Carrot Chitranna

Carrot Chitranna is a rice dish and it is very easy to prepare.  Chitranna is Lemon rice and lemon is added at the end it gives a little tangy taste. 

Carrot Lemon is a simple rice dish and you can have them for breakfast who likes to have rice dishes in the morning. It can be eaten for brunch who gets up late and miss breakfast and can combine breakfast and lunch and it is said as brunch. It is good for lunch too. Lazy days or holidays when you want to relax and not much of time to spend in kitchen can plan for this rice. It is also ideal for dinner.
Let us see some benefits of eating Lemon in our diet.
Lemon is used for treating indigestion, constipation, dental problems, throat infections, fever, obesity, respiratory disorders, cholera and high blood pressure. It is also good for hair and skin care. Lemon helps to strengthen our immune system, cleanses our stomach. They are considered as a blood purifier. Lemon is used for treating kidney stones, reducing strokes and lowering body temperature. Lemon juice is one of the best refreshing drink. They are filled with vitamins like vitamin C, Vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate and minerals like copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and protein. they are filled with antioxidant properties and it helps in peeventing diabetes, constipation and high blood pressure.
As  I said it is simple, quick and takes very less time to prepare once you cook your rice.
I have used plain rice (Sona Masuri ), lemon, carrots, coconut and green chilly.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Cooked rice : 1 Cup
To Add :
Carrots : 2
Lemon : 1
Coconut : 1 Cup
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A pinch
For Seasoning :
Cooking oil : 1 Tablespoon
Ghee : 2 Tablespoons
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Green chilly : 2

Method :

1. Wash and cut green chilly, coriander leaves and curry leaves.
2. Wash and peel off the outer layer of carrots and grate it. Keep it aside.
3. Wash and cut lemon and squeeze out the juice. Keep it aside.
4. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
5. Keep a pan on the fire and put oil. Put mustard seeds and urid dal.
6. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add cut green chilly and curry leaves.
7. Fry nicely for 10 seconds. Add grated carrots and fry nicely for 1 to 2 minutes.
8. Add cooked rice and mix it well. Add salt, turmeric powder and mix it well.
9. Let it cook on low flame for 1 to 2 minutes. Add grated coconut and put off the fire.
11 Add lemon extract (juice) and mix it again. Add 2 tablespoons of ghee and mix it well.
11. Shift the ready " Carrot Chitranna " to a serving dish.
12. Add cut coriander leaves and serve with a cup of curd.

Note : 

Cook rice and cool it before adding to seasoning. Use of any brand of rice is optional. I have used sona masuri and required water ration is 1: 3 ( 1 cup rice and 3 cups of water). Use of green or red chilly is optional. Use of more /less chilly is optional. Use of ghee adds to the taste. Use of onions or garlic is optional.

Time : 20 Minutes if rice is already cooked. Or 20 more minutes to cook rice.
Serves : 2 to 3.
Type : South Indian ..

Cucumber - Kamakasturi Coolant ( Cucumber Juice)

Cucumber Juice helps to reduce the heat and takes care of you to be cool. Cucumber juice can be done easily and its available plenty in the market every where at any time of the year.

I have used Small size cucumber, Kamakasturi seeds and honey. 

Kamakasturi plant is also known as Thai Basil, Sweet basil. They are known as Sabja seeds. Sabja seeds are known as Kama Kasturi in Kannada, Vithai in Tamil, Sabja Ginjalu - Telugu. Baburi - Punjabi. The plants looks like Tulsi and it is also known as tulsi seeds. TulsiBija in Bengali.
Sabja/Kamakasturi seeds contain carbohydrates, very low in fat and rich with protein. It is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Kamakasturi seeds helps in good digestion, makes the body cool and helps the skin to glow. It is said that the leaves helps to keep away the tummy worms and reduces the menstrual cramps. It helps to control the inflammation and increases the appetite. Its oil is used for treating pains and aches
Lets see the recipe now:
Kamakasturi seeds from home garden. It grows very well in pots.
I have used honey instead of sugar. Jaggery can be used instead of honey /sugar. Adding little salt helps you get away the dehydration.

Things Needed :

Cucumber : 2 (Small size)
Lemon : 1/2 (Lemon extract)
Honey : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : A pinch
Kamakasturi seeds : 1 Teaspoon.

