Onion - Avalakki Uppugari

Avalakki Uppugari/Quick Avalakki is one of the very famous dish from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada region. Any time you can prepare this Avalakki and enjoy. 

I remember those days I spent in Udyavara near Udupi. My doddamma and doddappa had paddy field and they used to grow paddy, cow peas, horse gram, urid etc, etc,  etc. There were some workers staying in near by our house. My doddamma was  kind hearted woman who used to prepare breakfast for all the workers who come in the early morning for work. This Avalakki Uppugari is very famous and every one's favourite. My doddamma never used onions and instead of that she used to add more coconut. 

Avalakki Uppugari and a cup of Chai goes hand in hand at any time of the day.

Wherever you go or in many Konkani Hotels this type of Avalakki chat is available even now. (Even in small villages).

 I have used onions and little fried shavige (Sev). Thin Avalakki, coconut, jaggery and coconut oil's seasoning is added and that gives a yummy taste to Avalakki Uppugari.

Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Thin variety Avalakki : 2 Cups ( 2 Handful)

Coconut :  3 to 4 Tablespoons

Jaggery : 2 Teaspoons

Salt : A little ( As required )

Rasam Powder : 1 Teaspoon

Thin variety of Sev : 1/2 Cup/5 to 6 Tablespoons

Seasoning :

Coconut Oil : 2 Teaspoons

Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon

Mustard Seeds : 1 Teaspoon

Red chilly ( Byadagi ) : 1 

Curry Leaves : 6 to 8 or little more leaves 

Method :

1. Clean thin Avalakki/Poha/ Aval and keep it aside.

2.Grate fresh coconut and keep it aside.

3. Remove the outer layer of onion and cut into small pieces.

4. Take a big bowl, add grated coconut, cut onions, rasam powder, salt and jaggery. 

5. Mix all the ingredients and add avalakki and mix it well.

6. Keep a pan add coconut oil, mustard seeds and urid dal. Cut red chilly into 2 to pieces and add.

7. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add curry leaves and put off the fire.

8. Add this seasoning to ready Avalakki mixture. Mix it well nicely with hand.

9. Put it in a serving dish and add little Sev on the top and serve.

Note :

This Avalakki should be served as soon as you prepare it. Or it turns soft and onion added avalakki is not good for health. Adding onion is optional. It adds to the taste. Adding grated carrots is optional. I have not added. You should use fresh coconut. It adds to aroma and softens the avalakki. Adding Sev is optional. You can add roasted groundnuts. 

Time : 10 Minutes 

Serves : 2 to 3.

Millet - Wheat Coriander Chapati

Millet/Sorghum and Wheat flour chapati is good for dinner, breakfast and as evening snack.
I have used millet flour, wheat flour, coriander leaves and little spices

Let us see the recipe now :

Things needed :

Wheat flour : 1/2 Cup
Millet/Jola/Sorghum flour (Fresh) : 2 Cups
Rice flour : 1/4 Cup
Salt : As required
Hot water : 1/2 Cup
Garam Masala : 1/2 Teaspoon
Red chilly Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander leaves : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Curd :1 Tablespoon
Oil / Ghee : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Put millet flour, wheat flour, rice flour, salt, garam masala, chilly powder and curd in a big bowl.
2. Wash and cut coriander leaves and add it to the flour bowl.
3.Add a teaspoon of ghee and hot water. let it cool a little.
4. Mix it well and add required water. Prepare soft chapati dough.

5. Divide them in to small portion. Roll them as round balls.
6. Keep little dry wheat flour in a small bowl.

7. Now dip a small portion of the dough and roll them as chapati.
8. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put rolled chapati and cook on both sides. Add little oil/ghee while cooking.

9. Millet - Wheat Coriander Chapati is ready to serve.

10. Serve with a cup of curd, pickle or any curry of your choice.

11. Repeat the same and prepare the remaining chapatis.
12. Add little ghee on the top of hot Coriander chapati just before serving.

Note :

The flour should be fresh or it is difficult to roll. Add more wheat flour if you find difficult to roll the chapati. Adding any other spices is optional. Adding more/less ghee/oil is optional.
Time : 30 Min
Serves : 2 to 3 .

Cowpeas - Tomato Curry

This is an easy and yummy dish with Cow Pea and Tomatoes. It is simple, delicious and goes well with almost all the main dishes.

have used cow peas, tomatoes and simple spice powder.

Let us see some benefits of eating " cow pea/black eyed bean "  in our diet.

Cow peas are a very healthy legume. They help to improve our digestion. They are very good for sleep disorders. They are good source of antioxidants. They promote healthy skin and good for weight loss. They also help to improve blood circulation and manage diabetes. Cow peas have good amount of minerals and nutrients. They are packed with protein. They are good for strong bones. They support healthy metabolism and anemia. Cow peas are loaded with nutrients. They are rich in fiber, protein, potassium, low in fat and calories.
  As I said earlier Cowpeas - Tomato Curry is easy to prepare and definitely liked by all aged group.
Let us see the recipe now:
No Onion or No garlic is used in this curry.

