Flax seed -Uchellu - Stuffed Brinjal

Flax seed is Agase Beeja ( Kannada Language), Uchhellu  or Huchellu ( Kannada Language) is Niger seeds. Niger seeds are bit different from sesame seeds but having somewhat same aroma of sesame seeds. I do come across some crazy ideas to prepare some of our dishes with little twist. I am using flax seeds for Chutney Pudi (Chutney Powder), Rasam and chutneys also. Even Uchhellu (Niger seeds) also can be used for Chutney powder and chutneys. When you mix this with Tamarind rice Uchhellu gives a good aroma and taste. So I thought of combining these two and prepare our stuffed brinjal (North Canara Special). I also used Puliyogre gojju instead of plain tamarind to give little more spicy touch to the dish. Stuffed Brinjal dish was very nice with spicy taste, flax seeds richness and uchhellu aroma.

 Uchhellu is known as Karale in Hindi, Khurasani in Marathi and Punjabi, Sorguja or sorguza in Assamese and Bengali. It is Huchellu or Karelle in Kannada and Payellu in Tamil.

Lets see some benefits of Huchellu or Uchellu and Flax Seeds.
They are rich in calcium, magnesium and other minerals. They also help us to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Traditionally Uchellu oil is used as a massage oil and its properties offer relief for aches,pains, and skin problems.

Flax seeds are source of healthy fat, antioxidants and full of fiber. It can also help to lower the risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Flax seeds - Uchhellu Stuffed Brinjal can be eaten with plain rice, chapati, roti, poori. 
No onions or garlic is used in this Flax seed - Uchhellu Stuffed Brinjal dish. ( It is optional).

Things Needed : 

Brinjal : Small, tender and round : - 6 to 8
Flax Seeds :  2 Table Spoons
Uchhellu (Niger Seeds) : 1 Table Spoon.
Tamarind Pulp : 2 Table spoons' ( or You can use M.T.R. or Maiaya;s Puliyogre Powder).
Rasam Powder : 2 Table spoons
Coconut : 3 Table spoons
Salt : To Taste
Jaggery : 2 Table spoons
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Oil : 2 Table spoons
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tea spoon
Methi (Fenugrik ) Seeds : 1/4 Tea spoon
Jeera : 1/2 Tea spoon
Ingh : a pinch

Method :

1. Wash and cut brinjal in to 4 to 6 until the end of the brinjal. Leave it in the water.

2. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Dry roast flax seeds , Uchhellu on low flame. Leave it for cooling.
3.Add coconut and rasam powder. mix it well.

 4. Dry grind  roasted seeds and coconut. Remove from the pan and add salt.

5.Ad little water and mix the mixture nicely and fill this mixture to a cut brinjal. ( If you are using tamarind pulp add little more water to the ground spice and mix it well).

 6.Arrange all these stuffed brinjals in a plate.

 7. Now keep a big pan on the fire and add oil. Heat oil and put mustard seeds, methi seeds. Let the mustard seeds splutter.

8. Add jeera and ingh. Add curry leaves. Now arrange stuffed brinjals in the pan.

9. Put jaggery and remaining ground mixture on the top of brinjal and mix it slowly.

10. Add little water, a pinch of turmeri powder and cover the dish and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on medium flame.

 11. Turn the other side slowly and cook till they are soft. Add salt if required.

12. Now insert the edge of a knife or spoon to know that brinjal is cooked nicely. ( if not put little more water and cook for 2 more minutes). Cook till all the water disappear. ( It should turn thick).

13. Shift Cooked Brinjal to a serving bowl.

14. Serve with the main dish you have prepared. 

Note:

You can use more spices ( chilly powder or cut green chilly) if you like the dish to be spicy.
I have added Maiyya's puliyogre powder instead of  tamarind pulp and Maiyya's  rasam powder.
You can also use more jaggery if like the dish to be sweet and spicy.
You can also add lemon juice ( 1/2 lemon extract) at the end.
You can fry 2 table spoons of coriander seeds, 1/4 spoon of methi seeds, 1/4 spoon of jeera and 6 to 8 red chillies and powder it to get rasam powder.
Onions and garlic also can be fried just before adding brinjal ( mustard splutter) and fry it nicely and then add brinjal and cook. (optional).
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves :  4 to 5

Little Millet- Foxtail Millet - Urid Dosa.

Little Millet is known as Saame akki and Foxtail millet is known as Navane in Kannada Language. Now a days Millets are consider as the healthiest grains in the whole world. Using these millets instead of rice help us to get more carbohydrates and sugar more than the required quantity. Most of the the millets are gluten free and  healthy.

In this dosa recipe, I have used Saame that is little millet and Navane the foxtail millet with Urid dal. The same proportion of Urid dal and instead of rice combined little millet and foxtail millet. The out come is really nice. You can prepare soft thick Set Dosa or thin crispy dosa, the choice is yours. The ingredients have to be soaked as usual for 4 to 5 hours, then grind and leave it for ferment. (over night 7 to 8 hours ). Little millet and Foxtail millet combination is superb and the dosa taste fantastic.
Now Lets see some benefits of Little Millets and Foxtail Millets
Little millet is known as Saame in Kannada, Saamai -Tamil, Sama - Telugu and Chama in Malayalam. It is a wonderful millet that is suitable for people of all age group. It is full of fiber and helps to prevent constipation and helps women who have irregular period problems. It also helps to reduce the fat depositions in the body. Little millet is good source of minerals, iron and good antioxidant. It is good for diabetic people. It is gluten free too. 
Foxtail Millet is known as Navane in Kannada, Thinai -Tamil, Kangni/Rala  Hindi, Korra -Telugu and Thina in Malayalam. Foxtail Millet contain high source of carbohydrates and rich in dietry fiber and full of minerals like copper and iron. Foxtail millet help our body to be strong and controls blood sugar and cholesterol level.
Here is a recipe of Little Millet -Foxtail Millet Urid Dosa, the whole family will enjoy eating this dosa and get benefit from this healthy grains.

Things Needed :

Little Millets : 2 Cups
Foxtail Millets : 2 Cups
Urid Dal : 1 Cup
Methi (Fenugrik) Seeds : 1 Tea spoons
Avalakki (Beaten Rice or Aval or Poha) :  2 to 3 fist ful ( 1 Cup ).
Salt : to taste
Oil : 2 to 3 Tablespoon

Method :

1. Wash and soak foxtail millet, little millet and urid dal for 4 to 5 hours. (clean before you soak them).

2. Wash   Soak Beaten rice and methi seeds in warm water for 2 to 3 hours..
3. Now grind all the ingredients til paste, remove from the grinder or Mixi Jar.
4. Add salt and allow it to ferment. Keep it in the warm place.

5. Take a tava and place on the fire. Heat and put oil around the Pan. 
6. Mix Dosa batter nicely and put a spoon of batter and spread on the dosa pan. Cover and cook for 1 minute and put some oil on the dosa and turn the other side of the dosa and cook.

 
7. Remove from the dosa pan and serve with the chutney of your choice.

8. Repeat the same with remaining dosa dough.

Note :  

The dough should be like normal dosa dough. Do not make the dough watery.
You can use ghee instead of oil. You can also prepare masala dosa and onion uttappa with this dough.
Dosa may look little soft but it taste good and healthy too. Adding 1 portion of rice is your choice.

Time : 4 Hours to soak and over night or 8 hours to ferment. Preparation time " 20 minutes.

Serves : 8 to 10 people .