DrumStick Saambar.

Drumstick/Nugge Kai is one of the favourite vegetable of many people. The drumstick sambar is very tasty, aromatic and healthy.

Drumstick is known in different names. Nugge Kai in Kannada, Muringakai-Tamil and Munnakaya/Muluku Kada/ Munaga in Telugu. Sahijjan/Shinga/Segva in Hindi and Saragvani/Saragavo in Gujarathi. Moska Saang - Konkani, Shevaga/Sheng/Sheerenga in Marathi, Sajana Chhun in Oriya and Savonjna in Punjabi.
Lets see some benefits of having Drumstik in our diet.
Drumstick is rich in B-complex vitamins, vitamin B6, Vitamin B-1 , B2, B3., Vitamin A and Vitamin C. They are good source of Calcium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc and magnesium. Drumstick leaves are good source of calcium. Calcium is required for bone strengthening. It is good for nursing mothers and people who suffer from malnutrition. Drumstick contain good amount of anti oxidants and helps in curing eye problems. It also helps in preventing liver damage and antioxidants sources help in prevent the damage against free radicals. It also helps in regulating thyroid functions. Drumstick is a natural antiseptic herb.
It is a simple and tasty sambar and it goes well with idli, dosa, rotti, chapati and almost all main dishes.

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Drumsticks/Nuggekai : 4 to 5
Toor dal : 1/2 Cup
Radish/ Mooli /Moolangi : 2
To Grind :
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Sambar Powder : 1 Tablespoon (Full)
Tamarind : a small marble size
To Add :
Salt : as required
Ground Masala
Coriander Leaves :  1 Tablespoon
Turmeric powder : a pinch
Seasoning :
Oil 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh : a pinch
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6

Method :

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of the hard drum sticks. Cut it into small pieces.
2. Wash and cook dal with required water. (pressure cook for 8 to 10 minutes).
3. Wash and remove the outer layer of moolangi/radish and cut it into pieces.

4. Now cook drum stick pieces and radish pieces till they turn soft.
5. Grate coconut and grind it with tamarind and sambar powder.

6. Now keep a pan on the fire. Put cooked drum stick pieces, cooked dal.
7. Add salt and turmeric powder. Mix it well. Let it cook for 2 minutes.
8. Add ground coconut mixture. Mix it well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

9. Shift the curry to a serving dish. Add mustard seasoning and coriander leaves.

10. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

You can use moong dal instead of toor dal. Cook drumstick till they turn soft. (do not over cook).
Adding onions and garlic is optional. Adding any brand sambar powder is optional. I have used home made sambar powder.
For Sambar Powder : Dry roast, methi seeds 1/4 teaspoon, 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of coriander seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of urid dal, 5 to 6 red chilly ( I have used byadagi chilly) and 1/4 Teaspoon of jeera. Ingh and curry leaves. Dry roast all these ingredients one by one and dry grind it till powder.
Sambar Powder is ready to use. (1 Time use).
Time : 30 minutes
Serves : 4.

Radish - Basale Sambar. ( Curry with out coconut).

Radish/Moolangi/Mooli is one of the healthy vegetable and you get plenty in almost all the season.
Basale/ Malabar spinach is a perinial vine and it is also called as Pui/Vine spinach/ climbing spinach, creeping spinach, buffalo spinach and Ceylon spinach.
Radish and Basale Saambar is a good combination and it mixes well with each other. I have used some home made powder with simple spices and added to the curry. Radish -Basale Sambar goes well with all the main dish like plain rice, chapatis, roti, dosa, idli and all most all the dishes.

Lets see some benefits of this Basale leaves.
Basale soppu/leaves are rich in Vitamins like A Vitamin, Vitamin C Iron and Calcium. They are also rich in soluble fiber and helps in  digestion.
Lets also see some benefits of using coriander seeds in our cooking.
coriander seeds contain many plant -derived chemical compounds and they are good source of anti oxidants, disease preventing and health promoting properties. They are good digestive and anti flatulent properties. Coriander seeds are good dietary fiber and help easing constipation condition. They also help to control cholesterol levels. The seeds are excellent source of minerals like iron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and magnesium. They also contain anti oxidant vitamins, Vitamin C and Vital B. They contain anti diabetic properties and produce insulin and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It reduces the amount of LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase the amount of HDL.(Good cholesterol) in blood. (Drinking coriander water daily helps to reduce the diabetes). It is good for people who suffer from anemia. It is a good solution to detox the body. Coriander seeds contain natural compounds that helps to detoxify the body and remove toxic content from the body. It is good for our eyes. It is good remedy for conjunctivitis. They try to prevent other eye disease and problems. High anti oxidant property in coriander helps to reduce redness, itchiness and inflammation in the eye. It is also good for women who suffer from heavy menstrual flow and irregular periods. ( boil a teaspoon of coriander seeds in a cup of water and add jaggery to it. Drink this coriander water when it is warm or hot).
I have used Mooli (Radish), home grown Basale and some spices, which are always available at home. Try this sambar and enjoy. It is easy and simple and healthy.

