Ragi - Oats Laddu

Raagi Oats Laddu/Unde is a sweet dish and You can enjoy this Laddu any time of the day.
It is a healthy laddu because I have used jaagery, Oats, Raagi/Finger Millet combination is a good combination.

I have used groundnuts, roasted channa, jaggery, Ragi and Oats.
Lets see some benefits of having " Roasted Channa" in our diet.
Roasted channa is eaten as it is some time. They are rich in protein, fiber, minerals and fatty acids. They are low in fat and packed with energy. It helps to keep the blood sugar levels stable. They are rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium.
Lets see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Raagi/Finger Millet : 2 Cups
Oats :  3 to 4 Cups
Jaggery : 2 Cups (Grated)
Dates : 5 to 6
Almonds : 6 to 8
Raisins : 1 Handful
Groundnuts : 1 Small Cup
Roasted Channa : 1/2 Cup
Ghee : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Kobbari/Copra/Dry Coconut : 1 (Medium size)

Method : 

1. Keep all the ingredients ready. Cut almonds and dates into small.
2. Powder jaggery (or cut into small pieces).

3. Grate or cut coconut and dry grind till it turned into powder.
4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat.
5. Add a tablespoon of ghee and let it melt. Put raisins and fry till they get fluffy.
6. Remove the raisins from the pan, add ragi flour and fry till the raw smell disappear. ( 4 to 5 minutes).
7. Remove and put the ragi flour in a big bowl.

8. Add Oats to the pan and dry roast till it turns slightly golden brown. Dry roast groundnuts and remove the outer layer. Let it cool.
9. Shift the roasted oats to a plate and let it cool. Dry grind it into powder.

10. Put jaggery to a pan and put 1/2 cup of water. Let it melt completely and starts boiling.
11. Sieve this content and throw away the dirt.
12. Put liquid jaggery in the pan and keep it ready.
13. Dry grind almonds and cut dates and add it to the roasted ragi flour. Just give a churn (grind a little) to roasted channa. (Do not powder it).

14. Dry grind roasted groundnuts slightly. (Do not powder it). Add it with other ingredients.
15. Now keep liquid jaggery on the fire and let it boil and get one string consistency.
16. It starts bubbling. Let it bubble for 2 minutes.
17. Boil for another 1 to 2 minutes and put all the roasted, powdered ingredients.

18. Add powdered dry coconut and roasted chenna (Huri kadale), groundnuts and mix it well.
19. Mix it well and put off the fire. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of ghee.

20. Mix it nicely and prepare Laddu/Unde.

21. Take a handful of mixed ingredients and try to give a round shape.

22. Keep them in a glass bottle or clean air tight box.

Note :

Adding more jaggery is optional. Powdering the ground nut is optional. It adds to the taste.
Adding more ghee is optional. It adds to the taste.
If you find hard to turn them as round shape then add little hot water or milk. It eases and mix all the ingredients nicely. Or you can add melted ghee to the flour.
You can also use melted ghee to add moisture to the ingredients. Divide the ingredients in to small portion. Add a spoon of ghee to each portion at times and mix that nicely and prepare laddu.
60 to 70 Small laddu can be prepared. :  I have prepared these laddus for Navarathri feast. 
Time : 40 Minutes.

Curry Leaves Chutney - Spicy Rice

Curry Leaves Spicy Rice/Curry leaves Chitranna is a Rice dish and we can have them for breakfast/lunch/dinner.

Curry Leaves Chutney is used here with green mango gratings and mixed with cooked raw rice.
Lets see some benefits of having "Curry Leaves" in our diet.
Curry leaves adds natural flavour to our food. It helps the food to be healthy and tasty because it contain various good properties which is good for our health. They do have many anti oxidant properties. They help to control diarrhea. They are good for indigestion. They are good for diabetes and balancing cholesterol level. They are rich in carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, copper and Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B and Vitamin E.
In Ayurvedic medicine, curry leaves are believed to be having medicinal properties. It is considered and used as anti diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and roots are used for body aches.
Curry Leaves Chutney is prepared by Prema Sundareshan is one of our closest friend, who lives in Kalpakam. I should mention her here because she is the one who inspired me to get interest in cooking. She does so many dishes within short time. We were all together in Nigeria and now Mr. Sundaresh and Prema Sundaresh are settled in Kalpakam with their Son Dr. Shrinivasa (who is a scientist) and Bhuvana (Dr. Shrinivasan's wife).
When we visited them in Kalpakam, Premakka prepared this chutney for me. This chutney goes well with curd rice or with hot rice and ghee.
Recipe for Curry Leaves Chutney :
Curry leaves chutney is done in this way. Wash fresh curry leaves and dry it in shade. Let it dry completely. Dry roast them till they turn crispy. Dry roast a tablespoon of Urid dal and channa dal. Dry roast a teaspoon of methi and powder it separately. Take some tamarind and soak in water. Keep a pan on the fire. Add a teaspoon of any cooking oil. Squeeze out the pulp from tamarind and add to the oil in the pan. . Let it boil. Add salt, turmeric powder and ingh. Boil the content for 3 to 4 minutes. Add powdered curry leaves and mix it well. Add powdered dals. Mix it well. Add required chilly powder and keep stirring. Add methi powder at last, mix the content nicely. Take it out from the fire. Let it cool. Store this content in a glass bottle. Better keep in a Refrigerator.

Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed : 

Curry Leaves Chutney : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Cooked Rice : 2 Cups
Raw Mango Gratings : 2 Tablespoons
Capsicum : 2
Fresh Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Ground Nuts : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Mustard Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Cooking Oil : 2 Tablespoons
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Red chilly : 2 (Byadagi variety)
Salt : As required
Ingh : A pinch

Method : 

!. Wash and cook rice and keep it ready.
2. Wash and cut capsicum and keep. Grate coconut.
3. Wash and grate raw mango ( any variety of your choice).
4. Now keep a pan on the and add oil. Heat and put mustard seeds, cut red chilly and urid dal.
5. Let it splutter. Add curry leaves and ingh. Fry for a second.
6. Add cut capsicum and fry till they turn soft.

7. Add grated mango and fry nicely. Add little salt, turmeric powder and mix it well.

8. Add "Curry Leaves Chutney " and mix it nicely. Put off the fire.

 9. Add little salt and grated coconut and mix it well.
10. Now add cooked rice and mix it with capsicum and other ingredients.

11. Add a tablespoon of ghee and mix it nicely.
12.Shift to a serving dish and add fried groundnuts and serve.

Note : 

Preparing Curry Leaves Chutney in small quantity helps to retain the aroma. (Optional). Adding Sesame oil as cooking oil adds to the taste. (Just a teaspoon will do). Adding any variety of raw mango gratings is optional. Adding ghee helps to enhance the taste.
Time : 20 Minutes. + Cooking Rice (20 Minutes).
Serves : 4 to 5