Apple Haalubai (Apple Rice Cake).

Apple Halubai / Apple Rice Cake 

Haalubai is a sweet dish, Haalu bai is prepared using coconut, raw rice, jaggery, cardamom and ghee. It is one of the traditional dish done during Nagara Panchami festival. Rice is soaked and ground along with coconut and added jaggery and cardamom. This ground dough is stirred on the low flame till it is cooked. Adding ghee at the end and normally spread the cooked dough on the banana leaf. The spread Haalubai is cut when it is cooled according to their wish either diamond or square. Served with the ghee on the top of halubai is very tasty to eat.
Lets see Some benefits of eating Jaggery and  Apples in our daily diet.
Eating jaggery, include the ability to cleanse our body, act as a digestive agent, sweeten our food in a healthy manner and provide good amount of minerals.
Apples deserve to be called " nutritional power houses".  They contain Vitamin C which are natural antioxidants. They help the body's resistance against infectious agents. Apples contain  B- complex vitaminsand these vitamins help us in maintaining red blood cells and the nervous system in good health. It contain dietary fiber.. Eating apples help to reduce the risk of diabetes. Lower the levels of bad cholesterol.
Here in this recipe. I have added, grated Apple and tried it. Adding apple taste good. This Apple Haalubai is one of the recipe appeared in Vijaya Next. I am sure each and every one will love this dish "Apple Haalubai".

Things needed :

Raw Rice : 1 Cup
Coconut : 1/2 Cup
Jaggery : 1/2 Cup
Apple : 1 (Red )
Cardamom : 4 to 5 pods
Ghee : 2 to 3 Table spoons.
Water : required
Salt : a little

Method :

1. Wash and soak Raw rice for 2 to 3 hours.

2. Grate coconut and remove the cardamom seeds from the pods.

3. Grind coconut, cardamom and soaked rice nicely till fine texture.

4. Remove the ground dough from the mixi (liquidizer ) to a big bowl or pan.
5. Add a pinch of salt and jaggery to the dough. Add required water. ( The dough consistency should be like dosa dough or little more watery).
 6. Wash and grate apple and add it to the batter. Mix it nicely.

7. Keep the rice mixture on the fire. (low flame). Stir continuously till it is cooked. Add ghee in between.

8. When dough thickens and starts to leave the pan remove the dough and spread it on a banana leaf or ghee spread plates. Allow it to cool.

 9. Cut Halubai according to your desired shape.

10. Put a spoon of ghee on the top just before serving.

Note : 

You must stir until it is cooked properly. Adding more ghee will give a better taste. Adding more or less jaggery is also optional.
You can also add ripe banana instead of apples.
Time : 15 to 20 minutes. (Soaking time extra).
Serves : 5 to 6.

Moong Dal - Millet Flour Dosa (Jowar Flour)

Moong Dal - Millet flour Dosa is good for breakfast, evening snack and for dinner. Moong Dal and Millet Dosa can be done easily and we do not have to wait for ferment.  I have added carrots, coconut and ginger with pepper pods. This dish is on healthy side I can surely say. Neither Onions nor Rice flour is used here, so it can be a choice for fasting or special days also. The food is 100 % Gluten free.

 Now Lets see some benefits of eating Millet and Moong Dal in our daily diet.
Jowar (Sorghum) has a higher content of calcium and packed with iron, protein and fibre. They are loaded with antioxidants. They are helpful to lower the cholesterol levels. They are gluten free.

Moong Dal is a healthy bean and good for weight lose. Moong Dal contain High Protein and low fat and relatively low calorie count. Moong Dal is rich in Vitamins like Vitamin B 1, B5 and Vitamin B6. and minerals like iron, magnesium , manganese, phosphrous and zinc.

Here is a recipe of " Moong Dal - Millet Flour Dosa ,  a simple - simply healthy and tasty Dosa. I am sure each and every family member will surely love it and it fits to all age group.

Things Needed :

Moong Dal : 2 Cups
Millet (Jowar  or Sorgham) flour : 1 Cup
Carrots : 2
Ginger : an inch
Coriander leaves : Handful
Curry leaves : Handful
Pepper Pods : 5 to 6
Salt : to taste
Oil : 4 to 5 Table Spoons

 Method : 

1. Wash and soak moong dal for 4 to 5 hours or over night.  Grind Moong Dal with little water.  Remove from the jar and put it in a big bowl.

2. Wash and grate carrots and ginger, cut coriander and curry leaves. Keep it aside. Grate or scrape coconut. Powder or crush pepper pods and keep it aside.

3. Now mix millet flour and ground moong dal nicely. Add salt, grated carrots, coconut, cut coriander, curry leaves and ginger. Add crushed pepper pods. Mix it nicely and prepare dosa consistency dough.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Sprinkle oil on the tava. When it is hot take a spoonful of  moong dal - millet dough and spread it in circle shape ( dosa shape).

5. Cook for a minute and sprinkle 1/2 Tea spoon of oil on the top. Turn the dosa on the other side and cook for 10 to 15 seconds.

6. Remove from the pan and serve Hot Moong Dal - Milet Dosa with the side dish you have prepared.
7. Add a spoon of ghee on the top of dosa before serving

8. We had " Moong Dal - Millet flour Dosa with Beetroot Curry and Ground Nut  Chutney Pudi.

Note :

Do not add lots of water while grinding. You can add it when you are mixing the flour. You can also add grated bottle gourd along with carrots. But the taste differ. You can also use ghee instead of oil. Better use oil while cooking to be safer on healthy side. You can also add cut onions if you wish. (optional). Moong dal takes less time to be soften . 3 to 4 hours will be more than enough. Do not add cooking soda or fruit salt to this dosa dough.
Time : 20 minutes.
Soaking time : 3 to 4 hours.
Serves : 3 to 4.