Huli Gojju / ಹುಳಿ ಗೊಜ್ಜು :

Huli gojju is a side dish with huggi. Huli gojju is sweet and savoury dish that is a must do dish with Huggi. We, people from Udupi will not cook huggi with lots of jaggery. The sweet taste is normally mild and adding huli gojju adds to the taste and increase your appetite. 

Preparing Huli Gojju is very easy. Soak tamarind in water and squeeze out the pulp. Add required jaggery and a green chilly. Allow it to boil till it gets sticky consistency. Then add a mustard seasoning. Huli gojju is ready to serve or eat. 

Things Needed :

Tamarind : 1 Small Lemon size
Jaggery : 4 to 5 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A little
Green chilly : 1
Ginger : An inch
Pepper Pods : 5 to 6
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Red chilly : 1 ( Optional )

Method :

1. Wash and soak tamarind in hot water for 10 minutes.
2. Squeeze out the pulp and keep it aside.
3. Keep a pan on the fire and put tamarind pulp, jaggery and salt.
4. Let it boil. Add slit green chilly.

5.Wash and peel off the outer layer of ginger. Wash it again and grate it. Add grated ginger to boiling tamarind pulp. Add crushed pepper.
6. Boil the mixture till it gets sticky consistency.

7. Shift the tamarind - jaggery mixture to a clean bowl.
8. Add seasoned mustard seeds, curry leaves mixture to Huli gojju. /Savoury gojju.

9. Mix it well and add it to huggi when you are serving or eating. Eat huli gojju with sweet huggi.

 Note : 

Do not make the gooju very thick. It should be watery consistency but stick. Adding more jaggery is optional. Use of any cooking oil is optional.
Time 10 Minutes .
Serves : 3 to 4.

Traditional Huggi - Udupi Style

Huggi is a traditional dish prepared during Dhanurmasa / From December 14 to January 14. This is mid winter season in India. The food we intake is based on Indian culture and is connected with healthy food habits.

Huggi /Pongal is traditionally prepared using raw rice, moong dal and jaggery. Eating rice and moong dal helps to digest the food easily. Rice is full of fiber and moong dal is loaded with proteins. And jaggery helps in taking care of digestion, acidity gas and other things. In olden days people used the food according to the seasons. Seasonal food help us stay healthy because they do loaded with vitamins and minerals. More over it takes care of our body with its nutritional values.
Udupi style of Huggi is not that sweet or loaded with ghee. Raw rice and moong dal is cooked separately or together, then added little ghee and little jaggery. Cardamom, nutmug and clove is powdered and added to huggi. It helps the food we eat, to digest well.
Let us see the recipe Now :
Sweet Huggi is normally prepared with rice and moong dal. Once upon a time Udupi region people used to grow the paddy a lot. So rice must have become the main grain. Rice is digested easily and the hot weather helps us to stay fit.
Huggi is normally eaten with Huli Gojju ./ Tamarind - Jaggery mixture.

Things Needed :

Raw Rice : ( Any good quality rice ) : 1 Cup
Moong dal : 1/2 Cup
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : A little
Cardamom : 4 to 5
Cloves : 2
Nut Meg : Jaikai : A little

Method :

1. Wash and cook raw rice and moong dal together or separately. Let it cool. Grate coconut and keep it aside.

2. Keep a pan on the fire and put jaggery. Melt it with little water. Once it is boiling and completely melted sieve it and keep the clean jaggery aside. Powder cloves, cardamom pods and nut meg.

3. Keep another pan on the fire and put moong dal and rice together to the pan. Add a pinch of salt and cleaned jaggery. Mix it well and let it cook nicely for 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Add a tablespoon of ghee and powdered spice mixture. ( cardamom pods, cloves and nut meg).
5. Stir slowly and mix all the ingredients nicely. Add grated coconut on the top.

6. Shift ready Traditional Huggi to a serving dish. Add little more coconut on the top.

 7. Serve with Huli Gojju  /Tamarind - jaggery mixture .

Note :

Adding cashews and raisins is optional. I have not added.Adding more ghee is optional. I have added ghee just before serving. No need to add more jaggery. Traditional Huggi does contain less sweet.
Time 30 Minutes.
Serves : 4 to 5.

Quick - Ondelaga - Lady Finger Sasive

Ondelaga - Lady finger or Lady's finger sasive /mustard curry is delicious to eat with plain rice. Sasive mean Mustard seeds ( In Kannada Language ). Mustard seeds are used in the curry so that it is known as Sasive.

