Cow Pea & Bottle Gourd Curry

Cow pea / ಅಲಸಂದೆ and bottle gourd Curry is a side dish that goes well with all the main dishes like lunch, chapatis, rotis, idli, dosa, poori or chapati.

Cow pea season is here and lots of fresh cow peas available in market in most of the places.
It is always better to use seasonal pods to get good nutrients from the pods.
I have used cow peas, bottle gourd and carrot. Used some fresh fried spices which is always there in the kitchen store.

Let us see some benefits of eating Cow Peas in our diet.

Cow peas are low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium. They are good source of protein. They are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese. Cow Peas is rich in fiber.
Cow peas is rich in magnesium and it is good for controlling our sugar level. It also take care of metabolism of our body. It helps our digestive system to be healthy. It helps to control our blood pressure and take care of it. Cow peas helps in loosing the extra weight and good for people who suffer from anemia. Eating cow peas is good for our skin health. It is good for our bones.
Let us see the recipe now :
No Onion or No Garlic Curry.
Try and enjoy the taste of Cow Pea & Bottle Gourd Curry.

Things needed : 

To Cook :
Cow Peas : 1 Bowl (250 Gr)
Bottle Gourd : 1/2 (1/2 From medium sized bottle gourd)
Carrot : 1
To Fry :
Urid dal : 1 Tablespoon.
Red Byadagi chilly : 5 to 6
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Pepper Pods : 5 to 6
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Coconut : 1 Small cup
Coconut Oil : 1 Tsp
To Grind :
Tamarind : Small marble size
Fried and cooled mixture.
To add :
Coriander leaves
Salt : As required
Seasoning : Mustard seeds 1/2 teaspoon, ingh : a pinch, Curry leaves : 5 to 6 with coconut oil.

Method :

1. Remove the pods from Cow Peas and wash it nicely.

2. Wash and remove the outer layer of bottle gourd and carrot. Cut them in to small pieces.

3. Pressure cook cow pea, bottle gourd and carrots with required water for 5 to 6 minutes. Put off the fire and let it cool.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add a ts of coconut oil.
5. Put urid dal and fry till they turn slightly golden brown. Add byadagi chilly, pepper pods and fry.
6. Add ingh and curry leaves. Mix it well and put off the fire. Add coconut. Let it cool.

7. Grind fried ingredients with tamarind and required water.
8. Grind into fine paste.

9. Keep cooked vegetables on fire. Add salt and little turmeric powder. Mix it and boil for a minute.

10. Add ground coconut mixture to the boiling vegetables and mix it nicely. Add water if required.
11. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in between so that it does not get burnt.

12. Shift the Cow Pea & Bottle Gourd Curry to a serving dish.

13. Add mustard seasoning done in coconut oil.

14. Serve for lunch or with any main dish of your choice.

Note :

Do not over cook the vegetables. Adding more chilly is optional. Use of coconut oil is optional.
Use of coconut more or less is optional. Do not boil more after you add ground coconut mixture.  2 to 3 minutes is more than enough.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4. 

Cow Peas Cutlet

Cow Peas Cutlet is an easy dish and if you already cooked the pea it is still easy.☺
I had some cow pea cooked in the after noon and that came as handy when I thought of preparing some yummy cutlets.

Let us straight go to the recipe Now : I do not use so much varieties of spices. It is always simple and quick. 💟

Things You need :

Cooked Cow Peas : 1 Bowl
Aloo / Potatoes : 2 to 3
Bread : 3 to 4 Pieces.
Green chilly : 2
Ginger : An inch
Coriander leaves : 1 Tablespoon
Garam Masala : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera /Cumin seeds ? 1/2 Teaspoon
Chilly Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera /Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Cashew pieces : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : As required
Chiroti Rava /Thin variety of Semolina : 2 to 3 Tablespoon
Oil : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash coriander leaves, green chilly and cut into small.
2. Cut bread pieces into small and crush them into powder form. You can use mixer to powder it.