Lets see the recipe now. 

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Basale/ Malabar spinach Leaves : 1 Bowl.
Radish : 2 to 3
Toor Dal/Moong dal : 1/2 Cup
To Roast : (Dry or with a spoon of cooking oil) and dry grind 
Coriander seeds : 2 Tablespoons
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Red chilly : 5 to 6
Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Ingh : a pinch
To Add : 
Cooked dal, radish and cooked basale leaves 
Tamarind Pulp :2 Tablespoons
Salt : as required
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard, curry leaves and ingh/Asafoetida seasoning : 1 Tablespoon

Method : 

1. Wash and pressure cook toor dal for 6 to 8 minutes and allow it to cool.
2. Wash and cut radish and basale/malabar spinach into small pieces. (radish according to your wish big/small).

3. Dry roast methi seeds, urid dal, coriander seeds, red chilly, jeera one by one and add curry leaves and ingh/asfoetida.
4. Dry grind roasted spice when it is cool and remove from the mixi jar. Keep it aside.
5. Now keep a pan on the fire and put cooked dal, radish/mooli, tamarind pulp and salt.

6. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and let it cook for 2 minutes. Add dry ground powder and mix it well.
7. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in between. Shift the sambar (gravy/curry) to the serving dish.

8. Add mustard seeds seasoning and coriander leaves. Add a spoon of fresh ghee and serve with main dish you have prepared.

Note :

You can use any edible leaves instead of basale leaves. Using Moong dal is instead of toor dal is also optional. You can fry the spice with a tea spoon of oil. It adds to the taste. You can also use any ready sambar powder instead of home made powder. Adding ghee to the sambar is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes
Servings : 4 to 5

Methi-Mooli- Palak Parata

Methi - Mooli -Palak Parata is a simply superb item for the breakfast or dinner. It is full of energetic and loaded with all vitamins and minerals. It is easy to prepare like any other paratas. We can eat these Paratas with a cup of curd and pickle. Paratas are from Punjab and North India and they use lots of ghee, butter or oil to prepare paratas. It will be full of spices like garam masala or other masalas. It is not that easy to digest. But I think In their region they do hard work and it will be easily digested.
One of the evening when I was lazy to cook, idea of putting all these, mooli (Rasdish), Methi Leaves and Palak leaves together just flashed in my mind.. Mooli, Methi and Palak leaves are used with some garam masala, jeera and chilly powder.
Mooli is Radish . ( In Kannda Langutage we call as Moolangi). 
Lets see some benefits of eating Mehti Leaves and Palak Leaves.
Methi or fenugreek leaves are rich in medical properties. They contain protein, fibre, Vitamin C, Potassium, Iron. They help to reduce cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease. It helps to control blood sugar levels in diabetics. Fenugreek helps to relieve indigestion and treats constipation. They are rich in anti oxidants. Methi leaves are good for hair and skin .
Palak Leaves or  Spinach as it is known as is a wonderful green leafy vegetable is full of nutritious, anti oxidantants  and anti cancer composition. They are rich source of several vital anti oxidant  Vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and beta carotene. The leaves contain good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, magnesium, copper and zinc.It is also good source of omega-3 fatty acids.

" Methi -Mooli -Palak Parata" is a simple and easy dish and we can have them for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Things needed :

Radish : 2 (Medium size)
Methi leaves : 1Bundle (Small)
Palak leaves : 1  Bundle (Small)
Red chilly powder : 1/2 Tea spoon
Garam Masala Powder : 1/2 Tea spoon
Jeera : 1/2 Tea spoon
Turmeric Powder : a little
Salt : as required
Oil : 3 to 4 Table spoons
Wheat flour : 2 to 3 Cups

Method :

1. Wash and remove the outer skin of radish slightly and grate. Keep it aside.

2.  Wash and clean the leaves and cut into small and keep it aside.

3 Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and jeera. Fry for 1 minute.

4. Add grated radish and fry for 2 minutes. Add cut palak and methi leaves.
5. Fry them till they are soft. Add chilly powder, garam masala powder, salt and turmeric powder.
6. Mix it well and fry till the moisture disappear.

7. Take a big bowl and  put wheat flour. Add fried radish + leaves mixture to the wheat flour.

8. Mix it nicely and prepare dough ( use water if required) . Keep it aside.

 9. Divide the dough in to small portions. Take a small portion of the dough and roll them as Chapati.

10. Keep a Dosa Pan on the fire. Heat and put the rolled Parata on the tava and cook on both side.
11. Sprinkle oil on both sides and cook . Remove from the pan once it is done.

12. Repeat the same with remaining dough. Serve Methi - Mooli - Palak Parata with a cup of curd and pickle or chutney powder or any curry you prepared.

 You can also pack these Methi Mooli Palak Paratas to office or Kids Lunch box. ( with tomato Ketch Up ).

