Happy Gowri Festival Celebration Dishes

Happy Gowri Festival to You All. Try and Enjoy these special festival dishes.

Gowri /Parvathi /Girije is mother of Lord Ganesha. She is also known as Adhi Shakti.
The beautiful story is like this according to Purana . Gowri created Ganapa, gave him life and asked him to guard the house. She went to bathe. Lord Shiva/Eshwara comes to visit her and Ganapa will not let him go inside. Shiva gets angry and cuts off his head. Gowri comes to know this and cries. Lord Shiva asks his people to search Ganapa's head. They were not able to find Ganapa's head. So Lord Shiva tells his people and orders them to get the head of anyone who laid his head on north direction. They could find only an elephant which laid its head on north direction. They cut the head of elephant and brings it to Lord Shiva. He puts the elephant head on Ganesha and gives life to him. He also gives power to Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is the lord that we should pray first before starting anything. Lord Ganesha is known as Vighna Vinashaka, Prathama Pooja is done for Lord Ganesha.
Gowri, Ganesha festival is on This thursday and friday.
Gowri comes to her parents house first and then son Lord Ganesha comes on next day. It might be like the married girl comes to her parents house. Simple food is done on first day and then Ganesha festival is celebrated in grand manner. On Gowri Pooja the ladies do pooja and give " Arashina kumkum" to the married women. It is called Bhageena. One should be happy and involve in doing pooja and blessed by God. Our traditions and culture is just beautiful and it gives life to dullness and  by doing poojas the positive energy flows in to your mind and body.
On the first day as I said it is a simple dishes with payasam or pooran poli. (Your choice of dishes).

No Onion or No Garlic is used on Festival Celebrations. 

I have prepared

1. Methi Leaves/capsicum dry curry ( Udupi special Palya).

2. Ginger/ Green Tamarind Tokku  Chithranna

3.Mango fruit chutney.

4. Ridge Gourd Huli (Curry).

5. Channa Dal Payasam/Kheer.

Let us see the preparation  One by One and enjoy eating these healthy, delicious dishes.

1. Methi leaves Dry curry

Things Needed :
To Cook
Methi/Fenugrik Leaves : 1 Bundle
Capsicum : 1
Salt : As required
Turmeric Powder : A little
To Grind :
Coconut : 1/2 Cup
Red Chilly : 2 to 3
Tamarind : Very little (Half o f one small marble)
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
To Season :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh : A little
Coconut Oil : 2 Tablespoos

Method :

1  Wash and cut methi leaves into small. Wash and cut capsicum into small pieces.
2. Grate coconut and dry grind it with red chilly (byadagi), mustard seeds and tamarind.
3. Keep a pan on the fire and put 1 tablespoon of oil. Add mustard seeds, urid dal and ingh. Let mustard seeds splutter.
4. Add curry leaves and cut capsicum and methi leaves. Mix it well and let it cook on medium flame and low flame.
5. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and mix it well.
6. Let methi leaves cook on low flame or add half cup of water, cover and cook.
7. Let all the moisture disappear completely. Add salt and stir.
8. Add ground mustard seeds and coconut mixture and mix it nicely. Let it cook on low flame for 2 minutes. Shift the ready Methi leaves dry curry to a serving bowl.

Note :

You can use any brand of oil of your choice. Adding more spice is optional. You can fry this methi leaves on low flame. It taste better. Njoy this palya with hot rice and a spoon of fresh ghee.
Type : South Canara /Udupi Style.
Time : 15 to 20 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3  .

2 : Green Tamarind  Tokku Chitranna .

Things needed :
Cooked Rice : 1 Cup

To Add :
Tamarind Tokku : 1 Teaspoon
Dry Ginger Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Turmeric Powder : A little
Salt : To taste
Coriander leaves
Grated coconut (fresh) : 1/2 Cup

Seasoning :
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Green chilly : 1
Curry leaves : 6 to 8

Method :

Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add a tablespoon of Coconut oil.
Add mustard seeds, urid dal and let urid dal splutter.
Add washed and slit green chilly and curry leaves.
Add tamarind tokku and fry it nicely.
Add cooked and cooled rice. Add turmeric powder.
Add ginger powder and required salt.
Mix all the ingredients nicely. Let it be on low flame for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add a tablespoon of ghee and mix it well. Put off the fire.
Add grated coconut, washed and cut coriander leaves. Mix it well once again.
Green tamarind tokku chitranna is ready to serve.
Note :
To get green tamarind tokku, just remove the tender green tamarind outer hard layer.
Grind it with salt and green chilly. This Green tamarind tokku is hot and spicy.
You can use tamarind pulp instead of green tamarind tokku. Soak a small ball size of tamarind in hot water for 5 minutes. Squeeze out the pulp and boil to make it thick content. Add green chilly paste and salt while tamarind pulp is boiling. Tamarind turns as thick paste. Use according to your requirement.
Time : Chitranna preparation : 10 minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4

