Banana - Wheat - Rava - Gulkand Cake

Banana - Wheat - Rava Gulkand Cake is the special cake prepared for my dear hubby's Birthday. We had planned for family lunch get-together.

The cake has come out very nicely with excellent flavour of home made healthy Gulkand, soft and fluffy. No egg is used here and it is very simple.
It is always a pleasure to prepare some special dish for people who are near to your heart.
I have used wheat flour ( Ashirvaad ), chiroti rava /thin variety of semolina, banana, gulkand which is done using organic jaggery, normally jaggery, curd, milk, cooking soda and baking powder.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things needed :

Wheat flour : 1 1/2 Cup
Chiroti Rava / Thin variety of semolina : 1/2 Cup
Curd : 1/2 Cup
Milk : 1/2 Cup
Jaggery : 1/2 Cup
Well ripe banana : 1 ( Small  Elakki banana).
Baking soda : 1/4 Teaspoon ( Two pinches)
Baking powder : 1 Teaspoon
Butter : 2 Tablespoons
Gulkand : 2 Teaspoons ( Optional)
Salt : A pinch

Method :

1. Sieve wheat flour, chiroti rava, salt,baking powder and cooking soda. ( 2 to 3 times.)

 2. Put curd, milk, butter and jaggery, banana to a mixi jar . Grind it nicely till it starts to get small bubbles. /Use egg beater and mix all the ingredients nicely.
3. Add two tablespoons of gulkand/any essence of your choice. Grind for another 2 minutes.

4. Remove from the mixi jar to a big bowl.

5. Add sieved wheat, rava, baking powder, salt and cooking soda.
6. Mix all the ingredients nicely. Move your hand on one direction while mixing the batter.

7. Heat the oven for 5 minutes.
8. Sprinkle some wheat flour in the baking tray.
9. Put ready cake mixture to the tray and tap the tray. Let the cake batter spread it equally.

10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes with 180 degree celsius.

11. Take out the cake and keep it on the oven for 5 minutes.

12. Cut and serve or decorate once it is cooled.

Note :

Egg is not used in this Banana - Wheat  - Rava - Gulkand Cake. Use of jaggery and the rest of the ingredients are healthy ingredients.  You can use sugar instead of jaggey. Use of curd has turned the cake very soft and fluffy. Use less cooking soda. I have topped dates and they look like as if they have burnt. No they haven't burnt. Brown and black baked dates taste awesome. I do not like topping the cake with sugar and butter. So I left it as it is. Instead of butter you can use ghee or normal cooking oil. But butter taste the best. Add only very little butter. It gives nice aroma and is healthy too. You can use egg beater or any other modern equipment to mix, instead of grinding. I like it because you will not have that energy. I have added some dates on the top. (Optional).
Time : 40 Minutes. ( All included , sieving, mixing, grinding and baking.
Serves : 8 to 10.
Some pictures of family gathering .  Birthday Boy Mr. Jayarama Somayaji and His family ..

Quick Mango Fruit Gojju

Mango season is here and its time to make maximum use of Mango Fruit. Mango fruit is known as King of fruits and as the name says it is the best fruit and many of us do like to have it again and again.

Mango fruits in our place/South Canara/Malenadu/ Karavali, people do have mango trees in most of  the houses and they do make use of the fruits in curries and other side dishes It is a fun eating mango dishes during rainy season.
Here is such one recipe and we do call it as Mango Fruit Gojju.
In this Mango gojju We don't have to cook any thing except the seasoning. It is yummy. You can not stop eating this gojju with hot rice. ( Boiled rice/Red rice/raw rice).
I have used mango fruits, which are available here/Bengaluru, green chilly, salt, ingh.etc
I have not seen this variety of mango in our home town Udupi. The mango fruits available there is bit savoury with sweetness. The Sakkare Maavu what they call this particular mango fruit, taste so sweet and it is full of fiber. The pulp is so sweet and no need to add jaggery to it.(Optional).
The beauty of this Mango Fruit Gojju is no need to cook this gojju. 
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

Mango Fruits : 5 to 6
Green chilly : 2
Ingh : A pinch
Salt : As required
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6 leaves.

Method :

1. Wash and clean the fruits and squeeze out its pulp completely. Add little water to its peel and squeeze out the pulp from it. Put it a bowl.
2. Wash and cut green chilly into small pieces and add it to Mango Pulp.
3. Add required salt .
4. Keep a small pan and put oil. Add mustard seeds and let it splutter.
5. Add ingh and curry leaves and put off the fire. Add this seasoning to Mango pulp.
6. Mix all the ingredients nicely and serve with hot plain rice or as one of the side dish with dosas, idli. chapati or roti.

Note : 

You can add little jaggery when the mango fruit is sour. ( Optional ). Use very little water to take out the pulp from mango peel. Adding more green chilly is optional.
10 Minutes
2 to 3 Serves.

Raw Mango Traditional Pickle / Kethe Uppina Kai

Raw mango Traditional Pickle  as we call it is one of the traditional dish done with raw mangoes. This pickle  is used as one of the side dish with dosa, idli, rice, curd rice and many more main dishes. This pickle can be prepared it quickly.
It is so easy to prepare and we do enjoy eating with Ganji.

