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.

Sweet Potato - Methi Parata

Sweet Potato - Methi leaves parota is like full meal. Sweet potatoes provides energy for us and is good for health. I have tried the combination of methi leaves and sweet potato.

When you have some sweet potatoes in your kitchen tray, feel like eating something with bit sweet and spicy, if you are a parata lover or when your kid or children protest to eat leaves , you can try this parata. Please do remember me.  :).
 Sweet Potato easy one of the healthy vegetable that we can simply use in our kitchen with full heart.
Let us see the recipe now :
I used boiled sweet potato, methi leaves and some simple spices.
No garlic or Onion is used in this tummy filling yummy  Paratas.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Sweet Potato : 1 Big size
Methi leaves : 1 Medium size bundle
Wheat flour : 2 Cups or little more
Red chilly powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Garam Masala Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera / Cumin seeds powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Cooking Oil :  4 to 5 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and cut methi leaves into small.
2. Boil sweet potato and allow it to cool. Peel off the outer layer.

3. Now take a big bowl, add sweet potato and smash it.
4. Add cut methi leaves, jeera powder, turmeric powder, chilly powder, garam masala powder and salt.

5. Mix it nicely and add wheat flour and prepare the dough. Do not add water.
6. Mix it well, add a tablespoon of ghee and kneed the dough nicely.

7. Divide the dough into small portions.
8. Take a small portion of the dough and turn as ball shape and dip in dry wheat flour.
9. Now it is ready to roll. Roll it as flat and round.
10. Keep a pan on the fire and heat.  Put rolled Sweet Potato - Methi Parata on hot tava.

11. Add a teaspoon of oil and let it cook. Turn the other side and cook for 1 minute.
12. Now Sweet Potato - Methi parata is ready to serve.
13. Repeat the same with remaining Paratas.

14. Serve Sweet Potato - Methi Paratas with a cup of curd or any curry that you have prepared.

Note :

No need to add water, because sweet potato contain lots of water. Methi leaves can be roasted for 2 to 3 minutes before adding. ( Optional ).
Adding any spice is optional.  Use of ghee is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3.

Raw Tomato Spicy Curry

Raw tomato Spicy Curry is mild spicy and goes well with all most all the main dishes.

These tomatoes are home grown. We do try and grown some of the easy veggies on the terrace in pots. Some time they grow nicely and some time some insects will spoil the whole plant. This Time we could get some large bunch of tomatoes and I decided to remove it when they are raw. I have prepared the spicy curry using these raw tomatoes and some cherry tomatoes are dipped inside the curry. Cherry tomatoes are given by our friends who stays very close to us and they do have a big space for gardening and work hard in their garden.
I have also used a handful of  ಹೊನೆಗೊನೆ ಸೊಪ್ಪು /Sessilis Joy weed/   Alternanthera sessilis. These leaves are grown plenty in our pots and it is said it is very good for health and keeps our body and mind cool.
Let us see the benefits of eating Honegone Soppu in our diet.
Honegone soppu ( In Kannada language) is known as Sessile Joy weed /Dwarf copperleaf /Joy weed in English. Garundi in HIndi, Kanchari in Marathi, Ponnanganni in Tamil. In Malayalam it is known as Ponnakannikkira and in Telugu Ponnagantikura. In Konkani - Koypa , Sanskrit - Matsyakshi.
Honegone Soppu/Sesssile joy weed is loaded with nutrients and lot of medicinal benefits. The leaves contain anti-fungal and anti bacterial properties. The leaves helps to soothe the wounds and helps in reducing the acidity level in our body.They help to improve our vision. It is good for people who suffer from night blindness. Eating its flower continuously helps to improve the eye sight. It cools down the body and strengthens the eye nerves and muscles and improves the vision power. It acts as the best medicine for eye disease. It is good for people who suffer from piles and helps to cure jaundice. It is good for treating hepatitis, chest cold, asthma and liver disease. It helps to regulate the nervous system and helps to reduce weight. It helps to cure infertility. It provides energy to diabetic people and maintain the blood sugar level in our body. It is good for hair care and helps in cooling the body heat, eye irritation, knee pain, white discharge. It also helps in getting back to good appetite.  It prevents headache due to summer heat and helps in boosting milk production in  breast milk feeding mothers.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this Raw Tomato Spicy Curry.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients.

Fresh Cow Peas : 1 Cup
Toor Dal : 1/2 Cup
Raw tomatoes : 10 to 15 or little more. ( I have used small size tomatoes).
Honegone soppu/ Sessilis joy weed : One handful (Optional).
Spice powder  :  2 Teaspoons
Tamarind pulp : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : As required
Seasoning : 1 Tablespoon
Cherry Tomatoes : 12 to 15 (Optional)

Method :

1. Wash and clean Honegone soppu and cut into small. ( Tender stem easily breaks ).
2. Remove the pods from cow peas shell. ( Outer layer).