3. Mango Fruit Chutney:

Things Needed :
Ripe Mango : 1
Red chilly : 2
Ingh : A pinch
Fresh grated coconut : 1 Cup
Salt : As required
Seasoning :
Coconut oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh : A pinch
Curry leaves : 5 to 6

Method :

Wash and squeeze out the pulp from ripen mango.
Grate coconut and keep it aside.
Fry red chilly in a drop of coconut oil for 1 minute.
Now grind all the above ingredients with a pinch of ingh/asafoetida. Use water if required.
Remove from the mixi jar and put it in a serving dish.
Add mustard seeds, ingh, curry leaves seasoning with a teaspoon of coconut oil.
Time : 10 minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3

4. Ridge Gourd Toor Dal Curry :

Things needed :

To Cook :
Ridge gourd : 1
Toor dal : 2 Handful

To Grind :
Fresh grated coconut : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Tamarind pulp : 1 Tablespoon
Rasam powder : 2 Tablespoons
Jeera /Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon

Seasoning :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Coconut oil : 1 Teaspoon

To Add :
Green Chilly : 1
Required Salt
Mustard seasoning
Washed and cut coriander leaves.

Method :

Wash and peel off the outer layer (hard skin) of ridge gourd and cut into desired size.
Wash and cook toor dal in a pressure cooker for  8 to 10 minutes and let it cool.
Wash curry leaves, coriander leaves and cut into small.
Keep a pan and put cut ridge gourd and cook with 1 cup of water till it turns soft.
Grind coconut, tamarind, jeera/cumin seeds, rasam powder with little water. Remove it from mixi jar.
Add cooked dal to ridge gourd pieces. Add a pinch of turmeric powder, salt and required water.
Mix it well and let it boil for 2 minutes. Add ground coconut mixture and mix it well.
Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Shift Ridge gourd curry to a serving dish.
Add mustard seasoning and cut coriander leaves. Ridge gourd curry is ready to serve.
Note :
Do not over cook ridge gourd pieces. Adding any brand of rasam powder is optional. I used home prepared rasam powder.  ( Use of MTR, Mayya;s Rasam powder gives good aroma).  Adding any cooking oil is optional. Adding a teaspoon of ghee just before serving is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4

5. Channa Dal Payasa/Kheer

Things Needed :
Channa Dal 1/2 Cup
Thick Avalakki /Poha/Flattened rice : 1/2 Cup
Jaggery : 3/4 Cup
Cardamom : 4 to 5 Pods
Dry fruits : Cashews and Raisins : 1 Tablespoon or little more
Coconut Milk : 1/2 Coconut (1 Cup)

Method :

Wash and pressure cook channa dal for 18 to 10 minutes and let it cool.
Powder jaggery. Keep a big pan on the fire and put jaggery and little water. Let it melt completely. ( 1 or 3 boils).
Sieve with a strainer and keep the jaggery aside.
Grate coconut (1/2 coconut) and grind it with cardamom pods. Add l/2 cup of water and grind.
Take the ground coconut and sieve and separate coconut milk. (1 st time coconut milk).
Grind coconut again with little water and sieve with a strainer. (2nd time coconut milk).
Keep a big pan on the fire and put jaggery water. Add cooked channa dal,
Wash and add Avalakki/Poha /Flattened rice to boiling jaggery mixture.
Add 2 time's coconut milk. Let it boil nicely. Add the first time's coconut milk.
See that it is just about to boil. Put off the fire and shift the Channa dal kheer to a serving dish.
Keep a small pan on the fire. Add a spoon of ghee. Add cashew nuts and fry.
Add raisins and fry till it fluffs. Add this nuts fry to payasam and serve.

Note :

Adding more coconut milk is optional. Add a cup of boiled fresh milk is optional. (Just before serving). Adding more /less jaggery is optional. Adding Avalakki helps to thicken the payasam.
You can grind coconut with  a teaspoon of rice till paste and adding instead of coconut milk is optional. Adding ghee fried cashew and raisins adds to the taste.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 4 to 5 .

Bottle Gourd Peel - Horse Gram and Mango Chutney

Mango Season is still on and loads of mangoes we can see in the market. We all know that use of seasonal fruits and vegetables are loaded with minerals and vitamins and one should make use of it.
Here is a try of Chutney which I have used half ripen mango, Horse gram and bottle gourd peel.
Bottle gourd was used for the curry and the peel is for chutney. Bottle gourd was very tender the peel was as fresh as that we just got from the farm.

