Bean Seed and Chayote Squash Curry

Beans curry is prepared using bean seeds which were just ripe and soft. We get these beans in the market most of the time. When the beans turns ripe, you get these soft pods. The seeds are full of proteins and the Bean seed curry is just yum yum.

I have used Bean seeds, moong dal and home made curry powder and coconut along with tamarind.
Just saw a pile of Dry beans in the vegetable shop and got some thinking of preparing curry. Legumes/Beans are filled with proteins and good to have them regularly.
Let us see some benefits of eating Bean Seeds in our diet.
Dried beans are rich in minerals and vitamins. They are good protein provide food for vegetarian diet. They are filled with potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. They rich in soluble fiber. They are rich in carbohydrates and provide energy to our body.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this curry. It is easy and yummy and goes with almost all the main dishes.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Chayote Squash : 2
Bean Seeds : 1 Bowl. (1/2 Kg)
Moong dal : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Methi Seeds/Fenugrik seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon

To Grind :
Spice Powder/Sambar Powder/Rasam Powder : 1 Tablespoonful
Coconut grated : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Tamarind : Small marble size
Pepper Pods : 2 to 3

To Add :
Green chilly : 2
Jaggery : 1 Teaspoon (Powdered)
Salt : As required

Seasoning : 
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry leaves : 6 to 8

Method : 

1. Remove the bean pods from beans. Wash and keep it aside. Wash green chilly and slit and keep it aside.
2. Wash and remove the outer layer of chayote squash and cut them into small pieces.

3. Wash moong dal and pressure cook with bean pods, methi seeds and chayote squash. (3 to 4 Whistles).

4. Grate coconut and grind it with home made spice powder and tamarind. (Use required water to grind).

5. Keep cooked bean pod, chayote squash and moong dal mixture on the fire.
6. Add turmeric powder. slit green chilly and required salt.  Add little water and mix it well and let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

7. Add ground coconut mixture and mix it well. Add jaggery and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
8. Shift " Bean Seed and Chayote Squash Curry " to a serving bowl.

9. Add mustard seasoning to the curry and serve with the main dish you have prepared.
10. Add little ghee just before serving. (Optional).

Note :

Cooking vegetables and bean pod in pressure cooker is optional. You can use any brand of masala powder/rasam powder/sambar powder. I have used home made spice powder. Use of jaggery is optional. (Adding jaggery helps to reduce to gas in the curry). Adding more /less spice is optional.
Use of toor dal instead of moong dal is optional. (Or you can cook with out using the dal too).
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 4 to 5.

Preparation of Spice powder :

Dry roast 1/4 Teaspoon of methi seeds, a very small piece of cinnamon, 1/4 Teaspoon of urid dal, 2 tablespoon of coriander seeds, 5 to 6 byadagi chilly, 2 to 3 pods of pepper pods5 to 6 curry leaves, a pinch of ingh/asfoetida and 1/2 Teaspoon of jeera/cumin seeds. Dry roast or fry with a teaspoon of coconut oil, one by one and dry grind it when it turns cool. The fresh spice powder is ready to use.
 1 Time Use .

Kharada Kaddi /Kaara Sev

Karada kaddi/ Khara Shev is a spicy munching savoury and it can be munched any time of the day. I love all these fried savouries and do prepare at times. Using different ingredients and making these traditional savoures is fun too.

Here I have prepared Khara Sev/Karada kaddi (as we call it in Kannada/Karnataka). It is crispy, crunchy and healthy. I call this healthy munch because it is home made.
I have used rice flour, besan, Oma seeds/Carom seeds/Caraway seeds), chilly powder and salt. Not to forget butter.

Let us see the other name for Oma seeds in some of the Indian Languages
Oma seeds are known as Ajwain seeds/Caraway seeds/Carom seeds also. In English it is called as Carom Seeds, Hindi - Ajvan, Arabic Kamme Muluki, Tamil - Asamtavoman, Telugu -Vamu. In Malayalam it is Omum, Kannada - Oma, Marathi - Onva and in Gujarati Yavan.

Let us see some benefits of eating Oma /Caraway seeds in our diet.
Oma/Carom seeds are very good for digestive system. They are rich in anti bacterial, anti-fungal and anesthetic properties. They have good amount of vitamins, minerals, fibers and anti-oxidants. Oma seeds are used in curing indigestion, infections and headache and common cold. They also help to ingrease appetite and maintain the health of the uterus. Oma oil is used in treating ear infections. It is said that Oma seeds are good for curbing desire for drinking alcohol. They are good remedy for abdominal gas, vomiting, travel sickness and nausea. Gargling Oma water helps to reduce the sore throat.  

Kara Sev goes well with a cup of coffee/tea/juice or even you can have them as one of the side dish like papads and enjoy your meal. Good to take it for travelling, picnic, kids snack box, ladies Kitty party.
I have used the medium size of karasev/kharada kaddi plate.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed : 

Rice Flour : 3 Cups
Besan : 1 Cup
Oma Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Chilly Powder : 1 Teaspoon
Butter : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : Required Salt.
Cooking Oil : 2 Cups (To fry)
Water to mix

Method :

1. Take a big bowl and add rice flour, besan/channa flour, jeera/cumin seeds, oma seeds. salt, chilly powder and butter. Mix all the ingredients nicely.

2. Add water little by little and prepare dough. Kneed the dough nicely.
3. Keep a frying pan on the fire and heat. Add oil. Let it get hot.
4. Take a small portion of the dough stuff in the Kara Sev mould.
5. Close with the top and press the mould on the top straight to the hot oil.
6. Fry on both sides. Remove from the oil and put it on a kitchen tissue.

7. Hot Kaara Sev is ready to serve . Repeat the same with remaining dough.

8. Store Kara Sev in a dry bottle or airtight box.

Note :

One must use fine rice flour to get the best product. Use of hot oil instead of butter is optional.
Use 3 to 4 tablespoons of hot oil. Use of any spice is optional. Example : coriander powder, garam masala powder, jeera powder etc. Use of chilly powder quantity is optional. More/less. Use of garlic is optional. Grind garlic with little water, sieve it with a strainer and use the water to get garlic aroma.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : As You Use.