3. Wash and cut raw tomatoes into small.

4. Wash toor dal and put it in a pressure cooker. Put cow peas, cut Honegone soppu, tomato pieces.
5. Add little water and cover the lid. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes and put off the gas. ( Use weight).

6. Remove the pressure cooker lid and mix all the cooked mixture nicely. Soak marble size tamarind in hot water. Squeeze out the pulp and keep it aside.
7. Keep the cooked mixture on the fire and add l/2 cup of water. Add tamarind pulp.
8. Add salt, and little turmeric powder. Mix it well and let it cook for 2 minutes.
9. Now add spice powder/Rasam powder/Sambar powder and mix it well.

10. Let it boil for 3 to 4 minutes. Put off the gas.  Put cherry tomatoes as they are. ( Optional).
11. Shift the ready Raw Tomato Spicy Curry to a serving dish.

12. Add the seasoning with mustard seeds, ingh and curry leaves and serve with the main dish of your choice.

Note :

Do not pressure cook the ingredients for a long time. It might get smashed. And the curry will not be that good. Adding spice powder of your choice is optional. I have added home prepared spice powder. Adding more/less spice is optional. Use of coconut oil for seasoning is optional.
Time : 20 Minutes.
Servings : 3 to 4 .

Spice Powder : 

Dry roast 1/4 teaspoon of methi seeds, 1/4 Teaspoon of mustard seeds, 2 tablespoons of coriander seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of urid dal and 1/2 teaspoon of jeera/cumin seeds and 4 to 5 byadagi chilly.
Dry roast the ingredients separately till golden brown. Let mustard seeds start to splutter. It adds to the taste.
Dry grind it together once it is cooled. Try this spice powder and enjoy your curry with this spice powder.
One time Use only.

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 .

Mixed Leaves Spicy Dal

Mixed Leaves spicy Dal is one of the side dish that goes well with almost all the main dishes. It is prepared using 2 to 3 or more types of leaves and dals, like toor/moong/masoor/chana etc. 

I have used the leaves which we got from our home garden (grown in pots) and toor dal. I have added green tamarind chutney/tokku which I got from Dharwad. ( Our daughter in law Vidya's Home town).

Tamarind chutney/tokku is home prepared, using unripe tamarind, green chilly, roasted methi seeds and salt. Tokku taste so yummy and it goes well with hot rice and ghee, or adding to any dal preparation even I have tried Tamarind Tokku vegetable rice.    

Let us see some benefits of eating  tamarind in our diet.

Tamarind helps to reduce inflammation in our body. It helps to improve eye health, boost respiratory health and helps to heal skin conditions. It is good for digestive system. It relieve pains and strengthen our immune system. It helps to lower the cholesterol and good for kids since it fight against the worms in kids stomach. Tamarind is rich source of dietary fiber. It helps in easing constipation problems. It is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorous, Potassium, Manganese. It is rich in antioxidants and anti inflammatory properties.

As I said I have used our home grown Palk, Dil Leaves and very little basale /Malabar Leaves.

No Onion OR No Garlic is used in this " Mixed Leaves Spicy Dal".

Let us see the recipe Now : 

Ingredients : 

To Cook :

Dil Leaves : 1 Small Bundle

Palak : 1 Small Bundle

Malabar Leaves/Basale Leaves : One Handful 

Toor Dal : 1/Cup 

To Add :

Dry ginger powder : 1/2 Teaspoon

Tamarind Chutney /Tokku : 1 Teaspoon

Crushed pepper pods : 4 to 5 

Salt : As Required 

Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons

Butter/Ghee : 1 Teaspoon (Optional).

To Season : 

Cooking Oil : 1 Teaspoon

Mustard Seeds : 1 Teaspoon

Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon

Green chilly : 2 to 3 

Curry Leaves : 6 to 8 or little more

Ingh/Asafoetida : A little 

Method : 

1. Clean and Wash all the leaves nicely and cut into small pieces.

2. Pressure cook it for 6 to 8 minutes.

3. Wash dal and pressure cook separately.

4. Wash and slit green chilly and cut coriander leaves.

5. Keep a big pan and put cooked leaves and dal together.

6. Add turmeric powder and salt.

7. Add dry ginger powder and pepper pods.

8. Add tamarind chutney/tokku. Stir slowly and mix it well. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

9. Keep a pan and prepared mustard, jeera seasoning. Add slit green chilly and fry it nicely.

10. Add ingh and curry leaves to seasoning and add this seasoning to Mixed Leaves Spicy Dal.

11. Boil it for another 3 to 4 minutes. Shift it to the serving bowl.

12. Serve with your choice of main dish.

Note :

Cooking leaves in pressure cooker helps them to be soft. It can be cooked without using pressure cooker. (Optional). Use of onions and garlic is optional. ( I have not used). You can use tamarind pulp instead of tamarind chutney/tokku. Taste differs. Adding a teaspoon of butter/ghee to Mixed Spicy Dal taste better. (Optional). Use of more/less chilly is optional. 

Time : 30 Minutes.

Serves : 3 to 4.