Bottle gourd peel should be tender to use it for chutney or it might give out bitter taste. Wash and soak bottle gourd for at least 2 hours before peeling the outer layer. Horse gram adds healthy benefits to our diet and gives good taste. I have used half ripe mango instead of tamarind.
The chutney goes well with all the main dishes. Eating hot plain rice with little ghee and this Horse Gram - Mango & Bottle gourd Chutney is really fun. Adding little ghee adds to the taste.
No Onion or garlic is added in this chutney.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

Bottle gourd peel : 1 small bowl. ( Half bottle gourd peel).
Horse Gram : 1 Tablespoon
Red chilly (Byadagi chilly) : 4 to 5
Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch
Mango pieces : Half ripen or Green : 1 Small  (or 1/2 mango of a medium size mango)
Curry Leaves : 8 to 10 or more
Fresh Coconut : 1 Cup
Salt : As Required
Seasoning  :
Coconut /Any Cooking oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry leaves : 5 to 6

Method:

1. Wash bottle gourd and remove the outer layer (peel) and keep it aside.

2. Wash curry leaves and keep it aside.
3. Wash mango and remove the outer layer. (The green part). Cut it into small pieces.

4. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
5. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil and tablespoon of horse gram.
6. Fry nicely till the horse gram pops up or the raw smell disappear.
7. Add red chilly and curry leaves.
8. Fry for a minute. Add bottle gourd peel and fry for 1 to 2 minutes.

9. Add cut mangoes and grated coconut and put off the fire. Add ingh/Asafoetida. Mix it well.
10. Let it get cool. Grind fried mixture with required salt and water.

11. Remove it from the mixi jar and put it in a serving dish.
12. Add coconut oil seasoning and serve with main dish of your choice.

Note :

Horse gram adds not only the taste it got many healthy benefits to your body. I have added half ripe mango to the chutney. Using green mango is optional. Removing the outer layer of mango helps the chutney to be nice. (or it might turn bit bitter). Wash Bottle gourd nicely before using the peel. Keep the whole bottle gourd in normal water for at least 1 hour before using. ( If you are using home grown bottle gourd, just wash them before use). Use of red chilly is optional. You can use green chilly. Adding more chilly to the chutney is optional. ( It turns very hot and spicy). Make sure the Mango should be just about to ripe and it should be hard to get the better taste.
Time : 10 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3 

Green/Raw Tomato Chutney ( Udupi Style)

Green Tomato Chutney has a superb taste when you have it with hot rice and fresh ghee. Rice is one of the staple grain of South Indians. Though we use wheat, Jola/Millets, Raagi and other food grains Rice stands as favourite food of people here.

I have used green tomatoes which are grown in our home, green chilly, coriander seeds, a bit of tamarind and green chilly.
I have prepared this chutney in Udupi Style.  South Canara People are expert in preparing chutney. They make use of vegetable pulp or outer layers or even the vegetables it self. The aroma of the chutney invites you to have them and you really have a full tummy. (You fall in ❤love with these chutneys❤).☺
Let us see the recipe Now: Green Tomatoes are from our home. (Grown in pots).
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this " Green Tomato Chutney" and is prepared in Udupi Style. (Traditional way of preparing Chutney).

Things Needed :

Green Tomatoes : 6 to 8 (Small size)
Green Chilly : 2 to 3
Coriander seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Tamarind pulp : 1 Teaspoon
Fresh Grated coconut : 1 Cup
Salt : As required
Coconut oil seasoning
Turmeric Powder : 1/4 Teaspoon

Method :

1. Wash and cut green tomatoes and put it in a bowl.
2. Wash green chilly and slit.

3. Soak very little tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp.
4. Put cut green tomatoes, green chilly, coriander seeds, little ingh, salt and turmeric powder in a bowl.
5. Add very little water and pressure cook. (Optional). Put off the fire and let the tomatoes cool.
6. Grate coconut and add all the cooked ingredients. Grind it nicely till paste.

7. Remove from the mixi jar and put it in a serving dish.

8. Add mustard to a pan and add 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil. Let it splutter. Add ingh and 1 red chilly.
9. Add curry leaves at the end and put off the fire. Put this seasoned ingredients to the ready  Green Tomato Chutney.

10. Serve " Green/Raw Tomato Chutney "  With any main dish you have prepared.

Note: 

Use of pressure cooker to cook raw tomatoes is optional. Adding onions and garlic is optional. I have not added. Taste may differ. Adding red chilly instead of green chilly is optional.
Time : 10 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Raw Mango - Carrot - Coconut Chutney

Raw Mango - Carrot - Coconut Chutney is a side dish. |It is the time for raw mangoes and you can choose the best mangoes in the market. You should make use of seasonal fruits and vegetables which helps you to keep fit because of their natural content.

