Watermelon Rind - Tomato Sambar

Watermelon every where in the market. Let us see what to do with watermelon rind after eating Watermelon fruit. Try and enjoy this Sambar.

It is getting hot and the temperature is going high. Eating watermelon and cooling your body is one of the best way to escape the heat. What do you do with the rind after eating watermelon?  Normally we throw it away in the dustbin right?\ There are many ways to use the rind. . You can cook different varieties of curries, grind and use it in dosa batter, scrape it and use the juice to apply o your skin which helps you to take away the dead cells in our face.
I am using this rind to prepare so many types of curries. Here is one of the side dish. That is yummy Watermelon Rind - Tomato Sambar. This curry goes well with all most all the main dishes. Try and enjoy this Watermelon Rind  - Tomato Sambar.

Let us see some benefits of eating Watermelon rind in our diet.
Watermelon rind is also beneficial to our body in so many ways. Loads of nutritional value is filled in watermelon rind. It is filled with water and it helps the kidney to work efficiently. It also helps in lower the blood pressure. It is filled with vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and A. It has some amount of potassium and zinc. Eating watermelon rind helps in fighting the radical damage and boost the immune system. It helps in taking care of the healthy kidney and helps and maintain the acid level in urine. It is good for people who suffer from kidney stones, it helps to breakdown the stone and flushes out the tiny particles.  It regulates the blood pressure in our body.  It is good for treating urinary tract infections. It helps in reducing inflammation in our body and take care of our health. It is a good source of beta - carotene and good for our eyes.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this Watermelon Rind - Tomato Sambar. It is very simple and healthy. The curry suits to all the main dishes of your choice.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Watermelon Rind : 2 to 3 Cups
Toor dal : 1/2 Cup
Tomatoes : 2 (Medium sized )
To Add :
Home made spice Powder : 2 to 3 Teaspoons
Green chilly : 2
Coriander Leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Mustard - Jeera Seasoning : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : To Taste
Turmeric Powder : A pinch
Dry ginger powder : 1/4 Teaspoon
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
To season :
Ghee/ Coconut oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Curry leaves : 6 to 8

Method :

1. Wash watermelon nicely and keep it in a big bowl before cutting. ( At least for 30 Minutes).
2. Cut watermelon and remove the fruit part. Remove the outer layer of the rind.
3. Cut the rind into small pieces. Keep it aside
4. Wash and cut tomatoes and remove its seeds.  ( Your wish).

5. Wash and slit green chilly,  cut coriander leaves and curry leaves.
6. Put watermelon pieces, cut tomatoes and washed toor dal in a pressure cooker.
7. Add 1/2 cup or little less water and cook for 65 to 6 minutes. ( Use the weight).

8. Remove the lid of pressure cooker once it is cooled.
9. Add salt, raw methi seeds, turmeric powder and mix it well.
10. Let it boil for 2 minutes. Add home prepared spice powder. Add dry ginger powder.
11. Mix it well and cook for another 3 minutes. Put off the gas.

12. Shift the ready Watermelon Rind - Toamto Samabar to a serving dish.

13. Add mustard seeds, jeera, ingh and curry leaves seasoning to it.

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

Note :

Use a pressure cooker to cook watermelon rind pieces or it remains hard and the curry does not taste good. Do not over cook. 2 whistles are enough. You can cook the dal separately. Adding any other spices of your choice is optional. Remember use of home prepared spice is healthy. Adding fresh grated ginger is optional. The thickness of the curry can be your choice. If you like bit watery add more water and use little more spice. Or use more dal to get the thickness.
Time : 30 Momites.
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Home Prepared Spice Powder :

Dry roast, coriander seeds, ( 2 Tablespoons ), urid dal, 1/2 Teaspoon, red byadagi chilly  4 to 5, dry coconut (kobbari/Copra) 2 to 3 tablespoons. Dry grind once it is cooled. You can use this as spice powder for curries.

Jaggery Gulkand/ Rose Petals in Jaggery

Gulkand /Rose petals jam is very healthy extract from Rose petals.
Particular rose, ( light pink)  petals are dipped in jaggery or sugar and the rose scent is absorbed by jaggery/sugar and the petals starts to melt with jaggery. This syrup is known as Gulkand.

I have seen people go to eat gulkand as a sweet dish after their food. I also have seen Pan makers/Beetle leaves Paan use this gulkand to add the sweet taste. Now there are so many other essence available in the market.
We are very lucky to  have these pink rose plants in our home garden. ( Rose Plants are in the pot). We had been to one of our relation's house to see their terrace garden. They had beautiful flowers. They get the plants from a nursery which is very close to their house. We too thought of visiting the nursery and insisted our relatives to show the nursery. After seeing so many healthy plants we wanted to buy some flower plants Thats how we purchased these rose plants from that particular nursery.
The plants that we bought were so healthy and they still flower daily. The rose plants started to flowered and they are spreading the aromatic flavour around them.
Seeing these flowers I got this particular idea to prepare Gulkand. I got some  organic jaggery remaining in my kitchen. I used this jaggey ( Joni bella).
One has to wash the flowers nicely and check out for the worms before washing. Let it dry completely. ( The whole moisture should be evaporated ).

