Avare Kai Usli / Palya

Avarekai/Field beans Palya/Usuli/Sundal is an excellent side dish and every one will surely enjoy eating this Usli.

Usuli or Usli is prepared using any legumes/pulses/beans, like whole moong, whole channa (black/Kabooli), or cow pea and even peas.(Dry/fresh). These legumes are cooked and seasoned with coconut. It is also used as prasadam in pooja occasions.
This recipe is inspired by "Renuka Manjunath", who had put up her traditionally cooked Sogadu avare Benne Usli In "Pakashale", Avarekai is cooked traditionally and just beautiful. Pakashale is one of my favourite group page. I do learn a lot by reading posts in it.
Coming back to Avare Kai/field beans, I have modified and cooked the curry in simple and quick method, because every one has their own busy  (bit lazy ? I hope at least some agree) schedule. I have cooked avarekai in quick method using pressure cooker. And one more thing to mention is, the bean I have used might not be so fresh. Sogadu means the aroma contained beans which is so fresh. I have seen that fresh beans and enjoyed eating them in those days. These aromatic field beans one can get them in and around the villages. These Avarekai is seasonal beans, the early crops do have rich aroma (sogadu) in them.
Fresh Avare Kai, onions are used and prepared this Usli, It goes well with almost all the main dishes. Dosa, rotti, roti, chapati, poori and even plain rice are very good combinations.
Lets see the recipe now:

Things Needed : 

Avarekai/Field Beans : 2 Cups
Onions : 2 to 3 or more (Medium sized).
Green Chilly : 2 to 3
Ginger : An inch
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Jeera : 1 spoon + 1/2 Spoon
Salt : Required
Ghee : 2 Tablespoons
Coconut : 1/2 Cup
Turmeric Powder : a little
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Remove the pods from Avare kai and wash it once. Keep it aside.
2. Remove the outer layer of onions wash it and cut into small.
3. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and grate it.
4. Wash green chilly, curry leaves and coriander leaves, cut into small.

5. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
6. Dry roast 1 Teaspoon of jeera and powder it .
7. Now keep a pan/pressure cooker on the fire. Add 1 table spoon of ghee and heat.
8. Add 1/2 teaspoon of geera and fry for 30 seconds. Add curry leaves, green chilly.
9. Add cut onions and fry for 1 to 2 minutes. (No need to be brown, Let it be transparent).

10. Add Avare kai/field beans and mix it well. Add turmeric powder, salt and mix it again.
11. Add  1/2 cup of water and close the lid. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes. (2 to 3 whistles).

12. Open the lid when the pressure cooker cools down.
13. Keep this again on the fire. Let it be low flame. Mix it well.
14. Add roasted jeera powder and cook on low flame.

15.Let all the water dry out. Now add grated coconut and remaining ghee, mix it again.

16. Shift ready to serve Avare Kai Usli to a serving dish and serve with the main dish.

Note : 

You can use butter instead of ghee. Adding more spice is optional. You can also add pepper pods if you wish. Using pressure cooker helps to cook avare kai faster. (Optional). You can cook Avarekai in an big bowl or pan. Using any brand of ready to use jeera powder is optional. I have used fresh jeera. Check green chilly if it is hot use only 2. ( According to your taste).
Serves : 4 to 5 
Time : 30 minutes.  

DrumStick Saambar.

Drumstick/Nugge Kai is one of the favourite vegetable of many people. The drumstick sambar is very tasty, aromatic and healthy.

Drumstick is known in different names. Nugge Kai in Kannada, Muringakai-Tamil and Munnakaya/Muluku Kada/ Munaga in Telugu. Sahijjan/Shinga/Segva in Hindi and Saragvani/Saragavo in Gujarathi. Moska Saang - Konkani, Shevaga/Sheng/Sheerenga in Marathi, Sajana Chhun in Oriya and Savonjna in Punjabi.
Lets see some benefits of having Drumstik in our diet.
Drumstick is rich in B-complex vitamins, vitamin B6, Vitamin B-1 , B2, B3., Vitamin A and Vitamin C. They are good source of Calcium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc and magnesium. Drumstick leaves are good source of calcium. Calcium is required for bone strengthening. It is good for nursing mothers and people who suffer from malnutrition. Drumstick contain good amount of anti oxidants and helps in curing eye problems. It also helps in preventing liver damage and antioxidants sources help in prevent the damage against free radicals. It also helps in regulating thyroid functions. Drumstick is a natural antiseptic herb.
It is a simple and tasty sambar and it goes well with idli, dosa, rotti, chapati and almost all main dishes.

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Drumsticks/Nuggekai : 4 to 5
Toor dal : 1/2 Cup
Radish/ Mooli /Moolangi : 2
To Grind :
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Sambar Powder : 1 Tablespoon (Full)
Tamarind : a small marble size
To Add :
Salt : as required
Ground Masala
Coriander Leaves :  1 Tablespoon
Turmeric powder : a pinch
Seasoning :
Oil 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh : a pinch
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6

Method :

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of the hard drum sticks. Cut it into small pieces.
2. Wash and cook dal with required water. (pressure cook for 8 to 10 minutes).
3. Wash and remove the outer layer of moolangi/radish and cut it into pieces.

4. Now cook drum stick pieces and radish pieces till they turn soft.
5. Grate coconut and grind it with tamarind and sambar powder.

6. Now keep a pan on the fire. Put cooked drum stick pieces, cooked dal.
7. Add salt and turmeric powder. Mix it well. Let it cook for 2 minutes.
8. Add ground coconut mixture. Mix it well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

9. Shift the curry to a serving dish. Add mustard seasoning and coriander leaves.

10. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

You can use moong dal instead of toor dal. Cook drumstick till they turn soft. (do not over cook).
Adding onions and garlic is optional. Adding any brand sambar powder is optional. I have used home made sambar powder.
For Sambar Powder : Dry roast, methi seeds 1/4 teaspoon, 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of coriander seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of urid dal, 5 to 6 red chilly ( I have used byadagi chilly) and 1/4 Teaspoon of jeera. Ingh and curry leaves. Dry roast all these ingredients one by one and dry grind it till powder.
Sambar Powder is ready to use. (1 Time use).
Time : 30 minutes
Serves : 4.