Sweet Potato Fries.

Sweet potatoes fries are fried dish and you can munch them with a cup of hot coffee or tea. You can have them with your lunch or dinner also. As always it is easy to prepare.

I just fried thin cut sweet potatoes. And then added little chilly powder and salt.
Some pieces are dipped in besan and rice flour combination with spices and salt.
One more variety is that fried bajji/fritters are served with corn, cucumber, carrot salad. The salad is coated with chat masala and the combination is yummy.
Eating fried dishes is always fun. Hot chips or any fritters during the rainy day make us to munch more and more. It is said the body needs some oiling during rainy season and winter. Do not feel guilty. Eat them and have a good walk or some exercise later.
Lets see the munchy crunchy sweet potato recipe and get ready to prepare hot fries.

Things Needed :

Sweet potato : 1 (Big one)
Channa/besan flour : 1 Cup (small)
Rice flour : 1 cup (small)
Red chilly powder : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera/ Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : required
Oil : 1 Cup (to fry)

Method 

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of the sweet potato. Wash it again and cut into small thin slices and keep it aside.
2. Take a big bowl and put besan / channa flour, rice flour and salt.

3. Add red chilly and jeera to the flour mixture. Mix it well and add little water and make as thick dough. (dough consistency should be like idli dough).

4. Keep frying pan on the fire Heat and put oil. Let it get hot.
5. Now dip each slice (pieces) of sweet potato and coat them with the dough and put them in the hot oil. Let the flame be medium.
6. Let to cook till golden brown and turn them to the other side and cook for 1 minute.

7. Put them on the kitchen sheet. Let the extra oil go off.

 8. Serve hot Sweet potato bajji.fritters with ketch up. We had it with Carrot, cucumber and corn salad.

Salad preparation : Wash and grate carrot, cut cucumber into small pieces. Take a bowl and mix corn , grated carrots, and slightly boiled corns. Mix it well and add little salt and a pinch of chat masala powder. Mix it well. Arrange the bajji according to your wish and serve. 

Note :

Wash the sweet potato thoroughly. Cut them in to thin pieces. Let the oil be hot. Fry them on medium flame. Adding garlic is optional.
Remove the husk and the skin of garlic and just pound it or crush it or cut into thin pieces. No need add any oil to the dough. Adding rice flour not only gives the crispness to the bajji. Adding cooking soda is optional. I have not added any garlic or oil to the dough.
20 to 30  pieces can be prepared 
Time : 20 Minutes.

Sweet Potato Fries.:
Method :
Wash and cut Sweet potatoes in to slices. (bit thick). Keep oil on the fire and heat. Fry them in hot oil till they turn brown. (both sides).
Remove from the hot oil and put it on a kitchen tissue. Put them in a big bowl. Add red chilly powder( 1/4 Teaspoon), Chat masala 1/4 teaspoon and a lttle salt. Mix it well and serve. Kids will love to had this. It will be slightly crunchy, soft inside. You can munch them while watching tv, reading a book and as I said kids will enjoy it thoroughly.

Time : 10 minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3

Sweet Potato - Capsicum Dry Curry

                  Ready to Serve Sweet Potato - Capsicum Dry Curry

Sweet Potato - Capsicum Palya or dry curry is a side dish. I do love Sweet Potatoes so much and keep trying dishes using Sweet Potato. This time it is Sweet Potato with Capsicum. and it really a good aromatic tasty dish. We can have them with plain rice, chapati or poori or roti or dosa. This combination of Sweet Potato and Capsicum is a good combo. Not much of spices are used. This can be one of the side dish. Sweet potatoes are used in cooking and many varieties of dishes are prepared. For example, Sweet Potato Upma  Sambar, Dry curry, curd curry and salads and sweet versions with sweet potato are Holige ( Sweet Paratha), Payasa, Halva,  Papad (Happala in Kannada) and many more 
Lets see the benefits of having Sweet Potatoes and Capsicum in our diet. 

Sweet Potatoes are good source of vitamin C and B6 vitamins. They contain potassium and it is helpful for our heart and it lowers blood pressure by maintaining fluid balance and helps to regulate the heart beat. They also help to control blood sugar and maintaining the  energy. Sweet Potatoes contain Vitamin D and it plays an important role in our energy level, moods and helps to build healthy bones, heart , nerves, skin and teeth and it supports the thyroid gland. They contain Iron and iron plays an important role in our body, including red and white blood cell production , resistance to stress, proper immune functions and the metabolizing of protein. They are good source of magnesium also. Magnesium is necessary for healthy artery, blood, bone, heart, muscle and nerve function. They contain high source of fiber and good for digestion.
Adding Capsicum helps to keep our skin clear, prevents rashes and pimples. They contain Vitamin A and Vitamin A is good for eyes and helps to prevent eye diseases. Capsicum is a good pain reliever and it prevents the sensation of pain. It is helpful in treating pain related diseases. It helps to burn more calories. It helps to reduce weight and prevents indigestion. It regulates blood pressure and lower the cholesterol.
"Sweet Potato - Capsicum Dry Curry" do not contain Onions or Garlic and we can prepare this curry on special days and festival or feast. 
 Lets see the recipe.

