Simple Aloo Jeera Dry Curry

Aloo / Potato is one of my favourite vegetable and I do feel many will join me and say Hurry .
Here is a simple Aloo / Potato dry curry, it is very easy to prepare and enjoy as one of the side dish.

Lets see the recipe now:

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Aloo/Potatoes : 2 to 3
To Season :
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Pepper pods : 4 to 5
Jeera /Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
To Add :
Red chilly Powder : 1 Teaspoon
Coriander Leaves : 1 Handful.
Salt : As required
Cooking Oil : 1 Tablespoon

Method : 

1. Wash and peel off the skin of potatoes.
2. Cut them as you desire. (cut as thin pieces). Put it in bowl of water and wash it nicely.
3. Wash curry leaves and coriander leaves and cut into small pieces.
4. Crush pepper and keep it aside.
5. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and mustard seeds. Add a pinch of asafoetida.
6. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add curry leaves and Jeera. Let it fry for 5 seconds.
7. Add cut potatoes and stir slowly. Let all the ingredients mix it well.
8. Add crushed pepper pods. Add 1/2 glass of water and cook till it turns soft. (Not very soft).
9. Add required salt and chilly powder once the potatoes are cooked.
10.Let it cook on low flame for 2 minutes. Mix it nicely once again.
11. Let all the moisture disappear. Shift the curry to a serving bowl.

12. Add cut coriander leaves and serve as one of the side dish.

Note :

Add water little by little so that potatoes will not be overcooked. Adding more oil is optional.
Cook on low flame. Adding jeera and pepper helps the food to be digested easily. Cook on medium and low flame to get good dry palya. It you feel the water is excess then increase the flame and the water evaporates quickly. Be careful while cooking on high and medium flame. Palya might get burnt if you do not see at times.
Time : 15 Minutes.
Serves 2 to 3.
The Next recipe is Samosa from this Potato Dry Curry.

Snake Gourd Dry Curry

Snake Gourd / Padavala Kai is one of the healthy vegetable and is full of nutritious. We should have these fiber rich vegetables in our diet regularly.

I have tried Snake Gourd Dry Curry, using jeera/cumin seeds/fennel seeds and little mustard seeds.
Added coconut to add the taste and good vitamins.
Udupi Taste Snake Gourd Dry Curry is one of the traditional dish prepared during any festival or feast. We do not use onions or garlic usually in our dishes.
Let us see this simple recipe.
NO ONION or NO GARLIC IS USED IN THIS DRY CURRY.

Ingredients : 

Snake Gourd : 1 ( Small one )
Coconut : 1/2 Cup /2 to 3 Tablespoons
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Sambar Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Red chilly Powder : 1/2 Tsp
Salt : As required
Coriander leaves : 1 Tablespoon
 To Season : 
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tsp
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6

Method :

1. Wash and cut snake gourd into very small pieces. Wash curry leaves and coriander leaves.
2. Grate coconut and grind it with sambar powder, red chilly powder and mustard seeds. Remove the ground mixture from the jar and keep it aside.

3. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add coconut oil and mustard seeds. Let it splutter.
4. Add curry leaves. Add cut snake gourd pieces and mix it well.
5. Add required water and cook till they turn soft.

6. Add salt. Add little turmeric powder and stir nicely.
7. Add ground coconut mixture and let mix it well. Let it cook on low flame till all the moisture disappear.

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

Note :

You can use pressure cooker to cook snake gourd pieces.Do not over cook.
Adding more /less green chilly is optional. Use of jaggery is optional. Use of any cooking oil instead of coconut oil is optional.
Time : 15 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3 .

Field Beans Dry Curry

Field beans /ಅವರೆಕಾಯಿ is one of the seasonal pods we get plenty in winter. People long to prepare varieties of dishes using this Field beans.

This recipe is told by Renuka Manjunath one of my fb friend and she said this has to be cooked directly and not in pressure cooker. Sogadu Avarekai should be used to get the best taste.
Here I have tried traditionally as Renuka Manjunath mentioned, which has beautiful aroma of averekai.  and it is yummy, filled with ghee taste roasted methi/fenugrik seeds and jeera/cumin seeds powder.
This Field  beans dry curry is one of the traditional dish from Tumkur district. The process of cooking is done in the night with low flame may be cooked with using the fire wood, and the butter quantity is more nearly 200 grams and with the help of slow cooking the butter turns as ghee and adds to the taste.
Let us see the recipe now :
I have used tender avarekai/field beans, onions, green chilly, curry leaves, coriander leaves, grated coconut and butter.
This curry taste better when you cook the pods directly with low flame. The aroma adds to the taste and we can have this curry with plain rice, rotis, chapati, poori and especially akki rotti.
I have prepared Akki rotti with remaining Field Beans dry curry also.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients 

Avarekai/Field Beans : 1 Cup
Onions : 2 to 3
Green chilly : 2 to 3
Butter : 2 Tablespoons full
Cumin Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Methi /Fenugrik seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander leaves : 1/2 Bundle
Curry Leaves : 1 Handful
Coconut : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Turmeric Powder : A pinch
Cooking Oil : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Remove avere kalu /Field beans and keep it aside. Use the tender pods. Do not wash it.