Note : Parata is nice to eat with curd. (yogurt). Adding onions or garlic while frying is optional. You can also  add coriander leaves. ( Cut it into thin). Adding  spice (masala powder) like chat masala or bhav bhaji masala or channa masala is optional.
Time : Preparation time : 10  Minutes. 
Cooking Time : 20 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4

Radish Tambuli & Rava Rotti

Radish Tambuli is one of the side dish and we can have them with plain or  any masla (spicy) Rice, Chapati, Poori or any kind of rotis.(Naan, Parata etc).
Tambuli is a famous South Canara dish and it is served first. It is prepared using any vegetable (most of the vegetables) and lightly spiced with jeera and pepper. Then added butter milk or curd. Tampu means cool and huli means gravy dish. Tampina Huli has become Tambuli. It helps to cool our body. The weather in Southern part of Karnataka, is screeching hot. Eating these type of Curd or Butter milk preparation helps to cool and take care of our health. Radish Tambuli is not only tasty it is good for health too.  Radish is called as  Moolangi in Kannada language.
Lets see some benefits of eating Radish in our diet.
Radish is very good for the liver and stomach. It contain anti oxidants and it purifies blood and eliminates toxins and waste. Very good for treating Jaundice. Radish contain fiber and roughage and this helps for good digestion and helps in curing constipation and piles.
 Regular use of Radish helps to solve urinary disorder problems and juice from the radish helps to cure inflammation and burning feeling during the urinary infection..Radish is good for people who suffer from respiratory disorder, Bronchitis and Astama. They help to decreases congestion of respiratory system since they contain anti congestion qualities. They are rich in vitamins and protect the respiratory system. They are rich source of potassium and helps to maintain the blood pressure and diabetes.They also rich in Vitamin C and helps to build a good immune system in our body. The other benefits like, radish work as a good appetizer, mouth and breath freshener, laxative and metabolism regulator. Regular eating of radish help to improve blood circulation. They are good treatment for headaches, acidity, constipation, nausea, obesity, sore throat, whooping cough, gall stone treatment and gastric problems.
Radish Tambuli should be eaten for lunch .I have prepared Rava rotti using this Tambuli. We all liked it and you can give a try too..
This is an easy and healthy recipe. The remaining tambuli is used for Rava Rotti (next day breakfast) with carrot.

1. Radish Tambuli :

Things Needed :
Radish  : 2
Red Chilly : 1
Pepper Pods : 3 to 4
Jeera : : 1/2 Tea spoon
Coconut : 1 Table spoon
Salt : required salt
Curd : 1 small cup
Ingh : a pinch
Ghee : 1 Tea spoon
Curry leaves : 5 to 6

Method :
1. Wash and remove the outer skin of Radish. (slightly scrape it out.).
2. Wash again and cut them in to small pieces.
3. Keep a small pan on the fire. Add ghee and 1/4 Tea spoon of jeera, pepper pods and a red chilly.

4. Fry nicely till jeera turn bit brown. Add cut radish, 2 to 3 curry leaves and ingh.
5. Slightly fry them for 1 minute. Put off the fire and leave it for cooling.

6. Grind this fried radish mixture with a table spoon of coconut, required salt and very little water. ( till paste).

7. Remove from the mixi jar and put it in a small bowl. Add curd to it. Mix it well.

8. Add jeera and curry leaves splutter. Radish Tambuli is ready to serve.

Note : Adding savoury curd enriches the taste of Radish tambuli. You can add butter milk instead of curd. The consistency is according to your taste. When you add buttermilk it turns very watery. I have added curd. Buttermilk can be used for grinding mooli and coconut mixture too. Using butter milk is healthy optional.
Serves : 4 to 5
Time : 10 minutes.

2. Carrot - Rava Rotti using  Radish Tumbuli.

 Things Needed :
Medium size Rava : (Semolina) : 2 Cups
Carrot : 2 (Medium size)
Radish Tambuli : 1 cup
Salt : Required
Oil : 3 to 4 Table spoon
Method :
1. Take a big bowl. Add Tambuli , rava, salt  and carrot. Mix it well.

2. Add required water and prepare the dough. (Little thicker than idli dough consistency).

3. Keep a dosa pan on the fire. Heat. Sprinkle little oil all over the pan.
4. Now let the flame be low. Take a handful of the rotti dough and spread it slowly like circle form.
5. Sprinkle little more oil on the roti and level the roti in same thickness. Cover and cook on both sides. ( let the flame be medium while
  cooking). Turn the other side and cook on that side for 20 seconds. Rava Rotti is ready to serve.

 6. Repeat the same with remaining dough.
7. Serve with any side dish you have prepared.

Ready to Serve Rava Rotti with Raw Jack Curry.

Note : You can add onions, capsicum to the dough. Taste may differ. ( I did not). Adding more coconut also adds to the taste. ( I did not). Serve with little butter on the top of Rotti.( optional). Do not use any stale tambuli. It is not healthy and you might be sick. Adding more chilly is optional. You can also use Ragi, Jola or Rice flour instead of Rava.
Time : 30 minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4.