Brinjal Curry (Ennegaai)

Brinjal/Egg Plants/Badane Kai,Benghan/Kattari Kai, is one of vegetable which is available plenty in the market around the whole year. It is one of the wonderful vegetable and liked by many. Yummy and tasty curries can be prepared with this veggie. Each state in India has its own style and traditional way of brinjal cooking.Bhartha or gojju, palya or ennegai, sambar or curry what ever you prepare with Brinjal it is always tasty and every one will surely like to have them and enjoy it.

Here I have tried Brinjal Ennegai of my own style as always. I have used some spices which are at home and home grown Dil Leaves (Sabbassige soppu in Kannada Language).
Lets see some benefits of Eating Brinjals in our diet.
Egg plants/Brinjals/Aubergin/badane kai/kattari kai/ Venkaya, are very rich source of fiber. They are low in soluble carbohydrates.They helps to regulate blood sugar level and blood pressure levels. It helps to bring down the cholesterol levels. Egg plant good amount of potassium properties. It also helps to bring down the level of Iron in the body. Egg Plants contain good level of water and low calorie and it is very good for people who wants to shed their weight. Brinjal contain good amount of fiber and it helps to prevent constipation. It contain good amount of Vitamin C, anti bacterial and anti viral properties
This Brinjal Curry is an easy dish and we can prepare it very easily. It goes well with almost all dishes like plain rice, all types of rotis, chapatis, poori, dosas.
Dil leaves are from our home garden and adding dil leaves adds to the taste.

 Lets see the recipe now:

Ingredients:

To cook :
Brinjal : 5 to 6
Tomatoes : 2
Dil Leaves : 1 small bundle (a small bowl)
To Stuff :
Rasam Powder : 1 Teaspoon
Curry powder (Vanghi baath powder:) :  2 Tablespoons
Coconut : 2 Tablespoons
To Season :
Oil : 2 to 3 Tablespoons (Any brand cooking oil).
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid Dal : 1 Teaspoon
Ingh : a pinch
Curry Leaves : Handful
Green Chilly : 2
Salt : As required
To add :
Salt : a little
Tamarind Pulp : 2 Tablespoons
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons
Methi Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoon
Coconut : 2 Tablespoons

Method : 

1.Wash and cut each brinjal in to four parts. (Do not cut the top portion). Soak in water.

2. Wash and cut green chilly, coriander leaves, tomatoes and dil leaves. Keep it aside.

3. Now mix Rasam powder, Vanghi baath powder, little salt and grated coconut. Mix it well.
4. Soak a marble size tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp. Keep the pulp aside.

5. Take each brinjal and stuff the coconut  vanghibath powder mix and arrange them in a plate.

6, Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and mustard seeds, urid dal. Let the mustard seeds splutter.
7. Add green chilly,jeera and curry leaves. Fry for 10 seconds. Add cut tomatoes and fry nicely till they turn soft.

 
8. Now keep stuffed brinjals one by one in the pan and stir slowly.
9. Add turmeric powder and 1/2 glass of water. Cover the lid and let it cook nicely. (5 minutes). (Let the flame be medium and low).

10. Now add tamarind pulp, little more salt (if required) and jaggery. Stir it slowly and cover and cook again for another 5 minutes. (till it turns soft).
11. Mix it slowly and let all the water disappear from the curry. Add cut dil leaves and cook on low flame. (for a minute). Add remaining mixture (vanghi baath and coconut mixture) and stir slowly and  cook for 2 minutes on low flame. 

12. Add cut coriander leaves and shift the curry to a serving bowl. Add remaining coconut on the top and serve.

Note : 

You can use any brand of rasam powder and vanghi baath powder. I have used home made powders. Dry roast 1 table of (each) urid dal, channa dal, 3 to 4 cloves, an inch of cinnamon, 4 Tablespoon of daniya seeds (coriander seeds) red chilly (according to your taste). Add jeera/ cumin seeds at the end and powder all the ingredients once it is cooled. Adding rasam powder adds to the taste. Adding more or less jaggery and oil is optional. You can cook this curry in pressure cooker too. (be careful do not over cook). Adding different spice for the curry is optional.
Time : 25 to 30 minutes
Serves : 4 to 5

Cabbage Pakoda (Cabbage Fritters)

Crave for Munching some fried things is more during winter and rainy season. Cold season has already started and the chill weather's wings spread every where and the craving of oily fried dishes are already started. This time it is Cabbage Pakoda/ fritters. Hot pakoda/fritters are always welcome with a cup of coffee or Tea. (chai)

