Toor Dal - Ondelaga Chutney

Toor dal - Ondelaga Chutney is a side dish that goes well with most of the main dishes. We had this Toor Dal - Ondelaga chutney for lunch.

Ondelaga/Gotukola is used as culinary vegetable and it is a medicinal herb plant. 

I have used Toor dal, red byadagi chilly, ingh/Asafoetida, curry leaves, tamarind pulp and fresh coconut gratings.

Let us see some benefits of eating Ondelaga/Gotukola leaves in our diet.

The plant yield only one leaf in its stem so that it is called as Ondelaga. (One leaf). 

It is used as a culinary vegetable and as a medicinal herb. It is known a Mandukaparni In Sanskrit. It is in the shape of frog so that it got its name as Mandukaparni.
People call it as Brahmi also because it is loaded with medicinal values.
Its known as Ondelaga in Kannada/Karnataka.
Saraswathi Aku in Telugu/Andra pradesh.
Vallari Keerai in Tamil/Tamilnaadu
Karivan or Karivana in Marati /Maharasthtra
Kandha Brahmi in Gujrati /Gujarat
Thulkudi in Bengali /Bengal
Bengsag and Brahmi in Hindi

It helps in good relief for pains. It boost cognitive function.
 Ondelaga helps in reducing anxiety and stress. It helps in controlling the blood sugar level.
It also helps in reducing the swelling and improve the circulation of blood.
Gotukola is rich in anti inflammatory properties and helps to reduce the joint pains and arthritis.
It is good for memory power. It is good for our skin health and hair health.
Gotukola helps to detoxify our body and keeps us in good health
It is good for blood pressure since it helps in controlling the blood pressure level by decreasing the tension and anxiety in our body.
It is good for digestive disorders, helps in strengthening nervous function and memory power in us.
Let us see the recipe Now :
Do Not Fry the leaves when you cook. It looses its healthy benefits when it is cooked. It should be added at the end of the process of cooking.

Ingredients :
Ondelaga Leaves : 1 Handful
Toor Dal : 1 Tbs
Oil : 1/2  Tsps
Tamarind : Small marble size
Byadagi chilly : 4 to 5
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Salt : As required
Coconut : 1 Cup
To Season :
Oil : 1 Tsp
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tsp
Ingh : A little
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6

Method : 

1. Keep a small frying pan on the fire and heat. Add half tsp of oil, 1 tablespoon of toor dal.
2. Add 4 to 5 byadagi chilly and fry nicely till toor daal turns as golden red.
3. Add little ingh and put off the fire.

4. Add a handful of ONDELAGA leaves and mix it well. Keep it aside.

5. Soak little tamarind in warm water for 5 minutes and squeeze out the pulp. Keep the pulp aside.

6. Grate coconut and grind it with fried mixture, tamarind pulp, salt. Add water if required while grinding.
7. Take it out from the mixi jar and put it to a serving dish.

8. Add mustard seeds seasoning with little ingh and curry leaves.

9. Toor dal - Ondelaga Chutney is ready to serve.

10. Enjoy Toor Dal - Ondelaga Chutney with your food.

Note :

Fry dal till it turns golden brown. You should be careful while adding water if required.
Adding more chilly is optional.
Use or more coconut is optional.
Time : 15 to 20 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Soft and Spongy Set Dosa

Dosa or Dose is one of the favourite food of many and even me.  Though we do prepare dosa regularly, we still long to eat dosa. Crispy or soft, crunchy or thick butter or ghee or plain Dosa is one of the favourite food for me. Here I have prepared Soft and spongy Set dosa and I am sure you all will definitely like it and do try this method.

It is simple and remember it has to fermented well to get the good texture.
I have used Urid dal, dosa rice (raw), Avalakki/poha and methi seeds.
Urid dal is loaded with fiber and protein. It is said idli or dosa is one of the best breakfast food that provides energy and one would stay healthy and strong.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Raw Rice : 2 Cups
Urid dal : 1/2 Cup
Methi /Fenugrik seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Avalakki/Poha/Aval : 2 to 3 handful. (Thick or thin)
Salt : As required

Method :

1. Wash and soak raw rice, methi seeds, urid dal together or separate for 3 to 4 hours.
2. Soak Avalakki separately in a bowl. Add warm water. (Do not add boiling water).
3. Grind it with required water and put it in a big bowl.
4. Add salt and mix it  well. Let it ferment well. (Over night).

