Ondelaga /Gotu Kola / leaves Chutney

We South Indians like chutneys. Chutney goes well with all the main dishes.

It is one of the healthy habit to eat chutney with lunch /breakfast or snacks. Chutney is prepared using coconut/dals, vegetables etc. Here is a healthy chutney prepared using Ondelaga.

Ondelaga /Gotukola is also known as Brahmi leaves.

Ondelaga is called in different names in different language.

Botanical name for Ondelaga is Centella Asiatica and other names are Indian Pennywort and Asiatic Pennywort. In Kannada these leaves are called as Ondelaga/ Uraga / Brahmi leaves.

In Telugu it is known as Saraswathi Akku, Tamil: Vallari Kirai, in Marati it is called as Karivan / Karivana. In Gujarathi is Khanda Brahmi , In Bengali it is known as Tulkudi adn in Hindi it is known as Bensag Brahmi.
Ondelaga leaves and benefits :
Ondelaga leaf is one of the medicinal herb which is also used in cooking. It is used as a memory enhancer. It contain antioxidants and regulates the blood sugar levels in diabetic people. Ondelaga has cooking property and it helps to keep the mind calm and free from anxiety. It also helps to sleep well. It is normally said that eating Ondelaga helps to improve our memory and good for children. The shape of the leaf is just like our cerebellum and it helps in controlling concentration and memory. Ondelaga leaf helps in rebuilding brain tissues by influencing the brain cells. It helps in building strong immunity in our body.
These Ondelaga Leaves are used in hair oil and is good for strong healthy hair.
Please note  do not consume these leaves in big quantity, it might cause headache, giddiness.
Let us see the recipe now :
Do not fry these leaves much in oil. So that the medicinal value in the leaf will retain its properties in them.
Ondelaga/Gotukola  leaves chutney goes well with all the main dish. Yummy taste with hot rice and a teaspoon of ghee, goes well with dosas and idli also.
It is simple and healthy and anyone can try this chutney. You do get these Ondelaga Leaves in most of the market.
Tip : Handful of Ondelaga leaves are more than enough to use for 1 time. Do not eat regularly.  Once in a week or twice a week will be ok.
These Ondelaga Leaves are from Our home. We have planted them in a small pot. They grow plenty within no time.
Lets see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Ondelaga /Gotukola Leaves : 1 Handful
Urid dal : 1 Tablespoon
Red chilly : 4 to 5
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Tamarind  : Small marble size
Fresh grated coconut : 1 Cup ( 1/2 of one small coconut)
Salt : As required
To Season/temper
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6

Method :

1. Wash and keep aside Ondelaga leaves and curry leaves.

2. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
 3. Keep a small pan on the fire and heat. Add oil. Let it get heated.
4. Add urid dal and fry till they turn golden brown. Remove fried urid dal to a plate.
5. Add red chilly and fry nicely. Let it get crunchy. Add ingh and curry leaves. Put off the fire.
6. Add grated coconut, ondelaga leaves and mix it well. Let it cool.

7. Now grind all the ingredients required salt, tamarind and required water til it turns your desired consistency.
8. Remove from the mixi jar and put it in a serving bowl. Add tempered mustard and curry leaves.

9. Serve with the main dish of your choice.

10.We had Ondelaga /Gotukola Leaves chutney with Hot plain rice with ghee. NO need to say it was Yummmmmmmy..

Note:

There are two varieties of Ondelaga Leaves.
Type 1 : The leaf is small and thin. You can use the stem also in this type of leaf.

Type : 2 : The leaf is thick, darker than the local variety. It is hybrid leaf. Remove the stem and then use it. The stem is bit hard and it does not grind into paste. I have used these Ondelaga leaves from our garden

Ondelaga leaves are also known as brahmi leaves. It is always better not to cook this leaves. You can also use these leaves like coriander leaves, putting it on the top. Cut into very thin pieces. I have seen in Cambodia ppl use this leaves even on the top of Pizza. ( As they are one or two whole leaves kept on the top of Pizza while serving). Use of more chilly is optional. Use of byadagi chilli is optional.You can use guntoor chilly also. ( The one who likes it very spicy). .
Time : 15 Minutes 

Serves : 2 to 3. 

