Bottle Gourd - Cluster Beans Curry

Bottle gourd and Cluster Beans Curry is a side dish prepared using bottle gourd and cluster beans./Chavali kodu /kayi.

I have used bottle gourd, chavali kayi /cluster beans some fresh fried spices and coconut.
Cluster beans/chavali kayi or chavali kodu/gori kayi is a seasonal vegetable. It is one of the beans family vegetable that we use in curries, dry curries and even rice baat./baath/Rice dish.

Let us see some benefits of eating " Cluster Beans " in our diet.
Cluster Beans called as follows in different Indian Language.

Gori Kayi/ chavali kodu /chavali kodu in Kannada ( Karnataka),
Kothavara : Tamil,
Kothamara : Malayalam.
Govar : Gujarati,
Govari : Marati,
Guar ki Phalli : Hindi,
Goruchikkudu : Telugu.
Cluster beans is full of nutrition and filled with proteins, minerals and vitamins. It is full of dietary fiber. It is very low in calories. Cluster beans is good for anemic people. They are rich in iron.
Cluster beans contain gylco nutrients that help in controlling blood sugar. They are good for bone healthy. They do contain phosphorous and calcium. They are good for blood circulation in our body. They help to control the blood level in our body. They are rich in fiber and good for people who suffer from constipation and bowel movements.Cluster beans is good for pregnant women because they contain Iron and folic acid. It contain Vitamin K and good for the fetus in the womb.
This Bottle Gourd - Cluster Beans Curry is goes well with almost all main dishes like plain rice, chapatis, pooris, naan, roti, dosa or idli.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this Bottle Gourd - Cluster Beans Curry.

Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Cluster Beans : 250 Grams.
Bottle Gourd : 1/2 of one big bottle gourd.
To Fry :
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Urid Dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander seeds : 1 Tablespoon
Curry leaves : 8 to 10
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Chilly Powder : 1 Teaspoon
To Grind :
Fresh Coconut : 1 Cup
Fried spices
Tamarind : Small Marble size
To Add : 
Salt : As required
Turmeric Powder : A pinch
Slit Green chilly : 2
Mustered Seasoning : 1 Teaspoon

Method :

1. Wash and remove the edges of cluster beans and cut into small.

2. Wash and remove the outer layer of bottle gourd and cut into small. Cook with required water.

3. Grate coconut and keep it aside. Wash and slit green chilly.
4. Keep a small pan on the fire and heat. Add little coconut oil ( 1/2 tsp). Add 1/4 tsp of methi.
5. Fry till they turn golden brown. Add urid dal and fry till it turns golden brown.

6. Add coriander seeds and fry for 10 seconds. Put off the fire and add curry leaves and ingh. Add chilly powder and mix it well. Let it turn cool.

7. Grind with coconut, tamarind and fried spices with required water.

8. Keep a pan on the fire and put cooked vegetables. Add little turmeric powder and required salt.
9. Add water if required. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Add slit green chilly.
10. Add ground coconut mixture and mix it well. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in between so that it does not get burnt.

11. Shift the curry to a serving dish. Add mustard seasoning and cut coriander leaves. (Optional).

12. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note : 

Cut the vegetables into small pieces. Keep the flame low while frying the spices. Do not add more oil while frying. Use fresh coconut to add taste and aroma. Use of onions and garlic is optional. ( I have not used ).
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.

Kara Pongal /Huggi

Huggi/ Pongal is prepared during Dhanurmasa as I said earlier post. But this Kara /Spicy Pongal can be prepared at any time of the day. It is an easy and healthy dish that provide purpose of food.

It is prepared using moong dal and raw rice. I have learnt this recipe from one of my close friends daughter in Chennai. She has prepared this yummy dish and we all loved it.
We Udupians usually do not prepare kara /spicy pongal. It has become a practice these days and it is one of the stamped recipe of Tamailnadu. People do have this pongal mostly for breakfast in Tamilnadu.
Even Iyyers do prepare this Pongal in such a yummy way. Iyyers and Iyyangar's  Pongal is loaded with pepper and ghee. It has such a wonderful aroma, one should feel like eating it again and again.
Ok, coming back to this Kara Pongal is easy.
All you need is moong dal, rice, ghee, jeera /cumin seeds and pepper. They do not use any other spice. They do pour ghee on it...( As much it takes ).
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Raw Rice : 1 Cup
Moong Dal : 1/2 Cup
Pepper Pods : 8 to 10.( 3/4 Teaspoon ).
Jeera : 1 Teaspoon
Ghee : 1/2  Cup
Cashews : 6 to 8 or more
Salt : As required
Green chilly : 1 ( Optional )
Ginger : An inch

Method :

1. Wash and cook moong dal and raw rice separately.

2.Wash and slit green chilly., crush pepper pods and cashews cut into small pieces.
3. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and wash it again. Grate and keep it aside.
4. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add cooked rice and moong dal.
5.Add little turmeric powder, 1/2 glass of water and required salt. Mix it well and cook on low flame.
6. Add 2 tablespoons of ghee, slit green chilly and grated ginger.

7. Keep a pan on the fire and add a tablespoon of ghee. Add cut cashews and fry til they turn golden brown.

8. Add jeera /cumin seeds and pepper. Fry for 10 seconds and put half of the seasoning to this mixture to already done pongal.

Cook on low flame for a minute.

9. Shift the pongal  / Khara Huggi to a serving dish. Add remaining cashews mixture on the top. Add remaining ghee to Khara Pongal /Spicy Huggi .
10. Serve when it is piping hot. Hot huggi taste delicious.

Note :

Do not over cook rice or moong dal. Adding more / less ghee is optional. Adding green chilly is optional. Do not add any oil or vanaspathi except ghee.
Time : 20 Minutes.

Serves : 4 to 5.