Showing posts with label Seasonal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seasonal. Show all posts

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Quick .Mango Pickle

Who does not like pickle? It is such a spicy yummy side dish goes well with every thing. Do you agree for my statement ? A spoon of pickle adds to the taste of food we eat is not so?


This particular mango I got from My brother in law's daughter Sandya. She got it from somebody who stays near by and the person owns a pickle mango tree. The mango I got was quite big and it was just fresh. I was lucky to taste the pickle, which she just finished preparing when we entered her home. Wow I tasted that and it was just spicy and yummy. 
The first thing when I got back is, started preparing pickle. 
One should remember that when you want to prepare pickle please keep this in mind.
Always prepare pickle with fresh mangoes as soon as you buy them.
The mango should be green, hard and the variety to prepare pickle. (All varieties of mangoes can not be used for pickle).  
It should be sour type, and should be plucked from the tree. (Not the fallen ones).
Use a glass jar to store them.
Let us see the recipe now. As I said this is a quick way of preparing pickle. No need to be put it into salt and wait. No need to sun dry. 

Things needed :

Green and Fresh Mango : 1 ( Big size )
Salt : 2 Tablespoons
Mustard Seeds : 1 Tablespoon + 1 Teaspoon
Red chilly Powder : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Ingh : A  little
Turmeric Powder : 1/4 Teaspoon

Method : 

1. Wash and clean the mango. Wipe it nicely and dry under a fan for few minutes. (Moisture should not be there)
2. Greate mango along with the skin.

3. Dry grind mustard seeds till powder and keep it aside.
4. Take a dry bowl. Clean it with fresh towel or kitchen tissue.
5.  Put grated mango, salt, turmeric powder and chilly powder.
6. Mix all the ingredients along with grated mango.

7. Add dry ground mustard seeds and mix it again.

8. Keep a pan on the fire and add oil. Heat and put mustard seeds and ingh.

9. Let the mustard seeds splutter. Add this to mango pickle and mix it well.
10. Mix it again and store it in a glass jar once it cools. Better keep it in a fridge.


Note :

Use of green savoury mango taste best. Adding rock salt is optional. Adding roasted methi powder is also optional. Adding more oil and Gingly Oil is optional. This pickle taste better after 2 days. It can stay for at least 2 to 3 months in the fridge. 
Time : 15 minutes
You can have 1 Small bottle of pickle. 

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Watermelon & Muskmelon Juice

Hot Hot Hot it is still hot. You need to take care to keep you cool. Drinking water, juices and Buttermilk and Tender coconut helps you to take care. Eating fruits and preparing fruit juices and having them is a good relief in summer.

Lets just make some simple juices at home which is always a a healthy habit. One needs to look at the cleanliness when you consume them outside. Or you might land on trouble of infections or food poisoning.
Here are some simple juices from fruits which are available plenty in summer. Watermelon and Muskmelon (Karbooja and Kallangadi) fruits are loaded with water and it helps you keep our body cool. It is simple and healthy.
Lets see some benefits of having Muskmelon in our diet. 
It is one of the ideal summer fruit since it contain high in water, minerals and vitamins. It helps to take care of health disorders and cools our body. Muskmelon provides relief from acidity. It is good for digestion and stomach problems. It contain good amount of water and dietary fibers and helps people to get relief from constipation. They are rich in potassium and helps to regulate the blood pressure. It strengthens the eye sight since they contain Vitamin A and beta carotene and reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Eating Muskmelon helps to control diabetes and regulate the blood sugar level in the body. They are cholesterol free and boost immunity. They are rich in Vitamin C and helps to prevent ulcer. Not only all the above said benefits, they do help in many more ways. They are good for quitting smoking, for women menstrual cramps, cures sleeping disorders and prevents heart diseases.
Lets see the recipes now : They are simple and quick and helps to quench your thirst and keep you cool.
I have prepared 3 varieties of Juices from WaterMelon, Muskmelon/Cantaloupe fruits.
1. Watermelon Juice 
2. Muskmelon Juice 
3. Muskmelon & Watermelon Juice.

1. WaterMelon Juice

Things Needed : 
Watermelon pieces : 1 Bowl
Honey : 2  to 3 Tablespoons

Method :
1. Cut watermelon pieces into small and add honey.

