Mangalore Southekai Pepper - Jeera Curry.

Mangalore Southekai is a type of cucumber and it is also called as bannada southekai (coloured cucumber). It is well grown in Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka. May be because of this it might have got the name Mangalore Southekai.  This vegetable is available  most of the places in India and well famous now a days. This cucumber is known as Velarekai in Tamil, Vellarikaikka -Malayalam, Kheera or Kakdi in Hindi and Shosha in Bengali.
Mangalore Southekai Pepper Jeera Curry is prepared using Pepper and Jeera as main ingredients as the recipe named. In Udupi Mutt and some Mutt and the Dharmik People ( who are following strict samskruthi and sampradaya) follow  Chaaturmaasa.  Duration of four months are called as "Chaturmaasa" in a year. In this particular months the food is prepared using Pepper instead of green chilly or red chilly. May be it is good to follow this system since pepper and jeera help us to keep a good health. Having these spices in limited portion makes our body strong and keep us from any disease.

Lets see the benefits of having Pepper and Jeera (cumin seeds) in our diet.
Black pepper improves the digestion. It contain antioxidant properties. The outer layer of peppercorn helps to breakdown the fat cells and using pepper pods are a good way to shed the over weight naturally. In Ayurvedic practices pepper is used to tonic for cold and cough. It provides relief from sinusitis and nasal congestion. Pepper has the quality that helps to break up mucus and it clears the respiratory tract.
Jeera (Cumin Seeds) are beneficial for our body. They are rich source of iron and good for lactating mothers and pregnant women since they need more iron during that period. It helps the digestion of food and prevent indigestion. It also helps in time of nausea and morning sickness. Jeera seeds have antiseptic properties and good for curing common cold. They also boost the power of the liver and flush out toxins from the body.
Lets see the recipe of   "Mangalore Southekai Pepper - Jeera Curry" which goes well with plain or masala rice, rotis, chapatis, poris, any type of dosas and idli.
This dish do not contain any onion or garlic. It can be prepared during festivals or on special days.

Ingredients :

Southekai : 2 bowls ( 1/2 of 1 medium size Mangalore southekai).
Coconut : 1 Cup
Pepper Pods : 6 to 8
Jeera 1 Tea spoon
Green Chilly :1
Almonds : 10 to 12
Salt : required
Coconut Oil : 1 Tea spoon
Curd Chilly  : Majjige Menasu or Moru Molagai ) : 2
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tea spoon
Ingh : a pinch
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8 

Method : 

1. Wash Southekai and remove the outer skin and the inner pulp with seeds. Cut them in to small

2.Grate coconut and grind with 1/2 tea spoon of jeera, pepper and almonds.

3. Cook southe kai pieces till they are soft.(5 to 6 minutes).

4. Add ground coconut to cooked Southekai. Mix it well.
5. Wash and slit green chilly and  add it to the boiling mixture.
6. Add required salt and mix it well. Let it boil for 2 minutes. Put off the fire and shift the curry to a serving bowl.

7. Keep a small pan on the fire and add a spoon of coconut oil. Add mustard seeds to the hot oil. Let it splutter.
8. Add curry leaves and ingh. Add Curd chilly and fry nicely till the chilly turn black. Add this mixture to the ready curry.
9. Serve " Mangalore Sothekai Pepper-Jeera Curry" with plain rice or chapati or any main dish you prepared.

Note :

Do not over cook the vegetable. Tasty may differ. You can use any cooking oil instead of coconut oil. Adding onions or garlic is an option. You can add roasted chenna ( hurikadale or pottu kadale)or a spoon of soaked raw rice while grinding, instead of almonds.  This gives the thickness to the curry. Taste may differ. You can add a cup of curd. Adding curd is optional. Add curd just before you serve the curry.  Do not re heat the curry after mixing with curd. It may curdle. I have not added.
Time : 20 Minutes 
Serves : 3 to 4

Flax Seeds - Carrot & Bajji Chilly Chutney

Flax Seeds - Carrot & Bajji Chilly Chutney

Carrot -Flax Seeds & Bajji or Bonda Chilly Chutney is a side dish and we can have this chutney with plain rice, roti, chapati, akki rotti, idli, dosa and even bread and buns.

 Flax seeds are known as Agasi in Kannada (Karnataka), Ali Vidai or Ali Varai - Tamil,    Bittu, alasi or atasi - Telugu, Cheruchana vittu -Malayalam, Alasi or tisi -Hindi, Alasi - Gurjarati, Javasu - Marati,and Marshina in Bengali.
Flax seeds are known for their wonderful values.Flax seeds contain Omega 3 Fatty acids.

Lets see  the benefits of having flax seeds in our diet.
Flax seeds are normally eatem during the winter months as they generate heat in our body.
Flax seeds are extremely good for the health. They are prime source of Omega 3 fatty acids and vegetarian must add flax seeds in their diet. Omega 3 fatty acids are very necessary for the good health. It is normally found in fish(salmon, mackerel, tuna etc), soyabean, flax seed, pumpkin seeds, spinach, walnuts and salad greens.
Flax seeds are high in antioxidants and contain dietary fiber which is essential for regulating proper bowel movements. Fiber helps to prevent constipation and also it keeps us full for a longer time. They help to prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and blood sugar.
Lets see the recipe of Flax seeds - carrot and Bajji Chilly. It is very easy to prepare and goes very well with all the main dishes.
There is no onion or garlic used in this dish.

Ingredients :'

Carrot : 2
Flax Seeds : 2 Table spoons
Coconut : Fresh and grated : 1 Cup
Bajji Chilly : 2
Salt : To taste
Ingh (Asfoetida ) : a pinch
Oil : 2  Tea spoons
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tea spoon
Urid Dal : 1/2 Tea spoon
 Red chilly (Byadagi ) : 3 To 4
Curry leaves : 8 to 10
Tamarind : a small marble size.

Method : 

1. Wash carrots (scrape out the outer layer and then wash again) and grate.
2. Wash bajji chilly and cut it into small pieces

3. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
4. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put 1/2 tea spoon of oil. Add flax seeds and red chilly. Fry them till the seeds turn crispy.  (Do it on low flame nearly 2 minutes).

5. Add curry leaves, ing, grated carrots and then fry for a minute. Put off the gas and then add coconut gratings. Leave it for cooling.

6. Grind this coconut- carrot and flax seeds mixture with tamarind one the fried mixture is cooled. Add salt and grind for `10 seconds and shift the ground chutney to a bowl.

7. Now keep a pan on the fire and put oil ( 1 Tea spoon will do) and heat. Add mustard seeds, urid dal and ingh. Let the mustard seeds splutter.
8. Add curry leaves and cut Bajji chilly and fry them till they are soft. Put this fried mixture on the top of the ready serving chutney.

9. Flax Seeds - Carrot & Bajji Chilly Chutney is ready to serve.

Note : 

Do not over fry the flax seeds. (It might leave bitter taste). The seeds should be crispy once it is done. You can use more coconut. You can also add onions while grinding the mixture.  You can also use little jaggery if you wish sweetish taste.
Time : 15 minutes
Serves : 4 to 5 .