Ingredients.:

To Cook :
Cow pea : 1 Cup
Toor dal : 1 Handful
Methi seeds/Fenugrik seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
To Add :
Tomatoes : 3 to 4
Ginger : 1 Inch
Spice Powder : 1 Tablespoon
Green chilly : 2
Garam Masala Powder : (MTR) : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : To Taste:
Lemon : 1/2 Lemon juice (Extract of 1/2 lemon)
Turmeric powder : A little
To Season :
Coconut Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Green chilly : 1
Ingh : A little
Curry Leaves : 8 to 10 Leaves

Method : 

1. Wash and cook toor dal and black eyed beans with methi seeds. (1/2 teaspoon). (Pressure cook for 6 to 8 minutes and let it cool.

2. Wash and cut tomatoes. Remove the seeds as much as possible.
3. Wash and cut coriander leaves and remove the outer layer of ginger, wash and grate it again.
4. Wash green chilly and slit and keep it aside.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil. Add mustard seeds and jeera.
6. When mustard seeds starts to splutter add green chilly, ingh and curry leaves.

7. Let it mix well. Add  cut tomatoes and fry for 1 minute. Add cooked dal and black eyed bean and mix it well.

8. Add salt, a little water, turmeric powder and mix it again.
9. Let it cook on low flame. Add a tablespoon of spice powder, 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala and mix it well. Let it boil nicely.

10. Add grated ginger, slit green chilly. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Shift the curry to a serving dish.
11. Add lemon extract and cut coriander leaves.

12. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note : 

Soaking cow peas for over night is optional. I straight cooked black eyed bean. Adding more spices is optional. Use of any other cooking oil is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 4 to 5.

Home prepared Spice powder :

Ingredients : 

Dry roast 1 tablespoon of coriander seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of urid dal, 1/4 teaspoon of methi seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of jeera/curmin seeds and 5 to 6 byadagi chilly one by one. Dry grind and cool it. Always it is better to use fresh spice powder. 

Palak/Spinach - Jack Seeds Curry

Palak /spinach leaves are the healthiest leaves. They available plenty around the year. Here I have tried " Palak/spinach  - Jack Seeds Curry and it goes well with almost all the main dishes.

 I have used palak, jack seeds, toor dal, coconut and some simple spices which are available plenty in our kitchen store.
Let us see some benefits of using Methi seeds in our diet.
Fenugrik / Methi seeds are loaded with medicinal values. It is rich in fiber and helps to lower the blood sugar level. It helps to keep our body cool and good for digestion. Methi seeds are good for heart burn and diabetes. It is good for balancing cholesterol level in our body. It is good herbal remedy for menopause and the menstruation period. ( It helps to reduce the abdomen pain during periods). Methi seeds are good for loss of appetite. They are rich in antioxidant properties.
Normally the people in Dakshina Kannada, Malenadu and surrounding areas do not use much of onions in cooking. They prefer to use the particular vegetable ( choose any one vegetable) for a curry.
No Onion or No Garlic is added in this Palak/Spinach -Jack Seeds Curry.
Let us see the recipe now

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Palak/Spinach leaves : 1 Bundle ( Small )
Jack Seeds : 1 Handful
Toor dal : 1/2 Cup ( Two Handful )
Methi Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
To Grind :
Spice Powder : 2 to 3 Teaspoons
Tamarind : 1 Small marble size
Coconut : Fresh : 1/2 Cup
To Season :
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry leaves : 5 to 6 leaves
To Add : 
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A pinch
Jaggery : 1/2 Teaspoon ( Or very little ).

Method :

1. Remove the outer layer (hard cover) from jack seeds and cut them into small pieces.
2. Wash toor dal, jack seeds and pressure cook for 6 to 8 minutes and keep it aside. (Let it cool).
3. Wash and cut palak leaves. Pressure cook palak/spinach leaves with methi seeds till the leaves turn soft.

4. Grate coconut and grind it with spice powder and tamarind. Add required water to grind.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and put cooked palak leaves. Add toor dal and jack seeds.
6. Add required salt,jaggery and a pinch of turmeric powder. Let it boil for 3 to 4 minutes.
7. Now add ground coconut and spice mixture. Mix it well and let it boil for 2 to 3 Minutes.

8. Shift the ready Palak /Spinach - Jack Seeds Curry to a serving dish.

9. Add mustard seeds, urid dal, ingh and curry leaves seasoning to the ready curry and serve.
10. This curry goes well with almost all the main dishes like plain rice, idli, dosa, chapati or any type of rotis.

Note :

Using methi seeds to cook helps to reduce the cholesterol level in the food. It adds to the taste. Adding jaggery is optional.I have used clean tamarind. You can use tamarind pulp instead of tamarind. Soak tamarind in warm water and squeeze out the pulp. It is always better to use tamarind pulp. Use of home prepared spice powder is optional. You can use any type of sambar /rasam powder.
Use of coconut oil is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes 
Serves : 4 to 5.

Home prepared Spice Powder 

Things Needed :
Coriander seeds : 2 Tablespoons
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Channa dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Red chilly (Only byadagi) : 5 to 6
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch

Method :

Dry roast or fry  all the ingredients one by one with 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil and dry grind once it is cooled.
You can grind this spice powder with coconut or use it directly and prepare sambar. (with out coconut).
This proportion is good to use for 1 time..

