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.

Kabooli Channa - Potato Curry

Kabooli Chenna or White Channa is one of the pod comes in handy when you boil it and store in freezer. I do cook kabooli channa, freeze and use it whenever I need it. It is not that I keep this cooked channa for months together. I do use it regularly at least once in 20 days and use the frozen ones as early as posssible. The above said Kabooli Channa Curry is such  one of it. 

Poori - channa goes hand in hand. Channa helps you keep your tummy full for a long time. It has all the minerals and vitamins you need for a day. It is protein rich, fiber rich and full of carbs.

I have used Kabooli channa, tomatoes, aloo/potatoes and some spices which are easily available at home.

No Onion or No Garlic is used in this Kabooli Channa Curry

Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

Kabooli Channa : 1 Big Cup ( Cooked )

Potatoes : 2

Curry Leaves : 1 Handful

Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Tomatoes : 2 to 3 

To Add : 

Lemon : 1 Lemon extract

Salt : As required 

Dry Methi leaves/kasori methi  :  2 Tablespoons

Rasam Powder : 2 Tablespoons

Jeera Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon

Garam Masala Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon

Ginger : An inch 

Seasoning :

Cooking Oil : 2 Tablespoons

Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1 Teaspoon

Methi Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon

Green Chilly : 2 

Curry Leaves : 1 Handful

Method :

1. Wash and cut potatoes into small pieces. (Peel off its outer layer). 

2. Wash and cut tomatoes, curry leaves and slit green chilly.

3. Wash and peel off outer layer of ginger, wash it again and grate it. Keep it aside.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and let it get hot. Add jeera/cumin seeds. Add slit chilly.5. Fry for 10 seconds, add cut potatoes and fry nicely for 2 minutes. Add a cup of water and cook.

5. Add tomatoes, grated ginger, when the potatoes turn soft. Mix it well. Add cooked Kabooli Channa.

6. Add salt and a pinch of turmeric powder. Mix it well and cook for 2 minutes.

7. Add rasam powder, jeera powder and garam masala.

 Let the curry boil for 3 to 4 minutes.Add Kasori Methi / Dry Methi Leaves.

8. Add a teaspoon of butter on the top and let it get melt. Add lemon extract.  Mix it well and put off the fire.

9. Shift Kabooli Channa Curry to a serving dish and serve.

10. We had Kabooli Channa Curry with Hot Pooris.

Note :

Cook potatoes till they turn soft. Soak kabooli channa for  5 to 6 hours before you cook. Adding any spice is your choice. You can use any brand of channa masala, pav bhaji masala or simple chilly powder. I have added home prepared rasam powder and garam masala.  Adding methi seeds helps to digest the food well. It reduces the cholesterol level in the food and is fiber rich.

Time : 30 Minutes.

Serves : 3 to 4 .

Amtekai Palya /Hog Plum Dry Curry

Amtekai/Hog plum is a savoury vegetable and is used in curries, pickles and it is added in curries instead of tamarind. I have prepared Amtekai Palya /Hog plum Dry Curry.

These Hog plums are from my sister Viji's House in Kadiyali. They have Hog Plum plant at their home. She has specially sent it for me with her son who was coming to Bangalore. 
Here I have tried Amtekai Palya which is very tasty. Hot plain rice, Amtekai Palya and a spoon of fresh home made ghee, you can imagine the tttttt taste.
I have used hog plum, home made rasam powder, roasted sesame seeds, jaggery and dry coconut./Kopra.
Let us see some benefits of eating Hog Plum in our diet.
Hog plum is rich in antioxidant properties. It is full of Vitamin C. It is rich in Iron and it helps to take care of our good blood cells./hemoglobin. It is rich in calcium and full of fiber.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Hog plums : 6 to 8
Rasam Powder : 2 Teaspoons
Sesame Seeds : 2 Tablespoons
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Coriander Leaves :  1 Tablespoon (4 to 5 sticks).
Seasoning :
Coconut Oil : 2 Tablespoons
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid Dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8

Method :

1. Wash and cut amtekai into small piece. Keep the pod aside. You can use the pod too.
2. Grate coconut and keep it aside.

3. Keep a tava and dry roast sesame seeds till they pop up.
4. Put off the fire and shift the roasted seeds to a plate. Let it get cool.
5. Dry grind rasam powder, dry roasted sesame seeds and dry coconut till it turn powder.

6. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
7. Add mustard seeds, urid dal and let mustard splutter.
8. Add ingh and curry leaves. Add cut Amtekai/Hog plum.
9. Stir for a while and put a glass of water. Add jaggery and salt. Add a pinch of turmeric powder.

10. Let Amtekai cook till soft. Allow the all the moisture get disappear. Reduce the flame low.
11. Add ground coconut - spice mixture and mix it well. Let it cook for 2 minutes. Stir in between. Add cut coriander leaves.

12. Shift Amtekai Palya /Hog plum dry curry to a serving bowl. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :
You can add the pods while cooking. It is fun to chew the pods while having the food. I have used home prepared rasam/saaru powder. (Optional). Use of cooking oil is optional. Use of more/less jaggery is optional.

Time : 15 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.

Nendra bale Dosa ( Nendra Banana Dosa ).

Nendra  Baale /Nendra banana is a type of banana which is full of nutrients, minerals and vitamins.  This Nendra banana is largely used in South Canara and Kerala.
Nendra bale Dosa is good to have for breakfast and  snack.

 I have used wheat flour, jaggery, rasam powder and salt.
We normally use Patrode batter to prepare this dosa. But I have used wheat flour and no need of grinding any thing. Minimum ingredients are used which is easily available in the kitchen shelves.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Wheat flour : 2 Cups
Nendra Bale/Nendra Banana : 2
Rasam Powder : 2 Teaspoons full
Jaggery : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Oil/ghee /butter : 2 to 3 Tablespoons.

 Method :

1. Wash and remove the skin of Nendra Banana. Cut them as thin circle shape.

2. Put wheat flour, powdered jaggery, rasam powder and salt. Mix it with required water and prepare the batter. (Dosa batter Consistency).

3. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Sprinkle oil on hot tava. ( Keep the flame low now)
4. Dip banana slice in wheat batter and arrange it in circle form.

5. Put some oil on the top, cover and cook. (Low and medium flame).

6.  Turn the other side and cook till it turns golden brown.

7. Now Nendra Bale dideer dosa is read y to serve.
8.Serve hot Nendra Bale dosa with little ghee/butter on the top.

9. Repeat the same with remaining dosa batter and banana slices.

Note : 

The batter should be dosa batter consistency. The banana slices should be thin. Use of any brand rasam powder is optional. Do not use any onion or garlic in the batter. Jaggery quantity more/less is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.