Sweet Potato Curry

Sweet potatoes are plenty in the market during winter, Sweet potatoes are one of the healthy vegetable also. Preparing some or the other dishes using this vegetable is really good Idea. I have noted that Swathi Iyer has used Sweet Potatoes in her baking. That's a great idea to use Sweet Potatoes. We South Canara  (Southern part of Karnataka) people do make use of sweet potatoes in our cooking. So many dishes can be prepared with sweet potatoes. Curry, paratha, upma, payasa, papad jamoon etc etc the list goes on.

READY TO EAT SWEET POTATO CURRY WITH HOT POORIS

Here is a simple recipe that every one can try and enjoy having it as one of the side dish. It is easy and healthy. Not much of spices either.
I have used sweet potatoes, onions and some chilly. We had it with Poori. It goes well with rotis, chapati, dosa or idli even one of the side dish while serving with rice.
Let us see some benefits of " Sweet Potatoes " in our diet.
Sweet Potatoes are packed with nutritional values. They are filled with Vitamin A, loads of fiber and potassium. They also contain less calories. Sweet potatoes are said to be decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. they help to increase the energy and lower the weight. They help to reduce the risk of low blood sugar and insulin resistance in diabetic people. They are packed with many essential vitamins and minerals. They contain minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium. They are full of fiber and good for people who suffer from constipation and it helps in easy digestion. Sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin C and beta carotene and it helps o boost immunity power in the body. Sweet Potatoes have anti inflammatory properties. Sweet Potatoes are good for Eye health. ( It contain Vitamin A which is good for Vision).

Lets see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

Sweet Potatoes : 2 to 3 (Medium Sized)
Onions : 2 (Medium Sized)
Green Chilly : 2
Curry leaves : 5 to 6
Ginger : 1 Teaspoon (Grated).
Salt : To taste
Basan/Channa flour : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon
Oil : 2 Tablespoons (Any cooking oil).

Method : 

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of sweet potatoe. Cut them into small and cook with little water. (Till soft).

2. Remove the outer layer of onions and wash. Cut it into thin stripes. Keep it aside.
3. Wash and cut green chilly and curry leaves and coriander leaves. \
4. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger. Wash it again and grate it. Keep it aside.
5. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil. Add mustard seeds. Let it splutter.
6. Add jeera/cumin seeds, green chilly and curry leaves.

7. Add cut onions and fry nicely. Add water and let it cook till soft. (1/2 a cup of water).
8. Now add little turmeric powder and mix it well. Add required salt. Add grated ginger.

9. Add cooked sweet potato once the onions turn soft and mix it well. Let it cook for 1 minute.
10. Put channa flour/besan/Kadlae hittu in a glass. Add 1/2 cup of water and mix it well.

11. Pour this besan mix to the cooking sweet potato. Let it cook for 2 minutes. Mix in between so that it does not get burnt.
12. Shift the sweet potato curry to a serving dish. Add cut coriander leaves, mix it well and serve it with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

You can add little garam masla to the curry (Add it when the curry is cooking). Adding garlic is optional. Adding more chilly is also optional. Adding gram flour/channa flour /besan helps to thicken the curry. Add a teaspoon of lemon extract. (It taste good). You can cook sweet potato (as whole ...just wash it and then cook) in pressure cooker is optional. But some time it will over cooked and smashed. The taste varies.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4

Dodda Patre (Sambara balli ) - Channa Dal Chutney

Chutney is a side dish which is prepared using coconut and it can be eaten with almost all main dishes. It can be a spicy spread on bread sandwich or even in chapati rolls. Indians do love chutney. Chutneys can be prepared in many ways using different vegetables/ vegetable peels, dals and many other ingredients.

READY TO SERVE DODDA PATRE  - CHANNA DAL CHUTNEY

Here I have used Dooda Patre/ Ajwan leaves, coconut and some spices to prepare this chutney. These Dodda Patre leaves contain loads of medicinal values and used in cooking also. Dodda Patre leaves have a beautiful aroma and goes well with Indian dishes.
Dodda patre is also called as Ajwain leaves because it gives the aroma of ajwain. Dodda Patre is also known as Pathar chur in Marati, Pani Kukkaraka (since it helps in chasing fever (jvara) in Malayalam and Karpooravalli in Tamil. In Hindi it is called Pan Ova (Ajwain) and in Telugu it is known as Vamu Akku. Dodda Patre is also known as Indian Oregano and Indian Borage/ Cuban oregano and Mexican Mint.

DODDA PATRE PLANT IN BIRTHI MANE GARDEN

Let us see some benefits of Using Dodda Patre/Ajwain leavs in our diet:

The leaves are used in many traditional medicines. They are good for treating coughs, sore throats and nasal congestion. They are also good for infections, malaria fever, flu, chronic astama, hiccup, bronchitis and epilepsy. These leaves improve the health of our skin, detoxify the body and helps to relieve stress and anxiety. It is good for digestion. They are very good for respiratory problems and helps to boost immune in the body and prevent bacteria or other infections. It contain Vitamin C and Vitamin A.  The acid (ascorbic acid) found in the herb helps to immune system and to be strong. Vitamin A content helps to improve vision health. It also helps to reduce the stress in the eyes. It contain organic compounds and minerals. The herbal tea prepared from this leaves are good for people who suffer from high anxiety, chronic stress and it helps to get good rest, relaxation and good sleep. It is also good for people suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and stomach upsets.
Caution : Please note that Pregnant and breast feeding mothers do not use the herb. (The chemical content in the leaf may lead to some alergy.

Dodda Patre - Channa dal Chutney can be served as one of the side dish. It goes well with almost all main dishes like rice, chapati, any type of roti or parata, dosa, idli and even palau.
Lets see the recipe now. It is easy and simple and healthy to eat.

Things Needed : 

Dodda Patre/ Sambara Balli Leaves : 1 Bowl or more than two handful
Coconut : 1 Bowl
Channa Dal : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Red Chilly ( byadagi) : 6 to 8
Tamarind : A marble size 
Curry leaves : 1 Handful
Ingh /Asfoetida : a little
Salt : to taste
Water : as required
Oil : 2 Teaspoons
Mustard seasoning with curry leaves and ingh : 1/2 tea spoon mustard seeds, 5 to 6 curry leaves and little ingh

Method : 

1. Wash the leaves nicely and slowly, keep it aside.
2. Grate or cut coconut and keep it aside.

3. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put 1 Teaspoon of oil, Add channa dal and fry nicely till it turns golden brown.

4. Add red chilly, curry leaves and ingh. Now add washed " Dodda Patre " leaves and fry til they turn soft. (on the low flame).

5. Let the fried ingredients get cool.
6. Grind coconut, tamarind (check to know there is no seed) and the fried ingredients nicely till they turn soft (2 to 3 minutes).

7. Add required salt and churn once or twice. Remove from the mixi jar. (Do not add much water to grind).

8. Shift the chutney to a serving dish and add mustard seasoning.

9. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Do not add much water while grinding. (It turns watery and will not taste good). Adding more/less chilly is optional. You can add a red chilly to the seasoning. It gives good aroma and adds to the taste. Using byadagi chilly gives good colour to the chutney and adds taste to the chutney. Fry the ingredients on low flame. Adding onions and garlic to the chutney is optional. (You can grind onions and add garlic while frying mustard seeds for seasoning. Adding cut onions on the top of the chutney (just before serving ) adds to the taste. (I did not use any onion here in this recipe).
Time : 10 minutes
Serves : 4 to 5.