Sweet Potato - Avalakki (Flattened Rice) Cutlet.

Sweet potato and Avalakki (Flattened/Beatened Rice) Cutlet is a snack dish and you can enjoy them in the evening. Cutlets are very famous spicy dish.
I have used boiled sweet potatoes, thick Poha/Poa/Aval/Avalakki or Beaten/Flattened rice. Some spices to give them yummy spicy taste. I just put the cutlets on the tava and roasted with oil. (very little oil). They were Yummy and came out very well. You can try adding your own spice and giving a twist and enjoy.

Cutlets can be eaten as snack and some time as dinner too (if it is healthy version). It can be roasted with very little oil. Cutlets are nice to have with any chutney, ketchup or sweet and spicy chutney. There are various ways to prepare cutlets. This is my own creation and I have not used any bread or bread crumbs. The dough is just a mixture of sweet potatoes, Avalakki and spice mixture.
Garam Masala is a mixture of spices like clove, cinnamon, cardamom, jeera, nut mug and other spices.
Lets see some benefits of having cloves in our diet.
Clove is an herb and all the parts of clove plant is used. The dried bud, stems and leaves are used to make medicine. Clove oil is loaded with medicinal properties.
Cloves are loaded with many health benefits. It is very good aid for indigestion. It has antimicrobial properties. They protect the liver, boost the immune system, control diabetes and helps the bone to be strong. Cloves also helps as medicine for headaches, bad breathe and toothache. Cloves contain dietary fiber and minerals like vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D and Vitamin K.
Lets see the recipe now:

Things Needed : 

Sweet Potatoes : 4 to 5 (medium size)
Flattened Rice/Avalakki/Poha (Thick Variety) : 1 Cup
Green Chilly : 2 to 3
Coriander Leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Oats : (optional) : 2 Tablespoons
Ginger : an inch
Garam Masala : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Chilly Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Oil : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Cashew nuts : 10 numbers (split ones)

Method :

1. Wash cook sweet potatoes in a pressure cooker for 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the outer skin of sweet potatoes when it turns cool.
2. Wash thick variety of avalakki and soak avalakki with little water.

3. Wash and cut green chilly, coriander leaves into small.

4. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and wash it again. Grate it and keep it aside.
5.Take a big bowl. Put sweet potatoes, soaked avalakki, cut green chilly, coriander and salt.
6. Add oats (no need to fry or roast), garam masala, red chilly powder and jeera.

7. Mix all the ingredients nicely and prepare thick dough.
8. Now divide the dough into small portions. Flatten them according to your wish.
9. Keep tava on the fire and heat. Sprinkle oil on the tava.

10. Arrange the cutlets on the tava and roast them on low and medium flame.
11. It turns golden brown. Turn the other side and cook til they turn slightly golden brown.

12. Serve hot Sweet Potato Cutlets with ketch up/Hot spicy chutney and sweet chutney or coconut chutney..
13. Repeat the same with remaining dough.
14. You can also serve Sweet Potato Cutlet with a cup of curd.

Note :

Do not over cook sweet potatoes. It will be very soft and you will not be able to prepare proper cutlets. Adding more avalakki is optional. You can fry these cutlets in oil. ( I prefer roasting cutlet on tava). No onions or garlic is used. (optional). Adding more masala is optional. I did not add any bread or corn flour to the dough. (optional). Adding cashew nuts is optional. Just slightly insert one cashew piece on each cutlet. If you feel the dough consistency is bit soft add some bread/rava (sooji) and it binds the dough nicely.
Time : 30 to 40 minutes
Serves : 4 to 5

Sweet Potato Curry

Sweet potatoes are plenty in the market during winter, Sweet potatoes are one of the healthy vegetable also. Preparing some or the other dishes using this vegetable is really good Idea. I have noted that Swathi Iyer has used Sweet Potatoes in her baking. That's a great idea to use Sweet Potatoes. We South Canara  (Southern part of Karnataka) people do make use of sweet potatoes in our cooking. So many dishes can be prepared with sweet potatoes. Curry, paratha, upma, payasa, papad jamoon etc etc the list goes on.

READY TO EAT SWEET POTATO CURRY WITH HOT POORIS

Here is a simple recipe that every one can try and enjoy having it as one of the side dish. It is easy and healthy. Not much of spices either.
I have used sweet potatoes, onions and some chilly. We had it with Poori. It goes well with rotis, chapati, dosa or idli even one of the side dish while serving with rice.
Let us see some benefits of " Sweet Potatoes " in our diet.
Sweet Potatoes are packed with nutritional values. They are filled with Vitamin A, loads of fiber and potassium. They also contain less calories. Sweet potatoes are said to be decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. they help to increase the energy and lower the weight. They help to reduce the risk of low blood sugar and insulin resistance in diabetic people. They are packed with many essential vitamins and minerals. They contain minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium. They are full of fiber and good for people who suffer from constipation and it helps in easy digestion. Sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin C and beta carotene and it helps o boost immunity power in the body. Sweet Potatoes have anti inflammatory properties. Sweet Potatoes are good for Eye health. ( It contain Vitamin A which is good for Vision).

Lets see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

Sweet Potatoes : 2 to 3 (Medium Sized)
Onions : 2 (Medium Sized)
Green Chilly : 2
Curry leaves : 5 to 6
Ginger : 1 Teaspoon (Grated).
Salt : To taste
Basan/Channa flour : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon
Oil : 2 Tablespoons (Any cooking oil).

Method : 

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of sweet potatoe. Cut them into small and cook with little water. (Till soft).

2. Remove the outer layer of onions and wash. Cut it into thin stripes. Keep it aside.
3. Wash and cut green chilly and curry leaves and coriander leaves. \
4. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger. Wash it again and grate it. Keep it aside.
5. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil. Add mustard seeds. Let it splutter.
6. Add jeera/cumin seeds, green chilly and curry leaves.

7. Add cut onions and fry nicely. Add water and let it cook till soft. (1/2 a cup of water).
8. Now add little turmeric powder and mix it well. Add required salt. Add grated ginger.

9. Add cooked sweet potato once the onions turn soft and mix it well. Let it cook for 1 minute.
10. Put channa flour/besan/Kadlae hittu in a glass. Add 1/2 cup of water and mix it well.

11. Pour this besan mix to the cooking sweet potato. Let it cook for 2 minutes. Mix in between so that it does not get burnt.
12. Shift the sweet potato curry to a serving dish. Add cut coriander leaves, mix it well and serve it with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

You can add little garam masla to the curry (Add it when the curry is cooking). Adding garlic is optional. Adding more chilly is also optional. Adding gram flour/channa flour /besan helps to thicken the curry. Add a teaspoon of lemon extract. (It taste good). You can cook sweet potato (as whole ...just wash it and then cook) in pressure cooker is optional. But some time it will over cooked and smashed. The taste varies.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4

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.