This pickle is so handy and it helps and eases our daily work . In South Canara in our homes we normally do not prepare chutney always. It has become a habit that we use varieties of pickles especially mango pickles. The varieties of mango pickle like, ಕೆತ್ತೆ, ಅಡುಗಾಯಿ, ಮಿಡಿ, ಹಿಂಡಿ, /kette, adugaayi, midi, hindi etc. Each type of pickle is yummy to taste and some last long at least for 2 to 3 years even.

This particular variety of pickle is done very easily and quickly. Normally when the raw mango starts this variety of pickle is prepared.
I have used raw mango, mustard seeds, coconut oil, and  red chilly powder.
I have used two  big raw mangoes.
Let us see the recipe

Things needed :

Raw mango : 2 :Big size
Mustard seeds : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : 5 to 6 Tablespoons
Chilly Powder : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
To Season/Temper :
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch

Method :

1. Wash and wipe mango with clean towel. Leave it for a few minutes.
2. Peel off the green outer layer and cut mango into very small pieces.
3. Take a big bowl and put mango pieces and salt. Mix it well and leave it for a day.
4. Now keep a pan on the fire and put a glass of water. Put a handful of salt and boil till it reduces to half.
5. Add salt water from the mango you have dipped. Let it boil for a minute. Put the cut mango pieces to boiling salt water and put off the fire. Let it cool.
6. Grind mustard seeds and chilly powder with cooled salt water. Let mustard seeds turn as paste.
7. Remove it from mixi jar and mix it with mango pieces. \

8. Let the ground paste and mango pieces mixes well.
9. Add coconut oil, mustard seeds and ingh/Asafoetida seasoning and mix it nicely.

10. Let it cool completely. Store it in a glass bottle and use it as you like. Better to store in fridge.

Note

Remember that to wipe mango nicely and then use it. Adding more oil, chilly powder is optional.
Use of coconut oil is optional.
Any brand of chilly powder is optional. I have used MTR red chilly powder.
Time : 20 Minutes.
Serves : Depends upon the servings.

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 Sambar Rice

Sambar Rice is a quick Rice dish with full of veggies. It is one of the Tamil Nadu people's favourite food that can be cooked quickly and easily.

Sambar Rice is filled with proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates. Veggies are full of fiber and vitamins. It is like a full meal and it surely fills our stomach.
Sambar rice can be cooked for one pot meal, lunch or even dinner. You can take this full meal for travelling or even to office. ( For lunch)
Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Rice : 1 Cup
Toor Dal : 1/2 Cup or little less
Carrots : 2 ( Medium size)
Knolkol /Kohirabi/Navilu kosu : 2
Cluster beans /Gori kai/Chavali Kodu : 100 to 150 Gr.
To Dry Roast :
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Red chilly : 5 to 6
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Channa dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander seeds : 2 Tablespoons
Jeera /cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Ingh / Asafoetida : A little
To season :
Capsicum : 1
Cashew Nuts : 2 to 3 Tablespoons. ( 6 to 8 nuts)
Oil : 2 Teaspoons
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6 leaves.
To Add : 
Tamarind Pulp : 2 to 3 Tablespoons pulp ( Small marble size tamarind)
Turmeric powder : A little
Salt : As required
Dry ground powder
Seasoning 
Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons

Method : 

1. Wash and cut scrape out carrots and cut into small pieces.
2. Wash and peel off the outer layer of knolkol and cut into desired size.
3. Wash and remove the edges of cluster beans and cut into desired size.

4. Put them in a pressure cooker. Add washed toor dal. Add 1/2 Cup of water.
5. Pressure cook all the above ingredients for 2 to 3 minutes. Let it cool.
6. Wash and cook rice and keep it aside.

7. Soak tamarind in hot water for 5 minutes and squeeze out the pulp. Keep it aside.
8. Dry roast all the spices one by one on low flame and dry grind once it is cooled.

9. Keep a big pan on the fire and put cooked rice, vegetables with dal.
10. Add tamarind pulp and haldi/turmeric. Add salt and mix all the ingredients nicely.
11. Add water if required and let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.
12. Add dry ground fresh spice powder and mix it well. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Wash capsicum and remove its seeds from inside. Cut it into thin pieces. keep it aside.

13. Keep a pan on the fire and add oil and ghee. Add cashew nuts and fry.
14. Add mustard seeds, ingh and let mustard seeds splutter.
15. Add ingh and curry leaves . Add cut capsicum and fry till the pieces turn golden brown.

16. Shift the ready Sambar Rice to a serving dish. Add fried capsicum and seasoning mixture to Sambar rice.

Mix it well and serve with papad.

Note :

Cooking vegetables separately helps to keep the veggies crunchy. Adding more chilly to Sambar rice is optional. Adding fresh spice is optional. You can use any brand of Sambar powder instead of home prepared sambar powder.
Time : 40 Minutes 
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Serves : 3 to 4 .