Sweet Potato - Methi Parata

Sweet Potato - Methi leaves parota is like full meal. Sweet potatoes provides energy for us and is good for health. I have tried the combination of methi leaves and sweet potato.

When you have some sweet potatoes in your kitchen tray, feel like eating something with bit sweet and spicy, if you are a parata lover or when your kid or children protest to eat leaves , you can try this parata. Please do remember me.  :).
 Sweet Potato easy one of the healthy vegetable that we can simply use in our kitchen with full heart.
Let us see the recipe now :
I used boiled sweet potato, methi leaves and some simple spices.
No garlic or Onion is used in this tummy filling yummy  Paratas.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Sweet Potato : 1 Big size
Methi leaves : 1 Medium size bundle
Wheat flour : 2 Cups or little more
Red chilly powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Garam Masala Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera / Cumin seeds powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Cooking Oil :  4 to 5 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and cut methi leaves into small.
2. Boil sweet potato and allow it to cool. Peel off the outer layer.

3. Now take a big bowl, add sweet potato and smash it.
4. Add cut methi leaves, jeera powder, turmeric powder, chilly powder, garam masala powder and salt.

5. Mix it nicely and add wheat flour and prepare the dough. Do not add water.
6. Mix it well, add a tablespoon of ghee and kneed the dough nicely.

7. Divide the dough into small portions.
8. Take a small portion of the dough and turn as ball shape and dip in dry wheat flour.
9. Now it is ready to roll. Roll it as flat and round.
10. Keep a pan on the fire and heat.  Put rolled Sweet Potato - Methi Parata on hot tava.

11. Add a teaspoon of oil and let it cook. Turn the other side and cook for 1 minute.
12. Now Sweet Potato - Methi parata is ready to serve.
13. Repeat the same with remaining Paratas.

14. Serve Sweet Potato - Methi Paratas with a cup of curd or any curry that you have prepared.

Note :

No need to add water, because sweet potato contain lots of water. Methi leaves can be roasted for 2 to 3 minutes before adding. ( Optional ).
Adding any spice is optional.  Use of ghee is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3.

Seeme Badane - Sweet Potato Jeera Curry

Seeme badane kai /Chayote Squash is one of the healthy vegetable. It grows in plenty during winter and is healthy too. I have tried Sweet potato and Seeme Badane Kai jeera curry and the combination of the vegetable suits so well. The curry came out so well and I would like you also try and enjoy this yummy side dish.

Starting of November as the rains stops slowly these Seeme badanekai plants starts to give out the vegetables. It is a climber plant and the vegetables are curvy shaped vegetables which are rich in minerals and vitamins.

Let us see the benefits of eating " Chayote Squash " in our diet.

Chayote squash/Seeme badanekai has no saturated fat or cholesterol. It is a rich source of dietary fiber. The vegetable has good amount of minerals vitamins and good for weight loss. They do contain B complex Vitamins, folates, potassium and Vitamin C. Chayote Squash helps in dissolving kidney stones and regulating high blood pressure. They are good for people suffering from constipation.
No Onion OR No Garlic is added in this " Seeme Badane - Sweet Potato Jeera Curry".
I have used Chayote Squash/Seeme Badanekai (Kannada language), Sweet potatoes, jeera, green chilly and coconut. This curry goes well with almost all the main dishes.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Chayote Squash/Seeme badanekai : 2
Sweet Potatoes :  1 (Medium sized)
Moong or Toor Dal : 1/4 Cup
Methi seeds/Fenugrik Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
To Grind :
Coconut : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ginger : A small piece
Green chilly : 2 to 3
To Add : 
Salt : As required
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Turmeric powder : A pinch
To Season : 
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8 leaves

Method :

1. Wash and pressure cook moong dal and methi seeds with required water ( I have used moong dal) and keep it aside.
2. Wash and remove the outer layers of sweet potatoes and chayote squash nicely.

3. Cut them into small pieces and cook with required water.

4. Grate coconut and grind it with jeera, cut ginger and green chilly with required water till paste.
5. Now keep a pan and put cooked dal, cooked veggies. Add turmeric powder and salt.

6. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Add ground coconut jeera mixture and mix it well.

7. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in between so that it does not get burnt.
8. Shift curry to a serving bowl. Add mustard, jeera and curry leaves seasonings.
9. Serve with hot rice or any choice of your main dish.

Note :

It is better to cook veggies separately. Keep the veggies in a big pan and put some water and then cook till they turn soft. Use of any cooking oil is optional. Use of more/less chilly is optional.
Use of garlic or onions are optional. You can add carrots, beans to this curry. I have not used any curd or tamaraind since the curry is very mild.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3 
Type : South Indian/South Canara /Udupi.

Sweet Potato - Basale (Malabar Spinach) Curry

Sweet Potato - Basale (Malabar Spinach) Curry is a gravy dish. Basale/Malabar Spinach is loaded with healthy properties and grow nicely even in pots. I have used one full bowl of leaves from our home garden.

I have used Basale, sweet potatoes, coconut and some spices.
Let us see some benefits of having Tamarind in our diet.
Tamarind contain chemincal compounds, minerals, vitamins and dietary fiber. The dietary fiber in tamarind helps in preventing constipation. They also help in reducing the bad cholesterol level in our body. Tamarind is rich in tartaric acid. It gives sour taste to food and it is powerful antioxidant. It helps our body to protect from harmful free radicals. Tamarind has rich source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium. Potassium helps in controlling heart beat and blood pressure. Iron content in tamarind helps in production of red blood cells. Tamarind has good source of Vitamin A, folic acid, Vitamin C.
" Sweet Potato - Basale Curry " goes well with almost all the main dish.
Let us see the recipe now:

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Basale  /Malabar Spinach 1 bundle
Sweet potatoes : 2
To Grind :
Coconut : 1/2 cup
Red byadagi chilly : 4 to 5
Coriander seeds : 1 1/2 Tablespoons
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Tamarind : Small marble size
Seasoning ;
Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds " 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : a pinch
To add :
Salt : To taste
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and cut Malabar Spinach/Basale leaves and keep it aside.
2. Wash and remove the outer layer of sweet potato and wash it again and cut it into desired size.

3. Cook Basale/Malabar Spinach and sweet potato till soft.
4. Grate coconut and grind it with tamarind (remove the seeds if any), raw coriander seeds and jeera.
5. Grind it nicely and remove from the mixi jar. ( Use only required water).

6. Keep a pan on the fire and put cooked sweet potato and basale /malabar spinach.
7. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and required salt. Mix it well and let it boil for a minute.
8. Add ground coconut -spice mixture and mix it well. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

9. Shift the ready Sweet Potato - Basale curry to a serving dish.
10. Add cut coriander leaves and mustard seasoning.

11. Add a spoon of ghee and mix it nicely.
12. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note:

You can use a pressure cooker to cook leaves and sweet potatoes. (Optional). This curry is called Hasi Huli (curry) since the spices are used raw. (Not roasted). Use of jaggery is optional. I have not used.
It has no dals in in it. (Toor /Moong). Use of dals are optional. You can also use very little (1 teaspoon of) soaked raw rice while grinding coconut and spices. It helps the curry to be thick but the taste differ.  I have not used. This is one of traditional raw spice curry in Dakshina Kannada/South Canara and Malenadu side. Use of onions and garlic is optional. I have not used.
Time : 20 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4 

Saura Yugadi/Vishu/Tamil New Year Day Feast

       Happy Saura Yugadi/Vishu/Tamil New Year Day to One and All. God Bless All.

Saura Yugadi is a New Year for Hindus, who follow Panchangam (Calendar),  which is created according to Solar calendar. Some part of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu (New Year ) and Kerala (Vishu ) celebrate Soura  Yugadi festival.  Normally Soura Yugadi falls on April 14 or 15th. That day will be Sankramana or Sankranti Day. (Each month Sankranthi falls on 14/15).

   In Karnataka This festival is celebrated by keeping the " Kani " in the pooja room.