2 Remove the outer layer of onions and cut in to small. I have used the chopper to cut onions, curry leaves and green chilly.

3. Take a bowl, put field beans, cut onions, green chilly, curry leaves and mix it well.

4. Keep the pan on the fire and put mixed avarekai/field beans mix and little turmeric. Let the flame be very low.

5. Mix it well and sprinkle some water on the top. Do not add much water to cook. Field beans has to be cooked slowly with the help of onions and sprinkled water.

6. Add a tablespoon of butter and mix it well. Let it turn slowly as ghee. Sprinkle some more water on the top and cover the dry curry.

7. Let it cook on low flame. Stir in between so that it does not get burnt. Add a tablespoon of butter again and mix it well.
8. Dry roast jeera/cumin seeds and methi seeds and dry grind it.  Keep it aside.

9. Stir the mixture again and sprinkle some more water. Do not add much water at times.
10. See that pods are cooked and turned soft. Add dry roasted jeera and methi powder. Mix it well.
11. Add required salt and mix it well. See that it is done completely. Add grated coconut and mix it well.

12. Add cut coriander leaves and shift the curry to a serving dish. We had this curry as one of the side dish.

Note :

You should use more onions so that it helps to cook field beans nicely. Adding butter gives a ghee aroma and taste yummy. This dry curry should be cooked directly to get the best taste. It might take at least one hour to cook. But the taste is divine. You should use the tender seeds to prepare this curry.
Time : 1 Hour 
Serves : 3 to 4 
I have added the same dry curry to rice flour and prepared Akki Rotti and it tasted yummy.

Kesu / Colocasia Spicy Palya.

Kesu /Colocasia Spicy Palya is one of the traditional dish that goes well with plain rice and coconut oil.

 In South Canara, the use of kesu is often tried with varieties of dishes. This is one of the dish that every one likes and when you are looking for some thing spicy, traditional, quick dish that helps as one of the side dish.
Colocasia or Kesu leaves are good for keeping our body warm. They are filled with fibers. Leaves are good to have since they are loaded with nutritious value.

Kesu /Colocasia Spicy Palya is one of the traditional dish from Udupi / South Canara.

No Onion or No Garlic is used in this Kesu / Colocasia Spicy Palya.

Ingredients :

Kesu Leaves : 10 to 15 : Small and medium sized
Raw Rice : 1/2 Cup
Methi /Fenugrik Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander Seeds : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Red chilly : 6 to 8
Tamarind : 1/2 Lemon size
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A pinch
Ingh / Asafoetida : A pinch

Method :

1. Wash and soak raw rice and methi seeds for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Grate coconut, grind it with coriander seeds, jeera, red chilly and tamarind.

3. Add soaked rice and grind it like rava consistency.

4. Add salt and churn for a few seconds.
5. Remove it from the mixi jar and keep it aside.
6. Now wash and clean Kesu /Colocasia leaves. Remove the stem part if it is hard.
7. Cut it into very small pieces.

8. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil.
9. Add mustard seeds and urid dal. Let mustard seeds splutter.  Add ingh and a few curry leaves.

10. Put cut Kesu leaves and stir slowly.

11. Spread them evenly. Add ground rice - spice mixture like dosa batter on the top of the leaves.
12. Sprinkle some water on the top and cover. Cook on low flame for 5 to 8 minutes.

13.Now remove the cover and mix it slowly. Let cooked leaves and the batter mix well.

14. Cook on low flame till it is done. Add little oil on the top. ( 1 Tablespoon ).

15. Shift the Kesu /Colocasia Spicy Palya to a serving dish and serve.

Note :

Use a thick bottom pan to prepare this dish. Let the flame be low and medium while cooking this dish. Do not use so much water while grinding. Let the batter be like rotti consistency. Sprinkle some water on the top while it is cooking. You can repeat the process of sprinkling water on the top at least 4 to 5 times. So that it does not get burnt. Low flame helps the dish to cook well. Do not add any jaggery. It should be only khara/spicy and slightly savoury.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3.

Quick Palak Dry Curry

Palak/Spinach leaves are loaded with healthy benefits. Here I have tried quick and simple Palak /Spinach dry curry which goes well with almost all the main dish.