One more chutney for chutney lovers. People who loves chutney know the yummy taste of it and just enjoy this " Raw Mango - Carrot - Coconut Chutney " with hot rice and a spoon of fresh ghee.
I have just tried this " Raw mango - Carrot - Coconut Chutney " and it is just yummy and goes well with all most all the main dishes. Carrot's sweetness. raw mango's sourness and the coconut flavour goes well hand in hand and binds it so well and the chutney turns superb.
Let us see the recipe Now :
No Onion OR No Garlic Added in this "Raw Mango - Carrot - Coconut Chutney".

Things Needed :

For frying :
Oil : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal: 1 Teaspoon
Red chilly : 4 to 5
Ingh : A pinch
Curry leaves : 8 to 10 leaves
For adding :
Raw Mango : 1 Small one
Carrot : 1
Coconut : 1 Cup (1/2 coconut, cut or grated)
Salt : Required salt.
For seasoning :
Red chilly : 1
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh: A pinch
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8

Method :

1. Wash and cut mangoes into small pieces
2. Wash and scrape out the outer layer of carrot and cut into small pieces.
3. Wash curry leaves and keep it aside. Grate or cut coconut into small pieces.
4. Keep a pan and put 1/2 teaspoon of oil. Put urid dal and fry till it turns golden brown.
5. Add red chilly ( 4 to 5 ) and fry for 10 seconds.

6. Add curry leaves and ingh. Add cut mangoes and carrots. Mix it nicely and put off the fire.

7. Add cut or grated coconut. Let it cool. Grind it with required water. (Use of water should be less).
8. Add salt and grind it for 2 minutes. Remove the chutney from the mixi jar.
9. Add mustard seeds, ingh, curry leaves seasoning and serve with the main dish of your choice.

Note :

Fry urid dal in low flame so that it does not get burnt. Use of chilly is optional. It is not necessary to fry carrots and raw mango pieces. Removing the outer skin of mango is optional. ( I do not). Use very little water while grinding chutney. Then add it according to your requirement. Adding seasoning is optional. (Some time we do not add seasoning). Use of any cooking oil is optional. I have used coconut oil. Adding onions and garlic is optional.
Time : 10 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3.

Gooseberry Chutney & Rice Flour Vada

Chutney is one of the side dish goes well with all the main dishes. Gooseberry chutney is one of the tasty and healthy chutney.

I have used fresh coconut, gooseberry, green chilly and salt.
Gooseberry chutney was prepared for lunch as one of the side dish. We do love to eat yummy chutney with plain rice and ghee. The taste is heavenly.
The remaining chutney was used for preparing Vade or Vada.
I have used Rice flour, gooseberry chutney and chilly powder.
Let us see the recipe Now :
Things Needed For Gooseberry Chutney:
Gooseberry : 2
Green chilly : 2
Fresh grated coconut : 1 Cup
Salt : As required
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Water : Required water
Mustard seasoning : With mustard seeds, a tsp of oil and curry leaves.

Method :

1. Wash gooseberry and cut into small pieces.
2. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
3. Fry green chilly in a drop of cooking oil.

4. Now grind coconut, green chilly, gooseberry pieces and required salt with little water.
5. Remove from the mixi jar and put it in a serving dish. Add mustard seasoning and serve.

Note :

Add fresh coconut. You can add little tamarind or lemon extract. (Optional). Add only required water while grinding. Adding more chilly is optional. You can use red chilly instead of green chilly.
Time : 10 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3

Gooseberry Chutney -Rice Flour Vada

Things Needed :
Gooseberry chutney : 1 Small bowl
Rice flour : 1 Cup
Red chilly : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Oil : 1 Cup

Method :
1. Take a big bowl and put rice flour, red chilly powder, jeera and salt.
2. Add gooseberry chutney and mix all the ingredients nicely.

3. Add required water and prepare thick dough.
4. Divide the dough into small ball size.

. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and heat.
6. Take a small size of the dough and pat it on your palm.

7. Put this patted vada and fry on medium heat. Fry on both sides.
8. Remove from the oil once it turn slightly golden brown on both side.
9. Put it on a kitchen tissue and let the extra oil absorb by the tissue.

10. Serve hot " Gooseberry Rice flour Vadas " with cup of coffee.
11. Repeat the same with remaining dough.
12. The Hot Gooseberry Rice Vadas Taste best.

Note :
Do not add more water while mixing the dough. It should be thick. Fry on medium flame to get good vadas. Adding more chilly is optional. Chutney adds to the taste of the vada. No onions are used here. Use of onions are optional. Taste differ.
Time : 20 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4