In Karnataka This festival is celebrated by keeping the " Kani " in the pooja room. Kani will be arranged in a big tray or big plate by placing a Coconut, Cucumber, Fruits and Flowers. The small mirror in the front of coconut and the God's photo or statue is kept. New year panchangam/calender is also placed in the tray. This Kani should be seen first in the mirror when you get up in the Yugadi day. Then follows the oil bath and pooja. Keeping the Kani might be because to "Samarpan" (Thanking him for his generous kindness on growing the necessary things),  the things which we got in the Nature. Festival dishes are cooked and eaten with family together.
Panchangam is read after the lunch feast to know about the future happenings of the whole year. (Rains, crops etc etc).
The feast food is some payasam (mostly channa dal and cashew kheer), Tondekai /Ivy gourd/Tindora palya with raw cashew, rice, rasam and curry. Cashews are just grown and ready to crop during this time. Even the cucumber is also ready to cut. Making use of the crops which we got from the nature.We should be Thankful to God the Creator.
I have prepared my own recipes which are easy and simple and healthy.
Lets see the recipe now:
1. Southekai (Cucumber) Peel + Doddipatre Chutney
2. Tondekai (Ivy Gourd) Palya (Dry Curry)
3. Southekai Sasive (Cucumber & Mustard curry)
4. Seeme Badane & Sweet Potato Jeera Curry.
5. Channa Dal Kheer
6. Channa Dal Holige (This can be prepared on the previous Day )
7. Soft Mysore Pak
Lets see the recipe one by one

1. Southekai (Cucumber) Peel + Doddapatre Chutney.

Things Needed :
Southekai (Mangalore Southekai) Peel : 1 Cup
Dodda Patre leaves : 6 to 8
Red chilly : 5 to 6
Tamarind : a small marble size
Coconut : 1/2 Cup
Urid dal : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : to taste
Mustard, ingh, curry leaves seasoning : 1 Teaspoon
Oil : 2 Teaspoons

Method :
Keep a pan on the fire, heat and put a spoon of oil. Add a tablespoon of urid dal and fry. Add red chilly little ingh and curry leaves. Let the urid dal turn slightly golden brown. Add cucumber peel and doddapatre leaves and fry till they turn soft. Put off the fire and add coconut. Let it be cool.
Now grind this fried ingredients with little water till paste. (or your desired consistency). Add salt and grind for 10 seconds. Put this ground chutney to a serving dish and add mustard seasoning and serve. (As one of the side dish).

2. Tondekai Palya(Ivy gourd dry curry)

Things Needed : 
Tondekai (Ivy gourd) : 1/4 Kg
Coconut : 2 Tablespoons
Rasam Powder : 1 Teaspoon
Green chilly : 1
Salt : as required
Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 4 to 5
Coriander Leaves : 1 Tablespoon
Tamarind pulp or lemon extract : 1 Teaspoon

Method : 
Wash and cut ivy gourd, green chilly and coriander leaves. Grate coconut and dry grind it with green chilly..
Keep a pan on the fire and add oil. Add mustard seeds and let it splutter. Add curry leaves and cut tondekai pieces. Mix it nicely and add required water. (1/2 cup). Let it turn soft. Add little turmeric powder, rasam powder and tamarind pulp. Add salt. Mix it nicely. Let all the moisture disappear. Now add dry ground coconut and mix it nicely. Put this ready tondekai palya in a serving dish and add cut coriander leaves. Palya is ready to serve.

3. SoutheKai (Mangalore cucumber) Sasive 

This is one of the side dish and served in the beginning of the lunch.
Things Needed :
SoutheKai  : 1 Cup
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Green chilly : 2
Coconut : 2 Tablespoons
Ingh : a pinch
Curd/Yogurt : 1 Cup
Salt : Required
Jeera Seasoning :  Oil : 1/2 Teaspoon, Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon, Curry leaves : 5 to 6 , Ingh : a pinch

Method :
Wash and cut cucumber (with its skin) into small pieces. Grate or cut coconut. Now grind green chilly, cut cucumber pieces, coconut, mustard seeds and little ingh. Grind it to paste consistency and remove from the mixi jar. Put it in a bowl. Add curd and required salt. Shift it to the serving bowl.
Add jeera seasoning and serve.

