Cow Pea & Bottle Gourd Curry

Cow pea / ಅಲಸಂದೆ and bottle gourd Curry is a side dish that goes well with all the main dishes like lunch, chapatis, rotis, idli, dosa, poori or chapati.

Cow pea season is here and lots of fresh cow peas available in market in most of the places.
It is always better to use seasonal pods to get good nutrients from the pods.
I have used cow peas, bottle gourd and carrot. Used some fresh fried spices which is always there in the kitchen store.

Let us see some benefits of eating Cow Peas in our diet.

Cow peas are low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium. They are good source of protein. They are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese. Cow Peas is rich in fiber.
Cow peas is rich in magnesium and it is good for controlling our sugar level. It also take care of metabolism of our body. It helps our digestive system to be healthy. It helps to control our blood pressure and take care of it. Cow peas helps in loosing the extra weight and good for people who suffer from anemia. Eating cow peas is good for our skin health. It is good for our bones.
Let us see the recipe now :
No Onion or No Garlic Curry.
Try and enjoy the taste of Cow Pea & Bottle Gourd Curry.

Things needed : 

To Cook :
Cow Peas : 1 Bowl (250 Gr)
Bottle Gourd : 1/2 (1/2 From medium sized bottle gourd)
Carrot : 1
To Fry :
Urid dal : 1 Tablespoon.
Red Byadagi chilly : 5 to 6
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Pepper Pods : 5 to 6
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Coconut : 1 Small cup
Coconut Oil : 1 Tsp
To Grind :
Tamarind : Small marble size
Fried and cooled mixture.
To add :
Coriander leaves
Salt : As required
Seasoning : Mustard seeds 1/2 teaspoon, ingh : a pinch, Curry leaves : 5 to 6 with coconut oil.

Method :

1. Remove the pods from Cow Peas and wash it nicely.

2. Wash and remove the outer layer of bottle gourd and carrot. Cut them in to small pieces.

3. Pressure cook cow pea, bottle gourd and carrots with required water for 5 to 6 minutes. Put off the fire and let it cool.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add a ts of coconut oil.
5. Put urid dal and fry till they turn slightly golden brown. Add byadagi chilly, pepper pods and fry.
6. Add ingh and curry leaves. Mix it well and put off the fire. Add coconut. Let it cool.

7. Grind fried ingredients with tamarind and required water.
8. Grind into fine paste.

9. Keep cooked vegetables on fire. Add salt and little turmeric powder. Mix it and boil for a minute.

10. Add ground coconut mixture to the boiling vegetables and mix it nicely. Add water if required.
11. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in between so that it does not get burnt.

12. Shift the Cow Pea & Bottle Gourd Curry to a serving dish.

13. Add mustard seasoning done in coconut oil.

14. Serve for lunch or with any main dish of your choice.

Note :

Do not over cook the vegetables. Adding more chilly is optional. Use of coconut oil is optional.
Use of coconut more or less is optional. Do not boil more after you add ground coconut mixture.  2 to 3 minutes is more than enough.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4. 

Urid Dal Kadubu in Banana leaf

Urid dal kadubu is one of the traditional dish from South Canana./Udupi/Malenadu/Mangalore. 
It is an easy dish, loaded with healthy spices like ginger, curry leaves, coriander leaves and green chilly.

It can be done as soon as you grind the batter. No need to be fermented.
Let us see some benefits of having Urid dal in our diet.
Urid dal is protein rich and steaming is one of the healthiest way to have good food.
Urid dal is filled with fiber. It is easy to digest and improve our digestive health. It protects heart and boost energy. It improves our bone health. Strengthen our nervous system. It is good for our skin and hair. Urid dal contains good amout of vitamins and minerals. It helps in boosting our metabolism.
It is rich in vitamin B, folic acid, iron, and calcium. It does contain magnesium and potassium.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this Urid dal Kadubu.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Urid dal : 1 to 1 1/2 cups
Raw Rice : 1 Handful
Banana Leaves : 5 to 6 pieces.
Ginger : 1 Tablespoon
Green chilly : 1
Curry Leaves : 10 to 12 leaves
Coriander leaves : 1 Handful
Coconut pieces : 3 to 4 Tbs
Salt : As required

Method :

1. Wash and soak urid dal and rice separately for 2 to 3 Hours.
2. Wash and cut coriander leaves, curry leaves.
3. Wash ginger and remove the outer layer and grate it.
4. Cut coconut pieces and keep it aside.

5. Drain water from soaked urid dal and grind it with required water. Let it be fine paste.

6. Add rice and coconut pieces and grind it in rava consistency.

7. Remove it from the mixi jar and put it to a big bowl.

8. Add required salt, cut coriander leaves, curry leaves, grated ginger and cut green chilly.
9. Mix all the ingredients nicely.

10. Wash banana leaves and put a spoon of Urid dal batter to each leaf.

11. Fold them and arrange them in a plate.

12. Keep a idli cooker or pressure cooker on fire and put some water in it. Let the water boil.

13. Arrange the folded banana leaves in a cooker plate and close the lid.

14. Cook for 30 to 35 minutes on medium and flame.

15. Take out the lid and check whether the kadubu is done. Take out from the cooker and arrange on a big plate.

16. Serve them with coconut chutney and ghee.

Note :

Do not use much water to grind. Adding more chilly is optional. I have not added any cooking soda or eno. Adding coconut pieces adds to the taste. Rice should be ground into rava consistency. or Kadubu turns very hard.
Time : Cooking time 30 Minutes + Soaking time 2 to 3 hours.
Serves : 2 to 3.