Lady Finger & Moong dal curry

Lady finger & Moong dal curry is a side dish. This is one of our Udupi style traditional curry. We call it as bolu huli. Because this curry is prepared with out using any spice like coriander seeds/methi/ jeera etc. Even the coconut is not used. So the name it self says it is plain and simple curry which really taste good.

I have used lady's finger, moong dal and green chilly. Green chilly adds spicy taste to the curry. And the ingh/asafoetida's aroma invites and tempts you very much.
Lets see some benefits of Lady's finger :
Eating Lady's finger in our diet helps to improve our immunity. It contains iron and folate and Vitamin K, nutrients that help in treating anemia. It has good amount of fiber and helps in better digestion. It is very good for people who suffer from constipation. It is very good for weight loss. It  provides minimum calories and high fibre levels so that you feel full for a longer time. Lady's finger contains soluble fibre pectin. Pectin helps in lowering bad cholesterol. It helps in controlling blood sugar levels. Lady's finger contain Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin K. The minerals in lady's finger are copper, calcium, potassium, iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc and Phosphorus.
Now Lets see the recipe. " Lady Finger and Moong Dal Curry" do not have garlic or onions. So it can be prepared Feast of festival or any special day. 
You can use toor dal instead of moong dal.

Things needed :

To cook
Lady's Finger/Bendekai/Bhindi : 1/4 Kg. (10 to 15)
Moong Dal : 1 Small cup or two handful
Tamarind Pulp : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : as required
Turmeric Powder : a pinch
To Add :
Jaggey : 1 Tablespoon (Optional)
Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons
To season : 
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : a pinch

Method :
1. Wash and cook moong dal with little water.
2. Wash and clean bendi and allow the moisture disappear. Cut it in to small. (check any worm inside lady's finger while cutting).

3. Soak a marble size tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp.

4. Now keep a pan on the fire. Heat and put oil. Put mustard seeds and let it splutter. Add jeera and ingh. Fry nicely. Add green chilly. Fry nicely.
5. Add curry leaves and cut lady's finger. Fry for at least 2 minutes. Let lady's finger fry a bit.

6. Add water if required. Do not make it more watery. Add cooked moong dal. Mix it slowly.
7. Adjust the salt (add little more) and mix it well.

8. By this time bendi turns into soft. The curry is ready to serve. Shift the curry into a serving dish and add coriander leaves.

9. Lady's Finger and Moong Curry is ready to serve. Add a spoon of ghee before serving.

Note :
You can fry lady's finger in oil and then mix with other ingredients. Lady's finger cooks nicely (with out sticky in tamarind and salt mixture. Cooking bendi is healthy. You can add any amount of chilly. (Optional).  You can also add fried garlic to the curry. (optional). It looks like bendi dal. It is one of the traditional dish from South Canara, Ypu can add sambar powder and use it as bendi sambar. Use of jaggery is also optional.
Time : 20 minutes
Serves : 3  

Carrot & Badam Drink

Its hot summer and you need to cool your body and mind too. One needs to drink lots of water to take care of them from dehydration. Some don't feel like drinking water and do not have that habit of drinking water since it has no taste. I know many are of this attitude. Instead of water you can have some cool drinks and enjoy. This is the way you intake water.

I have tried this Carrots, almonds drink and kept it in the fridge to be cool then served. It is nice. You can too prepare this and enjoy.
I have used carrots, some almonds and jaggery to give a sweet taste.
Lets see some benefits of having jaggery in our diet.
It is always better that you use jaggery instead of sugar to sweeten your food. Jaggery helps to cleanse our body. It acts as a digestive agent. It also sweeten our food in a healthy manner and they provide good amounts of minerals. It helps to prevent the constipation. They are good source of iron and helps to prevent iron deficiency/ anemia. Eating jaggery helps to cleanse our liver. It helps to detoxify and push out the harmful toxin from our body.
"Carrot & Badam Drink " can be prepared for Kids party, kitty party, or any ladies party and on hot summer Day. It can be prepared during feast or festival.
Lets see the recipe now.

Things Needed : 

Carrots : 2
Almonds : 10
Jaggery : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Coconut Milk : 1/2 Coconut milk.
Fresh Milk : 1 Litre
Cardamom : 5 to 6 pods
Dates : 4 to 5

Method :

1.Wash and scrape out the outer layer of carrots. Wash again and cook with very little water.
2. Soak almonds in hot water and remove the outer skin after 2 minutes.

3. Keep a pan on the fire and add 1 cup of water. Put jaggery and let it melt completely.
4. Sieve the jaggery water and remove the dirt particles if any. Grate coconut, grind with little water and squeeze out the milk from coconut. Cut dates and and keep it aside.
5. Grind cooked carrots, cut dates, almonds and cardamom with little water. Grind it into paste consistency.
6. Keep jaggery water and let it boil for 2 minutes. Add ground carrot and almond mixture.
7. Let it boil nicely for 2 to 3 minutes. Put off the fire. Add fresh coconut milk. Let it cool.
8. Add fresh milk which is already boiled and cooled. Mix it well and serve.
9. Make sure that carrot almond kheer should be cooled before adding fresh milk or it might curdle.

10. You can just keep it in a fridge before serving. Cool carrot and badam drink taste better.

Note : 

Remember to clean the jaggery before using. (It is always better to boil and then sieve or filter the jaggery before using). Adding more almonds is optional. You can add cashews instead of badam/almonds. (Almonds are healthy option). You can use sugar instead of jaggery. Adding more jaggery is also optional. You can add tender coconut pieces while serving this drink. Use of coconut milk is optional. (It adds to the taste and aroma).
Coconut milk preparation : Grate 1/2 fresh coconut. Grind it 1/2 cup of water and remove the mxture and squeeze out the milk. Grind the coconut again with 1/4 cup of water for 2 minutes and remove from the mixi jar. Squeeze out the milk. (Use the coconut milk to the drink.).
Time : 20 minutes
Serves : 5 to 6.