Minimum ingredients are used in this curry. It is easy, simple, quick and healthy. We have a practice of eating or serving these types of
I had brought some home grown bendekai/Lady finger from my sister's house. They were very few and thought of preparing simple sasive.
This is called as Ooru bendekai, normally grown in Udupi and South Canara Region. Since it is grown in housed like kitchen garden it got its name as ooru bende./ Lady Finger.

Ondelaga leaves are known as Gotu Kola / centella Asiatic pennywort.
I have used Ondealga Gotu Kola leaves, fresh coconut, mustard seeds and green chilly to grind and fried lady finger and added to sasive. you can try this and enjoy this healthy Sasive. Sasive means mustard seeds and here we use mustard seeds to prepare this curd curry and the curry get the name as Sasive.
Ondelaga leaves should be used as raw and cooking the leaves will lose its medicinal values. Ondelaga leaves are good to control cholesterol level in our body. They also helps to control blood sugar level and blood pressure level. They are filled with nutritious value. They help in good digestion, immunity and they do contain loads of anti oxidant properties.

It is very nice to note we do have lots of Ondelaga leaves in our house. We grow them in pots. They can be used for chutneys while grinding, fresh lime juice or even in butter milk.
Ondealga - Lady Finger Sasive can be eaten with plain rice, chapatis, rotis etc it is curd based curry and goes well with almost all main dishes.
Quick Ondelaga - Lady Finger Sasive is - No Onion or No garlic dish 

Things Needed :

To Fry :
Lady Finger : 8 to 10 ( Small size )

To grind :
Coconut : 2 Tablespoons
Ondelaga Leaves : 1 Handful
Green chilly : 2
Mustard seeds : 1 tsp

For Seasoning :
Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Jeera /Cumin seeds : 1/4 teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Ingh/Asfoetida : A pinch for grinding and seasoning.

To Add :
Salt : As required
Curd /yogurt : 1 Cup
Coriander leaves : 1 Tablespoon

Method :

1. Wash and dry all water from bendikai/Lady's Finger. Cut Bendekai/Lady's finger into very small.
2. Wash curry leaves,coriander leaves and Ondelaga /Gotu Kola leaves and keep it aside. Cut coriander leaves into small pieces.
3. Grate coconut and grind it with, Ondelaga /Gotu Kola leaves, green chilly and 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds. Add required salt and  a pinch of ingh and churn for 1 minute.
4. Remove it from the mixi jar. Keep it aside.
5. Keep a small pan and put 1 tbs of oil. Add  1/2 tsp of mustard seeds, jeera/cumin seeds and a pinch of ingh/Asafoetida.
6. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add curry leaves, ingh /asafoetida  and add bendekai.
7. Fry the pieces till they turn crisp and turn golden brown.
8. Add this fried bendi/lady's finger to already grind sasive mix. Add curd and mix it well.

9. Shift the ready Ondelaga /Gotu Kola to a serving dish add cut coriander leaves  and serve as one of the side dish.

Note :

Use little mustard seeds ( 1/2 tsp for 1 cup of coconut approximately), so that mustard aroma is well mixed with coconut. Adding more chily is optional. Do not use very old curd. It might spoil the whole aroma of Sasive.
Time : 15 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.

Hybreed Ondelaga leaves 

Home grown Ondelaga : Gotu Kola Leaves.

Drumstick - Potato Curry / Sambar

Drumstick is one of the favourite vegetable of many people. The aroma of drumstick loved by them. And the juicy drumstick is very nice to chew and it contain full of nutritious value.

I have used Potatoes, drumsticks, sambar powder, toor dal and little coconut. The curry is really delicious and all the main dishes can be enjoyed with this Drumstick - Potato Curry.

Let us see what do they call drumstick in some of our Indian States.
Drumstick's Scientific name is Moringa Oleifera.
Drumsticks /Nuggekai in Kannada language - Karnataka, Murungakkai in Tamil. Muringakkaya or Muringakka in Malayalam. Munnakaya Mulaku Kada and in Hindi it is Sajjam Ki Phalli, Saigan, shinga segva. In Bengali Sajane Dauta and in Gujarathi Saragvani Shing and in Konkani Moska Saang/ Massingasaang, Marati - shevaga/Sheng and in Panjabi - Savonjna and in Tulu Nurge.