4. Seeme badane kai (Chayote Squash) & Sweet Potato Curry

Things Needed :
Moong Dal : 1/4 Cup
Seeme badane Kai : 2
Sweet potato : 1
Coconut : 1 Cup
Jeera : 1 Teaspoon
Green chilly : 2
Ingh : a little
Turmeric powder : a pinch
Salt : as required
Mustard seasoning : Oil :1 Teaspoon, Mustard season : 1/2 Teaspoon, Curry Leaves : 5 to 6 leaves, ingh a pinch

Method : 
Wash and remove the outer skin of seeme badane kai, sweet potatoes.
Wash and cook moong dal in a pressure cooker. Cook seeme badane kai pieces and sweet potatoes.
Grate and grind coconut with green chilly and jeera with little water.
Keep a big pan on the fire. Add cooked vegetables and moong dal. Add salt, turmeric powder and mix it well. Let it cook for 2 minutes. Add ground coconut jeera mixture to the curry. Add water if required. Mix it well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Shift this curry to a serving bowl and add mustard seasoning and serve.

5. Channa dal Kheer (Payasa)

Things Needed :
Channa dal : 1/2 Cup
Coconut : 1 Cup
Cardamom : 4 to 5 pods
Jaggery : 1/2 Cup
Thick Avalakki : 1/2 Cup
Ghee : 1 Teaspoon
Method : 
Wash and pressure cook channa dal (8 to 10 minutes). Wash avalakki and keep it aside.
Grate coconut and grind it nicely with cardamom. ( You can add a spoon of raw rice while grinding).
Keep a big pan on the fire and put cooked channa dal, jaggery and avalakki. Let it cook for 2 minutes. Add ground coconut and cardamom mixture and cook for another 2 minutes and put it in a serving dish.

6. Channa Dal Holige :

CHANNA - TOOR -COCONUT -HOLIGE

7. Soft Mysore Pak (It can be prepared on previous day)

Things Needed :
Channa flour/Besan/Kadale Hittu : 1 Cup
Sugar : 2 Cups (or little less)
Ghee : 2 Cups
Cardamom : 5 to 6 Pods

Method :
Melt the ghee into complete liquid form. Apply ghee to a tray or plate. Powder cardamom.
Dry roast or fry channa dal till the raw smell disappear. Powder it nicely by hand once it is cooled.
Keep a pan on the fire and put sugar and add 1/2 cup of water. Mix it nicely and stir till it dissolve nicely. Keep stirring. Sugar content starts bubble. Let it bubble for 1 to 2 minute.
Add roasted channa flour and mix it nicely. Add a little ghee and keep stirring. Add ghee in between little by little. Stir continuously till the content starts changing its colour and starts coming up.
It starts leaving the edges. Stir for  another 2 to 3 minutes. Add powdered cardamom and stir again and pour this content to a ghee applied plate. Cut according to your desired shape once it is slightly cool.
Happy Soura Yugadi to Each and Every One.

Yugadi/Ugadi Festival Feast.

Happy Yugadi/Ugadi To All ...   "Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu...Samasta Sanmangalani Bhavanthu ". 
Festivals bring us joy and happiness in our life. It is also the best time we spend with our near and dear ones. Exchanging wishes and sweets are the sweet moments in every one's life. Time to have Lunch or Dinner with our family/friends. A sweet and lovely moments spent with our people is always cherished in life.

