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 

Seeme Badame (Chayote Squash) - Carrot Curry

Seene Badane ( Chayote Squash ) - Carrot  Curry 

Seeme Badane kai (Chayote Squash) is very popularly referred as Bangalore badane (Bangalore Brinjal). It is also popular South Indian vegetable. It is used in different types of curries and vegetable stews and palya.(Dry Curry). In  Kannada Chayote Squash is known as Seeme Badane Kai , in Tamil Nadu it is known as "Chow Chow" and in Andra Pradesh it is known as Bangalore Vankayya . In Darjiling it is known as Ishkus and it must have derived from word "Squash".
In Karnataka it is well grown and very famous vegetable and we do prepare varieties of curries, palya and even use it rice in varieties. 

Lets see some benefits of eating Seeme Badane Kai. 
Chayote or Seeme Badane Kai is very low in Calories. They contain no saturated fats or cholesterol. They are rich source of dietary fiber, anti oxidants, menerals and Vitamins. They are good for weight lose. They are good source of Vitamin B- Complex and Vitamin C. They contain moderate level of potassium. 
The leaves and fruits have anti inflammatory properites and tea made from the leaves has been used in treatment of hypertension, arteriosclerosis and it helps to dissolve kidney stones.

Seeme Badane - Carrot Curry can be eaten with chapatis, poori, roti, dosa, idly and with plain rice. It is easy to prepare and will be liked by all age group.

There is no onions or garlic used. You can prepare this curry on festival days and on special days.

Things Needed : 

Seeme Badane Kai : 2
Carrots : 2
Coconut : 3 to 4 Table spoons. (1/2 Cup)
Jeera: 1 Tea spoon
Pepper : 5 to 6 pods
Green chilly : 2
Salt :to Taste
Oil (Coconut) : 1 Tea spoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tea spoon
Methi Seeds (Fenugrik seeds). : 3 to 4
Curry leaves : 5 to 6
Coriander Leaves : 1 Table spoon.
Ingh : a pinch
Turmeric powder : a pinch

Method : 

1. Wash and remove the outer skin (I do remove the outer skin ) of carrots and Seeme badane Kai and cut into pieces. Cook them with sufficient water.

2. Grate coconut and grind it with 1/2 tea spoon  jeera,  1/4  sppon of mustered seeds,
pepper pods (5 to 6 ) and green chilly. Remove from mixi jar and keep it aside.

3. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put oil, mustard seeds and methi seeds. Let the mustard seeds splutter.
4. Add curry leaves and jeera. Fry for 2 seconds.
5. Add cooked carrots and seeme badane kai. Mix it well. Add salt. Let it boil for 2 minutes.

6. Add ground jeera pepper, green chilly and coconut mixture. Add turmeric powder.

7, Add water if required and let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Add coriander leaves and mix it well.
8. Shift the ready Seeme badane kai curry to a serving dish.
9. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

10. You can also add thick curd (dahi or yogurt ) just before serving . Add curd , mix it well and serve it.

Note :

 You can use any cooking oil instead of coconut oil. You can also add some more vegetables like beans , peas etc. You can add lemon juice (lemon extract) at the end. You can also add cut onions if you like. You can add a pinch of turmeric powder to give yellowish colour to the the curry.
Time : 15 minutes
Serves : 2 to 3