Brinjal baratha .( baainghan baratha )

 Brinjal/Egg Plant/badane kai/kattarikai is one of the favourite vegetable of many. Brinjal bharatha /curry is one of the traditional dish of South Canara. Baratha /curry can be cooked in different ways.
Here I have used brinjal/gulla Mattu gulla from Udupi), onions and tamarind. This is a savoury baratha and it is nice to eat with hot rice, chapatis, rotis etc. Instead of tomatoes I have used tamarind here.

Brinjal Bharatha goes well with plain rice, roti, chapati, dosas or any other main dish.
I have used " mattina gulla / mattina badane" one of the best variety of brinjal which is grown only in a place called " Mattu" near Udupi in Karnataka /India.
Let us see the recipe now.

Brinjal should be cooked on the gas stove /firewood (if possible), and then remove the burnt part on the outer layer, clean it with wet hand. Smash the cooked brinjal and then cook.

Things needed :

Brinjal : ( Round brinjal ) : 1 ( medium size )
Onion : 1
Green chilly : 2
Tamarind : 1 Teaspoon
Jaggery : 1 Tablespoon (Powdered)
Coriander leaves :  2 to 3 Tablespoons
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Asfatodia ( Ingh ) : A pinch
Mustard seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Urd daal : 1/4 Teaspoon
Salt :To taste
Oil : 1 Teaspoon.

Method :

1. Remove the outer layer of onion and cut into small pieces.
2. Wash brinjal and apply coconut oil around brinjal. Soak a marble size tamarind and squeeze out the pulp. Keep it aside.
3. Keep it a gas burner and let the flame be low. Turn all the sides and cook till it get soft.

4. Once it is done let it cool. Remove the outer layer slowly and then clean it with wet hands.

5. Keep that cleaned brinjal in a big bowl or plate and smash it nicely. Keep it aside.

6. Keep a pan on the fire and add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
7. Add mustard seeds. urid dal and little ingh. Let mustard seeds splutter.
8. Add curry leaves and thin cut onions. Fry till they turn golden brown.
9. Add smashed brinjal and mix it well. Add wash and cut green chilly. (Slit chilly in between).
10.Add a pinch of turmeric powder, tamarind pulp, salt and a teaspoon of jaggery.
11. Mix all the ingredients and let it cook on low flame. ( 5 Minutes at least). Add cut coriander leaves.

12. Shift  the ready brinjal baratha to a serving dish and serve with the choice of your main dish.

Note :

 You can cook brinjal in a pressure cooker instead of flames. (on gas burner). Adding lemon juice/extract instead of tamarind pulp is optional. Adding more or less spice is optional. Adding any spice powder like garam masala/rasam powder is optional. You can also add curd instead of tamarind pulp. Add curd just before serving the dish. Adding onions is purely optional. Normally I do not add. 

Time : 20 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4.

Nendra baale Fry

Nendra baale Fry is a sweet dish. It is one of the traditional dish which is served in festival or feast and big functions.

Nendra baale is one variety of banana and it is used in shallow frying or deep frying. We do prepare Banana Halva using this banana. Nenra baale podi (fried fritters) is also prepared and it is very tasty snack.

In Kerala especially these bananas are used more. Steamed banana is served in breakfast and it is one of the healthy dish, Nendra Baale chips are very tasty and slight sweet crunch chips are nice to eat.

Bananas are full of nutritious, vitamins and minerals. They are rich in fiber and carbohydrates. They help in curing anemia, gout, kidney disorders, urinary disorders. They also help in reducing blood pressure, protecting heart health and helps to improve the immune system. 

They are rich in fiber and a good remedy for people who suffer from constipation. They contain anti oxidant and anti inflammatory properties. They are good for weight loss. They contain high calories. They are rich in vitamin C and vitamin B 6. They contain minerals like potassium, manganese, magnesium and copper. They are good sources of dietary fiber an protein. 

I have used Nendra baale (Nendra banana fruit), ghee and sugar. It is shallow fried on low flame. It can be served as sweet or desert at the parties and functions.It is easy to prepare and anyone can try. You should use Well Ripe Nendra Baale (Nendra banana) to get the good result.

Lets see the recipe. 

Things needed :
Nendra baale (Well ripe) :  ( A kind of big banana ) 1
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
Sugar : 2 Tablespoons

Method :
1. Wash banana and cut into circle shape.
2. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Just spread a little ghee. Arrange the cut bananas in circle shape.

3. Sprinkle some ghee on the top. Cover and cook them till they turn brown.
4. Now turn the banana slices to other sides and spread little more ghee on the top.

5. Sprinkle sugar on the top and cook till they turn brown. Flip the slices again to the other side and put off the fire.

6. Remove from the pan and serve .

Note :
Remember that you should use well ripe banana to prepare this dish. Or it might give sour taste. Use of more or less ghee is optional. use of sugar (more/less) is also optional. Remember this dish contain ghee and sugar and intake of this should be less quantity. 
Time : 10 Minutes
Serves : 2.