Green Gram -Sweet Potato Dry Curry + Parata

Green Gram and Sweet Potato curry is one of the side dish we can have with rice, chapati, roti, pooris and rice varieties and plain rice. With the dry curry I tried Parathas and it was really yemmy and loaded with good with good food. As the name says the dish contain Whole Green Gram and Sweet Potato.

Lets see some benefits of  Whole Moong and Sweet Potatoes.

Whole Moong is a store house of nutrients and it is a nutrition giving food and they are rich in Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Proteins, Manganese. It contains a lot of fibre and helps in digestion. It also controls the amount of cholesterol content in our body. It contains lot of minerals like calcium and potassium which is essential for enhancing the strength of  bones and teeth. Fat content is very low in Moong bean and good for people who wants to reduce their weight.  

Sweet Potatoes are good source of Starch. They also contain vitamin A, Vitamin C, vitamin B, fiber, potassium and even iron. In fact, Sweet Potatoes are considered as one of the healthiest vegetables we eat.
Here is a recipe of  " Green Gram- Sweet Potato Dry curry (Palya) and it is easy and tasty and I am sure all the age group will surely enjoy eating this curry and Parotha .

GREEN GRAM CURRY :

Things Needed :

Green gram : 1 Cup
Sweet Potatoes : 2 (Medium sized)
Green chilly : 2
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tea spoon
Jeera : 1/2 Tea spoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Tea spoon
Salt : To taste
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Oil: 2 Table spoons
Ingh : a pinch
Ginger : 1 Table spoon.
Coconut : 2 Table spoons.
Coriander Leaves : 2 Table spoons

Method :

1. Wash and soak green grams overnight, wash again and pressure cook for  8 minutes.

2. Wash and cut sweet potatoes in to small pieces. (Remove the outer skin).

3. Wash and cut green chilly, coriander and curry leaves.
4. Wash and remove the outer skin, wash again and grate ginger and keep it aside.
5. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put oil and mustard seeds and urid dal.

6. Let the mustard seeds splutter. Add jeera and cut green chilly. Add curry leaves. Fry for 10 seconds.

7. Now add cut Sweet potatoes and mix it well. Add 1/4 cup of water and mix well. Cook on low flame for 4 to 5 minutes.

8. Add turmeric powder and mix it well. Add salt to the cooked curry. Stir in between. \

9. Add cooked whole moong and mix it well nicely and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. 

10. Add coconut and coriander leaves and put the ready dry curry to a serving bowl.

Note : 

You can cook sweet potatoes in a pressure cooker too. But it turns very soft.It may taste different. Cooking on the low flame will help the potato pieces and whole gram to be combined nicely. Try to dry out the extra water but at the same time the curry should not turn very soft. Adding more oil  or onions is purely optional. This is a simple dry curry (Palya) and do not try to add any strong masala. Adding coconut and jaggery is also optional. I have not added jaggery to this curry. You can cook whole moong been without soaking previously.  Wash and cook them with required water in a pressure cooker for 8 to10 minutes.
Time : 30 minutes
Serves  4.

GREEN GRAM -SWEET POTATO PARATHA

Things Needed :

Wheat flour : 2 Cups
Green Gram-Sweet Potato Dry curry : 1 Bowl
Oil : 1/2 Cup
Garam Masala Powder : 1 Tea spoon
Jeera : 1/2 Tea spoon
Salt : To taste

Method :

1. Put Sweet Potato- Green gram curry in a big bowl. Add garam masala, and jeera to it.

2. Mix it well and keep it aside.

3. Take a big bowl and put wheat flour and salt. Put 2 tea spoons of oil. Mix it well.
4. Now add water little by little and prepare chapati dough with wheat flour and keep it aside.

5. Divide the mixture of Sweet potato and green gram mixture in to small ball.
6. Divide the chapati dough also in to equal portion (ball size) and make like a ball . Keep it aside.
7.Now take a portion of chapati dough and a portion of  Sweet potato -greem gram mixture.

8. Flatten the chapati dough  slight y bigger on your palm.

  

9. Place the ball size of dry curry and cover  the chapati dough completely by using your hand

10. Now roll this curry filled wheat ball and dip in the dry wheat flour and roll the paratha.

11. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put rolled paratha and sprinkle oil on the top and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
12. Turn the other side and cook for 1 minute and remove from the pan to a plate.

13. Repeat the same with remaining dough and prepare Parathas.

14. Serve this "Green Gram - Sweet Paratha" with a cup of curd and side dish you have prepared.

Note :

Do not use lot of oil while preparing the chapati dough. Add red chilly powder if you want it more spicy.
Adding more oil while cooking paratas is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 .