I have used cabbage gratings instead of onions. Also used some spices which are available in the kitchen store. Not much of ingredients are needed any ways. Oil to fry, besan and rice flour, cut cabbage and some spices to increase the taste. So the pakodas are ready to serve.
Lets see some benefits of using cooking oil in our daily diet.
There are different varieties of cooking oil available in the market. Ground oil, Sun flower oil, corn oil, Olive oil etc etc.
Ground Oil. It is high content of mono and polyunsaturated fats. These help in lowering LDL " (bad cholesterol). It is a good source of Vitamin E and it acts as an anti oxidant by protecting the skin from acne or scars.
Sun flower Oil is considered healthy oil because of its poly unsaturated fat content. The presence of Omega -6 and Vitamin E act as an oxidant help the body cells in retaining water.
Olive oil can be used for salads and appetisers. Monounsaturated fatty acid like Omega 3 and it has the quality of anti inflammatory properties. It is full of Vitamins, minerals and proteins. Olive oil contains calcium and it helps to lower the bad cholesterol in the body.
Coconut oil contain anti oxidant properties and helps in preventing premature aging. It also helps in treating skin infections. Coconut oil helps to strengthens the immune system since it contain anti microbial properties, anti fungal and anti bacterial and anti properties. Coconut oil is also good for weight loss and good for digestion.
Cabbage Pakoda is easy to prepare and yummy to have with a cup of coffee/Tea/ Juice or as starter with soup.

Ingredients :

Cabbage : 1 Bowl (1/2 of small cabbage).
Rice flour : 1 Cup
Besan/Channa/Kadale flour : 1 Cup

Green chilly : 2
Red Chilly Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt; as required
Curry Leaves : 8 to 10
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons
Ginger : an inch
Cooking Soda : a pinch
Water : required (just a little).
Cooking Oil to Fry :  1 to 1 1/2 cup

Method :

1. Wash and drain all water from cabbage. Cut it into thin pieces. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and wash again. Grate it and keep it aside. Wash and cut coriander leaves, curry leaves and cut them in to small and keep it aside.
2. Take a big bowl. Add rice flour, besan/channa flour, cut green chilly, cut cabbage, red chilly powder, jeera/cumin seeds, Cooking soda and salt.

3. Mix it nicely and add 2 tablespoons of hot oil. Mix it again and allow it to coll for 5 minutes. Mix it again.

4. Add required water little by little and prepare thick dough. (It should be thicker than chapati dough).

5. Keep oil on the fire and heat. Take a handful of dough and squeeze out pakodas between your fingers.. (Or take a small lemon size dough and make like a ball and fry).

6. Fry them on medium and low flame. So that it cooks nicely and gives crispiness to pakoda.
7. Fry on both side till they turn golden brown and remove from the oil.

8. Put them on a kitchen tissue so that extra oil will be absorbed by the kitchen tissue.

9. Repeat the same with remaining dough.
10. Serve Hot Cabbage Pakodas with any Chutney or Ketch up.

 Note : 

The consistency of Pakoda dough should be thick. or your pakoda mighty absorb more oil. Adding onions and garlic is optional. (I have not added). Adding maida is also optional. (I have not added). Adding more hot oil to the dry ingredients is optional. It might turn crispy but more oil is not at all necessary. Adding any spice is also optional.
Time : 30 minutes.
Serves : 4 to 5

Sweet Potato Curry

Sweet potatoes are plenty in the market during winter, Sweet potatoes are one of the healthy vegetable also. Preparing some or the other dishes using this vegetable is really good Idea. I have noted that Swathi Iyer has used Sweet Potatoes in her baking. That's a great idea to use Sweet Potatoes. We South Canara  (Southern part of Karnataka) people do make use of sweet potatoes in our cooking. So many dishes can be prepared with sweet potatoes. Curry, paratha, upma, payasa, papad jamoon etc etc the list goes on.

READY TO EAT SWEET POTATO CURRY WITH HOT POORIS

Here is a simple recipe that every one can try and enjoy having it as one of the side dish. It is easy and healthy. Not much of spices either.
I have used sweet potatoes, onions and some chilly. We had it with Poori. It goes well with rotis, chapati, dosa or idli even one of the side dish while serving with rice.
Let us see some benefits of " Sweet Potatoes " in our diet.
Sweet Potatoes are packed with nutritional values. They are filled with Vitamin A, loads of fiber and potassium. They also contain less calories. Sweet potatoes are said to be decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. they help to increase the energy and lower the weight. They help to reduce the risk of low blood sugar and insulin resistance in diabetic people. They are packed with many essential vitamins and minerals. They contain minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium. They are full of fiber and good for people who suffer from constipation and it helps in easy digestion. Sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin C and beta carotene and it helps o boost immunity power in the body. Sweet Potatoes have anti inflammatory properties. Sweet Potatoes are good for Eye health. ( It contain Vitamin A which is good for Vision).

Lets see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

Sweet Potatoes : 2 to 3 (Medium Sized)
Onions : 2 (Medium Sized)
Green Chilly : 2
Curry leaves : 5 to 6
Ginger : 1 Teaspoon (Grated).
Salt : To taste
Basan/Channa flour : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon
Oil : 2 Tablespoons (Any cooking oil).

Method : 

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of sweet potatoe. Cut them into small and cook with little water. (Till soft).

2. Remove the outer layer of onions and wash. Cut it into thin stripes. Keep it aside.
3. Wash and cut green chilly and curry leaves and coriander leaves. \
4. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger. Wash it again and grate it. Keep it aside.
5. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil. Add mustard seeds. Let it splutter.
6. Add jeera/cumin seeds, green chilly and curry leaves.