5. Next morning mix the batter and keep it ready to prepare dosa.
6. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Sprinkle some oil on top and clean it with a tissue.
7. Take a ladle of dosa batter and put it on the hot tava. (Let it be on l ow flame).

8. Sprinkle some oil on the top, cover and cook. (medium flame).

9. Turn the other side and cook for 30 seconds or little more.

10. Take it out and serve with your choice of side dishes.

11. Repeat the same and prepare set dosa.

12. Hot, soft and fluffy dosas are yummy to have.

Note :

I have used grinder to grind. If you are using mixi use little more urid. (one or two handful). Optional.
Use of ghee adds to the taste. While cooking add very little oil and then use ghee on the top.
While pouring the batter the pan should be very hot.Then reduce the heat.

Time : Soaking time : 3 to 4 hours + grinding time 15 to 20 minutes + fermentation : over night or 6 to 7 hours. Preparation and eating  Your choice.

Onion Uttappam

Onion Uttappa / Onion Dosa is one of the famous Dosa for many people. It is very yemmy, easy and filling Dosa and it keeps you full for a long time.

I have used a chopper to cut onions , it was so easy and quick. This chopper we bought it in Amezon and it very handy in our busy life. It helps us to chop many vegetables very easily.

Let us see some benefits of having ONION in our diet.

Onions are rich in vitamins and minerals. They are packed with Nutrients. They are low in calories.

They are rich in antioxidant properties. Onions helps to control blood sugar. They help to boost bone health. They are good source of antibacterial properties. Very good for digestion. They do contain medicinal properties. In olden day people used onions to cure headache, mouth sore and heart disease. Onion is filled with Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin B 9 and Vitamin B 6. It is a good source of potassium.

Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

Dosa Batter : 2 to 3 Cups

Onions : 2

Green chilly : 2 

Curry leaves : 8 to 10 

Coriander leaves : 1 Handful

Salt : A little 

Coconut gratings : 2 Tbs

Method :

1 Wash and chop onions washed curry leaves, coriander leaves, green chilly.

2. Cut or chop with the help of chopper. It helps to cut the ingredients into thin and small.

Grate coconut and add  to chopped mixture.

3. Keep a pan on the fire and heat.

4. Sprinkle some oil and pour a ladle of Dosa Batter. Put little oil on top and cook for a minute.

5. Spread some chopped mixture lightly on the top of dosa. Cover the lid..

6. Cook on low flame for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn the other side and cook.

7. Take out the Onion Uttappa and serve with butter and your choice of side dish.

8. The other method is just mix all the chopped mixture to dosa batter.

9. Add little oil on hot tava. Put a ladle of batter and cook on medium flame.

10. Turn the other side and cook. Serve with your choice of side dish and little butter on top.

Note : 

You can use Dosa batter or Idli batter to prepare ONION UTTAPPA. Do not spread dosa as thin. It should be small and fluffy to get the yummy taste. Add little oil on both side. Cook on low flame to get nice Dosa. Use of chopper is optional. You can cut into thin, small pieces with the kitchen knife.

Time : 30 Minutes

Serves : 2 to 3 .

Rava - Dals Ade / Dosa

Rava /Semolina - Dals dosa is rich in protein and good for breakfast or dinner.

Rava /Semolina dosa is very easy to prepare and you can prepare dosa with just ground batter or You can ferment the batter and then prepare crispy and yummy dosa.
I have used Moong dal, channa dal, toor dal, urid dal and a cup of Rava/semolina. I did not use any  soda or Eno salt. It is full of healthy breakfast and it keeps you full for a long time no doubt.

Let us see some benefits of Dals in our diet.

Dals are rich in protein and very essential for vegetarinas. Moong dal is full of protein and filled with nutrients. It is filled with manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, potassium, zinc and Vitamin B. Moong dal is easy to digest and low in cholesterol. It helps in regulating the blood sugar level and good for weight reducers.
Urid dal is filled with fiber. It improves and strengthen bones. It helps to boost energy and control blood sugar level. It is good for our skin. Urid dal is a good source of protein, potassium, iron, and Vitamin A and C.
Toor dal has good source of folic acid and good for pregnant women.It is filled with fiber. It contain proteins, potassium, iron, folic acid, magnesium and Vitamins.
Channa dal provides energy and good source of fiber. It is diabetic friendly and regulate the blood pressure level in our body.
 It is full of B Complex vitamins like Vitamin B 1 , B 2, B 3 and Vitamin B 9.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

