and fight against obesity. It helps to control cholesterol level in our body. It is good for weight loss. It is used to reduce the rheumatoid pain. It is rich in fiber and good for people who suffer from bowel problems. It is also good for sores and women delay menstrual problems.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed : 

Dry Kokam / Kokum /Punar Puli : 2 to 3 Dried Fruits.
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons
Pepper Pods : 3 to 4
Salt : A pinch

Method :

1. Wash and soak dried Kokum fruits in 1/2 cup of hot water for 10 Minutes.

2. Grind those soaked Kokum with jaggery and pepper pods.

3. Sieve the content with a siever to a bowl.

4. Add a pinch of salt and mix it well.

5. Pour ready to serve kokum juice to glasses. (Adding ice cubes while serving juice is optional).

6. Serve Kokum juice.

Note :

Soaking kokum fruits helps the fruits to be soft. It is better to grind since you get the good extract.
Adding sugar or honey to juice is optional. Adding ice cubes while serving is optional. I have not done.
Time : 15 Minutes.

Serves : 3 Glasses. 

Ondelaga Gotu Kola Butter Milk

Ondelaga/ Gotu Kola is one of the healthy medicinal plant and we do make use of the leaves. We can prepare Tambuli (South Canara /Malenadu Karnataka Special side dish. We can prepare chutney using this leaves. Ondelaga leaves are good for hair, skin and has loads of medicinal properties and good for our health.

Many a times Ondelaga/Timire is called as Brahmi leaves. But they are not. Brahmi leaves are different from Ondelaga leaves.These Ondelaga leaves are known as Gotu Kola leaves.
The other common name is Asiatic Pennywort or Indian Pennywort.

Let us know what do they call Gotu Kola in different regions of India 
In Kannada it is known as Ondelaga or Timire. ( ತಿಮಿರೆ ಸೊಪ್ಪು ). Ondelaga means only one leaf in a stem. In Telugu it is known as Saraswathi Aku, Tamil - Vallari Kirai. Marati : Karivan or Karivana.
Gujarati : Khanda Bramhi and in Hindi : Bengsang.

The benefits of having Ondelaga /Gotu Kola.
It is good for cough, cold and fever. The leaves are good for digestion and it balances pitta ( Bile ) and kapha / mucus or phlegm. They help to produce healthy sperm. Ondelaga is known to improve the good blood circulation to the mind and improves our intelligence. They are good for liver related disorders. Gotu Kola is a good blood purifier. It helps in good sleep, good voice and rejuvenation. It helps in treating of various diseases.
Let us see the recipe Now :
This Ondelaga /Gotu Kola Butter Milk helps to cool your body and mind. Try and enjoy.

Ingredients :

Ondelaga /Timire /Gotu Kola Leaves : One handful : 10 to 15.
Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh / Asafoetida :  A pinch
Pepper Pods : 3 to 4
Salt : As required
Curd : 4 to 5 Tablespoons or little more.

Method :

1. Clean and wash only the leaves. ( Some time the stems are hard to grind and they remain as the stick. So it is better to use only the leaves).

2. Put jeera /cumin seeds. pepper pods, Ondelaga Leaves, salt and curd to a mixi jar.
3. Add 1 Cup of water and grind all the ingredients nicely till everything mixes well.

4. Pour it to a big bowl. Add some more water and mix it  nicely.

5. Shift the ready Ondelaga / Gotu Kola Butter Milk to serving glasses and serve.

6. Adding Ice cubes are optional. ( I have not added ).

Note : 

It is better to remove the stem before grinding. There will be two types of Ondelaga leaves. Natural and hy breed type. Natural Ondelaga leaves stems are soft and high breed leaves stems are bit hard. And they do not get into smooth powder or paste. Remember both have the same type of medicinal values. So which ever you get make use of it. Adding butter milk is better. I have used curd and mixed sufficient water to make it thin. Adding less spice is always good.

Time : 10 Minutes.
Serves : 2.