I have used Palak leaves, onions, green chilly, little ginger and coconut.
Let us see some benefits of eating Palak /Spinach Leaves in our diet.
Palak /spinach leaves are rich source of minerals and vitamins. Palak/Spinach can be eaten as raw in salads and be cooked in varieties of curries. We Indians normally cook Spinach and eat.
Spinach / palak is good for regulating our blood pressure. It helps to build strong muscles. Palk helps in taking care of skin and eyesight. Spinach is filled with potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc and calcium. It contain vitamins like folate, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K. Spinach is loaded with beta carotene and good for eyesight. It helps to boost eye healthy and prevents vitamin A deficiencies. It has anti inflammatory properties. Palak leaves do contain different types of antioxidants and provide neurological benefits to people. Folate content in Spinach helps to reduce the risk of Alzheimer disease. Potassium in Spinach helps to take care of brain health. Palak leaves contain high amount of potassium and low amount of sodium. So palak leaves are good for people who suffer from high blood pressure. It also helps to reduce the hypertension and relaxes blood vessels.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

Palak Leaves : 1 Big Bundle
Onions : 2 Medium sized
Green chilly : 2
Ginger : Grated ginger 1 teaspoon.
Pepper Pods : 3 to 4
Coconut : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Turmeric Powder : A little
For Seasoning :
Cooking Oil : 2 Tablespoons
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6

Method :

1. Wash and cut palak leaves into small and keep it aside. Wash and slit green chilly and cut curry leaves.

2. Remove the outer layer of onions and cut in to small and keep it aside. Crush pepper pods.
Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger, wash it again. Grate it and keep it aside.
3. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil, mustard seeds and let mustard seeds splutter.
4. Add jeera/cumin seeds and fry. Add slit green chilly and curry leaves.
5. Add cut onions, grated ginger and crushed pepper pods. Mix all the ingredients nicely and stir slowly.

6. Fry this mixture for 2 to 3 minutes. Add cut Palak / Spinach leaves and stir slowly.

7. Add a little turmeric powder, required salt and mix it slowly. Now cover the pan and cook the mixture till it turns soft. ( On low flame ).

8. See that it turned soft and well cooked. Let all the moisture disappear from dry Palya.

9. Add fresh grated coconut and mix it well. Shift the ready Palak Dry Curry/Palya to a serving dish.

10. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Do not add any water while cooking this curry. Onion and leaves do contain moisture and helps to cook the leaves soft. Adding any other masala /spice is optional. Adding coconut is optional. Adding more chilly is optional.
Time : 15 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3 .

Kesu Palya / Colocasia Dry Curry

ಕೇಸು /Kesu/ Colocasia is one of the healthy leaf which grows well during rainy season and is good for health too. We got colocasia plants and we get fresh leaves once in two to three weeks. I do prepare varieties of dishes using Kesu. This time I tried Kesu Palya /Dry Curry. It has come out very nice and thought of sharing with you all.

I have used Kesu / Colocasia  leaves, home prepared curry powder, jaggery and tamarin. Seasoned with coconut oil which I brought from ooru when I went last time
Kesu leaves helps to keep our body warm and provides lots of minerals and vitamins. It has a good source of fiber and helps in easing the constipation problems
Let us see the recipe now "
No Onion OR No Garlic in this Kesu Palya. It is a dry curry with sweet and spicy taste. It is nice to eat with plain rice.

Things Needed :

Colocasia leaves : 10 to 12 ( Medium sized )
Tanarind  : 1 Marble size
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons
Curry Powder : 1 Tablespoon
Coconut : 2 Tablespoon
Salt : As required
For Seasoning :
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Byadagi red chilly : 2 to 3
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little

Method :

1. Wash and cut kesu leaves into small pieces. Remove its stems outer layer before cutting its stems.

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

3. Grate coconut and keep it aside.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add coconut oil. Add mustard seeds, jeera and ingh. Let mustard seeds splutter.
5. Add curry leaves and kesu leaves. Mix it well. Add tamarind pulp, salt and jaggery.

6. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and mix all the ingredients nicely. Cover and cook on medium flame till all water disappear.

7. Mix in between and add curry powder and mix it again.
8. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, leaves turns soft and all the moisture disappear.

9. Add fresh grated coconut and mix it nicely. Put off the fire and shift the ready Kesu Dry Palya to a serving dish.

10. Serve with your choice of main dish.

Note :

Do not use much water to cook. Adding more jaggery is optional. Use of curry powder is your choice. I have used home prepared curry powder. Kesu leaves should be tender. Use of tamarind is important.
Time : 20 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3 People.

Curry Powder :

 Dry roast channa dal, urid dal, coriander seeds, each 1 tablespoon,  red chilly/byadagi  ( 5 to 6 ), methi seeds 1/2 ts, jeera /cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon, sesame seeds  1 tablespoon and ingh.
Dry grind once it is cooled down. Use it for a time. ( 1 time )