Quick .Mango Pickle

Who does not like pickle? It is such a spicy yummy side dish goes well with every thing. Do you agree for my statement ? A spoon of pickle adds to the taste of food we eat is not so?

This particular mango I got from My brother in law's daughter Sandya. She got it from somebody who stays near by and the person owns a pickle mango tree. The mango I got was quite big and it was just fresh. I was lucky to taste the pickle, which she just finished preparing when we entered her home. Wow I tasted that and it was just spicy and yummy. 

The first thing when I got back is, started preparing pickle. 

One should remember that when you want to prepare pickle please keep this in mind.

Always prepare pickle with fresh mangoes as soon as you buy them.

The mango should be green, hard and the variety to prepare pickle. (All varieties of mangoes can not be used for pickle).  

It should be sour type, and should be plucked from the tree. (Not the fallen ones).

Use a glass jar to store them.

Let us see the recipe now. As I said this is a quick way of preparing pickle. No need to be put it into salt and wait. No need to sun dry. 

Things needed :

Green and Fresh Mango : 1 ( Big size )

Salt : 2 Tablespoons

Mustard Seeds : 1 Tablespoon + 1 Teaspoon

Red chilly Powder : 3 to 4 Tablespoons

Oil : 1 Tablespoon

Ingh : A  little

Turmeric Powder : 1/4 Teaspoon

Method : 

1. Wash and clean the mango. Wipe it nicely and dry under a fan for few minutes. (Moisture should not be there)

2. Greate mango along with the skin.

3. Dry grind mustard seeds till powder and keep it aside.

4. Take a dry bowl. Clean it with fresh towel or kitchen tissue.

5.  Put grated mango, salt, turmeric powder and chilly powder.

6. Mix all the ingredients along with grated mango.

7. Add dry ground mustard seeds and mix it again.

8. Keep a pan on the fire and add oil. Heat and put mustard seeds and ingh.

9. Let the mustard seeds splutter. Add this to mango pickle and mix it well.

10. Mix it again and store it in a glass jar once it cools. Better keep it in a fridge.

Note :

Use of green savoury mango taste best. Adding rock salt is optional. Adding roasted methi powder is also optional. Adding more oil and Gingly Oil is optional. This pickle taste better after 2 days. It can stay for at least 2 to 3 months in the fridge. 

Time : 15 minutes

You can have 1 Small bottle of pickle. 

Wood Apple & Wild Mango Panaka/Juice

It is hard to bear this summer. The Sun Rays are really hurting the skin, and sucking the moisture from our body. One needs to drink lots of water to take care from the screeching hot. Your body gets dehydration and you start falling ill like headache, urinary infection, dehydrated etc,etc,etc.....

 Home made cool drinks, Juice/panaka really healthy and save you. They contain not only water, they provide the loss from sweating. No chemical, no artificial colour, no preservative. You are 100% sure.
There are two home made quick Panakas/Juice prepared from fresh seasonal fruits.
I have used Wood Apple which is available plenty in the market, which is very good for quenching your thirst, which is also used during "Rama Navami" for Panakas. It is so wonderful connection and Gift from Nature God to the man kind. This Wood Apple will be very helpful to take care of us in summer and keeps our body cool from screeching Hot Sun.

Wild Mangoes starts to ripe in Summer in some parts of Dakshina Kannada,  and it is also one of the good quench thirsting fruit.

Lets see some benefits of eating Wood Apple/Bel Fruit/Belada Hannu in our diet.

Wood Apple/Bel Fruit/Belada Hannu is a herb. It has other names like wood apple, elephant apple and monkey fruit. It is known as wood apple because of its hard wooden shell. It is considered as sacred fruit by Hindus. 

Wood Apple/Belada Hannu is good for people who suffer from constipation and indigestion. It is also good for peptic ulcer, piles and respiratory problems. It boosts the immune system and fights off bacterial and viral infections and various inflammatory conditions. It helps to increase milk production for nursing mothers. It helps to cures diabetes. Wood Apples contain loads of nutrients, vitamins and organic compounds like calcium, phosphorous, fiber, protein and iron. They are good for digestion since it helps to destroy worms in the intestine and good remedy for digestive disorders. 

They are loaded with antifungal and antiparasitic(destroying parasites) (parasite -disease) properties.

Lets see Wood Apple & Wild Mango Home made  Panaka/Juice/Cool Drinks.

I have used Bella/Jaggery (from Alemane (Fresh Jaggery from Alemane ; Place where they prepare jaggery) and Pure Honey. 

Thanks Shobha Somayaji for Alemane jony Bella (Soft jaggery eaten with idli dosa rotti etc). 

Lets see the recipe now:

1. Wood Apple Panaka/Juice

Things Needed :

Wood Apple : 1 Big size.

Jaggery : 3 to 4 Tablespoons.