 Let us see some benefits of Eating Drumsticks in our diet.
Drumstick is filled with nutritious value.
They do contain calcium, vitamins, zinc and iron. They are rich in B -Complex vitamins, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B 1, B-2, B-3. Vitamin A, Vitamin C and magnesium.
Drumstick and its leaves helps to control blood sugar level in our body. They help to improve digestive help. It helps in building the strong bones in our body. It helps to purify the blood. It helps to relieves respiratory disorders. It helps to boost immunity in our body. It contain antioxidant properties.
Caution :Pregnant women should not consume drumsticks or its leaves. Eating Drumstick curry or any other form might cause abortion.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Drumstick : 4 to 5
Toor dal : 1/2 Cup. ( 3 to 4 Tablespoons )
Potatoes : 2 to 3

To Grind :
Sambar powder : 2 Tablespoons
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coconut : 1 Small Cup /3 to 4 Tablespoons
Tamarind Pulp : 1 Tablespoon

To Add :

Seasoning : Mustard, curry leaves and ingh and Oil
Salt : As required
Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons ( Optional )
Turmeric powder : A pinch

Method :

1. Wash and cut drumsticks into small pieces. Peel of the outer layer of drumstick.
2. Wash and cut potatoes into pieces.

3. Wash toor dal and pressure cook drumstick pieces, potato pieces and toor dal with required water.

4. Soak a small marble size of tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp.
5. Grate coconut and grind it with, 1/2 Teaspoon jeera,  tamarind pulp and sambar powder. Add required water to grind.

6. Remove the ground coconut mixture and keep it aside.
7. Keep a pan on the fire and put cooked drumstick, potatoes and toor dal. Add required salt.

8. Add a pinch of turmeric powder. Mix all the ingredients slowly. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.
9. Add ground coconut - spice mixture and mix it slowly. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.
10. Shift the ready Drumstic Potato Curry to a serving dish.

11. Prepare seasoning with mustard seeds, curry leaves and ingh and add it to ready to serve sambar.
12. Add cut coriander leaves and serve Drumstick - Potato Sambar with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Do not over cook potatoes and drumsticks. You cook it separately. Adding any brand of sambar powder is optional. Adding jeera while grinding helps the curry to be free from gas formation in the stomach. I did not peel off potatoes. Adding garlic and onions to curry is optional. Stir the curry slowly.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 4 to 5.

Baragu /Prosso Millet Coconut Rice

Baragu / Prosso Millet is one of the grain from Millet family. I have tried coconut rice using Baragu / Prosso Millet. Here is a simple and healthy recipe that you can try for this Makara Sankranthi Festival.

I used prosso millet, coconut, red chilly and some spices like mustard seeds and urid dal.
As I said it is simple, healthy and easy.
Millet do not contain fat. It is free from cholesterol and rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals.It is gluten free and good for diabetes and helps to control blood pressure in our body.
Let us see the recipe :

Things Needed :

Prosso /Baragu Millet :  1 Big cup
Water : 2 cups
To Season : Oil : 2 Tablespoons
Ghee : 3 to 4 Tablespoon
Red chilly : 3 to 4
Mustard Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 1 Handful
Cashew Nuts : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Coconut : Fresh /Grated : 4 to 5 Tablespoons.
Salt : As Required

Ready to serve Baragu /Prossso Millet Coconut Rice 

Method :

1. Clean and wash baragu/prosso millet.

2. Add 2 cups of water and cook in pressure cooker. ( Use the same measuring cup to add water).
 ( It is 1 : 2,  1 prosso millet and 2 cups of water). Allow it to cool.
3. Now spread the prosso millet in a big plate. Millet get to normal temperature.

4. Wash curry leaves and cut into small pieces.

5. Keep a big pan on the fire and add  2 tablespoons of oil to the pan.
6. Add mustard seeds and urid dal. Urid dal turns golden brown and mustard seeds splutter.
 7. Add red chilly and fry.
8. Add cut curry leaves and cashew nuts. Fry cashews in hot oil till they turn golden colour.
9. Add cooled Baragu/Prosso Millet and required salt. Stir slowly and mix it well.

10. Now add coconut and 3 to 4 tablespoons of ghee and mix it nicely.
11. Let it cook on low flame for 2 to 3 minutes. Shift the ready Baragu /Prosso Millet Coconut Rice to a serving dish.

12. Simple, Mild and healthy Baragu /Prosso Millet Coconut Rice is ready to serve.

Note :

Use only twice the quantity of water to cook any millet. It does not take much water. Adding more ghee is optional. It adds to the taste. Adding green chilly instead of red chilly is optional. Taste may differ. Use of red chilly is traditional. Use of any cooking oil is optional. Fresh coconut gratings adds to the taste. Do not cook much after adding coconut. ( 2 to 3 minutes will be enough to get good aroma and the good benefits of coconut).
Time : 30 Minutes.

Serves : 3 to 4 .