Jack Seeds - Southkai Kootu

Mangalore Southekai /Southekai and Jack Seeds Kootu is good to have with Plain Rice, chapatis, rotis, poori, dosa or idli. It is one of the traditional dish of South Canara and we call it as ಹಸಿ ಹುಳಿ .

Dal / Toor or Moong is not used in this curry and very little spices are used here.

Let us see some benefits of eating Coriander Seeds in our diet. 

Coriander Seeds have pleasant aroma and it is used as condiments in our culinary dishes.
Coriander seeds helps in preventing and treating diabetes. It helps in treating osteoporosis. It helps to cure digestive disorder. Helps in preventing abdominal pains. It is good for ladies who suffer during their menstrual chronic/crams pains. It is a good remedy for skin related problems. Good for anemia, for treating inflammation,controlling and regulating high cholesterol levels. It is good for mouth ulcers, indigestion, eye related problems and lowering the blood sugar level. It has a cooling effect on our body and is used for eye related problems. ( Wash and soak coriander seeds for 30 minutes, strain twice with clean towel or cloth and then use it as drops to eyes. It helps in cooling our eyes, sooth our eyes and your eyes will be refreshed). Be careful and it should be clean coriander water, no dust or any dirt should enter our eyes.
Coriander seeds are filled with vitamins and minerals. It is filled with proteins, carbohydrates, phosphorus, calcium, iron, Vitamin B, C and A.
Let us see the recipe Now :
No Onion or Garlic is used here in this Jack Seeds - Southekai Kootu. 
Mangalore Cucumber is known as Mangalore Southekai/ Bannada Southekai, Haladi Southekai.

Things Needed : 

To Cook :
Southe kai / Mangalore Cucumber : 1 Bowl . ( 1/2 of One big Southekai )
Jack Seeds : 1 Small bowl (About 10 Seeds).
Methi Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
To Grind :
Fresh Grated Coconut : 5 to 6 Tablespoons
Coriander Seeds : 1 Tablespoon
Tamarind : 1 Big Marble size
Jeera / Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Pepper Pods : 3 to 4
Red chilly : Byadagi : 4 to 5
 To Add :
Salt : As required
Turmeric Powder : A pinch
Coriander leaves : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard Seasoning : 1 Tablespoon : 1/2 Teaspoon mustard seeds, 1 red chilly, pinch of ingh and curry leaves with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.

Method :

1. Remove the outer shell of jack seeds and cut them into small pieces. Soak in plain water for 10 minutes.
2. Wash and remove the outer layer, pulp and seeds inside the southekai.
3. Cut Southekai into small pieces and soak in plain water for  5 minutes. It helps in take away the bitterness in Southekai.
4. Put cut Southekai pieces and jack seeds pieces in a pressure cooker. Add methi seeds and required water and cook for 4 to 5 minutes.

5.Grate coconut and add coriander seeds, jeera, red chilly, pepper pods and grind it with required water.
6. Keep a pan on the fire and put cooked Southekai and jack seeds to it. Add turmeric powder and required salt. Mix it well and boil for  2 to 3 minutes.

7. Add ground coconut, coriander mixture to boiling mixture and mix it well. Let it cook for 4 to 5 minutes.

8. Put little coriander leaves to the cooked curry and shift it to the serving dish, Add mustard, red chilly, ingh, curry leaves seasoning on the top.

  9. Serve with the main dish you have prepared. You can add a spoon of fresh ghee just before serving.

Note :

Do not over cook the vegetables. Soaking jack seeds helps to cook seeds nicely and soft. Adding less/more coconut is optional. You can add 1/2 teaspoon of soaked raw rice while grinding. ( Soak raw rice for 5 minutes and then add/ optional). It helps the kootu to be thick. Do not add more tamarind. The curry gets savoury. Use of coconut oil is optional. Do not roast coriander seeds and jeera. Adding methi seeds while cooking vegetable helps to reduce the cholesterol in curry.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Huttari Genasu Curry

Huttari Genasu is a type of root vegetable You get in Coorg. It is like Suvarna Gedde / Elephant foot.