Channa dal : 1 Cup
Toor Dal : 1 Cup
Moong Dal : 1 Cup
Urid Dal : 1 Cup
Semolina /Rava : Medium sized : 1 Cup
Salt : As required
Cooking Oil : 2 to 3 Tbs

Method :

1. Wash and soak urid dal, toor dal, moong dal and channa dal for 3 to 4 hours.

2. Grind it with required water.

3. Take out the batter to a big bowl.

4. Add a cup of medium size rava/semolina.

5. Add required salt and mix it well. Let it set for 10 to 15 minutes.

6. You can prepare dosa / adai with out fermenting the batter.

7. Or you can ferment the batter and then prepare dosa.

8. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Clean the tava with a tissue.

9. Add a ladle full of dosa batter and spread it in round shape. Add little oil and cook on both sides.

  8. Both the types of dosas ( with non ferment and ferment batter) dosas comes out nicely.

9. Enjoy with your choice of side dishes.
10 We like honey and had it with honey and pickle and chutney .

Note :

Do not add much water to grind the dals. You can add it later while mixing rava with dals.
Adding little pepper adds to aroma and taste. Good for health too.
Adding Vegetables like grated carrots and onions is optional.
Fermented batter turns the dosa crispy. You need to be little careful since it cooks up quickly.
Adding more or less oil while preparing dosa is optional. Adding more ghee or oil adds to the taste.
Serves : 3 to 4
Time : Dals : Soaking time : 4 Hours - Grinding + 5 Minutes (Mixi), preparing dosa : 20 minutes.
(Without fermentation) and fermentation 3 to 4 hours .

Urid Dal Kadubu in Banana leaf

Urid dal kadubu is one of the traditional dish from South Canana./Udupi/Malenadu/Mangalore. 
It is an easy dish, loaded with healthy spices like ginger, curry leaves, coriander leaves and green chilly.

It can be done as soon as you grind the batter. No need to be fermented.
Let us see some benefits of having Urid dal in our diet.
Urid dal is protein rich and steaming is one of the healthiest way to have good food.
Urid dal is filled with fiber. It is easy to digest and improve our digestive health. It protects heart and boost energy. It improves our bone health. Strengthen our nervous system. It is good for our skin and hair. Urid dal contains good amout of vitamins and minerals. It helps in boosting our metabolism.
It is rich in vitamin B, folic acid, iron, and calcium. It does contain magnesium and potassium.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this Urid dal Kadubu.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Urid dal : 1 to 1 1/2 cups
Raw Rice : 1 Handful
Banana Leaves : 5 to 6 pieces.
Ginger : 1 Tablespoon
Green chilly : 1
Curry Leaves : 10 to 12 leaves
Coriander leaves : 1 Handful
Coconut pieces : 3 to 4 Tbs
Salt : As required

Method :

1. Wash and soak urid dal and rice separately for 2 to 3 Hours.
2. Wash and cut coriander leaves, curry leaves.
3. Wash ginger and remove the outer layer and grate it.
4. Cut coconut pieces and keep it aside.

5. Drain water from soaked urid dal and grind it with required water. Let it be fine paste.

6. Add rice and coconut pieces and grind it in rava consistency.

7. Remove it from the mixi jar and put it to a big bowl.

8. Add required salt, cut coriander leaves, curry leaves, grated ginger and cut green chilly.
9. Mix all the ingredients nicely.

10. Wash banana leaves and put a spoon of Urid dal batter to each leaf.

11. Fold them and arrange them in a plate.

12. Keep a idli cooker or pressure cooker on fire and put some water in it. Let the water boil.

13. Arrange the folded banana leaves in a cooker plate and close the lid.

14. Cook for 30 to 35 minutes on medium and flame.

15. Take out the lid and check whether the kadubu is done. Take out from the cooker and arrange on a big plate.

16. Serve them with coconut chutney and ghee.

Note :

Do not use much water to grind. Adding more chilly is optional. I have not added any cooking soda or eno. Adding coconut pieces adds to the taste. Rice should be ground into rava consistency. or Kadubu turns very hard.
Time : Cooking time 30 Minutes + Soaking time 2 to 3 hours.
Serves : 2 to 3.