Mattina Gulla - Mango Curry

Mattina Gulla is a brinjal which is specially grown in place called Mattu near Udupi/Karnataka.
The brinjal /Mattina gulla has a special taste and any dish You prepare has a yummy taste. I am joking, it is really true.

These Mattina Gulla is brought from my brother in law when he came last week. I forgot post the gulla pic, since I was so busy with house chores.
I have used small mango with these Brinjal and the taste was heavenly.
I have written about Mattina Gulla and has some yummy recipes too in my blog. The seeds of Mattina Gulla was given to people in Mattu when they were struggling to lead normal life because of poor living. Shree Guru Vadhirajaru blessed and gave the seeds of Mattina gulla to those people who were very poor. With the blessings of Guruvarya, the brinjals gave a good yield and had the best taste in them. So these Mattina Gulla from Mattu has become very famous in that area and the poor people survived by selling these Gulla /Brinjals.
Even now the first yield of Mattina Gulla is given to Udupi Krishna Matt as a samarpane.
One has to taste Mattina Gulla Curry in Krishna Temple, in his or her life time to get the divine taste of the Curry.

No onion or No garlic is used in this Mattina Gulla - Mango Curry. 

Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Mattina Gulla /Brinjal : 2
Spices To Fry :
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Methi Seeds/Fenugrik Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Coriander seeds : 1 Tbs
Red chilly /Byadagi Chilly : 5 to 6
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
To Grind :
Fried ingredients
Coconut : 1 Cup
Raw Mango :  1 (Small one)
To Add :
Salt : As required
Jaggery : 1 Tablespoon
Turmeric powder : A little
Pepper Pods : 3 to 4
Seasoning :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tsp
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Green chilly : 2
Oil : 1 Tablespoon + 1tsp

Method :

1. Wash and cut Brinjal into big pieces. Soak the pieces in plain water for 10 minutes.

2. Prepare seasoning with mustard seeds, ingh and curry leaves. Add 2 green chilly.

3. Add cut brinjal pieces to seasoning and stir slowly.

4. Add a cup of water and little turmeric powder. Let it cook till soft. (Not very soft).
5. Keep a pan on the fire and add 1 teaspoon of oil. Add 1/4 tsp of methi seeds.
6. Fry till they turn slightly golden brown. Add urid dal and fry till they turn golden brown.
7. Add coriander seeds and byadagi chilly. Fry all the ingredients nicely for a minute on low flame.
8. Put off the fire and add ingh/asafoetida. Mix it well and let it cool.
9. Grate a cup of fresh coconut.
10. Wash and cut mango into small pieces.
11. Grind coconut, cut mango pieces,pepper pods and fried ingredients with required water.

12. Add salt and jaggery to cooked brinjal and stir slowly. Let it boil.

13 Add ground coconut mixture to cooked Brinjal. Mix it nicely and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

14 Shift the curry to a serving dish and add cut coriander leaves.

15. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil on the top and serve.

Note :

Adding little coconut oil on the top just before serving taste best. (Optional).
You can use any type of brinjal to prepare this curry.
Adding more chilly is optional.
Adding tamarind instead of raw mango is optional.
Time 30 Minutes.

Serves : 3 to 4 .

Udupi Saaru

Udupi food is very famous. People that too Brahmins from Udupi started hotels in different places and made good food for people and people enjoy the good food all over the world. I am proud that I come from Udupi and do have the interest in preparing healthy food. People can learn and enjoy the foodfollowing my blog. Here is such one recipe that which is very famous "UDUPI SAARU".

We do use fresh spices, fry the spices, powder it and then  use it for  one time.  Thats the secret of Our Udupi style. In some places they call it as rasam. Actually in Rasam there won't be any dall. The water is boiled, added tamarind, salt, pepper and jeera. So Saaru is very much different from Rasam.
Udupi Saaru will have toor dal in it. The fried spices like fenugrik seeds, coriander seeds, red byadagi chilly, ingh and jeera /cumin seeds is a must. Some time we do add ripe tomatoes and some time it is with out tomatoes. In temples it is normally with out tomatoes. The Temple saaru taste heavenly.
Let us see the recipe of Saaru Now :