Cardamom : 1 Pod

Method : 

1. Break wood apple and scoop out the fruits and put it in a bowl.

2. Now grind this with cardamom pod, little water and jaggery. Pour it out to a bowl. 

3. Add required water, mix well and serve. You can use ice cube or cold water. I have not used it.

Note :

A big fruit can be used for preparing 3 glasses of panakas. Adding sugar is optional. I have used jaggery which is a healthy option. It needs little more jaggery or it gives out savoury taste. I have used half ripe fruit to prepare the panaka. Fully ripe fruit can be used. Do not use any salt, since jaggery has a little salt.

Time : 10 minutes. (All together)

Serves : 3 

2.Mango Panaka : 

Wild Mangoes (Savoury Mangoes/Katu Mavina Hannu) 

These mangoes are used to prepare rasayana (a side dish), to add savoury taste a bit. You need to add more jaggery if you want sweet taste. This Panaka is good digestive and refreshing Drink.

Things Needed :

Wild Mangoes : 4 to 5 

Water : 3 Glasses

Jaggery : 3 to 4 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Take a big bowl. Wash mangoes and squeeze out the pulp in the bowl.
2. Add little water to the remaining squeezed out mangoes and squeeze out the remaining pulp.

3. Add jaggery to the mango pulp. Mix it well in hand. Add required water. Mix it again

4. Pour this Panaka to a serving glass and serve Mango Panaka.

Note : 

You can use more mangoes if you like savoury taste in your panaka. This is one of the traditional drink and helps you from dehydration and screeching hot summer. You can also add more jaggery if you like sweet taste. Adding sugar is optional. Honey does not go well with this juice and consuming Honey (in large quantity) is not that good in summer. 

Time : 10 minutes

Serves : 2 to 3 

Raw Mango Drink

Raw Mango drink is a soothing and comforting drink during summer. It is one of the traditional recipe from olden days. My aunt used to prepare this drink and we used enjoy most of the summer days.

I have used Raw Mango, jaggery which is very good cooling agent for our body and very little spices like jeera and pepper. Adding pepper and jeera helps the drink not only the spicy taste but takes care of our health too.
Lets see some benefits of having " Raw Mango " in our diet.
Raw mangoes are very good for treating blood disorders. They contain high amount of Vitamin C and it helps to boosts the formation of new blood cells. Raw mangoes are good for hormonal health. They contain Vitamin B and it helps to retain good health. Raw mangoes help to constipation and indigestion problems. They are good for removing the infections. Raw mangoes contain Vitamin A and Vitamin E which helps to enhance the hormonal system. Raw mangoes help to prevent dehydration and quench the thirst. Drinking unripe mango juice prevents the excessive loss of sodium chloride and iron. Raw mango is good to treat liver disorder.
Lets see the recipe now. I have used Totapuri Mango and it is not that sour and it is also eaten with salt and chilly powder.

Ingredients :

Raw Mango : 1 (Small size)
Jaggery :  3 to 4 Tablespoons
Pepper pods : 2 to 5
Jeera / Cumin Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Salt : a little

Method ;

1. Wash and grate a little and keep it aside. Cut the remaining mango into small pieces.

2. Grind these pieces, pepper, jeera with little water into fine paste.
3. Add jaggery and grind it again. Remove from the mixi jar to a bowl.

4. Add 2 to 3 glasses of water and mix it well and sieve it with a strainer.

5. Now add grated mango and a little salt to the Raw Mango Drink and mix it well again.

6. Pour them into serving bowl and serve.

Note : 

You can remove the outer green skin and then grind the mango which is easy to grind. Adding sugar/honey instead of jaggery is optional. Remember jaggery is very good for health.
Time : 10 minutes
Serves : 2 to 3 

Field Beans & Cucumber Curry.

Field Bean/Avaekai and Coloured Curcumber/ Mangalore Southekai curry is a side dish. Avare kai/ field beans is used lavishly here in Bangalore and around. You can get this field beans in any time of the year in Bangalore. Jayanagar 4th T block is very famous in selling this Avarekai/Field beans. You can even get the ready beans to cook. (They remove the outer part and keep the seeds separately to sell. One more thing I have noticed that, they even remove the outer layer from field bean and sell the soft seed. This seed is known as Chitak Avare, means squeezed seeds.These seeds are used for deep frying and rasam. It will be very very tasty.

 Lets see some benefits of eating Toor Dal in our diet.
Toor dal is also called as tur dal, tuvar dal or arhar dal. It is an excellent source of carbohydrates and provide energy to our body. It also contain many of the nutrients, like protein, fat and fiber. It has minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and B Vitamins. It has high dietary fiber. low saturated fat and cholesterol free. Toor  dal is an excellent source of folic acid and vitamins and good for pregnant women.
This Field Beans & Cucumber Curry has no onions or no garlic and easy to prepare.
I have used , toor dal, field beans/avarekai, green chilly and some spices.
Lets see the recipe now.

