Gulla - Sprouted Moong Curry

Gulla a type of brinjal from a place called Mattu near Udupi, is a special variety of brinjal. The seeds of this special brinjal has been given from Shree Guru Vadirajaru to people of Mattu. I have written about it in one of my blog page. Here is one more dish which I have tried it with this special Variety of Brinja and is known as Mattina Gulla.

I have used Sprouted Whole Moong, Gulla, and sambar powder which is prepared at home and added mustard , methi/fenugrik seeds seasoning with coconut oil.
Gulla - Sprouted Moong Curry goes well with all the main dishes and you can prepare this curry for festivals or feast. There is no Onion or Garlic in this curry.

Things Needed :

To cook :
Gulla /Udupi Special Brinjal : 2
Sprouted Whole Moong : 1 Small Cup

To Grind :
Coconut : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Curry Powder : 2 to 3 Teaspoons

To Add :
Tamarind pulp : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A pinch
Oil : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ground coconut mixture

Seasoning done in Coconut Oil :
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Tsp
Methi seeds : 3 to 4
Ingh : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6

Method :

1. Wash and cut gulla /brinjal in to small pieces.

2. Cook sprouted whole moong and keep it aside. Soak a small marble size tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp after 5 minutes.
3. Grate coconut and grind it with curry powder./Huli pudi.

4. Now keep a pan on the fire and put brinjal pieces in it. Add water, little coconut oil and turmeric powder.
5. Cook till the gulla pieces are soft.

6. Add cooked moong and mix it well.

7. Add tamarind pulp and required salt. Mix it nicely.

8. Add ground coconut mixture and mix it. Let it boil for 3 to 4 minutes.

9. Shift the curry to a serving dish and add mustard seeds, 2 to 4 methi seeds, ingh, curry leaves seasoning done in coconut oil.

10. Serve as one of the dish during lunch or dinner.

Note :
Soaking brinjal pieces in plain water helps to remove the bitterness in it. Adding oil and turmeric helps the pieces to retain the colour. (It does not turn as black). Home made curry powder adds to the taste. You can use any brand sambar powder instead of home made curry powder. Use of coconut oil is optional.  This is one of the traditional dish of brahmin and I do not use onions or garlic in my curry.
I had some sprouted moong already and cooked with little water.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4.

To get good sprouted moong you need to follow these steps:

Wash and soak whole moong for over night. Take out the water completely and put the moong in a towel /handkerchief and tie it slightly. Keep sprinkling water on the towel. It starts to sprout nicely. You can use this for preparing juice, salad and curries.

Curry Powder or Huli powder./ಹುಳಿ ಪುಡಿ

Dry roast or fry with a teaspoon of oil :
Methi seeds/Fenugrik seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Channa dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander seeds : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Jeera /Cumin Seeds :1/2 Teaspoon
Cinnamon piece : A very small piece.
Dry roast or fry them one by one and dry grind it when it cools down.

Note : Fried mixture will not stay for long. It starts to smell. So better to dry roast and use.

You can also use the whole moong with out soaking or sprouted. Just wash and cook. (Optional). Use of sprouted moong is always healthy.

Channa Dal -Carrot Vada/Vade

Channa Dal Vada /Ambode / Masala Vade is well known fried fritter, that most of us like to have with a cup of coffee /tea/juice or with lunch. It is  a good snack for the evening with a cup of Chai /Tea or Coffee.

Channa dal vada is prepared using Channa dal as main and the other ingredients like onions, coriander, curry leaves, ginger and some time add some leaves like methi, dil etc.
Here I have tried this Masla Vada with carrots and no onions are used here.
These Masala Vada can be prepared during festivals, feast since they have no onion or garlic added.
Yummy Vadas are crispy outside and soft inside, with mild spicy you can enjoy them thoroughly.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients needed :

Chana dal : 1 1/2 Cup
Carrots : 1 Big One
Jeera /Cumin seeds : 1/2 Tsp
Green chilly : 2 to 3
Ginger : An inch
Coriander leaves : 1 Handful
Curry leaves : 8 to 10
Salt : As required
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Cooking Oil : 1 Cup

Method :

1. Soak Channa dal for an hour and remove the water completely Grind it coarsely. Use of water should be very little while grinding.

2. Wash and dry grind curry leaves, green chilly, grated ginger and coriander leaves with coconut pieces.

3. Take a bowl, add ground channa dal, ground chilly mixture and salt
Grate carrot and add it to ground mixture. Mix all the ingredients nicely.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and add oil. Let it get hot.
5. Take a small portion of the ground mixture pat slightly and put it in the hot oil and fry.

6. Let it turn golden brown. Turn the other side and cook the same way.

7. Take out the fried Masala Vada from oil and then put it on the tissue.

8. Repeat the same with remaining Mixture and prepare Masala Vada.
9. Hot Masala Vada is ready to eat or serve.

10.We had it with our lunch.

Note : 

Do not grind into paste consistency. It should be coarse consistency. Do not add so much water while grinding. Vadas might turn soft like bondas and taste might differ. Cook on medium hot oil.
Time : 30 to 40 minutes.
Serves : 20 Vadas can be prepared.