Raw/Tender Jack Dry Curry

Tender Jack/ಹಲಸಿನ ಕಾಯಿ is one of the seasonal vegetable. I have prepared dry curry using raw/tender jack. It goes well with almost all the main dishes like plain rice, chapatis or rotis.

Using tender jack in curries and making even papads once it is fully grown (just before turning to fruit), is a practice in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Malanadu ares. Tender jack is loaded with many healthy properties.
I have used this tender jack in dry curry and is one of the traditional dish from Udupi.
During this Jack season most of the people do prepare varieties of dishes with this tender jack.
I prepared this curry with mustard seeds, red chilly, coconut and tamarind.
Let us see some benefits of using Tender Jack in our Menu.
Raw/tender jack is full of fiber and low in sugar.It is very high in insoluble fiber. It helps to reduce the cholesterol and good for diabetes.
You need to cut the outer layer of raw jack and cut into two pieces. Rub oil to your hands and the knife you use and then remove the oozing gum from the middle part of the vegetable. Cut them into small pieces remove the hard inner part and put it in a big bowl of water. Soaking them in water helps the jack pieces turn black.

Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed : 

To Cook :
Raw jack pieces : 1 Big bowl
To dry grind : 
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Tamarind : 1 small marble size
Chilly Powder : 1 Teaspoon
To Add :
Ground coconut mixture
Mustard seasoning with coconut oil
Jaggery : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : As required

Method :

1. Remove the outer layer, cut raw jack into two pieces. Clean up the inner oozing gum with a help of paper. (Normally news paper is used)

2. Remove the inner hard part and cut them into small pieces. Put the pieces in a big bowl of water.
3. Wash them nicely and cook with little water in a pressure cooker for 2 to 3 minutes.  ( It should not be over cooked).

4. Let it cool. Remove the cooked pieces from the cooker and put it in a bowl. Make them as small pieces by using your fingers. (It turns as separated rakes). Keep it aside.

5. Grate coconut and dry grind with 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds, chilly powder and tamarind.
6. Dry grind the mixture and remove it from the mixi jar.

7. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put 1 tablespoon of oil and add half teaspoon of mustard seeds. 1/2 teaspoon of urid dal.
8. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add curry leaves and slightly smashed raw jack pieces.
9. Add salt, turmeric powder and jaggery. Mix all the ingredients nicely.

10. Add ground coconut, mustard seeds mixture and mix it nicely.
11. Let it cook on low flame and let all the moister disappear.

12. Shift " Raw /Tender Jack Dry Curry " to a serving bowl and serve.

Note : 

Do not over cook raw jack pieces. It does not taste good. Just 2 whistles are perfect. Adding any other masala is optional. Taste differ. I have used coconut oil. Use of any other oil is optional. Use of jaggery is optional.
Time 30 Minutes 
Serves : 4 to 5.

Spicy Chutney Poori

Ridge Gourd green chilly  chutney is done for afternoon lunch as one of the side dish and got bored to eat the rest and just prepared some pooris using this same chutney. It is nice and fluffy.

These pooris goes well with a cup of coffee/tea or you can have it with a cup of curd.
I have used Ridge gourd peel chutney, rice flour, little jeera, salt and oil to fry.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed : 

Ridge gourd chutney : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Rice flour : 1 Cup
Jeera /cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Oil : To fry

Method : 

1. Put ridge gourd chutney in a big bowl.
2. Add rice flour and mix it well.

3.Add jeera and little salt. Add water slowly if wanted and kneed the dough nicely.
4. Divide the dough into small ball size.
5. Roll them as small pooris.

6. Keep a small pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and let it get hot.
7. Fry pooris one by one on both sides. Put them on a kitchen tissue.

8. Now spicy ridge gourd chutney pooris are ready to serve.

9. Serve them with a cup of coffee/tea/juice or with a cup of curd.

Note :

The dough should be thick like poori dough. Take care while adding water. No need to add ghee/oil while preparing the dough. Coconut used in chutney is oil content. Adding more chilly, red/green is optional. I have not added. Do not use stale or spoiled chutney. It might smell bad and not good for health. You can also add cut coriander leaves and curry leaves to the dough. Add flour if dough turns Time : 15 Minutes.
Serves : 15 to 20 pooris ( According to size ).

Ridge gourd chilly chutney Recipe : Click the link  to know  :

Ridge gourd chilly chutney   :

Brinjal - Palak Dry Palya

Brinjal - Palak dry Palya is a side dish. Dry curries are always adds to the main dishes. I have tried here Brinjal - Palak Palya /Dry curry. It is yummy and easy to prepare.

