Seeme Badane and Peas Curry ( Without Toor Dal )

Seeme badane/Chayote Squash is one of the vegetable which is available round the year. As usual you can do many dishes using this vegetable. Here I have done a simple curry with chayote squash and peas  which is very easy and it is without toor dal.

Normally curry /Huli means vegetables cooked with toor dal and mixed with spices grinding with coconut. Use of coconut is more in Dakshina Kannada /Mangalore/Udupi and Malenadu areas. Reason may be the life style, the weather, the food and the workload. It was those days people did very hard work, so that they could digest the food they eat. Use of coconut in cooking is very healthy habit, since coconut is full of minerals and vitamins. It is rich in fiber and easy to digest. Help to produce good cholesterol and helps in the growth of good hormones.
I have used fresh grated coconut, fresh rasam powder, seeme badane/chayote squash little jeera.
Let us see the recipe now :
No Onion or No garlic in this Seeme Badane Curry.

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Seeme badane /Chayote Squash : 2
Fresh Peas : 1 Cup
To grind :
Fresh grated coconut : 1Cup
Rasam Powder : 2 Teaspoons
Tamarind : A small marble size
To Add : 
Turmeric powder : A pinch
Salt : As required
Ghee : 1 Teaspoon
Methi seeds : 5 to 6
Seasoning :
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh / Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry leaves : 6 to 8

Method :

1. Wash and remove the seeme badane outer layer. Remove the pea pods and wash it.

2. Remove the seed in side and cut them into small pieces.

3. Pressure cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Put off the gas. ( You can cook separately with out using pressure cooker. ( Optional ).

4. Grate coconut and grind it with rasam powder and tamarind. (Remove tamarind pod if it is inside).

5. Keep a pan on the fire and put cooked seeme badane and peas. Add salt, turmeric powder and mix it. Cook for 2 minutes. Add dry methi seeds.
6. Add ground coconut - rasam powder mixture and mix it well. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

7. Shift the curry to a serving dish and add seasoning.
8. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note : 

Use of pressure cooker to cook vegetables is optional.
Use of any cooking oil for seasoning is optional.
Use of tamarind pulp instead of tamarind is optional. Soak tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp and use it.
Use of any brand rasam powder instead of fresh rasam powder is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4 People.

For fresh rasam powder :

  Dry roast, 1/4 Teaspoon of methi seeds, 2 Tablespoons of coriander seeds, 1/2 Teaspoon of jeera and 5 to 6 byadagi chilly. Add little ingh. Put off the fire and dry grind when the dry roast spices cools. Dry roast on low flame.

Boiled Rice Idli ( ಕೊಚ್ಚಕ್ಕಿ ಗಿಡ್ಡೆ )

Boiled rice idli is one of the traditional dish of South Canara.
We call this idli as Kochige Gidde. Boiled rice idlis are good for breakfast and Snack in the evenings. No need of urid dal or fermentation for this type of idli.

I have used only boiled rice (boiled rice from South Canara), fresh grated coconut.
Kochige gidde can be prepared using raw rice and boiled rice also.
It is always better to soak boiled rice in boiling water, so that the rice will be well soaked and grinding becomes very easy. Fresh coconut adds to the taste and gidde taste yummy.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things  Needed

Boiled Rice : 2 Cups
Coconut : 1 Full cup ( 1/2 Coconut )
Salt : To taste

 Method :

1. Wash and soak boiled rice in boiling water for over night or 5 to 6 hours.

2. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
3. Drain all the water from soaked rice and grind it with grated coconut.Let it be like medium size rava consistency. Add required water while grinding.

 4. Remove the batter from the mixi jar and add salt. Mix it well.

5. Wash idli plates and apply oil/ghee to each idli mould.
6. Mix the batter nicely and pour a ladle of idli batter to each idli mould.

7. Keep a pressure cooker/idli cooker on the fire. Put some water. Let it get heated.
8. Arrange the idli plates and keep it in the cooker and cook for 20 to 25 minutes.