Let us see some benefits of having Gulkand in our diet.
Gul Means Rose Kand means sweet.
Gulkand is nothing but rose petals jam, a sweet preserve of rose petals. It is good for acitdity, gastritis, skin care, indigestion, ulcer and nosebleed, stress etc. Gulkand helps to reduce the excess heat in the body. It is good for people who suffer from itching, boils, blisters, Wrinkles and acne. It is a natural anti - aging treatment. Gulkand is rich in antioxidants, energy booster. Taking gulkand regularly helps to reduce severe ulcers, constipation and heart burning.  Use of gulkand in summer helps in preventing sun strokes, nostril bleeding and dizziness. Gulkand is good for excessive bleeding during menstruation. It also helps in providing glucose to our body and keeps us energetic. It prevents anemia. Gulkand is one of the health tonic and it keeps our metabolism healthy and fit. It helps in reducing acidity and a very good blood purifier.
Note :
Gulkand can be given to children every day. It provides energy and minerals.
 People who are diabetic do not consume this Gulkand every day.
Gulkand can be used while preparing sweets. It adds aroma (rose essence) and taste to the dish.
I have used this home made Gulkand to prepare Ragi Huri Hittu and Oats and Nuts Laddu.
They turned out to be a greater hit. I have distributed Oats - Nuts - Gulkand Laddu to some of our friends and relatives.

Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

Pink rose petals : 5 to 6 Rose flowers
Jaggery : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and separate rose petals and check . Put it on a plate or tray. Let all the moister disappear
from the flowers.

2. Now take a glass bottle and fill a teaspoon of jaggery and fill handful of rose petals.

3. Add little jaggery and then add some more rose petals. ( It should be done 2 or 3 times.

4. Take a bigger spoon and mix jaggery and rose petals slowly.
5. Cover the bottle with its lid and keep it in a corner or in the sunlight for 3 to 4 hours everyday. At least 2 to 3 hours a day till the petals turn soft. Mix it every day with a clean and dry spoon.
6. You can place it in fridge. Use it only after 8 to 10 days.   Or keep it out in the sun light for 3 to 4 days. And then you can use it. Use a clean dry spoon.
7. Rose Gulkand is ready to use and you can use it for sweets or you can also give this gulkand to people who are very weak, kids and elderly. It helps in boosting energy.

Note :

You should go on adding rospe petals and jaggery ( in small quantity.
Time : Adjust your time to prepare home made gulkand.
Recipe for Oats - Nuts - Gukand Unde / Laddu / Laadu

Oats Laddu :

Dry roast 5 to 6 glasses of oats on low flame slowly until the raw smell goes off. Let it cool.
Dry grind it. Dry grind  one full copra /kobbari. (Medium size).
Dry grind a cup of almonds and keep it aside.
Dry grind or cut figs, cashews, apricots,  walnuts into small pieces.
Add a handful of raisins.
Keep a pan and add 1 cup of grated jaggery. Add 1/4 cup of water and let it melt and starts to boil.
Sieve this jaggery water with a tea siever. (Filter it ). Keep the clean jaggery water on the flame.
Let it boil and turn 1 string consistency. Add dry ground oats, almonds coconut,  and cut/dry grind figs, cashews, walnuts and a handful of raisins. Mix it well nicely. Stir for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Add  1/2 Cup of ghee. (or little less ), a tablespoon of  gulkand and stir again, mix it well. Put off the fire.

 Now mix the sweet mixture again and take a handful of mixture. Prepare laddu and arrange in a tray.
Keep them in a glass jar /bottle  or air tight boxes once they are cool.
These Laddus were distributed to our friends.

Shelf stay : 1 Week . (If dry coconut /copra is used). 
OR 
2 to 3 Days. ( If fresh coconut is used). 
Time 30 Minutes.

Huri Hittu Unde :

Take 2 cups of f huri hittu ( Dry roasted ragi/finger millet), fresh coconut , some dry fruits/nuts
Put all the above ingredients in a big bowl, add grated coconut, 2 to 3 tablespoons of jaggery powder, 1 to 2 tablespoons of gulkand and 1 tablespoon of ghee. Mix all the ingredients nicely and prepare healthy Ragi Huri Hittina Unde. (Finger millet Laddu/Laadu/Unde).

Time : 10 to 15 minutes
Serves : As you wish. (15 to 18 Laddus can be prepared.
You can add this Gulkand to so many Sweets and give a teaspoon of  Gulkand to children every day that helps them to build strong bones and provide them energy.

Black Eyed Beans & Capsicum Uppittu.

Uppittu/Upma is one of the breakfast dish prepared using Rava/Rave/Semolina. It is one of the easy dish that can be prepared within minutes and it is yummy to have it for breakfast/snack.

