Alasande - Oggarane (Cow Peas Snack)

Usli /kalu oggarane/ kosumbari /sundal what ever you call is is  simply some legumes or vegetables which are seasoned and ready to eat as they are. Dals like moong/whole moong/channa can be mixed with salads and eaten raw. We South Indians (normally in Karnataka), we call it as Kosumbari.
Here I have soaked and cooked cow pea and seasoned with mustard jaggery and coconut.

This is one of the traditional dish, which normally done during the harvest season. It is one of the evening snack on the last day of planting the paddy plant during the heavy rainy season. I used to enjoy eating this in my childhood days since I stayed with my aunt who had paddy field. She is one of the hard worker too. She used to cook this for at least 15 to 20 people, and in those days there was no gas provision or pressure cooker. The whole process has to be done with fire wood. Sitting in front of the firewood and see that it has been cooked to soft texture. (Not over cooked).
Lets see some benefits of eating Cow Pea in our diet.
Cow peas is loaded with number of health benefits. It is good for improving our digestion. It is also good for people who suffer from sleeping disorders, it control and balances the diabetes and protect our heart. It helps to detoxify the body and also good for weight loss, strengthen our blood circulation and good for healthy skin. Cow pea is filled with dietary fiber and helps to ease the constipation problems and it takes care of our heart and balances cholesterol level in our body. It has a good amount of Vitamin B 1, Vitamin A, Vitamin C. Cow pea is less in calories. It also helps and boost to protect our immune system. Cow Pea is filled with magnesium and it helps to balance the blood sugar level. Cow peas is loaded with high level of iron and it helps recover from anemia, and iron is necessary to produce red blood cells.
Lets see the recipe now. 
Alasande Oggarane/ Cow Pea Snack is an easy dish and it can  be eaten as snack and can be used as one of the side dish too. It can be prepared and serve during the pooja, festival or feast. Since it is protein rich you can pack it for kids for snack time.
No Garlic or No Onion in this Alasande Oggarane. (Cow Pea Seasoning).

Things Needed : 

Cow Peas : 1 Bowl
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Jaggery : 1 to 2 Tablespoons
Red chilly : 2
Green chilly : 2
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Curry leaves : 6 to 8 leaves
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : As required

Method :

1. Wash and soak Cow Peas over night or 6 to 8 hours.
2. Cook them with required water till soft. (Pressure cook for 6 to 8 minutes with little water).

3. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
4. Wash curry leaves, green chilly and coriander leaves and cut them into small. Keep it aside.
5. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put coconut oil mustard seeds. red chilly and urid dal.
6. Let the mustard seeds splutter. Add curry leaves and ingh/asfoetida.
7. Now add cooked Alasande/cow pea, green chilly,  Mix it slowly and nicely.

8. Add turmeric powder, salt and jaggery. Let it cook on low flame and jaggery melts.

9. Let all the moisture disappear. Mix it again and add fresh grated coconut.

10. Add cut coriander leaves and mix it well. Shift the ready Alasande Oggarane to a serving plate.

Note :

You can add green chilly instead of red chilly or use both type of chilly. Use of coconut oil is optional. (Coconut oil adds to the taste and aroma). Adding jaggery is optional. We like the sweet taste in alasande.
You can use black channa/kabooli channa /whole moong/ fresh ground nuts instead of Cow peas.
Time :
Soaking time : 6 to 8 Hours
Cooking : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 4 to 5 

Padavala Kai Dal (Snake Gourd Dal)

Padavala Kai/Snake Gourd is known as one of the healthy vegetable that you should make use of it very often. Indian/local seasonal vegetables are always best to use. Padavala Kai Dal is a gravy dish and it goes well with almost all the main dishes.

I have used Snake Gourd, coconut and simple spices.
Let us see some benefits of eating Snake Gourd/Padavalaki.
Snake gourd helps to strengthen the immune system. It detoxifies the body. Helps to improve the digestive process of the body. It is good for diabetes, Good treat for hair loss and helps to reduce the weight. Snake Gourd is rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It contain good amount of dietary fiber, less in calories and high levels of protein. It has vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium and iodine.
No Onion  or  No Garlic is used in this Snake Gourd Dal.

Ingredients : 

Toor Dal : 1/2 Cup
Snake Gourd : 1 (Medium size)
Green chilly : 2
Ginger : An inch
Lemon : 1 Teaspoon (1/2 of one lemon)
Coconut : 2 Tablespoons
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
Red chilly : 1
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Salt : As required
Coriander Leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons.

Method :

1. Wash and cook toor dal in pressure cooker for 6 to 8 minutes. (Add required water and cook).
2. Wash and remove the seeds of snake gourd (the pulp inside the snake gourd). Cut into small pieces.
3. Cook snake gourd pieces with required water till they turn soft.
4. Wash and Slit green chilly and cut coriander leaves and curry leaves.
5. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger, wash it again and then grate it. Keep it aside.
6. Wash and cut lemon and remove the seeds from inside.
7. Grate coconut and grind it with little water till paste and remove from the mixi jar.

8. Keep a big pan and add cooked snake gourd pieces. Add cooked dal. Add little turmeric powder.
9. Add salt and mix it well. Add slit green chilly and grated ginger. Mix it well and let it boil for 3 to      4 minutes.

10. Add ground coconut and mix it well. Let it boil for 2 minutes. Shift the curry to a serving dish.
11. Keep a small pan and put ghee/oil. Add mustard seeds and jeera/cumin seeds.
12. Let the mustard seeds splutter. Add red chilly , ingh and fry for 5 seconds. Add curry leaves.
13. Add this seasonings to Snake Gourd Dal. . Add lemon extract.

14. Add coriander leaves and serve.

Note : 

Adding coconut is optional. Coconut adds taste to the curry. You can use plain boiled milk instead of coconut. Adding onions and garlic is optional. Do not make dal spicy. Mild spicy dal taste better. Use of oil instead of ghee is optional. Ghee adds aroma to the dal. (Ghee is good for health).
Adding moong dal instead of toor dal is optional. Taste differ. ( I have used toor dal).
Time : 20 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4.