Quick Avalakki Idli ( Without Urid Dal).

When you crave to eat idli in the moring, when you do not have fermented idli batter, when your urid dal stock finished, you have no patience to soak and grind idli batter I think you can try and enjoy this Quick Avalakki Idli. ( with out Urid dal).

Here I have tried Avalakki Idli and it has no urid dal or no fermentation either. Just used rice rava, curd and avalakki/poha/aval/atukalu.

Idli is one of the best breakfast food that every one agrees I think. I do love idli and prepare varieties of idli for breakfast/snack time or even dinner. I do prefer idli because it is steamed and very little oil/ghee is used in the whole process. (Just to apply for idli plates ghee/oil is used).
Varieties of idli can be prepared namely, urid idli, dal idli, pumpkin idli, jack fruit idly, mango idli and so many varieties and so many shapes.

Let us see this idli recipe now :

Things you need :

Idli Rava/Akki Idli Rava : 2 Cups

Thick variety of Avalakkii /Beaten rice/Poha/ Aval/Atukulu : 1 Cup

Curd : 1 Cup 

Salt : As required 

Eno Salt : 1 Teaspoon

Ghee/Oil : 1 Teaspoon

Idli plates /Any cooker container

Idli cooker /Pressure cooker ( I have used Pressure Cooker).

Method :

1. Wash and soak Avalakki/Beaten rice in thick curd for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Wash rice rava and drain all the water and let it rest.

3. Now grind avalakki till it turn paste or rava consistency.

4. Remove from the mixi jar and put it in a big bowl.

5. Add rice rava with ground avalakki, add salt and leave it for 5 to 10 minutes.

6. Put little water in the pressure cooker and keep it on fire.

7. Wash idli plates and apply ghee/oil to each mould in idli plate. Keep them ready.

8.  Now add a teaspoon of Eno salt to rice rava, avalakki, curd mixture and mix it well.

9.  Add a teaspoon of Eno Salt and stir the batter nicely. Mix it again and take a ladle and pour idli batter to each idli mould.

10. Arrange the idli plates with idli batter and keep it in a pressure cooker/idli cooker.

11. Cover the lid and cook for 10 minutes. Put off the gas.

12. Remove cooked idli from the cooker. Let it cool for a minute.

13. Remove soft, fluffy idli from each idli plate with a help of spoon or knife edge.

14. Put all the idli in a serving dish and serve with chutney /sambar/pickle or any other side dish.

15. Add a spoon of ghee just before serving.

Note :

Idli batter should be loose, add water if required. ( Do not make the batter watery, idli may not turn as fluffy).
Add Eno salt at last just before you put idli batter in idli plate. No need to rest the batter after adding Eno Salt. ( They might turn hard and will not be fluffy if you allow the batter to rest after adding Eno salt).

Adding thin avalakki is optional. Use thick curd to mix then use butter milk to dilute the batter. It should be like normal idli batter. (Urid + Rice idli batter). Washing idli rava is optional. 

Time : Preparation : 20 Minutes + Cooking time : 10 Minutes = Total time = 30 minutes.

20 idli can be prepared. ( According to the size ).

ಅವಲಕ್ಕಿ ಇಡ್ಲಿ ಮಾಡೋ ವಿಧಾನ ..ಸಂಕ್ಹೀಪ್ತವಾಗಿ 

ಅಕ್ಕಿ ರವೆ  : 2 ಲೋಟ

ದಪ್ಪ ಅವಲಕ್ಕಿ : 1 ಲೋಟ

ಗಟ್ಟಿ ಮೊಸರು : 1 ಲೋಟ

ಉಪ್ಪು: ರುಚಿಗೆ ತಕ್ಕಷ್ಟು 

ಇನೋ ಸಾಲ್ಟ್ :  1 ಸಣ್ಣ ಚಮಚ 

: ಮಾಡುವ ವಿಧಾನ :

ಅವಲಕ್ಕಿಯನ್ನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ತೊಳೆದು ಮೊಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕಲಸಿ ೧೦ ನಿಮಿಷ ಹಾಗೆ ಇಡಿ.

