Basale Kootu / Malabar Leaves Curry

 Kootu is one of the yummy curry prepared by mostly Iyengars,

Whenever I prepare Kootu (any vegetable Kootu) I remember Mrs, Nagamani Prasad wife of Mr. Govinda Prasad. She used to prepare yummy kootu and I am very fond of her kootu. The aroma of pepper pods still linger in my mouth. So the Kootu story goes like this. The memory of Nigeria life comes in front of my eyes. I met Mr and Mrs. Prasad in Yola, Gangola state's capital in Nigeria. They stayed in a place called Gombe (in Bauchi State). We used to meet once in a while and enjoy the company of them. 

And then we moved to Dubai there too our friendship continued since Mr. and Mrs. Prasad were also shifted to Dubai before us. 

I am very happy that I was noticed through my blog By Mr. Sihi Kahi Chandru Sir who is an actor, serial director, drama master and Bombat Bhojana host in food reality serial. I had a chance to prepare with him Sippe Sutta Southekayi Huli and Kayi Vade.  These two episodes aired very recently. 

When people who knew my blogs used to say that I should participate in T.V shows like Bombat Bhojana. I did appear and participated in two programs like this previously and one was in Sarala Jeevana and the other was for Suvarna Adige Mane I think.

Anyways all is good and I am happy to continue my blogging here.

Basale Kootu is one of the the yummy curry and me happy because these basale leaves are from our home. We have put up some basale leaves in pots and at times we cut and make use of it.

I have used the traditional way of doing this Kootu.

I have used channa dal, red chillly,m pepper pods, coconut and basale leavess as vegetable. No tamarind or lemon extract is used here. Typical Iyengari Kootu. 

Let us see some other names for Basale Leaves.

Basale leaves are called as Malabar leaves, Ceylon spinach, Malabar spinach, Saan Choy by Chinese, Mong Toi by Vietnamese, Alugbati by Philippines, Pui Saag by Bengalis and Remayong by Malay people.

Let us see some benefits of eating Basale Leaves in our diet.

Basale leaves are very in calories and fat. They are filled with nutrients, minerals and vitamins.

They are very rich in antioxidants and full of fiber. It is very good for easy digestion and roughage. They are also rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A. They also contain B vitamins and minerals like potassium, copper, manganese and magnesium.

As I said earlier these Basale leaves are from our terrace garden and me happy person.

Let us see the recipe now. 

Things Needed/ Ingredients.

To Cook :

Basale leaves : 1 Bowl.

To Fry :

Oil : 1 Tsp

Channa Dal : 1 Tsp

Pepper Pods : 6 to 8

Red Chilly : 5 to 6 

Curry leaves : 6 to 8 

Ingh/Asafoetida : A little 

To grind :

Coconut : 1 Cup

and fried ingredients.

To Season :

Mustard seeds : 1/2 tsp

Asafoetida : A little 

Curry Leaves : 5 to 6 

To Add :

Ground Masala 

Salt : As required 

Method : 

1. Wash and cut basale leaves into small and cook. (I used pressure cooker to cook).

2.Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add a tsp of oil and 1 tbs of Channa dal. Fry nicely till it turns golden brown.

3. Add pepper pods and fry. Then add red byadagi chilly and fry for 10 sec and put off the fire. Add asafoetida and curry leaves. Let it cool.

4. Grate a cup of coconut and grind it with fried ingredients.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and put cooked basale leaves. Add salt and ground masala. Mix it nicely and boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

6. Shift it to a serving dish and add mustard seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves seasoned in coconut oil.

7. Serve for lunch as one of the side dish.

Note : 

Cooking leaves with out using cooker is optional. In cooker its only two whistles. or 5 to 6 minutes after you use the weight.

Use of any cooking oil is optional. Use of more or less chilly is optional. 

Time : 25 Minutes.

Serves : 3 to 4.

A day with Sihi Kahi Chandru Sir - Bombat Bhojana / Star Suvarna Cookery Show.

 Participating in cookery show is something nice and the experience I just enjoy doing it. 

Very recently I had this lovely experience, participating in a cookery show Bombat Bhojana, which is hosted by Mr. Sihi Kahi Chandru Sir who is very famous and very creative. He does lots of veg food creations and visits food places and gives information where to eat ? what are available there and good food to taste even in small stalls. 

My blogs really helped me to put a step ahead here. Whenever I see Bombat Bhojana cookery show done by him, was longing to go and do take part. Seeing ladies participating in one part of the show, I have just asked many that how did they participate and what is the way to go?No one answered me and I kept thinking how to reach. 

Being a follower of Bombat Bhojana page in Facebook and I followed him as one of the follower I simply wrote a message that I would like to take part in his cookery show. And I completely forgot about it. I am not good at following massage in Messenger. To my surprise I saw a message popping up from Chandru Sir saying we will call you soon. 

Wow. The stars dancing up in my eyes. I told my husband, children and had no place to show my happiness. 

The next thing I did was messaged after some days telling waiting for the call.

The next moment Chnadru  Sir sent his phone number and I called him and talked to him.

He said He read my blogs and got to know so many things from my blog. 

How to express my happiness? 

I knew this before it self because when One of my facebook friend and good artist Mrs. Aruna Balaji commented for one of my post. Chandru Sir too commented saying he has learnt so many things by following my blog.

 I normally post my food dish in some food pages and share the link of the food dish from the blog. Mr. Chandru Sir also commented and said he had learnt so many things from my blog post. 

So the journey to participate in His Bombat Bhojana  Cookery show in Star Suvarna has started this way.

March 23rd was fixed for the participation and his assistance Ashish guided me.

So we went from here to Raja Rajeshwari Nagar and to Krishnappa garden lay out around 9 am.

When I called Ashish, he came out and led us inside where the shooting was going on for Nalapaka.

Mamatha the beautician did some make up and I did my hair just a little combing. I did not want the hair to be tied. So it was comfortable.

Chandru Sir talked to us and I told him How happy I am. He too was very happy to meet us. He was talking about my blogs and appreciating the food I cook. So we talked and made ourselves comfortable and cool.

The kitchen assistance Anil asked me to check the ingredients and it was done.

There I met Sindhu a sweet lady who is very nice and liked our Udupi Style of food she said.

I met Sindhu who does the food decoration for food presentation.

I did 2 food dishes like 1. Sippe sutta Southe Huli and 

2. Akki Kayi Vade. 

 Chandru Sir helped me a lot during that time of  shooting about his style and the food I am making and other things.It was indeed good exposure and experience.

We had real fun while cooking both the dishes. 

This is my 3rd participation in cookery shows done.

The first one was with Sarala Jeevana  and I did Our famous Paradi Payasa.

The second was with Suvarna Channel  and it was with Naveen H

and this time it is Bombat Bhojana  with Sihi Kahi Chandru Sir. 

Thank you so much Sir.