Green Grapes Chutney

Grapes and chutney you must be just thinking  Hmmmmm .Yes it is chutney from green fruity grapes. It was just a try and it turned out be Wow,,,and tasty.

I have used green grapes, fresh coconut and green chilly. Green Grapes chutney is a side dish and it goes well with almost all the main dishes.

Got these greapes from the form while coming back from Chikka Ballapura after a visit to Avala Betta. 

Avala Betta is a small hill, where the cows used to go up and have their green grass. On the top it is very nice. There are edges which looks scary and people go and take pictures standing on the sharp
edge.
. 

Even now cows come to graze. Avala means Cows in Telugu language and because of this the Gudda (what we call for a small hilltop) is called Avala betta.  

Lets see some benefits of eating Grapes in our diet.

It is well known that eating fresh fruits and vegetables always keeps us healthy and strong. Grapes are well known as queen of fruits. They are filled with antioxidants. They are rich in anti-inflammatory properties and good for bone health and good for balancing the blood pressure level in our body. Grapes are filled with fiber and Vitamin C and a good help for people who suffer from constipation. They are rich source of micro nutrients like copper, iron and manganese. They help to strengthen the bones. They are good for indegestion, kidney disorders. Grapes are filled with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium.

No Onion or Garlic used in this dish.

Things Needed :

Green Grapes : 1 Bunch (20 to 25 fruits)
Urid dal : 1 Tablespoon
Green chilly : 2 to 3
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Ingh/Asafotida : A pinch
Coconut : 1 Cup ( 3 to 4 Tablespoons).
Seasoning :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry leaves : 2 to 3
Oil : 1/2 Teaspoon.
Ingh : A pinch

Method :

1. Wash and remove the seeds from grapes. Keep it aside.
2. Wash green chilly and curry leaves. Grate coconut.

3. Keep a small pan on the fire. Put little oil and a tablespoon of urid dal and fry nicely. Add green chilly to it.
4. Add curry leaves and ingh to the fried mixture. Let it cool.

5. Now grind green grapes, grated coconut, fried dal mixture and salt with very little water.

6. Remove from the mixi jar and put it in a serving dish. .
5. Season with mustard and urid dal. Serve with one of the side dish.

Note : 

Frying urid dal in a very little oil is optional. ( I have used little oil). You can dry roast too. Taste differ. No need to add any tamarind pulp of lemon extract sinch grapes are bit sour . Adding mustard seasoning is also an option.
Time : 10 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4 

Black Channa - Malabar Leaves (Basale soppu) Curry

Black Channa - Malabar Leaves curry is a gravy dish and it can be one of the side dish also.
Black channa is soaked in water for 5 to 6 hours and then cooked with Basale (Malabar leaves) leaves. The combination of black channa and the leaves is really nice and healthy too.
Let us see some benefits of having Black Channa in our diet.
Black channa ( chick peas) belong to the desi variety and have a good amount of fiber content and lower glycemic index. The seeds are excellent sources of protein. They are low in fat, high in dietary fiber, rich in vitamins and minerals.  Using black chickpeas is a healthy addition to our diet. It helps to lower the cholesterol, stabilizes the blood sugar in the body and good for prevention of diabetes. It contains good source of iron and it is rich in anti oxidants. Black Chickpeas are good for treating people who are suffering from kidney stones and jaundice. They can soak a handful of chickpeas at night and eat the seeds in the morning and drink the water to quench their thirst. They contain soluble fiber and adding black chickpea can be a healthy addition to our diet.
We can have this " Black Channa - Malabar Leaves" curry with plain rice, chapatis, rotis, naans, idli, dosa or even with bread. 
No Onions or Garlic added in this curry.
These Basale Leaves are from my garden and I feel so happy to use these healthy leaves.

Things Needed : 

Malabar leaves : 1 Bowl
Black Channa : 1Cup
Toor dal :2 Handful (1/4 Cup)
Rasam Powder : 2 Table spoons
Garam Masala powder : 1/2 Tea spoon
Tamarind pulp or Lemon juice : 1 Table spoon
Jaggery :1 Table spoon
Jeera : 1 Tea spoon
Oil : 1 Tea spoon full
Ingh : a pinch
Curry leaves : 5 to 6
Coriander Leaves : 2 Table spoons.
Green chilly : 2
Salt : required

Method :      

1. Wash and cut, Malabar leaves (basale soppu), coriander leaves and keep it aside. Slit green chilly.

2. Wash and soak black chenna for about 6 to 8 hours and pressure cook for 10 minutes. (It should be soft).

3. Wash and pressure cook toor dal and keep it aside.
4. Now keep a big pan on the fire and put water. Let it boil. Add basale leaves and cook till they are soft.

5. Add cooked black chickpeas, toor dal, salt, tamarind pulp, jaggery, slit green chilly and turmeric powder.

6. Mix it well and let it boil for 3 to 4 minutes.

7. Add rasam powder, garam masala powder and mix it well. Let it cook for another 2 minutes.

8. Add jeera, ingh and curry leaves splutter to the ready curry. Shift it to a serving bowl.

9. Add coriander leaves and serve with main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Chickpeas should be cooked well. You can reduce or increase the amount of jaggery.  You can add onions and garlic if you wish to. Adding a spoon of fresh ghee will add to the taste of the curry. The consistency can be thick or like sambar as you wish. You can add little butter instead of ghee just before serving. I have used MTR Rasam powder. (choice is yours). Home made rasam powder is the best.
Time : Cooking Time 30 minutes +  Chickpeas Soaking time  5 to 6 hours or over night.
Serves : 4 to 5.

Banana - Dates - Grapes Milk Shake

Banana, dates and grape Milk Shake is a drink which helps to keep your body cool. When it is screeching hot, you feel like drinking some thing again and again. The moisture in the body dries up quick due to heat. This drink helps to keep your body cool and it is a healthy drink too. I have used dates, banana, grapes and little honey to add the sweet taste.
Lets see some benefits of having dates in our diet.
Dates give relief from constipation, intestinal disorder, heart problem and anemia. Dates are good for gaining weight also. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. It contain calcium, sulfur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium and they are beneficial for health. Eating a date is necessary for balanced and healthy diet.
Lets see the recipe now

Things Needed :

Banana : ( ripen) : 2
Dates : 6 to 8
Grapes : 8 to 10 or more
Honey : 1 Tablespoon
Milk Powder : 1 Table spoon ( or fresh milk 1/2 Cup)

Method :

1. Remove the skin of banana and remove the seeds from dates.

2. Put all the ingredients in the mixi jar, add a cup of water and churn till they get fluffy.

3. Remove the Milk shake from the mix jar.
4. Add water if required and serve.

Note : It should not be very thick or thin. You can add more milk to it. You can also add cardamom while grinding. Adding ice cube is optional.
Serves : 2
Time : 10 minutes.