7. Add cut onions and fry nicely. Add water and let it cook till soft. (1/2 a cup of water).
8. Now add little turmeric powder and mix it well. Add required salt. Add grated ginger.

9. Add cooked sweet potato once the onions turn soft and mix it well. Let it cook for 1 minute.
10. Put channa flour/besan/Kadlae hittu in a glass. Add 1/2 cup of water and mix it well.

11. Pour this besan mix to the cooking sweet potato. Let it cook for 2 minutes. Mix in between so that it does not get burnt.
12. Shift the sweet potato curry to a serving dish. Add cut coriander leaves, mix it well and serve it with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

You can add little garam masla to the curry (Add it when the curry is cooking). Adding garlic is optional. Adding more chilly is also optional. Adding gram flour/channa flour /besan helps to thicken the curry. Add a teaspoon of lemon extract. (It taste good). You can cook sweet potato (as whole ...just wash it and then cook) in pressure cooker is optional. But some time it will over cooked and smashed. The taste varies.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4

Dodda Patre (Sambara balli ) - Channa Dal Chutney

Chutney is a side dish which is prepared using coconut and it can be eaten with almost all main dishes. It can be a spicy spread on bread sandwich or even in chapati rolls. Indians do love chutney. Chutneys can be prepared in many ways using different vegetables/ vegetable peels, dals and many other ingredients.

READY TO SERVE DODDA PATRE  - CHANNA DAL CHUTNEY

Here I have used Dooda Patre/ Ajwan leaves, coconut and some spices to prepare this chutney. These Dodda Patre leaves contain loads of medicinal values and used in cooking also. Dodda Patre leaves have a beautiful aroma and goes well with Indian dishes.
Dodda patre is also called as Ajwain leaves because it gives the aroma of ajwain. Dodda Patre is also known as Pathar chur in Marati, Pani Kukkaraka (since it helps in chasing fever (jvara) in Malayalam and Karpooravalli in Tamil. In Hindi it is called Pan Ova (Ajwain) and in Telugu it is known as Vamu Akku. Dodda Patre is also known as Indian Oregano and Indian Borage/ Cuban oregano and Mexican Mint.

DODDA PATRE PLANT IN BIRTHI MANE GARDEN

Let us see some benefits of Using Dodda Patre/Ajwain leavs in our diet:

The leaves are used in many traditional medicines. They are good for treating coughs, sore throats and nasal congestion. They are also good for infections, malaria fever, flu, chronic astama, hiccup, bronchitis and epilepsy. These leaves improve the health of our skin, detoxify the body and helps to relieve stress and anxiety. It is good for digestion. They are very good for respiratory problems and helps to boost immune in the body and prevent bacteria or other infections. It contain Vitamin C and Vitamin A.  The acid (ascorbic acid) found in the herb helps to immune system and to be strong. Vitamin A content helps to improve vision health. It also helps to reduce the stress in the eyes. It contain organic compounds and minerals. The herbal tea prepared from this leaves are good for people who suffer from high anxiety, chronic stress and it helps to get good rest, relaxation and good sleep. It is also good for people suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and stomach upsets.
Caution : Please note that Pregnant and breast feeding mothers do not use the herb. (The chemical content in the leaf may lead to some alergy.

Dodda Patre - Channa dal Chutney can be served as one of the side dish. It goes well with almost all main dishes like rice, chapati, any type of roti or parata, dosa, idli and even palau.
Lets see the recipe now. It is easy and simple and healthy to eat.

Things Needed : 

Dodda Patre/ Sambara Balli Leaves : 1 Bowl or more than two handful
Coconut : 1 Bowl
Channa Dal : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Red Chilly ( byadagi) : 6 to 8
Tamarind : A marble size 
Curry leaves : 1 Handful
Ingh /Asfoetida : a little
Salt : to taste
Water : as required
Oil : 2 Teaspoons
Mustard seasoning with curry leaves and ingh : 1/2 tea spoon mustard seeds, 5 to 6 curry leaves and little ingh

Method : 

1. Wash the leaves nicely and slowly, keep it aside.
2. Grate or cut coconut and keep it aside.

3. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put 1 Teaspoon of oil, Add channa dal and fry nicely till it turns golden brown.

4. Add red chilly, curry leaves and ingh. Now add washed " Dodda Patre " leaves and fry til they turn soft. (on the low flame).

5. Let the fried ingredients get cool.
6. Grind coconut, tamarind (check to know there is no seed) and the fried ingredients nicely till they turn soft (2 to 3 minutes).

7. Add required salt and churn once or twice. Remove from the mixi jar. (Do not add much water to grind).

8. Shift the chutney to a serving dish and add mustard seasoning.

9. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Do not add much water while grinding. (It turns watery and will not taste good). Adding more/less chilly is optional. You can add a red chilly to the seasoning. It gives good aroma and adds to the taste. Using byadagi chilly gives good colour to the chutney and adds taste to the chutney. Fry the ingredients on low flame. Adding onions and garlic to the chutney is optional. (You can grind onions and add garlic while frying mustard seeds for seasoning. Adding cut onions on the top of the chutney (just before serving ) adds to the taste. (I did not use any onion here in this recipe).
Time : 10 minutes
Serves : 4 to 5.