3. Wash ginger and take out the outer layer, wash it again and grate it.
4. Peel off the skin of potatoes and smash it nicely.
5. Now put powdered bread crumbs, smashed potatoes, boiled cow peas, cut coriander leaves, cut green chilly, grated ginger, salt, garam masala, jeera powder, chilly powder, cut cashews.

 6. Mix all the ingredients nicely and prepare the dough.
7. Divide the cutlet dough into small portions.
8. Keep dry chiroti rava in a bowl.
9. Keep dosa pan on the fire and heat.
10. Take a small portion of cutlet dough and make as a ball. Slightly press and give a desired shape to it.

11. Just dip lightly in chiroti rava both sides. Place the cutlet on hot tava.

12. Put a teaspoon of oil around the cutlet. Cook till it turns golden brown.

13. Turn the other side and cook. Add some oil while cooking.

14. Now Hot cutlets are ready to serve.

15. Cook the remaining cutlets the same way.

Note :

Do not over cook potatoes. Drain all the water from cooked cow pea and use only the peas.
Adding more spices is optional. Adding more oil while cooking is optional. You can also shallow fry these cutlets. Adding onions or garlic is optional.
Time : 30 to 40 Minutes.

Serves : 2 to 3. 

Watermelon Rind - Cow Pea Curry

Watermelon Rind - Cow Pea Curry is simple and healthy curry which goes well with all the main dishes.

In this hot summer we do buy and eat watermelon. We can use the rind and prepare many dishes, curries, dosa and dry curries. Watermelon rind is full of fiber, rich with vitamins and minerals.
I have used watermelon rind, cow peas, some simple spices and coconut.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Watermelon Rind : 2 Cups
Cow Peas : 1 Cup
Basale stems : 1 Handful (Optional)
Jeera /Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Sambar Powder : 1 Tablespoon
Methi /Fenugrik seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Mango pieces : 1 Tbs
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A pinch
Seasoning :
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh / Asafoetida : A pinch.

Method :

1. Wash and soak cow peas over night and keep it aside.
2. Peel off the outer layer of watermelon and cut the rind into small pieces.
3. Now cook watermelon rind and cow peas with handful of basale stem. Pressure cook for 5 to 6 minutes.

4. Grate coconut and grind it with half tsp of jeera, 1 tbs of sambar powder. Use required water to grind.

5. Keep a big pan on the fire and add cooked ingredients. Add cut mango pieces.

6. Add required water, salt, fenugrik seeds and pinch of turmeric powder. Mix it well and boil for a minute.

7. Add ground coconut mixture and mix it nicely and slowly. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. stir in between and cook.

8.Shift the ready curry to a serving dish and add coconut oil seasoned mustard seeds, ingh, curry leaves.

9. Serve with any main dish of your choice.

Note :

Watermelon should be cooked till soft.  Using pressure cooker is a good idea to cook watermelon rind. Pressure cook watermelon rind for 5 to 6 minutes.
It is always better to use pressure cooker to cook peas and other pulses, except moong dal. Use of tamarind instead of raw mango pieces is optional.
I used basale /Malabar leaves stems since I had it. It is purely optional to use any edible leaves.
Use of any brand sambar powder is optional. I used home prepared Sambar Powder.
Use of garlic and onion is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4.

Home made Sambar Powder :

Dry roast/fry with a tsp of oil, 1/4 tsp of methi seeds, 2 tbs of coriander seeds, 5 to 6 byadagi chilly, 1/2 tsp of urid dal and 1/2 tsp of jeera/cumin seeds on low flame. Add a pinch of ingh/asafoetida and curry leaves. Dry grind when it is cooled or grind it with 2 to 3 tbs of fresh coconut gratings.
We normally fry the spices when we prepare the curry. It is fresh, aromatic and healthy.
The above said sambar powder is enough for 1 time only.

Cow Peas - Kempu Harive Curry

Black Eyed bean /Cow peas - Kempu Harive /Amaranth leaves Curry is a side dish. It is one of the healthy curry that goes well with all most all the main dishes.