Huttari Genasu has a special quality that it does not itch while cutting where as Suvarna gedde has that itching nature.
Here I have tried simple curry using Huttari Genasu.
Huttari genasu is cooked during Huttari Habba and I think it is available only during that period. I got this vegetable from our very close friend Usha Suresh Cukkemane. They are from Bhaghamandala near Madikeri. Though they live in Mysore they get these special vegetables from their sisters house who live in Coorg.
I have used Huttari Genasu , moong dal, coconut and some simple spices.

No Onion Or Garlic is used in this Huttari Genasu Curry.

Things needed :

To Cook :
Huttari Genasu : 1 Bowl (1/4 piece of small Huttari Genasu).
Moong Dal : 1/2 Cup
To Grind :
Coconut :  4 to 5 Tablespoons
Jeera /cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon

To Add :
Sambar Powder : 1 Tablespoon
Tamarind : Small Marble size
Salt : As required

Seasoning :
Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Ingh / Asafoetida : A pinch.

Method :

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of Huttari Genasu. Wash it again.
2. Cut it into desired size. Big /Small. Pressure cook for  4 to 5 minutes. (Do not over cook).

3. Wash moong dal and cook it separately.

4. Grate coconut and grind it with 1/2 teaspoon of jeera. Soak tamarind and squeeze out the pulp.

5. Keep a pan and add cooked moong dal and huttari genasu. Add salt and a pinch of turmeric powder. Add tamarind pulp.
6. Let it boil for 2 minutes. Add sambar /curry powder and mix it well.

7. Add ground coconut. Mix it well and let it boil for 3 to 4 minutes.

8. Shift the ready Huttari Genasu Curry to a serving dish.
9. Add mustard seeds, curry leaves and ingh / asafoetida seasoning.

10. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Clean the vegetable nicely so that no mud will get into the curry. Cut the vegetable and then wash it again. Adding coconut to the curry is optional. You can cook this curry without coconut also.
Adding any spice powder is optional. I have used home prepared sambar powder.
Huttari Genasu is one of the vegetable you get during Huttari habba. It has a special quality that it does not itch while cutting or cooked. Adding onions or garlic is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4. 

Oodalu / Barnyard Millet Kichidi

Millets are the healthy grains and people are accepting the healthy benefits they do follow eating millet and do take care of their health.
Here I have used Oodalu / Barnyard millet, moong dal and some simple spices.

Let us see how they are called in different languages.

In Kannada /Karnataka it is called as Oodalu, in Tamil - Kuttiravaali, even in Telugu it is called as Oodalu too. In Hindi - Sanwa or Jhangora and Malayalam - Kavadapullu.

Let us see the benefits of Barnyard millet.

Barnyard millet helps in diabetes, improve the digestive system. It  is said that it helps to lower the risk of cancer. It detoxify the body, improves our respiratory health, boost immune system, increase energy level and improve the muscle and nerve health. It helps in controlling the cholesterol level in our body. They are rich in nutrition. Barnyard millet is rich in Vitamin B, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc and magnesium. They are loaded with dietary fiber. Barnyard millet is free from gluten.
Let us see the recipe now :
No Onion or No Garlic is used in Oodalu /Barnyard Millet Kichidi.

Ingredients :

Oodalu / Barnyard Millet : 1 Cup
Moong Dal : 1/2 Cup
Green chilly : 2
Pepper Pods : 6 to 8
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Ginger : 1 Teaspoon ( An inch ).
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Ghee : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Cashew Nuts : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Salt : As required

Method :

1. Wash and cook moong dal and Oodalu separately

2. Wash and slit green chilly, cut coriander leaves and curry leaves.
3. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and grate it, keep it aside.
4. Crush pepper pods and keep it aside.
5. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add ghee jeera, pepper pods and fry for a minute.
6. Add cashew nuts pieces and let it turn golden brown. Add slit green chilly and curry leaves.

7. Keep a pan and add cooked moong and oodalu/Barnyard millet. Mix it well.
8. Add required water and mix it well. Add required salt. a pinch of turmeric powder and let it boil for 2 to 4 minutes. Add seasoned jeera to the cooked Kichidi.
9. Mix it slowly and shift the ready Oodalu Kichidi to a serving bowl.

10. Serve with papad, pickle, ghee and a cup of curd.

Note :

You can wash and soak Oodalu grain for some time. ( 10 minutes). So that it cooks soft and is easy to digest.
Adding any amount of ghee is optional. Adding more /less red chilly is optional.
Time : 20 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4.