Things Needed :

Sweet Potatoes : 3 to 4
Capsicum : 1 (Big)
Mustard seeds : 1/2  Tea Spoon
Urid Dal : 1/2 Tea spoon
Jeera : 1/2 Tea spoon
Chilly Powder : 1/2 Tea spoon
Garam Masala Powder : 1/2 Tea spoon

Oil : 1 Table spoon
Ingh : a pinch
Salt : Required
Coconut : 2 to 3 Table spoons
Coriander leaves : 1 Table spoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6 

Method :

1. Wash all the vegetables .(Sweet Potatoes, Capsicum, coriander leaves, curry leaves )

2. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
3. Remove the outer skin of Sweet Potato and cut it into small and put it in a bowl of water. Cut capsicum and keep it aside.

4. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put oil, mustard seeds, and Urid dal. Let the mustard spurt. Add jeera and ingh
5. Add curry leaves and Capsicum. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes.

6. Add cut sweet potato pieces and fry for 2 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of water (or less also will do).
7. Add little turmeric powder and mix it well. Cover with lid and cook on low flame.

8. Let all the moisture disappear. Add salt, chilly powder, coconut and garam masala powder.

9. Stir slowly and mix the ingredients nicely on low flame. Add a tea spoon of fresh oil on the top.
10. Let it cook on low flame for 2 minutes. Now turn off the fire
11. Mix it nicely and shift the curry to a serving dish.

12. Add cut coriander leaves and serve with plain rice or chapati. Add a spoon of ghee to a plain rice just before serving.

Note :
Do not add much water. Add little water and just watch. It should not get burnt too. Adding more oil is optional. Adding coconut to the curry is also optional.  ( I have added coconut since it adds to the taste. Adding onions or garlic also an optional. ( I have not added).
Time : 15 Minutes.
Serves : 4.

Dil Leaves - Sweet Potato Palya (Dry Curry ) & Samosa

Palya (Kannada language) is a dry curry and we can prepare palya with almost all vegetables. It is one of the side dish and goes well with plain rice, chapatis, roti and poori. I just tried Dil leaves- sweet potato palya as I always do a bit different from the normal. Combination of dil leaves and sweet potato goes very well. A bit of sweetness from sweet potato and aroma from dil leaves makes the dish really yummy.

I prepared Samosas using the same palya. Used 2 cups of wheat flour and 1 cup of maida for the outer layer. Indeed Samosa came out very well and no need to say that we all enjoyed eating and eating these Samosas
I have not used onions or garlic but there is always an option you can add onion & garlic if you wish to.

Things Needed : Dil Leaves - Sweet Potato Palya .(Dry curry)

Sweet Potatoes : 5 to 6
Dil leaves : 1 Bundle
Green chilly : 2 to 3
Ginger : grated : 1 Tea spoon ( a small piece )
Garam Masala powder : 1/2 Tea spoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tea spoon
Jeera : 1/2 Tea spoon
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Coriander leaves : 2 Table spoons
Salt : to Taste
Oil :1 Table spoon

Method : 

1. Wash and cut dil leaves. Remove the outer skin of sweet potato and cut them into small.

2. Wash and cut green chilly, grate ginger and keep it aside.
3. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add  1 Table spoon of oil and mustard seeds. Let the mustard seeds splutter.

 4. Add jeera and fry for 10 seconds. Add dil leaves and cut sweet potato and fry for 1 minutes.

5. Add little (1/4 cup or less) water and cook on low flame. Let the vegetables cook. (Do not over cook).

6. Mix it nicely and add grated ginger, garam masala  and cut green chilly. Mix it well.
7. Let all the moisture disappear. Add little turmeric and required salt. Mix it well.
8. Add coriander leaves and mix it well and put the ready palya to a serving bowl.