2. Grind it nicely in the mixi jar. (Do not add any water) till they turn watery completely.

3, Shift the Juice to serving glass and serve.

Note :
I have not added any water, sugar or Ice. Adding these ingredients are optional.
Time : 10  Minutes
Serves : 2

2. Muskmelon/Cantaloupe Juice.

Things Needed :
Muskmelon : 1 Bowl
Water :  1 Glasses
Boiled and cooled milk : 1 to 1  1/2 cup
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons

Method :
1. Cut muskmelon pieces into small pieces

2. Put it in a mixi jar. Add 1/2 cup of milk and grind.
3. Add jaggery and churn it for 1 minute.

4. Remove from the mixi jar to a bowl. Add required water and remained milk.

5. Mix it well and serve


Note :
Adding more milk, sugar instead of jaggery and adding ice while serving is optional.
Time : 10 minutes
Serves : 2

3. Muskmelon & Watermelon Juice

Things Needed : 
Muskmelon pieces : 1 Big bowl. (1/2 of one small Muskmelon).
Watermelon pieces : 1 Small bowl.( 1/4 part of small watermelon).
Honey : 2 Tablespoons

Method :
1. Cut muskmelon pieces and grind it with little water.
2. Add watermelon pieces and grind it together.  Add jaggery



3. Add Honey and Shift the juice to a big bowl.

4. Add honey and mix it well and serve Muskmelon & Watermelon Juice.


Note : 
Adding sugar instead of honey, adding milk instead of water and adding ice cubes while serving the juice is purely optional.
Time : 15 minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Avare Kai Usli / Palya

Avarekai/Field beans Palya/Usuli/Sundal is an excellent side dish and every one will surely enjoy eating this Usli.

Usuli or Usli is prepared using any legumes/pulses/beans, like whole moong, whole channa (black/Kabooli), or cow pea and even peas.(Dry/fresh). These legumes are cooked and seasoned with coconut. It is also used as prasadam in pooja occasions.
This recipe is inspired by "Renuka Manjunath", who had put up her traditionally cooked Sogadu avare Benne Usli In "Pakashale", Avarekai is cooked traditionally and just beautiful. Pakashale is one of my favourite group page. I do learn a lot by reading posts in it.
Coming back to Avare Kai/field beans, I have modified and cooked the curry in simple and quick method, because every one has their own busy  (bit lazy ? I hope at least some agree) schedule. I have cooked avarekai in quick method using pressure cooker. And one more thing to mention is, the bean I have used might not be so fresh. Sogadu means the aroma contained beans which is so fresh. I have seen that fresh beans and enjoyed eating them in those days. These aromatic field beans one can get them in and around the villages. These Avarekai is seasonal beans, the early crops do have rich aroma (sogadu) in them.
Fresh Avare Kai, onions are used and prepared this Usli, It goes well with almost all the main dishes. Dosa, rotti, roti, chapati, poori and even plain rice are very good combinations.
Lets see the recipe now:

Things Needed : 

Avarekai/Field Beans : 2 Cups
Onions : 2 to 3 or more (Medium sized).
Green Chilly : 2 to 3
Ginger : An inch
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Jeera : 1 spoon + 1/2 Spoon
Salt : Required
Ghee : 2 Tablespoons
Coconut : 1/2 Cup
Turmeric Powder : a little
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Remove the pods from Avare kai and wash it once. Keep it aside.
2. Remove the outer layer of onions wash it and cut into small.
3. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and grate it.
4. Wash green chilly, curry leaves and coriander leaves, cut into small.

5. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
6. Dry roast 1 Teaspoon of jeera and powder it .
7. Now keep a pan/pressure cooker on the fire. Add 1 table spoon of ghee and heat.
8. Add 1/2 teaspoon of geera and fry for 30 seconds. Add curry leaves, green chilly.
9. Add cut onions and fry for 1 to 2 minutes. (No need to be brown, Let it be transparent).


10. Add Avare kai/field beans and mix it well. Add turmeric powder, salt and mix it again.
11. Add  1/2 cup of water and close the lid. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes. (2 to 3 whistles).

12. Open the lid when the pressure cooker cools down.
13. Keep this again on the fire. Let it be low flame. Mix it well.
14. Add roasted jeera powder and cook on low flame.


15.Let all the water dry out. Now add grated coconut and remaining ghee, mix it again.