Method :

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of cucumber. Cut them into small.

2. Soak kamakasturi seeds in water.

3. Grind cut cucumber with very little water. Cucumber is loaded with water. ( Very little water to grind).

4. Put it in a big bowl.
5. Add honey and a pinch of salt. Add lemon extract.

6. Add Kamakasturi seeds and mix it well.

7. Serve Cucumber Juice with Kamakasturi seeds.

Note :

Adding cold water is optional. Adding ice while serving is also optional. Adding sugar/jaggery is optional. Adding a pinch of salt helps you to get away with cold or cough.
Time : 10 Minutes
Serves : 2.

Kamakasturi Seeds.

Kamasturi Seeds just from the plant.

Avarekai - Gooseberry Chitranna

Avare Kai/ Gooseberry/Nellikai  Chitranna is a rice dish. Its the season of Avare Kai/Field beans and people enjoy having them in almost all the dishes. Here is Avarekai - Gooseberry Chitranna and its an easy, quick and yummy dish which suits to all occasion.

I have used cooked raw rice, Avarekai/field beans, onions, green chilly and lemon.
Let us see some benefits of having " Lemon " in our diet.
Lemon has many medicinal and healthy properties. It is used in treating throat infections, indigestion, constipation and fever. It is good for obesity, respiratory disorders, cholera and high blood pressure. It is good for skin and hair care. It helps to strengthen immune system and cleanse our stomach. It is known as blood purifier. Lemon juice is useful for treating kidney stones, reducing strokes and lowering body temperature. It is the best refreshing drink and helps to keep us cool. Lemon contain Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Vitamin E and minerals like copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and protein. It is rich in antioxidants and helps to prevent diabetes, high blood pressure.
Averekai -Gooseberry Chitranna is good have for breakfast/brunch/lunch or dinner. It is so easy and anyone can try and Enjoy.
Let us see the recipe Now.

Things Needed :

AvareKai/Field beans : 1 Cup
Green chilly : 2
Ginger : An inch
Onion : 1 to 2
Gooseberry : 2 to 3
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Cooked rice (Raw rice) : 2 Cups
Salt : As required
Oil : 2 Tablespoons
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Coriander Leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Lemon : 1/2 Lemon extract

Method :

1. Wash and cook raw rice and avereaki and let it cool. (Cook separately)

2. Wash and cut onions, green chilly (just slit), curry leaves and coriander leaves.
3. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger, wash and grate it.
4. Grate coconut and keep it aside. Grate gooseberry and keep it aside.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil, mustard seeds and urid dal.
6. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add curry leaves and cut green chilly.
7. Add cut onions and fry for 1 to 2 minutes.

8. Add cooked avarekai,salt and turmeric powder. Mix it well.
(Remove the extra water and then put only avarekai).
9. Fry nicely for a minute. Add cooked and cooled rice.

10. Mix it well and add ghee, lemon extract and coconut. Put off the fire.

11. Add grated gooseberry grating and coriander leaves. Mix it nicely and shift ready chitranna to a serving bowl.

12. Serve with a cup of curd and some crisps (chips or fried fritters). (Optional).

Note :

Do not over cook rice. Drain all the extra water from cooked avarekai. (You can use it for curries).
Adding ghee is optional. Adding onion to chitranna is optional. It adds to the taste. You can prepare same way of chitranna with out using onions on festival or any other special days.

Adding more/less chilly is optional. Check the hotness in chilly before using. Adding gooseberry is optional.

Time : 20 Minutes + cooking rice and averekai : 20 minutes

Serves : 3 to 4 . 

Goose berry - Lemon Rice

Goose berry Lemon rice is a simple Rice dish. Not much of ingredients is needed. Indian goose berry is available around the year now a days. But it is better to buy during its season. It will be more fresh and juicy.