Channa Dal - Mango Fruit Chutney

Channa dal chutney is one of the traditional side dish. Here I have used mango fruit pulp instead of tamarind.

Channa dal chutney is prepared from ages. When guest arrives without notice or if the side dishes turns shortage in the night or when your tongue wants some yummy spicy chutney this channa dal chutney comes to in hand. It is very easy, tasty and simple chutney.
We can have channa dal chutney with plain hot rice and a spoon of fresh ghee. It goes well  with idli, dosa, chapatis or any type of roti or rotti. This chutney serves the purpose of dips, sides for pakodas, fried fritters and on bread spread.
I have used channa dal, red byadagi chilly, mango pulp and coconut.

No onion or garlic Recipe

Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Channa Dal : 1 Tablespoon
Red byadagi chilly : 3 to 4
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Coconut : 1 Cup
Mango pulp : 1 wild mango pulp
Salt : As required
For Seasoning :
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry leaves : 5 to 6

Method :

1. Wash and squeeze out the mango pulp

2. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
3. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil.
4. Add a tablespoon of channa dal and fry on low flame.

5. Add byadagi chilly and fry with channa dal. Let channa dal turn slightly golden brown.
6. Put off the fire and add curry leaves and ingh. Let all the ingredients get cool.
7. Grind it with mango pulp, fresh coconut, salt  and required water. Grind it till it gets paste consistency.

8. Remove it from mixi jar to a bowl.
9. Season with coconut oil, mustard seeds, 1 red chilly, curry leaves and ingh.
10. Channa Dal - Mango Fruit Chutney is ready to serve.

Note :

Do not over fry dal. Chutney turns bitter. Adding more / less chilly is optional. Adding tamarind instead of mango pulp is optional. Use of more coconut adds to the taste.
Time : 10 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3.

Fresh Cow Peas Spicy Curry. / ಹಸಿ ಹುಳಿ

Fresh Cow Peas/ ಅಲಸಂದೆ is available during winter. It a seasonal pod and filled with proteins. I have prepared Fresh Cow Peas Spicy Curry, which is very traditional curry in Udupi region. /South Canara region and Malnadu in region.

Raw curry has the aroma from spices which are used in the curry. It tastes yummy with any main dish. It is a good combination for plain rice, dosa or idli, chapati or poori, any type of rotis and even with bread.
I have used Fresh Cow Peas, coriander seeds, green chilly, tamarind and jeera/cumin seeds.
Coriander seeds are filled with nutrients. They are rich in high level of dietary fiber, antioxidants and B Vitamins and Vitamin C. It helps in treating inflammation, good for digestion and it helps to improve the skin. It also helps to control diabetes. It is good for ladies who suffer from their menstrual stomach ache. Drinking Boiled coriander seeds water helps in reducing the pain that cause during the monthly period.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Fresh Cow Peas/ ಅಲಸಂದೆ ಕಾಳು : 1 Cup
To Grind :
Coriander seeds : 2 Teaspoons
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Green chilly : 2

Fresh Coconut : 3 to 4 Tablespoons. ( 1/2 Cup)
Tamarind Pulp : Very small marble size.
Soaked Moong dal : 1 Teaspoon
To Add : 
Ground coconut - spice mixture
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder/Haladi/Arashina : A pinch
Seasoning :
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Green chilly 1
Pepper pods : 3 to 4
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6

Method :

1.  Separate Alasande pods from its skin and wash it. Cook with required water. Keep it aside. ( You can pressure cook for 3 to 4 minutes).

2. Grate coconut and grind it with 2 to 3 green chilly, coriander seeds, jeera and tamarind pulp.

3. Put cooked cow peas in a big pan and keep the pan on the fire. Add little water, required salt and turmeric powder.
4. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add ground coconut and spice mixture. Mix it well and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

5. Add seasoned mustard seeds mixture done in coconut oil and shift the curry to a serving bowl.

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

Note :

Do not make the curry very watery. It taste good when it is thick. Adding more /less chilly is optional. Adding soaked moong dal helps to thicken the curry. ( Optional : You can add soaked raw rice or soaked channa dal instead of moong dal). Adding more coconut taste better. Add little tamarind since it does not need  much savoury.
Note : I have added 3 to 4 pepper pods to the curry. ( Optional). Normally this curry does not have any pepper. Remember pepper helps to reduce the gas content in the food. 
Time : 25 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4 .