೧೦ ನಿಮಿಷದ ನಂತರ ನೆನೆಸಿದ ಅವಲಕ್ಕಿಯನ್ನು ಮಿಕ್ಷಿ ಮಾಡಿ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಪಾತ್ರೆಗೆ ತೆಗೆಯಿರಿ.

ಅರೆದ ಅವಲಕ್ಕಿ ಮೊಸರಿಗೆ ಅಕ್ಕಿ ರವೆಯನ್ನು ತೊಳೆದು ಬೆರೆಸಿ. 5 ನಿಮಿಷ ಹಾಗೆ ಬಿಡಿ.

ಈಗ ಇಡ್ಲಿ ತಟ್ಟೆಗೆ ಚೂರು ತುಪ್ಪ ಅಥವಾ ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಸವರಿ. ಇಡ್ಲಿ ಕುಕ್ಕರ್ ಅಥವಾ ಪ್ರೆಸರ ಕುಕ್ಕರಿಗೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ನೀರು ಹಾಕಿ ಒಲೆಯ ಮೇಲಿಡಿ 

ಇಡ್ಲಿ ಹಿಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಇನೋ ಸಾಲ್ಟ್ ಹಾಕಿ ಚೆನ್ನ್ನಾಗಿ ಕಲೆಸಿ, ತುಪ್ಪ ಸವರಿದ ತಟ್ಟೆಗೆ ಹಾಕಿ ಇಡ್ಲಿ ತಟ್ಟೆಗಳನ್ನು ಒಂದೊಂದಾಗಿ ಜೋಡಿಸಿ ಕುಕ್ಕರ್ ನಲ್ಲಿಡಿ. ಕುಕರ್ ನ ಮುಚ್ಚಳ ಮುಚ್ಚಿ ೧೦ ನಿಮಿಷಕಾಲ ಬೇಯಿಸಿ . ( ಪ್ರೆಶರ ಕುಕ್ಕರ್ ಆದಲ್ಲಿ ಅದರ ವೆಯಿಟ್ ಇಡಬೇಡಿ.

ಹಬೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇಯಿಸಬೇಕು )

ರುಚಿ ರುಚಿಯಾದ ಮೃದುವಾದ ಇಡ್ಲಿ ಸವಿಯಲು ಸಿದ್ದ . 

ಓದಿ, ಮಾಡಿ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯ ತಿಳಿಸಿ ...

Banana stem Dal

Banana Stem dal is one of the healthy dish and it is said that at least once in a year you must eat banana stem. It helps to cleanse your intestine. It also helps to remove or reduce the stone in gal bladder.

Banana plant is one of the God's gift to mankind. Each part of this plant is used by man.  Banana fruit to eat, banana leaf to have food, banana stem is used  medicine.  It has very good medicinal value and used in home remedy medicines.
Eating banana stem helps to cleanse our body and take care of our kidney. It helps to reduce or remove the stone formed in the kidney. It is said if have gulped the hair by chance it can bring out the hair from your body. But remember this stem should be used rarely. (Once in a while). Often used  It heats up the body and you might get ulcer in your mouth, the eyes might turn red because of excess body heat.

I have used banana stem, moong dal, tamarind tokku (tender tamarind green chutney) and some green chilly.

Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed : 

Banana Stem : 1 Bowl

Moong Dal : 1/2 cup

Green chilly : 2 to 3 

Tamarind Tokku : 1 Teaspoon full

Salt : As required
Ginger : An Inch 

Seasoning : 

Coconut Oil :1 Teaspoon

Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon

Jeera/Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon

Method :

1. Wash and cut banana stem and remove the thread you get while cutting.
2. Cut it into very small pieces. Wash and soak them in plain water.

3. Wash and put moong dal in a pressure cooker and add cut banana stem.
4. Add little water and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.( Or little more).