I have used Black Eyed beans, moong dal, Kempu Harive / Amaranth Leaves and fried spices with coconut.
This curry is prepared in traditional way and in UDUPI STYLE
No Onion or Garlic is used in this Cow Peas - Kempu Harive Curry.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

To Cook : 
Kempu Harive leaves / Amaranth Leaves : 1 Bundle
Cow peas /Black Eyed Beans : 1 Cup
Moong dal : 1/4 Cup

Spices to Fry :
Methi Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander seeds : 2 Tablespoons
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Byadagi chilly : 5 to 6
Curry leaves : 5 to 6
Ingh : A little


To Grind :
Coconut : 1 Cup
Fresh fried spices
Tamarind : A little

To Add : 
Salt : Required
Mustard and red chilly Seasoning with coconut oil
Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons

Method :

1.Wash and soak cow peas /black eyed bean over night.
2. Clean and wash Harive soppu /Amaranth leaves and cut into small pieces.
3. Wash moong dal and pressure cook amaranth leaves, moong dal and cow peas with required water.

4. Keep a pan and put little oil and heat. Add methi seeds and urid dal. Fry till they turn golden brown.
5. Add coriander seeds and red byadagi chilly. Fry for 20 seconds. Add jeera, curry leaves and ingh.
6. Mix it well and put off the fire.

7. Grate coconut and grind it with little tamarind ( small marble size ) and fried spices. Use required water.

8. Keep a pan and add cooked leaves, cow peas and moong dal. Add salt and little turmeric powder.
9. Let it boil for 2 minutes. Add ground spice mixture and mix it well. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

10. Shift the Curry to a serving bowl and add mustard seeds seasoning with red chilly.
11. Add cut coriander leaves and mix the curry well.

12. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

You can cook cow peas without soaking. Taste differ. Adding any shop bought spice is optional. Adding more /less chilly is optional. Adding toor dal instead of moong is optional. Moong dal is healthy to use. Consistency of the curry is optional. ( Thick /liquid ).
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4.

Capsicum - Cow peas Dry curry

Capsicum - Cow Peas Dry Curry is something simple, easy and quick. You can have this curry with many main dishes. I have just tried and its so simple.

I have used fresh cow peas, manalore cucumber and capsicum.
No onion or No garlic is added here in this curry. 
Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

Cow Peas : 1 Bowl.
Mangalore Cucumber/Mangalore Southekai / Bannada Southekai : 1 Bowl ( 1/2 of 1 medium size)
Green chilly : 2 to 3
Ginger : 1 Teaspoon / Grated
Salt : As required
Lemon : 1/2 Lemon (1 Teaspoon)
Pepper Pods : 6 to 8
Jeera / Cumin Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
To Season :
Capsicum : 1
Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8 leaves
To Add : 
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons
Fresh Grated Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and cut mangalore cucumber into small pieces.
2. Now pressure cook  cut cucumber, a bowl of fresh cow peas, pepper pods and 1 Green chilly with required water. (1/4 cup will do).

3. Wash and remove the seeds from capsicum and cut it into small. Slit green chilly and cut coriander leaves. Squeeze out lemon extract and keep it aside.

4. Keep a small pan on the fire and heat. Add a tablespoon of oil. Add mustard seeds and jeera.
5. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add curry leaves, slit chilly and ingh. Fry nicely and add cut capsicum.
6. Fry capsicum nicely till soft on low flame. Put this fried capsicum to cooked cow peas mixture.

7. Keep cooked mixtures in a pan and put salt, little turmeric powder and jeera powder. Mix all the ingredients nicely and cook for 2 minutes. Let all the moisture disappear. Add lemon and mix it well.

8. Put off the fire and shift ready Capsicum - Cow peas curry to a serving dish.

9. Add fresh grated coconut and serve with main dish you have prepared.

10 We had Capsicum - Cow Peas Dry Curry with Plain Rice and Rasam.

Note :

Do not over cook cow peas. Do not add much water while cooking. Adding any type masala is optional. Use of coconut is optional. Use of onions and garlic is optional. Use of more oil is optional.
Time 20 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4 .