Things Needed :

 To cook
Field Beans/Avarekai : 1 Cup
Toor Dal : 1/2 Cup
Mangalore Cucumber : 1/2 (medium size )
Green Chilly : 2 to 3
Rasam Powder : 1 Tablespoon
 To Add :
Raw Mango Grated : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Ginger : 1 Tablespoon
Methi seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt to taste :
Coconut : 2 Tablespoon (Optional).
Coriander leaves
For  Seasoning :
Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh :  a little

Curry Leaves : 1 Handful
Coriander leaves : 1 Tablespoon 

Method :

1. Wash and cook Toor dal and field beans/avarekai together . (Pressure cook)

2.  Wash and cut mangalore southekai/cucumber and coriander leaves into small pieces. Wash and cut green chilly in to big pieces. (1into 2).

3. Grate coconut, raw mango and ginger. (wash and remove the outer skin and wash it again before grating).
4. Now keep a pan on the fire. Put cooked mangalore southekai/cucumber, cooked dal and field beans.

5. Add grated raw mango and ginger.. Add little turmeric powder. Add cut green chilly, methi seeds (raw) and salt. Mix it well.

6. Let it cook nicely for 2 to 3 minutes. Add rasam powder and cook again for 5 minutes.

7. Shift the ready field beans/avarekai and Mangalore Cucumber/southekai curry in to a serving bowl.
8. Add mustard, urid dal splutter with curry leaves and ingh.
9. Add coconut gratings and coriander leaves on the top.

10. Serve with Hot plain rice or chapati.

Note :

Adding methi seeds help to reduce the acidity and cholesterol content in the curry. You can adjust the curry according to your need. (thick or little more liquid by adding little water). Adjust the salt according to your taste. Adding garlic or onion is optional. You can also add 1/2 a teaspoon of garam masala. Adding a tablespoon of fresh ghee adds to the taste. (optional). You can use any other legume (kalu/beans) instead of field beans.Adding more or less chilly is optional.
Time : 30 minutes
Serves : 4 to 5

Mango Chutney & Moong Sandwich.

 Mango Chutney - Moong Sandwich is a snack and you can have them for breakfast or as evening snack. In my previous post I have shown Capsicum - Moong Dry curry and I used the curry for stuffing bread sandwich along with half ripe mango chutney. It taste nice and easily stomach filling. 

I have used chutney and moong curry to spread on the bread. I also used little ghee to roast the bread on the tava. It really taste awesome and you will enjoy eating this a lot.
No onion or garlic is used in this  "Mango Chutney & Moong Sandwich. 
Lets see the recipe now :

Things Needed : 

Mango Chutney : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Capsicum - Moong dry curry : 1 Cup
Bread : (Any variety ) : 8 to 10 pieces
Ghee : 3 to 4 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Keep two slices of bread on the plate or tray.

2. Apply (spread) Mango chutney on one bread slice (On 1 side).

3. Spread a tablespoon of dry curry on the other slice of bread. Spread it evenly.

4. Put them together (The spread should be inside when the bread is put together.)..
 5. Keep a tava on the fire and heat. Put the stuffed bread on the tava. Just spread little ghee on the surface of the bread.
 6. Roast it nicely till it is slightly gets roasted.
7. Now turn the other side and cook for a minute.

8. Remove from the tava and serve hot Mango chutney & Moong sandwich with some fresh cucumber pieces.

 9. Repeat the same with remaining bread slices and prepare sandwich.

Note :

You can add more or less ghee according to your wish. Ghee Adds to the taste.
You can also add garam masala to the dry curry and mix it well and then spread it on the bread. It adds to the taste.
You can use butter instead of ghee.
Adding more spice is not a healthy habit. Eating more spice will lead to many problems like gas or chest burn (Acidity).
Serves : 2 to 3 
Time : Preparing sandwich ( 10 to 15 minutes). 

Mango Chutney recipe:

Things needed :
Methi/ fenugrik seeds  : 1/4 teaspoon
Red chilly : 5 to 6
Curry leaves : 1 Handful
Ingh : a pinch
Coconut : 1/2 Cup
Salt : to taste
Oil : 1/2 Teaspoon
Mango pieces : 1 Cup 
Method : 
1. Wash and cut mango into small pieces.

2. Wash and grate or cut coconut into small pieces
3. Keep a pan on the fire. Heat and put oil.
4. Add Methi Seeds and fry til they turn slightly brown.

 5. Add red chilly and fry for 1 minute. Put off the gas. Add curry leaves and ingh.

 6. Add coconut and cut mangoes. Mix it well and grind it with little water. Grind it nicely till paste.

7. Add salt and grind for a minute. Remove from the mixi jar and put it in a serving bowl.

8. Add mustard seasoning to the ready chutney. Chutney is ready to serve now.
Note :
Add chilly according to your taste. Adding methi seeds helps the chutney to get nice aroma and it is good for health.Do not use more methi seeds. Chutney turns bitter and you may not be able to eat chutney. I have used slightly ripen mango and it adds sweet taste to the taste. This chutney can be served as one of the side dish and it goes well with all the main dishes....
Time : 10  minutes 
Serves : 3 to 4.