Carrots-Sweet Potato- Alasande Curry

Carrots Sweet Potato and Alsande  Curry is a gravy dish and we can have them with Plain Rice, Chapatis, Roti, Parotas, Idli and Dosa. Carrots, Sweet potato and cow peas and some spices are used with coconut. Cow Pea is nothing but Alasande in Kannada.

Lets see some benefits of Sweet Potato, Carrots and Alsande. (Red ones).
Alsande (Cow Peas) is a rich source of protein, minerals and vitamins. It lowers the cholesterol level. Rich content of anti oxidants. It is low fat content. Good for diabetes and weight loss diet. I have used the red coloured Cow peas and it is also know as clay cow peas.
Carrots are  with wholesome health benefiting compounds such as beta-carotenes, vitamin A, vitamin C, minerals and anti oxidants in ample amounts. They also compose healthy levels of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium, manganese and phosphorus. they are especially rich in many B-complex groups of vitamins such as folic acid.
Sweet Potatoes are especially rich in many B-complex groups of vitamins such as folic acid, vitamin B-6. They are good source of vitamin C. which plays an important role in bone and tooth formation, digestion and blood cell formation. It helps to maintain skin;s yourthful elasticity and essential to help us to cope with stress. They contain Vitamin D which helps to immune system and overall health. Sweet potatoes contain iron and good source of magnesium.
Here is a recipe of all these goodies which are full of vitamins, minerals and proteins. It is easy to prepare and I am sure the whole family and all age group will surely enjoy having this curry.

Things Needed : 

To Cook :
Alasande Kalu ( Cow peas) : 1 Cup
Carrots : 2
Sweet Potatoes : 2
To Roast and Grind :
Coconut : 1/2 Cup
Red chilly powder : 1 Teaspoon
Pepper pods : 4 to 6
Jeera : 1 Tea spoon
Methi Seeds : 1/4 Tea spoon
To Add :
Tamarind pulp or lemon : 1 Table spoon
Turmeric Powder  : a pinchSalt : Required
To Season :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tea spoon
Oil : 1 Tea spoon
Ingh : a pinch
Curry leaves :  5 to 6
Coriander leaves : 2 Table spoons

Method :

1. Wash and pressure cook "Alasande"   with sufficient water. (1/2 Cup will do).

2. Wash and cut carrots and sweet potatoes and remove the outer skin of sweet potatoes. and cut it
into small pieces.

3. Grate coconut. Soak tamarind in water for 5 minutes and squeeze out the pulp. Keep it aside.
4. Roast methi seeds, pepper, and jeera on low flame add grated coconut and red chilly powder, grind it nicely. Keep the ground mixture aside.

5. Wash and cut coriander leaves and curry leaves.
6. Keep a pan on the fire. Put oil and heat. Now add mustard seeds and let it splutter. Add jeera, ingh and curry leaves.
7. Add cooked carrot and sweet potatoes. Add cooked Alsande and mix it well.
8. Add required water and cook for 5 minutes. (till the vegetables are soft). Add turmeric powder.

9. Add ground coconut mixture and mix it well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add water if required.

10. Add lemon extract and cut coriander leaves and mix it.

Shift the curry to a serving bowl and Serve with rice or chapati.

Note :

You can soak Alsande for  6 to 8 hours (over night) and then use it. You can also use more or less chilly. Using pepper pod helps to easy digestion. Adding onions and garlic is purely optional. ( I have not used it).
Time : 40 Minutes
Servings : 4 to 5

Mandakki Uppugari

Mandakki or Mundakki is nothing but Puffed rice or Kadale puri.(in Kannada Language). There are different ways of preparing chat with this Puffed rice. Mumbai chaat bhel puri is world famous now a days. We in Karnataka it self there are varieties of Chaats done with this Mandakki (Puffed Rice), like churmuri, masala mandakki, khara mandakki, menasu mandakki, nippattu mandakki Manadkki uppugari (Udupi or Dakshina Kannada side famous Mandakki) etc.

Mandakki Uppugari takes us back to our child hood days. We used to have Mandakki Uppugari, which used to be very simple and yemmy. In the rainy season some time this is one of the dish done quickly and served to munch. Whenever I prepare Mandakki it takes me back to those days. Anyways we do prepare Mandakki when ever we feel like eating. Crispy Mandakki with some fried nuts and some mixture (fried sev from out side) or simply mandakki and some grated coconut. Each one has it own taste and I do prepare Mandakki Uppugari some time. Some time I add grated carrots and fried ground nuts to the Mandakki Mixture. It is very tasty when we add fresh coconut oil. (If you are used to coconut oil then only you can enjoy).