16. Shift ready to serve Avare Kai Usli to a serving dish and serve with the main dish.

Note : 

You can use butter instead of ghee. Adding more spice is optional. You can also add pepper pods if you wish. Using pressure cooker helps to cook avare kai faster. (Optional). You can cook Avarekai in an big bowl or pan. Using any brand of ready to use jeera powder is optional. I have used fresh jeera. Check green chilly if it is hot use only 2. ( According to your taste).
Serves : 4 to 5 
Time : 30 minutes.  

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Jackfruit Muluka

Jack Fruit is a seasonal fruit and is liked by many of us. We can prepare Idli, Dosa , and sweet fritter
(Muluka- in Kannada), Pappad, chips , Payasam and many other items from this wonderful fruit.
Here is a tasty " JACK FRUIT MULUKA " recipe and I am sure YOU will like this item mainly kids.

Things Needed:

Jack Fuits : 2 to 3 cups.
Raw Rice : 1 1/2 cups.
Fresh coconut: 1 Cup ( fresh and grated).
Jaggery : 1/2 Cup.
Salt : a Pinch.
Oil : 1 Cup (to fry).
Mulukaas

Method :

1.Wash and soak raw rice for 2 hours.
2. Grate coconut and powder jaggery.

3. Cut jackfruit into small. (It helps to grind fruits quickly).
4, Grind coconut and jackfruit with out using any water. (Grind with little quantity).

5. Drain all the water from the rice and add rice to ground jack fruit mixture.
6. Grind it nicely till paste. Add jaggery and grind till every thing mixes well.
7. Pour it to the bowl. Add a pinch of salt. Mix it well.


8. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil. Let it heat.
9. Now take a small amount of ground jackfruit dough and drop slowly in the oil.


10. Let the flame be medium.Fry on both sides and remove from the oil.
11. Put it on a kitchen tissue. Extra oil is absorbed by the tissue.


12.Repeat the same with remaining dough.
13. Serve hot/cooled Jackfruit Muluka with cup of coffee or tea.
14. Some have these muluka/appa/fritter with ghee or honey.


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Jackfruit Idlis.

Jack Fruit idlis are very famous in Dakshina Kannada and other parts of South Canara. Jack Fruits are used with rice, jaggery and coconut.

It is one of the signature dish of Udupi and Mangalore. Jack fruits are dee seeded and ground with fresh coconut and little rice. Then it is steamed in Idli steaming container or pressure cooker. These idlis taste yummy and they are healthy too.
When the rain is pouring down during the rainy season these hot idlis give us good energy and keep our body warm and help us to stay healthy.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients : 

Ingredients:
Raw Rice : 11/2 Cups.
JackFruits : 4 cups.(20 to 25 Fruits cut into small pieces).
Fresh grated coconut: 1 Cup.
Jaggery : 1/2 cup.
Salt : according to the taste.
Oil  or Ghee : 1 Tablespoon.

Method :

1. Wash and soak 11/2 cup of raw rice for 2 to 3 hours.
2. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
3. Dee seed jack fruits and cut it into small. (It helps to grind it well).
4. Now drain all the water from soaked rice and keep it aside.
5. Grind cut jack fruits and grated coconut for 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Add rice and grind it. It should be like rava consistency.
7. Add jaggery and give two to three churns in the mixi.
8. Add a pinch of salt and grind for a few seconds.
9. Remove from the mixi jar and put it in a bowl.
10. Take little oil/ghee and apply on idli plates.
11. Put a small ladle of ground jack fruit batter in each idli mould.
12. Arrange them and keep it aside.
13. Put some water in idli cooker /pressure cooker and keep idli plates in it.
14. Cover the lid and cook for 20 to 25 minutes.


15. Hot idlis are ready to serve. Serve with some ghee on the top of hot idli and pickle aside.

Note : 

Do not use any water while grinding the ingredients. You can divide the ingredients into small portion and grind it. Use of jaggery more/less is optional. Use of more coconut makes idli soft. Use of more fruits adds to the taste.
Time : Soaking rice 3 Hours + Grinding 5 minutes + Cooking time 25 Minutes.
Serves : 5 to 6 .

Jack fruits Seeds Tikki

Jack fruits are healthy Seasonal fruits. The seeds also contain lots of good vitamins and minerals.  After eating the fruit we throw away th...

About

author
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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