5. Wash and cut coriander leaves, curry leaves and slit green chilly.
6. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and wash it again. Grate the clean piece and keep it aside.
7. Keep a pan on the fire and add oil. Let it get hot. Add mustard seeds and let it splutter.
8. Add jeera and cut chilly. Fry for 10 seconds. Add ingh and curry leaves.
9. Add cooked banana stem and moong dal. Mix it well. Add little water, grated ginger and required salt.
10. Mix it nicely. Add turmeric powder. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
11. Add tamarind tokku if you have or add tamarind pulp. ( 1 Tablespoon).

12. Mix it well and cook for another 2 minutes. Shift Banana stem Dal to a serving dish.

13. Add cut coriander leaves and serve.
14. Adding a tablespoon of ghee helps to enhance the taste.

Note :

You should soak banana stem pieces quickly in plain water. It helps to retain white colour as it is.
Adding any spice of your choice is optional. Adding tamarind pulp instead of tamarind tokku is optional. Adding more chilly and use of any cooking oil is optional. Adding water to get the thickness of the dal is optional. It taste better if it is bit thick. Do not get worried if the pieces are not soft and do not think they are not cooked well. They are bit hard even if cook them for long time even. So let the pieces be very small.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves :  4 to 5. 

Urid dal & Saame /Little Millet Guli Appa

Preparing food for the family is really a big task. I think most of us do agree with it. In such time I just think some thing which is going to be healthy, quick, easy and delicious. Here is such one dish that you can prepare it easily without much hassle and healthy of course. Just try this Urid & Same Guli Appa/ Paddu/Gunthponglu or mini bondas.( It taste similar to Bondas.

I have used Urid dal as main and little Saame/Little Millet, pepper pods, jeera, green chilly and handful of coriander leaves. 

Let us see some benefits of using " Black Pepper Pods " in our diet. 

Black pepper is widely traded in the world since ancient times. It is known as pepper corn and it contain antibacterial properties. It is used for preserving food and it does contain anti-inflammatory agent. Black pepper is known as king of spices and it has loads of health benefits. It adds flavour to the dish we prepare. It helps to reduce weight, improve digestion and relieve cold and cough, boost energy and metabolism. It is used for treating skin problems. Black pepper is rich source of minerals like manganese, copper, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium and vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Vitamin B 6. It has high content of dietary fiber and good amount of protein and carbohydrates.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

Urid dal : 1 Cup
Little Millet/Same Millet : 1/4 Cup
Green Chilly : 1
Black Pepper Pods : 6 to 8
Cumin Seeds / Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander leaves :  1/2 Bundle /5 to 6 Tablespoons
Ginger : 1 Inch/ 1 Tablespoon (Grated)
Salt : As required
Ingh/Asafoetida : A little
Gulp Appa Pan and oil or ghee to cook Guli Appa.

Method :

1. Wash and soak urid dal for 1 to 2 hours. Wash and soak little millet separately for 2 hours.
2. Wash green chilly, coriander leaves and handful of curry leaves.
3. Now grind urid dal with jeera and black pepper pods with required water. Add curry leaves, green chilly, grated ginger and coriander leaves. Grind it for a few minutes. Remove the fine batter to a big bowl.

4. Add little millet/Saame and grind it. It should be rava/ semolina consistency.
5. Remove from the mixi jar and add it to urid dal batter. Add sal and ingh. Mix it well.

6. Keep guli appa pan on the fire . Add little oil to each mould and let it get heated.
7. Put the ready batter to each guli/deeper place in a pan.
8. Sprinkle some oil to each guli. Cover and cook for 2 minutes on low and medium flame.
9. Turn the other side and cook for a minute.

10. Guli appa is ready to serve. Add little ghee on guli appa just before serving.
11. Repeat the same with remaining batter.

12. We had this Urid dal and Saame Guli Appa with sambar and jaggery.

Note :

No need to soak for a longer time. No need of fermentation of the batter. Do not grind  the dough very watery. It might spoil the taste and it will not be removed easily from the pan. Adding ghee or butter while cooking Guli Appa is optional. I did added the coriander leaves while grinding and it turned as fine paste along with urid dal batter.Use of oil/ghee is optional while cooking Guli
Appa. Do not add more saame/little millet. Guli appa will be very hard.
Time : Urid dal soaking 2 Hours + Grinding 5 to 10 minutes + preparing Guli Appa 10 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4.