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Toor Dal : 1 Small Cup
Tomato : 1 (big)
To Add :
Tamarind pulp : 2 Tablespoons
Ghee : 1 Teaspoon
Home Made Rasam Powder : 2 to 3 Teaspoons
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A pinch
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
For Fresh Spices :
Methi Seeds/Fenugrik Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Coriander Seeds : 3 Tablespoon (1Handful)
Byadagi Chilly : 5 to 6
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Seasoning :
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : Very little
Curry leaves : 5 to 6

Method :

1. Wash and cook Toor dal.

2. Soak tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp. Keep the pulp aside.

3. Wash and cut coriander leaves,curry leaves, tomato.
4. Keep a pan on the fire and add l tsp of coconut oil.
5. Add methi seeds and fry. Add coriander seeds and fry till they turn golden brown.

6. Add byadagi red chilly and fry. Put off the fire and add jeera and ingh.

7. Add curry leaves and leave it for cooling. Dry grind it once it is cooled.

8. Add toor dal to a big pan and mix the dal well by using a spatula or hand.
9. Add required water, salt, cut tomatoes, turmeric powder. Mix it well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

10. Add 3 teaspoons of dry ground fresh spice /rasam powder and mix it nicely. Boil it for 3 to 4 minutes.

11. Shift the rasam to a serving bowl. Add mustard seasoning and cut coriander leaves.

12. Add a teaspoon of ghee and serve with plain rice.

Note :

Toor dal should be cooked into soft texture. It helps to mix dal with water nicely. (Smash the dal nicely before adding water. 2 to 3 cups of water should be added. Rasam should not be water or thick either. Adding ingh helps to add the aroma and good for digesting. Fresh fried rasam powder adds to the taste.
Time : 30 Minutes. 

Serves : 3 to 4 .

Pumpkin Dal

Pumpkin is filled with loads of healthy properties. It is always better to make use of the natural benefits from vegetables.
Here is  Pumpkin Dal that you can try and enjoy your meal.

Here is a Pumpkin Dal that I have prepared and it is mild, delicious and nice to have with all the main dishes like plain rice, chapatis, rotis, pooris, dosa or idli.
I have used " Pumpkin ", toor dal, green chilly and a little rasam powder. (Freshly done at home).
Let us see some benefits of eating " Pumpkin " in our diet.
Pumpkin is one of the winter squash. They are rich in healthy properties. It is low in calorie and good for weight loss. It is rich in antioxidants and helps to boost our immune system. It helps to protect our eye sight. It is rich in Vitamin A. It protect us from chronic diseases. Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Potassium. It is good for our skin and rich in fiber.
No Onion or No Garlic is used here in this " Pumpkin Dal ".
It is simple, quick and healthy and suits to all age group.
Let us see the recipe now.

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Toor Dal : 1 Cup
Pumpkin Pieces : 1 Bowl. (Half of 1 small pumpkin).
To Add :
Green chilly : 2
Rasam Powder : 1 Tbs
Grated raw mango : 2 Tbs
Mustard Seasoning : 1 Tbs
Salt : As required
Seasoning :
Cooking Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Tsp
Jeera/Cumin seeds
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8

Method :

1. Wash and remove the outer hard part of pumpkin and cut into small.
2. Wash dal and pressure cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Wash curry leaves and green chilly.

3. Add pumpkin and 1/4 tsp of methi seeds and  cook  for 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Wash and grate mango and add it to cooked dal.

5. Add salt and little turmeric and mix it well. Add slit green chilly.
6. Add rasam powder, mix all the ingredients well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

7.  Shift Pumpkin dal to a serving dish and add mustard seasoning.

8. Pumpkin dal is ready to serve.

9. We had it with plain rice and raw mango tambuli.

Note :

Use of pressure cooker to cook dal helps the dal to cook well. Cook Pumpkin separately. Adding methi seeds reduces the cholesterol in food. Home made rasam powder adds to the taste.
Adding more chilly is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.

Serves : 2 to 3
Home made Rasam Powder :
Dry fry 1/4 tsp of methi seeds, 2 to 3 tbs of coriander seeds, 5 to 6 byadagi chilly, 1/2 ts of jeera. Add little ingh/Asafotida.
Dry grind once it is cooled.  (Only for 1 time use).

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.