9. Remove the idlis from the idli plates and put it in a serving dish.

10.Serve hot boiled rice idli with ghee/coconut oil and jaggery/any side dish of your choice.

 Note :

 The batter need not be fermented. No need to use any urid dal. You can grind the batter at night and keep it in the fridge. Use of more coconut not only adds to the taste, it also helps the idli to be soft. These idlis are not that soft as normal urdi dal idlis.
Time :  5 to 6 Hours to soak the rice + 5 minutes to grind (Mixi jar) + 25 minutes to cook
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Bottle gourd - Carrots Mango fruit Curry

Mango fruits season is here and we do eat and enjoy these fruits. Mango is known as King of fruits and is loved by most of the people. Mango fruits are also used in our curries and drinks, chutney/gojju and even in ice creams.
Here is one of the Traditional curry using Mango fruits in it. Curries are cooked by adding fruit
mangoes and it is one of the traditional curry done during Mango Fruit season.

I have used bottle gourd, carrots and mango fruits.
Let us see the recipe now "

Things Needed :

To cook:
Bottle Gourd Pieces : 1 Bowl (1 Small bottle gourd)
Carrots : 2 : ( 1 small bowl)
To Fry :
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Methi/Fenugrik seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Red chilly : Byadagi chilli : 4 to 5
Ingh : A pinch
Curry leaves : 6 to 8 or little more
To Grind :
Fried spices
Coconut : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
To Add : 
Salt : As required
Mango Fruits : 2 ( Medium sized and well ripen)
Coconut oil seasoning : 1 Teaspoon
To Season :
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Methi seeds : 2 to 3 seeds
Ingh : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6

Method 

1. Wash and peel of the outer layer of bottle gourd and carrots. Cut them in to pieces.
2. Pressure cook for 2 to 3 minutes and let it cool.

3. Keep a small pan on the fire and put oil. Add methi seeds and fry till they turn golden brown.
4. Add urid dal and red chilly and fry till urid dal gets golden brown. Put off the fire.
5. Add ingh and curry leaves mix it well and let it cool.
6. Grate coconut and grind with fried spices with required water.

7. Now keep a big pan and put cooked bottle gourd + carrots, add salt.
8. Wash and peel off mango fruits skin. Squeeze out the pulp from it.

9. Now add the whole mango and its pulp. ( Squeeze out the pulp slightly from inner side). ( Do not add the peel).
10. Let it boil for 2 minutes. Add ground coconut mixture and mix it well.

11. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Shift the Bottle gourd - Carrots -Mango fruit Curry to a serving dish.
12. Add coconut oil seasoning and serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Do not cook the vegetable very soft. You can cook with little water in a big pan with out using pressure cooker. Adding chilly more/less is optional. Use of coconut oil is optional. Use of more mango fruits is optional. No need to use tamarind or lemon. Squeeze the mango fruits slightly so that the pulp mixes well with other vegetables. Adding a tablespoon of ghee adds to the taste.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4
Style : Udupi Traditional.

Green Cow Pea Coconut Curry

Green cow pea pods/ ಹಸಿ ಅಲಸಂದೆ ಕಾಳು is seasonal pods and these pods are dried later when they are fully grown and used as pulses in curries. I have used the green pods and prepared this curry.

I have used Green Cow peas, little toor dal and coconut.
Cow pea and toor dal are rich with proteins and carbohydrates They helps to provide energy and keeps you full for a long time. They are filled with minerals and vitamins.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

To cook :
Cow Peas : 1 Cups
Toor dal : 2 handful
Methi seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
To Grind :
Coconut : Fresh : 1/2 Cup
Red chilly /byadagi : 4 to 5
Coriander seeds : 1 Tablespoon
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Tamarind : A small marble size
To season :
Coconut oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida  : A pinch
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
To Add :
Salt : As required
Coriander leaves : 1 Tablespoon
Turmeric powder : A pinch

Method :

1. Remove the pods from Green cow peas and wash it nicely.
2. Wash toor dal and put it in a pressure cooker along with washed cow pea/alasande
3. Add half teaspoon of methi seeds and put `1/2 cup of water.
4. Add turmeric powder and a few drops of coconut oil.
5. Pressure cook for 4 to 5 minutes and let it cool.

