Palak Pakoda

Palak Pakoda/Spinach Fritter is a fried dish goes well with a cup of coffee/tea. It goes well with rice, Rasam or Sambar (lunch) as one more side dish as a bite.

I have used simple spices and Palak Leaves and besan/channa flour. No cooking soda or baking powder or hot oil poured in it. Just mix it well and fry them in the oil. One should eat them when they are hot to get the best taste.
Winter has started and its cold outside, some time it rains too. We crave for these fried dishes especially when it is too cold. So craving for the fried dish? It is easy, quick and yummy. Try and enjoy.
Let us see the recipe now:

Things Needed :

Palak Leaves/Spinach : 1 Small Bundle
Besan/Channa flour : 1 Cup
Red chilly Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : To taste
Oil: To Fry : 1 Cup

Method :

1.Wash and cut palak leaves and put it in a big bowl.
2. Add red chilly powder, channa flour, jeera/cumin seeds and salt.
3. Mix it with your fingers first and then add very little water. Mix it nicely.

4. Keep a frying pan on the fire and heat.
5. Take a handful of dough and leave out small size of dough in hot oil.
6. Fry on medium flame on both sides.

7. Remove the pakodas from oil and put it on a kitchen tissue. It absorbs oil.

8. Serve Hot Palak Pakodas with a cup of coffee or tea.

Note :

Do not add more water while mixing the dough. Adding any other spice is optional. Adding onions to the dough along with palak leaves is optional. Taste differ.
Time : 15 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3 

Mangalore Cucumber - Ivy Gourd Curry

Southekai/Mangalore Cucumber/Sambar Cucumber/Bannada Soiuthekai is one of the wonderful vegetable. Varieties of curries, dosa, idli can be prepared using Mangalore

Cucumber.

I have tried a curry which can be turned as curd curry or if you do not like curd you can just have them as they are. It is mild, creamy and healthy.
Let us see some benefits of having " Ivy Gourd/Tonde Kai" in our diet.
Ivy Gourd/Tonde kai/kovekai/Tindli/Tindura helps you to be fit, healthy and energetic. It is said to be the store house of Vitamins and minerals. It has protein and fibers, antioxidants. It has been used in Ayurveda for centuries as an anti bacterial agent. It helps to protect the nervous system and promotes the metabolism in the body. It helps to control blood sugar in our body. Ivy gourd contain good amount of calcium and it helps in reducing the risk of kidney stone formation. it strengthen the bones, improve the immune system and promotes the digestive health in our body.
Mangalore cucumber -Ivy Gourd Curry is an easy dish and it has no onions or garlic in it.

Things Needed :

Mangalore Southekai : 1/2
Ivy Gourd/Tondekai : 250 Grams
Green chilly : 2
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Almonds/Badams : 6 to 8
Coconut : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Salt : As Required
Mustard seasoning : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 1 Tablespoon (small cut)
Coconut Oil/Ghee/Any cooking oil : 1 Teaspoon

Method :

1. Wash and cut Mangalore Southekai into small pieces. Put them in a bowl of water.

2. Wash and remove the edges (both sides) from Ivy gourd and cut them into small circle shape.
3. Cook them with required water till they turn soft. (10 minutes).

4. Grate/Cut coconut and grind it with jeera, mustard seeds, 1 green chilly and almonds.
5. Use only required water. Remove from the mixi jar.

6. Keep a big pan on the fire. Put cooked vegetables, ground mixture, salt and a pinch of turmeric powder.
7. Mix it well and let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Slit a green chilly while the curry is boiling.

8. Shift the curry to a serving dish and Let it cool a bit.
9. Add 2 tablespoons of curd and mix it well. Add mustard-jeera, ingh and curry leaves seasoning.

9. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Adding  tamarind instead of curd is optional. (Taste nice). Adding more/less chilly is also optional. Adding almonds add to the thickness. You can also add chenna (roasted channa) instead of Almonds.
Do not use more water while grinding or boiling. The curry should be thick (It taste better).
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4.