Many people love to have Uppittu with a cup of coffee /tea and it is one of the good combination. Uppittu is prepared in varieties. Use of vegetables, onions, pulses are used to prepare uppittu.
We from Udupi normally prepare simple coconut uppittu. It has no onion and it does contain more of coconut. Any functions or weddings Uppittu is one of the dish that served as breakfast.
I have used black eyed beans, capsicum and medium sized rava for Uppittu/Upma.
I have heard people saying, they feel heavy when they eat uppittu and It is because of rava, rave/semolina. It has the quality of slow digestion. It keeps you full for a long time. That is the reason people who diet or work out (Gym) eat food that is prepared in Semolina/Rava.

NO ONION OR NO GARLIC is used in Black Eyed Beans & Capsicum Uppittu ".

I have used fresh black eyed beans which is available in the market.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients : 

Fresh Black Eyed Beans  : 1 Cup.
Capsicum : 1 (Medium size)
Green chilly : 2
Ginger : An inch
Rava/Semolina  Medium sized : 2 Cups
Ghee : 2 Tablespoons
Coconut Oil : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 8 to 10
Salt : As required
Water : 4 1/2  Cup
Lemon : 1 ( 2 Teaspoons).
Grated fresh coconut : 1 Cup
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons.

Method :

1. Remove and wash black eyed beans from its cover and cook till it turns soft. (Pressure cooker 2 whistles).
2. Keep water for boiling. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
3. Wash, green chilly, capsicum, coriander leaves and curry leaves. Cut them into small pieces.

4. Wash ginger and peel off its outer layer. Wash it again and grate it and keep it aside.
5. Keep a big pan on the fire and heat. Add oil, mustard seeds and urid dal. Let mustard seeds splutter.
6. Add cut green chilly and curry leaves. Add Rava /Semolina and fry till the raw smell goes off.

7. Add boiled water and mix it slowly. Add salt. Mix it well. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

8. Add cooked black eyed beans and mix it well. Add grated ginger. Mix it slowly. Let it be on low flame.

9. Keep a pan on the fire and put a tablespoon of oil. Fry cut capsicum nicely till it turns slightly soft.
10. Add this fried capsicum to Uppittu. Add lemon juice, mix  it well nicely and put off the gas.

11. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of ghee and grated coconut. Mix it again slowly and shift the ready Uppittu to a serving dish.

12.  Add cut coriander leaves and serve " Fresh black Eyed Beans & Capsicum Uppittu.

Note : 

Let the flame be very low while frying rava. Fry it nicely to get good texture of uppittu. Use of any cooking oil is optional. I used coconut oil. Use of more /less green chilly is optional. Use of ghee is optional. You can use little more oil instead of ghee. You can cook capsicum in little water and then add it instead of frying in oil. (Optional). Taste differ.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Fruits & Spicy Rava Rotti

This Fruits and Spicy Rava Rotti is some thing new and creation of my own idea. 

When I do prepare something its like what to change? What makes the food more interesting. How about adding this or that, so and so. Here is one such creation and that is Fruits & Spicy Rava Rotti.
I have used bottle gourd gratings, pomegranate seeds, apple gratings, coconut and little milk.
This rotti taste bit sweet and mild spicy. I have also used some spices like jeera/cumin seeds and chilly powder. The combination of fruits adds aroma to rotti.
Rotti is normally a favourite dish of many. Even I like any type of rotti and do prepare it as I like it. I am sure you too like it and really enjoy this yum yum rotti.
No onion or no garlic is used here. No sugar or jaggery is used here. It is the fruits give a very little sweet taste.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things needed :

Rava/Semolina : Medium sized : 2 Cups.
Bottle gourd :  1 Bowl. (1/2 of one medium sized bottle gourd)
Pomegranate seeds : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Ripe Banana : 1
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Chilly Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Milk : 1 Cup
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Oil/Ghee : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of bottle gourd and grate it.

2. Remove the skin of banana and smash it nicely.
3. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
4. Take a big bowl and put all these grated coconut, bottle gourd and salt.
5. Add milk,  smashed banana pomegranate seeds, jeera/cumin seeds and chilly powder.

6,. Add rava and mix all the ingredients nicely.
7. Let it rest for 10 minutes.

8. Keep a tava on the fire and heat. Add a teaspoon of oil. Spread it around.
9. Take a handful of rotti mixture and spread it on the hot tava. (Let the flame be low while spreading the batter).
10. Put some oil on the top of rotti and cook on medium flame. Cover and cook for a minute or little more.
11. Turn the other side and cook for a minute.

!2. Now the Fruits and Spicy Rava rotti is ready to serve. Serve with the side dish and a spoon of ghee on the top of hot rotti.

13. Repeat the same with remaining batter.

14. Ghee goes well with this Fruits and Spicy Rava Rotti.

Note : 

Use of curd instead of milk is optional. Rotti turns soft and nice. Adding little jaggery is optional.
Allowing the batter to rest, turns rotti soft and yummy. Use of milk or curd is optional. You can use normal water instead of boiled milk. Milk adds to the taste and aroma.
Time  : 30 to 40 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4 .