6. Grate coconut and grind it with tamarind, coriander seeds, red chilly and jeera/cumin seeds.
7. Add required water to grind. Remove it from the mixi jar. Keep it aside.

8. Now keep a pan on the fire. Add cooked toor dal and cow pea pods.
9. Add little water and mix it well. Add ground coconut mixture and mix it well. Add salt.

10. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
11. Shift the ready Green Cow Pea - Coconut Curry to a serving dish.

12. Add coconut oil, mustard seeds, ingh and curry leaves seasoning to the curry. Add coriander leaves and mix it well. Serve it with your choice of main dish.

Note :

Adding toor dal is optional. You can use moong dal instead of toor dal. Toor dal taste better. Adding toor dal helps to bind the curry well. Adding byadagi chilly is optional. You can use any type of chilly you like. Raw coriander seeds should be used. Adding methi seeds along with toor dal while cooking helps to reduce the cholesterol in the curry.
Time : 20 to 25 minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4.

Onion - Avalakki Uppugari

Avalakki Uppugari/Quick Avalakki is one of the very famous dish from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada region. Any time you can prepare this Avalakki and enjoy. 

I remember those days I spent in Udyavara near Udupi. My doddamma and doddappa had paddy field and they used to grow paddy, cow peas, horse gram, urid etc, etc,  etc. There were some workers staying in near by our house. My doddamma was  kind hearted woman who used to prepare breakfast for all the workers who come in the early morning for work. This Avalakki Uppugari is very famous and every one's favourite. My doddamma never used onions and instead of that she used to add more coconut. 

Avalakki Uppugari and a cup of Chai goes hand in hand at any time of the day.

Wherever you go or in many Konkani Hotels this type of Avalakki chat is available even now. (Even in small villages).

 I have used onions and little fried shavige (Sev). Thin Avalakki, coconut, jaggery and coconut oil's seasoning is added and that gives a yummy taste to Avalakki Uppugari.

Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Thin variety Avalakki : 2 Cups ( 2 Handful)

Coconut :  3 to 4 Tablespoons

Jaggery : 2 Teaspoons

Salt : A little ( As required )

Rasam Powder : 1 Teaspoon

Thin variety of Sev : 1/2 Cup/5 to 6 Tablespoons

Seasoning :

Coconut Oil : 2 Teaspoons

Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon

Mustard Seeds : 1 Teaspoon

Red chilly ( Byadagi ) : 1 

Curry Leaves : 6 to 8 or little more leaves 

Method :

1. Clean thin Avalakki/Poha/ Aval and keep it aside.

2.Grate fresh coconut and keep it aside.

3. Remove the outer layer of onion and cut into small pieces.

4. Take a big bowl, add grated coconut, cut onions, rasam powder, salt and jaggery. 

5. Mix all the ingredients and add avalakki and mix it well.

6. Keep a pan add coconut oil, mustard seeds and urid dal. Cut red chilly into 2 to pieces and add.

7. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add curry leaves and put off the fire.

8. Add this seasoning to ready Avalakki mixture. Mix it well nicely with hand.

9. Put it in a serving dish and add little Sev on the top and serve.

Note :

This Avalakki should be served as soon as you prepare it. Or it turns soft and onion added avalakki is not good for health. Adding onion is optional. It adds to the taste. Adding grated carrots is optional. I have not added. You should use fresh coconut. It adds to aroma and softens the avalakki. Adding Sev is optional. You can add roasted groundnuts. 

Time : 10 Minutes 

Serves : 2 to 3.