Note : 

Do not over cook or do not add more watery. The taste differ. You can also add cut onions to this Curry. Adding less oil is always a heathy  ppoint. You can also add grated coconut to this curry. ( I did not add coconut ). You can also add little red chilly powder to make the palya little spicy.
Time : 15 Minutes.
Serves : 4 to 5

Dil Leaves - Sweet Potato Samosa

Things Needed : 

Dil leaves - Sweet Potato curry : 2 Cups
Wheat Flour : 2 cups.
Maida (All purpose flour) : 1 Cup
Oil : 2 cups
Ghee : 1 Table spoon
Salt : to taste
Jeera : 1/2 Tea spoon

Method :

1. Dry roast wheat flour and maida separately for 2 to 3 minutes each. Allow them to cool.

 2. Put roasted flours in a big pan or bowl and add a spoon of ghee and mix it well.

3. Add water ( little by little ) and prepare the thick dough.
4, Divide the dough in to small portions and turn the small portion in to round.

5. Dip each ball before you roll and flatten it with a chapati roller. Cut the rolled chapati in to two portions.
6. Take one cut flattened chapati and fill Dil leaves - Sweet potato palya and press it nicely and prepare samosas.

7. Keep a frying pan and put oil. Heat oil and fry Samosas one by one on low flame till they turn crispy.

 Fry on both sides til brown and remove from the pan. Place it on kitchen tissue. It helps to absorbs extra oil.

 8. Repeat the same with remaining dough and prepare samosas.

9. Serve with any type of chutney or ketch up.
10. We had this samosa with green and sweet chutney and coconut chutney.

. We also had this Samossa with a cup of Curd (Yogurt ).

Note : 

Do not prepare the dough too soft. It will absorb more oil. Fry them on low flame to get the crispness.
Use of Maida instead of wheat is optional. I just tried with wheat and it was good . Use of more vegetables like carrot, peas and beans also can be used along with sweet potatoes.Do not roll the dough too thin or too thick. Do not use stale palya. It should be fresh.
Time :  40 Minutes
15 to 16 Samosas can be prepared.

Sweet Potato -Carrot Dry Curry

Sweet Potato - Carrot Curry is a dry curry and we can have them with bread, buns , chapatis pooris or even with Rice. (Plain or Masala). Just thought of using both vegetables and prepare some thing for buns. It goes well with buns. You can also try this dish to top up the roasted bread or bread toast.

You all know the benefits of eating Sweet Potato and carrots in our daily diet.
Sweet potato are loved by kids as well as adults. Sweet Potatoes do not contain saturated fats and cholesterol and it is rich source of dietary fiber, anti -oxidants, vitamins and minerals.It is recommended as a healthy food supplement even in diabetes. Sweet Potatoes are excellent source of beta- carotene and vitamin -A. These compounds are powerful natural antioxidants. Vitamin A is required by the body to maintaion integrity of healthy mucus membranes and skin. It is a vital nutrient for healthy vision. Sweet potatoes provides a good amount of vital minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium, are very essential for the body.

Eating carrots help to improve the vision. Carrots are good source of anti- oxidants and helps to slow down the aging of cells.They are rich source of  vitamin A and Vitamin C. They are rich in Many B complex groups of vitamins such as folic acid. They are full of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium, manganese and phosphorus.

Here is a recipe of  " Sweet Potato -Carrots Dry Curry",  which is easy to prepare and njoy having this with whole family members of all age group..I am sure every one will definitely love this curry.

Things Needed :

Sweet Potatoes : 2 to 3
Carrots : 2
Tomatoes : 2
Garam Masala : 1 Table spoon
Green chilly : 1
Ginger : 1 Table spoon (grated)
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tea spoon
Urid Dal : 1/2 Tea spoon
Jeera : 1/2 Tea spoon
Salt : to taste
Oil : 2 Table spoon
curry leaves : 1 Handful
Coriander leaves : 2 Table spoons.

Method :

1. Wash and boil or pressure cook sweet potatoes and remove the skin and smash the sweet potatoes and keep it aside.
2. Wash and grate carrots, ginger, cut tomatoes, green chilly, coriander leaves and keep it aside.

3. Now keep the pan on the fire put oil and heat. Put mustard seeds , urid dal and let it spurt.

4. Add jeera and curry leaves . Add cut tomatoes and fry nicely. Add green chilly and garam masala  and fry for 1 minute.

5. Fry till tomatoes turn thick. Add cooked and smashed  sweet potatoes and mix it well.

6. Add grated carrots, required salt and mix it well slowly.

7. Cook on low flame so that it does not get burnt.
8. Add cut coriander leaves and take out the sweet potato carrot dry curry and shift it to the serving bowl.

9. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.
10. I served this " Sweet Potato -Carrots dry curry " with poories.

11. I also had this curry with buns just like  " Dabeli " ,

12.. I just put some Sweet Potato curry in the middle of the bun and put some roasted ground nuts. It was really nice to have them.

 Note :

Do not over cook sweet potatoes.  You can add green peas (fresh) to this curry. You can add more spices, onions and garlic. (I did not use any of these).
Time : 20 Minutes
Serves : 4 to 5