Saturday, August 7, 2010

Capsicum and Coconut Chutney

I have prepared Capsicum chutney a long ago and it is the normal chutney with capsicum and coconut. Recently some one has shown how to prepare chutney using capsicum cooked on gas burner and then used it for chutney.

It is just like that we cook gulla/special brinjal or normal brinjal to prepare bajji/curd or savoury curry.
I have used little urid dal, gas cooked capsicum and coconut to prepare this chutney. Try and enjoy this chutney with plain rice (hot) or with any other main dish. You are going to say "WOW", no doubt in it.
Let us see some benefits of eating "Capsicum" in our diet.
Capsicum helps to get a relief from stomach problesm, headaches, peptic ulcers and back pain. It is also good for menopausal problems and diabetes. It has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to provide relief from pain related arthritis. It also helps to boost immunity. Capsicum is loaded with Vitamin A and Vitamin C. They are filled with anti-aging properties.
Let us see the recipe now :
No Onion OR No Garlic is added in this "Capsicum and Coconut Chutney".

Things Needed. :

Coconut :  1 Bowl. (4 to 5 Tablespoons)
Capsicum - 1

To Fry 
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Red chilly : 4 to 5
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry Leaves - 5 to 6 Leaves
 Tamarind : A small marble size
Salt - To Taste.

For seasoning : 
Oil - 1 Tablespoon
Musard Seeds - 1/4 tea spoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6


Method :

1. Wash and wipe capsicum. Apply oil around it.
2. Put on the fire and place the oil greased capsicum on the burner. Let it cook on low flame.

3. Cook on all the sides by changing its position.


4. Remove the black patches on the capsicum and clean it with a tissue.
5. Cut into small pieces and let it cool.


6. Keep a pan on the fire and add 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil.
7. Add a teaspoon of urid dal and fry till they turn golden brown.
8. Add red chilly and fry nicely. (byadagi chilly).
9. Add curry leaves and ingh. Put off the fire. Add tamarind and let all the ingredients cool.

10. Grate coconut and grind it with fried urid dal mixture, tamarind and cooked capsicum.
11. Add salt and grind it till it turn paste consistency. (or your desired consistency). Add required water to grind.

12. Remove from the mixi jar to a serving dish. Add coconut oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves and ingh seasoning and serve the yummy " Capsicum and Coconut Chutney".

Note :

Cook capsicum on all sides. Clean out the outer layer before making into pieces. Remove all the black dots before cutting. (If any hard part of black on capsicum). Adding more/less chilly is optional. Use of coconut oil is optional. Cooking capsicum on fire is one of the old tradition and it taste better.
Time : 20 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.

Vadaape..

Vadaape.. is some thing like Vada, prepared using rice flour and curd. It is one of the Malenaadu dish  (Shimogga - Karnataka state). When the rainy season starts, the body craves for some thing fried, spicy and stomach filling dish. It is a natural feeling I can say. Malenaadu means Heavy raining area. It is mostly rural area too. So think of the rain pouring outside and the Hot Vadapes are served with coconut chutney with a hot coffee. It is a fantastic feeling one can enjoy.
I have eaten this Vadape at Shobha Somayaji's House. She is the  principal of Hongirana School which is in Amte Koppa. (10 K.M. away from Sagar). She is full of entu and not only takes care of the whole school activity, entertain her guests and cooks herself and feeds them happily.  We keep going there to visit her. We love to see the places around Sagar. So such one of the visit she had prepared this Vadaape. Next time I saw this Vadaape in one T. V. show.  Archana Udupa one of the great Kannada Singer preparing Vadape in that cooking show. This is how I was inspired and prepared Vadape in our home.
As I said earlier Vadape is a fried dish. May be because it looks like vada, it must have got the name Vadaape. We call any special eatable as appa. For example guli appa, banana appa (banana sweet fritters), Halasina hannina appa (jack fruit fritters) etc. Likewise this vada must have called as appa. So Vade + Appa has turned into Vadape.This is how I understood the word Vadaape.
Vadaape is prepared  using rice flour, curd, onion and some spices.
Here is a recipe and Vadape can be eaten for breakfast or as evening snack or any time of the day.

Things Needed : 

Rice flour : 2 Cups
Onion..2 ( Medium)
Ginger an inch
Green chilly : 2
Coconut- 2 to 3 Tablespoons..( Fresh - grated )
Curry Leaves-Handful
Coriander leaves.- 2 to 3 sticks (finely chopped)
Salt: to taste
Oil : to Fry ( One cup )
Curd - 2 Tablespoons

Method : 

1. Wash and cut onions, green chilly, curry leaves and coriander leaves.
2. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
3.Wash and remove the outer skin of ginger and wash it again. Grate it and keep it aside.
4. Take a big bowl or pan, put cut onions, chilly, curry leaves, coriander leaves, ginger and coconut.

5. Add 2 tablespoons of curd, rice flour and salt.

6. Mix it well and add required water. Prepare soft dough. (Akki rotti consistency ).


7. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and let it heat.
8. Take a small ball size of prepared dough and pat on the palm or on banana or any edible leaf.
9. Make a circle type and make hole in the middle. It gives vada shape.


10. Slowly put this in hot oil and fry on both sides. Remove from the hot oil once it is done and place on kitchen tissue.



11. Repeat the same and prepare the rest of the Vadapes.
 12. Serve Hot Vadaape with coconut or any other chutney you prepared. Coconut chutney goes well with Vadaape.

Note : 

Add water little by little while preparing the dough. If you feel the dough consistency is watery add little more rice flour. You can add a teaspoon of jeera to the dough. (I have not added). Adding coconut is optional. Do not add any oil or ghee while mixing. Fry on medium flame. You can try this using any edible leaves like palak, dil or methi leaves.
Time : 30 to 40 minutes. (Total time)
Serves : 3 to 4 
15 Vadape can be made. (depends on the size you prepare ).

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About

author
My name is Nalini Somayaji. Teaching is my profession. Cooking is my passion. Reading, travelling, visiting new places, having fun with kids are some of the hobbies I can say. My recipes are Healthy, quick, easy and simple. Grown up being a traditional family member I love and respect Indian culture and traditions. Love classical dance and music.
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