I have written the importance of Yugadi Festival in my previous post. Celebrating New Year beginning with Pooja and Elders Ashirwada (blessings) is a good beginning too. Houses will be decorated with fresh Mango, Neem leaves and fresh flowers. Rangolis are spread in bigger way, taking oil bath in the morning and wearing new dress. Having festival/feast food with all the family members. Wow these things really freshen up and takes back to our childhood days.
Yugadi is here and it is the first day of our New Year according to Hindu Panchangam. " Happy
New Year - Happy Yugadi/Ugadi/Gudi Padva ". Lets all pray for Every one's good health. Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu , Sarva Sanmangalni Bhavantu".
The feast dishes are normally according to the one's traditions and customs. The family has continued its elders footstep and followed how they have celebrated.
Let us know how do they celebrate Yugadi in Raychoor District. (in Karntaka State).
I usually go for a short walk in the evening. I met a lady called Kusuma (while walking), who hails from Soraba (Near Sagar), We started talking about the Yugadi Celebration and naturally it turned to the dishes that we prepare. Bevu bella and the way it is prepared etc etc. I always listen to people when they talk. She started telling about how do they take Bevu bella. It is something interesting In their house (Husband is from Raichoor district) They call it as Shavige sosodu. (Drain the shavige after cooking). Let me tell the whole procedure. They cook shavige (payasam shavige is used here) with more water. Once the shavige/vermicelli  is cooked the extra water is to be drained out. They add some amount of jaggary to shavige and cook till it turns thick.  Add required water if it requires. Mix it nicely and let it boil for a while. At first they serve cooked shavige jaggery mixture and serve bevu bella mixture separately. Then it is mixed together and eaten. Interesting to note right? One more thing to note is that they use only neem flowers. (No neem leaves are added). That's the way of celebrating Yugadi. It sounded interesting to me.
Each place has its own importance in celebrating and keeping up the traditions and customs.
We pray God and Wish Each one Happy Yugadi/Ugadi. Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu.
The food we eat should be light and not with much hard work put up while cooking. One gets tired and lose the interest in the rest of the day. My advice is Cook simple and easy dishes and relax and enjoy. You can prepare the sweet dish on previous day, (except payasa)  if you are not keeping it for Neivedyam for God.
Lets see the festival dishes Now.
1. Carrot Capsicum Pachdi or Raitha
2. Sweet Potato-Capsicum Fry
3. Colour Cucumber/Mangalore Cucumber Bolu Huli/Dal
4. Avalakki/Flattened Rice Chitranna
5. Jack Fruit Payasa/Kheer
6. Seven Cups Burfi
7. Brinjal Bajji /Pakoda

1. Carrot Capsicum Pachdi or Raitha:

Things Needed :
Carrots : 2
Capsicum : 1
Green chilly : 1
Curry Leaves : 3 to 4
Coriander Leaves : 1 Tablespoon
Curd : 1 Small cup
Salt : To taste
Mustard Seasoning :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon,
Jeera/1/2 Teaspoon
 ingh: a pinch,
Curry leaves : 3 to 4
Oil : 1/2 Teaspoon
Method : 
Wash and cut capsicum and grate carrots and keep it aside. Keep a pan on the fire and put oil. Put mustard seeds. let it splutter. Add cut green chilly, jeera and c4 urry leaves. Add ingh. Mix it well and add grated carrots and cut capsicum. Mix it nicely and let it cook on low flame till soft.( 3 to 4 minutes. Add salt. Put off the fire. Let it cool. Add required curd and cut coriander leaves. Mix it well just before serving.

2. Sweet Potato -Capsicum Fry

Things Needed :
Sweet Potatoes : 2 to 3
Capsicum : 1
Turmeric powder : a pinch
Dry ginger powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Chilly Powder/Rasam Powder : 2 Teaspoons
Jeera Powder : 1 Teaspoon
Salt : To taste
Seasoning :
Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons
Ingh/Asafoetida : a pinch
Method :
Wash and remove the outer layer (optional) and cut sweet potatoes and capsicum in to thin pieces. Keep a pan on the fire and add oil. Let it be hot. Add mustard seeds, methi seeds. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add ingh, jeera and curry leaves and leave it for 30 seconds. Add cut capsicum and fry nicely for a minute. Add cut sweet potatoes and mix it nicely. Let it cook on low flame. It takes about 4 to 5 minutes to soften. Sprinkle water on the top. It helps to cook sweet potatoes fast. Add salt, chilly powder, jeera powder and turmeric powder. Mix it slowly and nicely. Let it cook on low flame for 1 minute. Mix nicely and remove it from the pan to a serving dish. Add cut coriander leaves and mix it nicely just before serving.

3. Mangalore Curcumber/Colour Cucumber Bolu Huli (No coconut or no powdered masala.

Things Needed :
Cucumber :1/2
Toor /Moong dal : 1/2 Cup
Green chilly : 2 to 3
Coriander Leaves : 1 handful
Tamarind Pulp ; 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : Required salt
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coconut Oil (optional) : 1Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : a Pinch
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Method : 
Wash and remove the outer skin of cucumber and cut  into small pieces. Cook with little water till they turn soft. Wash and pressure cook toor/moong dal and leave it for cooling.
Soak tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp.
Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put coconut oil and heat. Add mustard seeds, let it splutter. Add ingh and curry leaves. Add cut green chilly. Fry for 10 seconds and add cooked dal, cucumber pieces and tamarind pulp. Add a pinch of turmeric, required salt and jaggery. Mix it well and boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in between so that it does not get burnt. Shift the curry to a serving bowl and add coriander leaves.