 How to prepare Coriander Kashaya :

 ( Remedy for ladies monthly period/ menstrual stomach ache).

 Ingredients :
Glass of water
Coriander Seeds : 1 Tablespoon
Jaggery : 1 Teaspoon

Method : 

Boil water and put cleaned coriander seeds. Let it boil till it reduces to 3/4 th glass.
Add jaggery and boil for 2 minutes. Sieve this Kashaya and drink hot or cold as you like it.
It is better to drink kashaya when it is hot.

Jeera - Pepper Huggi /Khara Pongal

Jeera - Pepper Huggi/Khara Pongal is one of the quick, healthy and easy Rice dish. It is one of the favourite dish of many South Indians.

I have used jeera/cumin seeds, green chilly, ingh/asafoetida as spices and moong dal and raw rice.

Let us see some benefits of eating Pepper Pods/Black Pepper in our diet.

Black Pepper is called as Kaali Mirch in hindi, nalla miriyalu - Telugu, Karumilaku - Tamil and Kari menasu in Kannada language. It is known as Kurumuluk in Malayalam.
Black pepper is known as king of spices. Black pepper is traded widely to other parts of the world,  even in ancient times.
Black pepper is used as spices and medicine.It is loaded with antibacterial and anti - inflammatory properties.Pepper helps in improving digestion, relieve cold and cough. It helps to boost metabolism. It helps in treating skin problems and weight loss. It is good for treating asthama, sinus, nasal congestion. Pepper pods helps to reduce memory impairment and cognitive malfunction. It is helps in treating Alzheimer patients and those who suffer from dementia. Very good for other age related problems. Black pepper benefits in easing gastric problems and peptic ulcers, since they are loaded with antioxidant and anti -inflammatory properties. It contain good amount of dietary fiber.
Black pepper is rich in minerals like manganese, copper, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium and small amount of protein. It has good amount of  vitamins like Vitamin K, Vitamin B6.

No Onion or Garlic is used in this Jeera - Pepper Huggi/Khara Pongal. It is very easy to cook, it is simple, delicious and protein rich food.
Let us see the recipe.

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Raw rice : 1 Cup
Moong Dal : 1/2 Cup
 To Season :
Jeera/cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Pepper Pods : 2 to 3
Ingh/ Asafoetida : A pinch
Green chilly : 2
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
To dry roast :
Jeera /cumin seeds : 1/ 2 Teaspoon
Pepper pods : 5 to 6
To Add :
Pepper and jeera powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Grated Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Grated Ginger : 1 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Water : 3 Cups of water.
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
Cashew Nuts : 1 Tablespoon

Method :

1. Wash and cook raw rice and moong dal in a pressure cooker.

2. Grate coconut and keep it aside. Wash curry leaves and green chilly. Slit green chilly and keep it aside. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger. ( An inch of ginger). Wash it again and grate it.
3. Keep a pan on the fire and dry roast pepper pods and jeera ( 2 minutes). Dry grind it and keep it aside.

4. Keep a big pan on the fire and heat. Add a tablespoon of ghee and put jeera, pepper pods and fry.
5. Add 3 to 4 pepper pods and 1/2 teaspoon of jeera. Fry them nicely for a few seconds and add green chilly.
6. Fry green chilly for a few seconds and add curry leaves. Add ingh.

7. Put cooked moong dal and rice mixture. Add required salt and ground jeera and pepper powder.
8. Add grated ginger. Mix all the ingredients slowly on very low flame. Let i t be on fire for 2 minutes.
9. Put off the gas. Add grated coconut.

10. Keep a small pan and put ghee. ( 1 tablespoon). Add cashews and fry nicely.
11. Add this fried cashews to ready Khara Pongal.
12. Serve with a cup of curd or coconut chutney with hot Jeera - Pepper Huggi/Khara Pongal.

Note :

Do not over cook rice. Adding more green chilly is optional. Adding more ghee is optional. It adds to the taste. Do not stir more . It might turn very soft.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 4 to 5
Purely Karnataka Dish.