Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Green Harive soppina Huli (Amaranth Leaves Curry)

Green Harive/Amaranth leaves curry is a gravy dish and we can have them with almost all the main dishes.

Fresh and green Amaranth/Harive soppu is available around the year. Eating leaves in our diet is very necessary. They do contain many minerals and vitamins which helps to keep our body fit and fine.
I have used Amaranth leaves, Toor dal and home made spices with coconut.
Let us see some benefits of eating Harive soppu/Amaranth leaves in our diet. 
It helps to boost bone strength, reduces inflammation and improve the immune system. It also helps to lower blood pressure and maintain healthy hair. Amaranth leaves contain high amount of benificial proteins. It has anti oxidant and anti inflammatory properties. It is loaded with calcium and some amount of Vitamin A. It has a rich source of dietary fiber and also good for vision health.
Note : Amaranth leaves contain moderate levels of oxalates and people who suffer from kidney stones or gallstones  do not consume this leaves. (Do not eat).
No Garlic  OR No Onion is used in this curry.
Lets see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Harive Soppu (Red or green) : 1 Big bundle
Toor /Moong Dal : 1/2 Cup.(Two Handful)
Methi/Fenugrik seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
To Grind :
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons (Fresh)
Sambar Powder : 1 Tablespoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Tamarind : A marble size
To Add  : 
Salt : As Required
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Ingh : A pinch

Method :

1. Wash and pressure cook Toor Dal with required water for 5 to 6 minutes. Let it cool.
2. Wash and cut harive soppu and cook on medium flame. Use required water. Add methi seeds while it is cooking.
3. Grate coconut, add jeera and sambar powder and grind it with littel water. Remove from mixi jar.
4. Keep a big pan on the fire and put cooked dal, leaves, salt, a pinch of turmeric powder.
5. Add ingh and mix it well. Let it boil for 2 ot 3 minutes.

6. Add ground mixture and mix it well. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

7. Put off the gas and shift the curry to a serving dish. Add cut coriander leaves.
8. Add a teaspoon of fresh coconut oil before serving. Serve with the main dish of your choice.

Note :

You can use moong dal instead of toor dal. Taste differ.
Use of garlic and onions are optional. You can add a garlic seasoning to the curry. (Optional)
Adding any brand of sambar powder is optional. ( I have used home made sambar powder). Adding methi seeds helps to reduce cholesterol content in the curry,
Time : 30 Minutes 
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Sambar Powder Recipe":

Things needed :
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Channa Dal : 1 Teaspoon
Coriander Seeds : 2 Tablespoons
Red chilly :  4 to 5  (or more according to your requirement). (Byadagi chilly)
Little ingh and  6 to 8 curry leaves.
 Dry roast or use little oil and fry all the ingredients one by one. Dry grind it when it is cooled. This is enough for 1 time use. 

Monday, August 8, 2016

Snake Gourd Dal (Padavala kaayi tovve)

Snake Gourd/Padavalakai is one of the healthy vegetable you get al around the year. Many many preparations can be done using this Snake gourd. It is also called as Padavalakai in Kannada. (Karnataka - India). We do prepare sweet curry, dry curry, and Kalasu (coconut jeera mix curry) and even payasa/kheer is prepared using Padavalkai

I have used Padavalaki, moong dal, ginger and some spices. I have added little milk. 
Adding milk to the curry helps to enhance the taste and aroma. I have seen one of my Sri Lankan friend adding milk instead of coconut milk.
Let us see some benefits of eating "Snake Gourd" in our diet.
Snake gourd is good for detoxifying the body. It is said that it reduces the fever, improve the digestion, and helps to strengthen the immune system. It also helps in treating the dieabetes, boost strength adn good for hair and weight loss. It is loaded with nutrients, vitamins and minerals which are essential for our health. It contain good amount of dietary fiber and good for people who suffer from constipation. It is low in calories and is rich with protein. It is loaded with Vitamin  A, B, and Vitamin C. It has minerals like manganese, magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium and iodine.
It is an easy dish and anyone can try. Snake Gourd Dal goes well with all type of rotis, naans, plain rice or any spicy rice.
No Onion or No Garlic in this " Snake Gourd Dal ". 
I have used pressure cooker to cook.

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Snake Gourd : 2 Small ones.
Moong Dal : 1/2 Cup (2 Handful)
Ginger : An inch
Green Chilly : 2
To Add :
Jeera/Cumin Seeds Seasoning : 1 Teaspoon
Fresh Milk : 1/2 Cup
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Turmeric Powder : A pinch
Lemon : 1/2 Potion
Seasoning :
Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Red chilly : 1
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6 leaves
Ingh : A pinch

Method :

1. Wash and cut Snake gourd, coriander leaves and curry leaves.
2. Remove inner pulp from snake gourd.  Cut snake gourd and coriander leaves in to small.               3. Wash moong dal and keep it aside. Slit green chilly in the middle.

4. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and wash it again. Grate it and keep it aside.
5. Put snake gourd, washed moong dal, green chilly and grated ginger in a small pressure cooker.
6. Add littel turmeric powder and 1/2 cup of water and close the lid.
7. Put weight and cook for 6 to 8 minutes. Put off the fire. Let it cool.


7. Put weight and cook for 6 to 8 minutes. Put off the fire. Let it cool.
8. Open the lid. Mix the ingredients and add 1 cup of water.
9. Add salt and mix it well. Let it cook for 2 minutes.
10. Add jeera/cumin seeds seasoning. Add milk and cook on low flame for a minute.

11. Add lemon juice and shift the dal to a seriving dish. Add a spoon of ghee before serving.
12. Add coriander leaves and serve with the main dish.

Note :

Do not over cook. You can cook separately. (Not necessary to use pressure cooker). Adding milk is optional. You can use coconut milk instead of milk. Adding onions and garlic is optional. Adding more spice is optional. Adding ghee is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4 .

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My name is Nalini Somayaji. Teaching is my profession. Cooking is my passion. Reading, travelling, visiting new places, having fun with kids are some of the hobbies I can say. My recipes are Healthy, quick, easy and simple. Grown up being a traditional family member I love and respect Indian culture and traditions. Love classical dance and music.
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