4. Avalakki/Flattened Chitranna (instead of rice you can prepare Avalakki Chitranna)

Things needed :
Avalakki : 2 Cups (Thick variety)
Mango gratings : 2 Tablespoons. (I have used Totapuri Mango)
Green chilly : 2
Jaggery : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : As required
Coconut : 1/2 Cup
Oil/Ghee : 2 Tablespoons
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid Dal : 1 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 8 to 10 Leaves
Method :
Wash and soak avalakki for 5 Minutes. (Or remove all the water and keep it). Grate mango and coconut. Wash and cut green chilly. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil. Add mustard seeds and urid dal. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add cut green chilly and curry leaves. Fry for a second. Add grated mango and fry for 10 seconds. Add Avalakki, jaggery, salt and turmeric. Mix it nicely and slowly. Let all the moisture disappear. Mix it well and put off the fire. Add a spoon of ghee and grated coconut. Avalakki Chitranna is ready to serve.

5. Jack fruit Payasa /Kheer. (Jack fruits are available in the market. It is nice to make Jack fruit Payasa).

Things Needed :
Jackfruits : 8 to 10
Jaggery : 1/2 Cup
Cardamom Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Fresh Coconut : 1 Cup
Cashew Nuts : 5 to 6
Method : 
Cut Jack fruits into small and cook with little water and jaggery. Powder cardamom. Grate coconut and grind it nicely till paste. Add ground coconut to cooked jack fruit jaggery conten. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Put off the fire and add ghee fried cashews and cardamom powder. Mix it well and serve.
Adjust jaggery according to your taste. You can also use coconut milk instead of ground coconut.

6. Seven Cups Burfi : (This burfi can be prepared previous day to save your time and energy).

Things Needed :
Channa flour/Besan/Kadale Hittu : 1 Cup
Oil : 1 Cup
Ghee : 1/2 Cup
Sugar : 2 1/2 Cups
Coconut : 1 Cup
Milk : 1 Cup
Cardamom Powder : 1 Teaspoon
Method :
Keep a big pan on the fire. Add 2 tablespoons of ghee. Heat and let it melt. Add channa flour and fry nicely till the raw smell disappear. Put off the fire. Add milk, sugar, oil and grated coconut. Mix it well. See that it is clear and well mixed. Put on the fire and stir continuously til it starts leaving the pan. Add little by little ghee in between. Once the content starts leaving the pan remove the mixture and shift it to ghee applied tray or plate. Let it cool a bit. Cut it according to your wish. It stays for more than a week.
Note : Do it on low flame and it is easy to prepare. Using ghee/oil is optional. Adding more ghee adds taste to the burfi. Adding coconut is also optional. I have used dry coconut/Copra.

20 to 25 Burfi pieces can be made. (depend on the size).

7. Brinjal Pakoda/Bajji (If you like fried dish in your festival lunch you can give a try)

Things Needed :
Brinjal : 1
Besan /Channa flour : 1/2 Cup
Salt : As required
Red chilly powder : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1 Teaspoonl
Ingh/ Asafoetida : a pinch
Oil : 1 Cup
Method :
Mix besan, chilly powder, jeera, salt, ingh in a big bowl. Add required water and prepare dough. (idli dough consistency). Wash and cut brinjal/egg plant in circle shape. (Better to use round brinjal). Wash it again. Keep a frying pan on the fire. Add oil and heat. Dip cut brinjal in besan dough and fry them one by one. Fry both sides on medium flame. Repeat the same with remaining dough.
Note : The dough should not be too thick or thin. If it is thin it absorbs more oil. It the dough is too thick bajji/fritter might turn hard. So take care of the dough while using water. You can add little rice flour to get the crispness. Cooking soda/Baking powder is not required.

All the dishes can be served for 4 to 5 people.