Bottle Gourd /Lauki/Churakka Sambar

Bottle gourd is rich in vitamins B&C,potassium,sodium and iron.Since it has low fat and cholesterol level,it is consumed as juice to aid in weight loss.It is very popular for reducing blood pressure and keeping your heart healthy.So why don't you try this tasty and healthy dish?

 

BOTTLE GOURD SAMBAR

Here goes the recipe:

Ingredients:

• Bottle gourd(Churakka) -1 no (diced) 
  
• Toor dal/tuvara parippu-1/2 cup
• Small onion-10 no
• Garlic-2cloves
• Tomato-1(finely chopped)
• Green chilies-3-4no
• Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
• Coriander powder-2tsp
• Chilly powder-1tsp(as per your tolerance level)
• Asafoetida /kayam powder-1/2 tsp
• Tamarind-lemon size
• Salt to taste

For Seasoning:

• Oil-as required
• Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp
• Cumin seeds-1/4 tsp
• Fenugreek seeds-1/4tsp 
• Dry red chilies-2no
• Curry leaves-2 stalks
• Coriander leaves-chopped 2 stalks 

 

CHURAKKA SAMBAR

Method:

•  Peel off the skin.Cut it into half lengthwise.Scoop the seeds and wash it.Chop it into medium size cubes.
• Soak tamarind in 1/2 cup warm water for 10 minutes and extract the juice.
• Remove the skin of small onion and keep it aside. 
• Heat oil in a pan and add small onions,green chilies,garlic and saute for few minutes.Add chopped churakka to this and saute it again.Add salt,curry leaves.
• Add 1/2 cup of water to this and bring it to a boil.Close the lid and reduce the heat cook until it is done.
• Wash toor dal and pressure cook with water just to immerse the dal.Add turmeric,asfoetida/kayam,salt and cook till dal is done.Let it cool down.Remove the lid and add tomato pieces to this.Let it cook for few more minutes.
• Add cooked churakka mix to this and mix well.Add tamarind extract also.Let it boil again.
• Heat oil in a pan.Splutter mustard seeds,fenugreek seeds,cumin seeds.Then add one finely chopped small onion, dry red chilies,curry leaves.Reduce the heat and add coriander,chilly powders to this and stir well.Pour this into the churakka-dal mix.Add chopped coriander leaves.Bring it to a boil.Turn off heat and close the lid.Keep covered for at least half an hour.Sambar is Ready.

 

CHURRAKKA SAMBAR

 

Serve it warm as a side dish with plain Rice,Dosa,Idli...... 

Happy Cooking!!!

 

LOTUS

 

 

Fenugreek(Methi) Leaves and Dal Stir Fry/Thoran

Ingredients:

• Fenugreek/Methi Leaves-1 bunch
• Bengal gram split/Chana dal-1/4 cup
• Coconut grated-1/4 cup 
• Green chilly-2
• Small onion/Shallots-5-7
• Garlic-1 clove
• Dry red chilly-2
• Turmeric powder-a couple of pinches
• Curry leaves-1sprig 
• Salt to taste
• Oil-as required

Method:

• Wash fenugreek leaves and chop finely.
• Cook Dal/lentil with enough salt and water.Do not overcook it.
• Grind coconut,green chillies,1or 2 small onions,garlic and a few curry leaves into a coarse paste.keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan.Splutter mustard seeds.Add red chillies,curry leaves and finely chopped small onions.Saute well,add turmeric powder and stir for a minute.
• Now add chopped fenugreek/methi leaves and stir for 2 mins.Close the lid for 1-2 mins.Open it and add ground coconut mixture,salt and mix well.Add cooked lentil to this and saute till all the water content evaporates from it. 

 
Serve hot with Rice and pulissery or rasam.
Happy Cooking!!!

 
 

KERALA STYLE SAMBAR

Today I would like to share a recipe that can be used for Sadya.Sambar is a lentil based dish common in South India. Kerala sambar is very much different from that of its  neighbouring states.For us,sambar is also a mixed vegetable like our Avial.This is my mother in law's recipe.

 
Here is the recipe:
Ingredients: 

1. Toor dal/thuvara parippu- 1/2 cup
2. Turmeric powder- a couple of pinches
3. Chopped Vegetables(carrot,potato,brinjal.drumstick,cucumber,yam,plantain,pumpkin,  tomato)-3cups
4. Tamarind -1lemon sized
5. Small onion(shallots)-a Handful(cut into halves)
6. Asafoetida powder- a couple of pinches 
7. Green chilly-2-3(slit lengthwise)
8. Coriander powder-3tsp
9. Chilly powder-1tsp(as per your spice level)
10. Coriander leaves for garnishing

For Seasoning:

1. mustard seeds-1/2 tsp
2. fenugreek seeds-couple of pinches
3. dry red chilly - 2-3 nos
4. curry leaves-1 sprig
5. cumin seeds-1/2 tsp 
6. oil -1tbsp  

 Method:

• Cook dal in a presure cooker with required amount of water,turmeric powder,green chilies,sliced onion and salt.
• Mash the cooked dal well using a wooden spoon.
• Add all the vegetables except drumstick to this.when the veggies are half cooked add drumstick and the tamarind juice to this.cook till all the veggies are cooked.
• Heat oil in a pan add coriander,chilly powder and asafoetida.saute for a minute. make sure that it doesn't get burnt.add3-5tbsp water to this and make a paste.add this to the veggies and allow it to boil.
• Heat some more oil in a pan,crackle mustard seeds,fenugreek seeds,cumin seeds.Then add dry red chillies,sliced small onions and curry leaves.
• Fry it till onion becomes golden brown.add this to the sambar,mix well and close it with a lid for few minutes.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves. 
• Now sambar is Ready to serve.

Notes:

• You can use the veggies of your choice.
• Soak tamarind in half a cup of hot water for 10 minutes.

Serve with hot Plain Rice or Idly / Dosa....

Happy Cooking!!!

 

Broccoli and Dal Thoran

 
I have tried broccoli in pasta and soup and wanted to try something indian dish  with it.Never been a broccoli fan till i had it with dal. I had this thoran at my friend's place and became an instant fan,the reason being it was finely chopped and mixed well with dal.so fan of broccoli or dal?(that's a question:-).so this recipe is for all broccoli lovers like me.

Here is the recipe for broccoli and dal Thoran

Ingredients:

1. broccoli - 1cup
2. dal(yellow pigeon peas) -1/4 cup
3. small onion -7- 10 chopped
4. green chillies -3-5(finely chopped)
5. curry leaves-a sprig
6. grated coconut - 5-7tbsp
7. turmeric powder-a pinch
8. oil -1 tbsp
9. mustard seeds -1/2 tsp
10. salt to taste

Method:

1. Wash and clean the broccoli in salted hot water.Finely chop the florets.
2. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds. Add a sprig of curry leaves,chopped onion,green chilly and saute till the raw smell goes.Add turmeric powder and toss well.
3. Add chopped broccoli, salt to taste,grated coconut and mix well. Sprinkle 3-5 tbsp water,cook covered till it is done and all the water is evaporated.
4. Cook the dal in a pan with enough water.don't overcook.
5. Add cooked dal to the broccoli mixture.adjust the salt. Stir well until it is dry. 

Serve with Rice or Chapathi.Enjoy the dish!!!!

Happy Cooking!!!