I have used palak leaves, brinjal, coconut, coriander seeds and green chilly. Little lemon juice/extract is added. I have prepared using coconut oil and coconut oil is one of the healthy oil that we are sure about.
Let us see some benefits of brinjal/egg plant in our diet.
Brinjal helps the bones to be strong and prevent osteoporosis. It reduces anemia and improves heart health. It also protect heart health. It helps to manage diabetes by controlling blood sugar level. Brinjals are rich source of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6. magnesium, phosphorous, copper, dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium and manganese. They do not contain cholesterol or saturated fat.
Remember : Do not fry brinjal and it not that good for our body. Some may cause allergic to some. 
Let us see the recipe :

Things Needed : 

To cook :
Brinjal : 4 to 5 (Small and round ones).
Palak leaves : 1 Bundle ( small one )
To add :
Coconut : 1/2 Cup/ 2 to 3 tablespoons
Coriander seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Red chilly : 1
Green chilly : 2
Lemon juice : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : As required
Cut coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons
To Season :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Coconut oil : 1 Tablespoon

Method :

1. Wash and cut brinjals and put it in a big bowl of water for at least 10 minutes.
2. Wash and cut palak leaves into thin and keep it aside.

3. Wash and cut coriander leaves and keep it aside.
4.Grate coconut and dry grind it with green chilly and coriander seeds. Remove it from the jar.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and mustard seeds.
6. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add jeera and ingh. Add curry leaves. Add cut brinjals.
7. Mix it nicely and add cut palak leaves. Fry slowly for a minute.

8.Add 1/2 glass of water. Add turmeric powder and mix it well.
9. Let brinjal turn soft. Add salt and mix it well. Let all the moisture disappear.
10. Add ground coconut - coriander seeds mixture and mix it slowly.

11. Cook on low flame for 2 minutes. Mix it in between. Put off the fire and add lemon extract.
12. Mix it nicely and shift it to a serving bowl. Add cut coriander leaves and serve with main dish.

Note : 

Use of tender brinjal is a must. Adding tamarind pulp (1 tablespoon) instead of lemon extract is optional. Use of jaggery is optional. ( I did not use). Use of coconut oil is optional. ( Any cooking oil will do). Adding more chilly is optional. Adding onions or garlic is optional.
Time : 15 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3 .

Patrode Dough Pooris

Eating Pooris is fun at any time. Morning /evening or dinner the soft , fluffy , puffed pooris are ,u favourite of mine too. Kids love to have these Pooris.( Fried lovers ☺☺☺).

Different varieties of Pooris are prepared these days. Innovation and the thirst of learning, cooking has turned the whole world into fun affair and interesting.

Though I am also a fan of cooking, I do stick to olden and traditional way of cooking most of the time. I am not in favour of any market bought sauce, jam or cream. They might be healthy ( I am not sure). I feel though cooking has come a long way, one needs to keep in mind  is " Health". It is more important than any thing.
Ok. Here  I have used the patrode dough and prepared this " Patrode dough Pooris".
There was little dough remaining after preparing Patrode.(Everyone's favourite in our home). Pooris also loved by my sons and hubby. So the next morning I had the idea of using this remaining dough kept in the fridge and tried these " Wonderful Pooris ".
 Poories are one of the good breakfast that you can have in the morning. It helps you to full for a long time. The whole day activity makes the digestion easy and good. Your body needs oiling and it helps to provide the need. ( At least once in a while it is ok to have the oily food and it is my opinion too ).
Let us see the recipe Now :                                                                                 

Things Needed: 

Wheat flour: 2 Cups.
Patrode spice : 2  to 3 Table spoons.
Salt : to taste.

Oil:  2 Cups (For frying).

                                           

Method:

1. Mix wheat flour, patrode spice and little salt together and prepare poori dough using little water if needed.
2. Now divide the dough into small ball size and roll out pooris.

3. Keep a frying pan on the fire and put oil and heat. Fry pooris on both sides.

4. Fry these pooris on medium and high flame.Put it on a kitchen tissue so that extra oil is observed.

5. Serve the pooris with a cup of curd.
                                                   

Note: 

 Use water only if it quired. Prepare pooris as soon as you prepare poori dough. Or it may take lot of oil. Do not use stale Patrode dough. No need to add any oil or ghee while preparing the dough.

Serves: 3 
Time : 15 minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4.

           Preparing Patrode Hittu Spices. 

Coconut : 1 Cup
Coriander seeds : I full fist ; (3 to 4 Tablespoons)
Tamarind : 2 Gooseberry sized
Jaggery : 3 to 4 Tablespoons.(Powdered)
Jeera /Cumin seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Turmeric Powder : A pinch.
Raw rice : 2 cups
Method :
Soak rice for 2 to 3 hours. Soak tamarind for 5 minutes and grind it with all the above ingredients. (Use clean tamarind to grind. Or you can soak tamarind and squeeze out the pulp and then use the pulp). Add rice and grind it nicely. Add salt and give a churn  and remove the dough from mixi jar.

Note :

Use only required dough to prepare poori. The rest can be used for preparing choice of your favourite dishes like, adding any edible leaves and preparing rotti, adding onions and preparing dosa, adding cut capsicum (capsicum dosa), adding carrots and carrot dosa or rotti etc.