All you need is cooked rice, lemon, goose berry and some spices. If cooked rice is ready it is very easy to prepare. We can have Goose berry and lemon Rice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. ( rice dish is prepared for breakfast in most of the houses in Karnataka). It is good for parties, festivals and one pot meal or kitty party. We can have it for brunch (breakfast + lunch ) for a lazy Sunday. Perfect for festival celebration.
Lets see some benefits of using Lemon in our diet.
Lemon has strong antibacterial, antiviral and immune boosting powers. It is good for weight loss and juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. They contain good medicinal value and used in treating throat infections, indigestion, constipation, dental problem, internal bleeding, obesity, respiratory disorders, cholera and high blood pressure. Lemons are used in hair and skin care. It is also considered as blood purifier. Lemon juice is useful for treating kidney stones, reducing strokes and as refreshing drink. Lemon drink helps to relax  and keeps you cool.
Lemon contain  Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, E, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and protein. They also contain antioxidants and helps to prevent diabetes.
Now lets see the recipe; 

Things Needed :

To Cook
Raw Rice : 2 Cups
To Add
Lemon : 1
Goose berry : 2
Coconut : 1/2 Cup
Turmeric Powder : 1/4 Teaspoon
Salt : Required
For seasoning 
Oil : 2 Tablespoon
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
Green Chilly : 2
Curry leaves : 6 to 8 or more
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Table spoons
Mustard seeds : 1 Teapoon
Urid dal :  1 Teaspoon
Cashew Nuts : 2 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and cook rice in a pressure cooker and keep it aside.

2. Wash and cut green chilly, curry leaves, coriander leaves and keep it aside.

3. Grate coconut and goose berry and keep it aside. Extract lemon juice and keep it aside.
4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil.
5. Add mustard seeds, urid dal. Let it splutter.
6. Add cut green chilly and curry leaves. Add cooked rice. Reduce the flame to low.
7. Add turmeric powder and salt. Mix it well.

8. Add 1/2 of grated gooseberry, lemon extract and mix it again slowly.

9. Add coconut and shift the lemon rice to a serving dish.
10. Keep a small pan on the fire and put ghee.
11.Add cashew nuts and fry till they turn golden brown.

12. Add this fried cashews and ghee to the rice mixture.
13 Top up with remaining gose berry gratings.
14.  Goose berry Lemon rice is ready to serve. Serve with a cup of curd

Note : 

Do not over cook rice.  Use little less water ( 1 cup - 2 1/2 cup of water). Use of more oil and ghee is optional. Use of more chilly is also optional. Adding coconut is also optional. Use of onions and garlic is also optional.
Time : 30 minutes. Including cooking rice. 
Serves : 4 

Lemon Rasam.

Lemon Rasam is a liquid type of dish.  You can drink this as soup or starter or even you can eat with rice. It also helps as appetizer. It helps for easy digestion and it helps to improve your taste bud when you are sick.

Pepper seeds, jeera and jaggery is used while preparing this rasam and that adds to the healthy ingredients which helps you to get well soon.
Lets see the recipe Now:

Things Needed:

Lemon : 2 to 3.
Water : 3 to 4 cups.
Green chilly : 2.
Pepper Seeds : 6 to 8.
Jeera : 1/4 Tea spoon.
Jaggery : 1 Table spoon.
Salt :  To taste.
Ingh (Asafetida) : a pinch.
Turmeric Powder : a pinch.
Oil : 1 Tea spoon.
Curry leaves : 6 to 8 leaves.
Coriander Leaves 1 Table spoon.
Ginger : an Inch .

Method:

1.Wash coriander leaves, green chilly, ginger and curry leaves and cut them small.
2.Grate ginger and crush pepper seeds. Keep them aside.
3.Now keep a pan on the fire. Put oil and heat.
4.Put jeera and crushed pepper. Leave it for 10 seconds.
5. Now add curry leaves and ingh to it. Put water and let it boil.
6. Add cut green chilly and ginger to it.
7. Add turmeric powder, salt and jaggery to the boiling water.
8. Let it boil for 1 minute.
9. Squeeze out juice from lemon to the boiling water.
10. Let it boil for 3 to 4 minutes.
11. Add coriander leaves and serve Lemon Rasam with hot rice. OR serve as starter or use it when you have throat pain or fever. This works as kashaya too.
12. Hot Rasam is good for throat.
Its a good appetizer too.

Note : 

You can add more lemon juice if you want. Be careful not to add the seeds since it gives the bitter taste. You can add garlic to this rasam if you are fond of garlic flavour. Definitely it gives a different taste. Adding a spoon of ghee will give better taste. But remember if you are preparing this rasam for the sick person strictly do not add ghee.
Serves. 2 to 3.