Here is a recipe of Mandakki Uppugari, a spicy and tasty dish and I am sure you too will enjoy having this Udupi style of Mandakki Uppugari.

Things Needed :

Mandakki (Puffed Rice) : 1 Big Bowl
Onions :1
Rasam Powder : 1 Tea Spoon(MTR)
Carrot : 1 Medium Size
Coconut : Fresh and grated : 1/2 Cup
Ground Nuts : 3 Table spoons
Green Chilly : 1
Coconut Oil : 1 Table spoon
Salt : required

Method :

1. Heat a big pan on the fire and put Puffed rice and roast on low flame. (for 4 to 5 minutes) till it gets crispy.

2. Wash and cut green chilly, onions. Roast or fry ground nuts with 1 Tea spoon of oil they are slightly brown.
3. Grate carrots and coconut.

4. Now take a big bowl and put cut onions, green chilly and grated carrots. Add little salt.

5. Add rasam powder and mix it well. Add coconut .

6. Add puffed rice, coconut oil and mix the whole thing nicely.

7. Shift the Ready spicy Mandakki to a serving bowl.

8. Add fried or roasted ground nuts on the top. Mix it well and serve ready Mandakki Uppugari.

 Note :

Add Mandakki at the end to keep it crispy or it may become too soft. You can also add  jeera and coriander powder instead of Rasam powder. You can also add any brand of rasam powder. Adding more onions is an optional. You can also add cut coriander leaves. Adding some fried sev is also optional. ( I did not add).  You can use any type of Puffed Rice as you wish.  I have used Udupi side puffed rice. (Specially for this kind of Mandakki).
Time : 20 Minutes
Serves : 3  

Red Rice -Whole Moong Kichidi

Red Rice - Whole Moong Kichidi is a main dish. When you are in a hurry or you are running out of time and as a healthy dish, you can prepare Red Rice -  Whole Moong Kichidi. You can have them for breakfast, lunch or for dinner. It is a complete meal with carbohydrates and proteins.

North Karntaka and Maharastra side they use whole moong instead of moong dal in the Kichidi. We, the south Indians use moong dal in pogal. This particular Kichidi contains whole moong, mong dal, Red rice (Organic) and other simple spices like green chilly, pepper, ginger and curry leaves.

Some benefits of using whole Moong in our diet are,
Whoe Moong is loaded with goodies. It is rich in Vitamin A, B, C and E. They are rich in many minerals including iron, calcium and potassium and full of protein. It helps to lower the high cholesterol level in the blood system. Regular intake of Green Moong reduces bad cholesterol and improve the flexibility of arteries and veins. It also regulates the blood pressure. Green Moong is full of complex carbohydrates and full of fiber and helps in digestion. It also stabilizes blood sugar and controls its sudden rise after meal. It helps to keep the energy at a balanced level. Green Moong can be highly beneficial for people having a high blood sugar level.

Here is a recipe of Red Rice and Whole Moong kichidi,  which is loaded with minerals, vitamins and a healthy dish. I am sure all age group people will definitely love this dish.

Things Needed :

Red Rice :  1 1/2  Cups
Whole Moong : 1/2  Cup
Moong Dal : 1/2 Cup
Green Chilly : 2
Pepper : 5 to ^ Pods
Ginger : 1 Tablespoon
Ghee : 3 Tablespoons
Coconut : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : To taste
Jeera : 1 Teaspoon
Ingh (Asafoetida) : a pinch
Lemon : 1 lemon juice
Water : Required
Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and cook rice and whole moong and moong dal separately . (Pressure cook them for 7 to 8 minutes).

2. Wash and cut green chilly, grate coconut, ginger and keep it aside.Crush pepper pods.

3. Now keep a big pan on the fire. Put 1 Tablespoon of ghee 
4. Put Jeera and crushed pepper.

5. Add cut green chilly and fry until jeera turn slightly brown. Add curry leaves.
6. Add cooked rice, whole moong and moong dal. Mix it nicely. Add required water.

7. Add salt and ingh, ginger. Let it boil nicely for 2 to 3 minutes.

8. Put off the gas. Add lemon juice and mix it nicely. Add fresh grated coconut and remaining ghee.
9. Mix it well and shift the Kichidi to a serving bowl. Add coriander leaves.

    Shift it to the serving dish .

10. Serve  Hot Red Rice Whole Moong kichidi with roasted Papad, pickle and a piece of onion.

 Note :

You can use the Whole moong instead of using moongdal. Using coconut, more or less ghee and chilly are optional. You can add fried onions to the kichidi. It taste different. Use red rice or white rice  according to your choice. Using red rice is good for health since it contains fiber. Make use of less spice for the good health.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 5