Quick Avocado / Butter Fruit Mosaru Bajji (Curd Curry)

Avocado Mosaru bajji, this particular dish is dedicated to Rajarama - Suprabha Cukkemane and  Sadashiva - Bharathi Cukkemane. 

Ready to serve Avocado Mosaru Bajji/ Curd curry 

Mosaru bajji/Curd curry is an easy side dish and I tried today Avakadu / Butter Fruit / ಬೆಣ್ಣೆ ಹಣ್ಣು.
I got some Avocado fruits from Usha Suresh's sister Bharathi's house.
 Usha and Suresh Cukkemane are our very good friends since long time. We used to have loads of fun together even in Dubai. ( When we were all together). It is nice to be bonded as one family. Even now whenever we get time we try to meet each other and enjoy being together. Going out, eating together so and so.
We love travelling and do visit places at times and enjoy the beauty of the place.
This time we planned to visit Usha - Suresh Cukkemane's sisters' house and thanks to Major   Venkatagiri Saya (Giri Anna) and his wife Vanajakshi Saya. (Vanajakka). We stayed in their beautiful home which is near to Virajpet.( Coorg). We visited some places like , Mrutyunjaya Temple at Shrimangala - Badageri, Irupu falls and Usha's another sister Bharathi's House at Cheyindane. Mruthynjaya temlple at Shrimangala is an old and beautiful temple. Lovely natural greenery surroundings and quiet place where you can really enjoy peaceful moments.
Then from there we went to Irupu falls at Irupu. Irupu is River Lakshmana Thirtha's Ugama Stana
(Birth place). There is a story about this river. When Rama - Seetha and Lakshmana were in this area ( Their's 14 years Vanavasa), they felt thirsty and Lakshmana shot an arrow to a big stone/bandekallu and from there the water started to flow. They quenched their thirst. The water flow formed the river and got its name as Lakshmana Thirtha. Rama dedicated Linga at this place and it is called Ramalingeshwara. The water falls is known as Irupu Falls and is about 50 KM from Virajpet. Lakshmana Thirtha flows down and it joins River Kaveri.
I got these Avocados from Usha's sister Bhartathi - Sadashiva's House. They stay in a place called Cheyindane near Virajpet. We did have some super good times with  Suprabha - Rajarama - Sanketh and Sadashiva - Bharathi Cukkemane. These people are very hard workers and very dedicated to Bhumitaayi. They believe in her and do work sincerely.
Coming back to Avocado mosaru bajji / curd curry /dip is a simple side dish which goes well with almost all main dishes. It is mild and not to add much spices to this curd curry.
I have used Avocado, curd and the seasoning.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Avocado : 2
Curd : 1 Cup
Curry leaves : 5 to 6
Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/ Cumin seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Red chilly /Byadagi chilly : 2 To 3
Pepper pods : 2 to 3
Coriander leaves : 1 Tablespoon

Method :

1. Wash and cut Avocado fruits into halves. Remove the big pod keep it aside.

2. Take a teaspoon and scoop out the pulp from the shell. Powder the pepper pods.

3. Put it in a bowl. Add salt, little ingh and a cup of curd.

4. Mix it well and put it in a serving bowl.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil, 1/2 teaspoon of mustard seeds and red chilly. (Cut chilly into two to three pieces).
6. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add jeera and fry for 10 seconds. Add ingh, pepper pods and curry leaves.
7. Add this seasoning to the ready Avocado mosaru bajji. Add coriander leaves. Mix it well and serve.

Note :

Do not add much spices to mosaru bajji. Mosaru bajji means the curry made with curd. Mosaru means curd and bajji means smashed vegetable or fruit. Adding green chilly instead of red chilly is optional. Use of ghee to seasoning is optional. Do not add water. It is better to use curd. (Not much savoury).
Time : 10 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3.

Watermelon Rind - Tomato Sambar

Watermelon every where in the market. Let us see what to do with watermelon rind after eating Watermelon fruit. Try and enjoy this Sambar.

It is getting hot and the temperature is going high. Eating watermelon and cooling your body is one of the best way to escape the heat. What do you do with the rind after eating watermelon?  Normally we throw it away in the dustbin right?\ There are many ways to use the rind. . You can cook different varieties of curries, grind and use it in dosa batter, scrape it and use the juice to apply o your skin which helps you to take away the dead cells in our face.
I am using this rind to prepare so many types of curries. Here is one of the side dish. That is yummy Watermelon Rind - Tomato Sambar. This curry goes well with all most all the main dishes. Try and enjoy this Watermelon Rind  - Tomato Sambar.

Let us see some benefits of eating Watermelon rind in our diet.
Watermelon rind is also beneficial to our body in so many ways. Loads of nutritional value is filled in watermelon rind. It is filled with water and it helps the kidney to work efficiently. It also helps in lower the blood pressure. It is filled with vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and A. It has some amount of potassium and zinc. Eating watermelon rind helps in fighting the radical damage and boost the immune system. It helps in taking care of the healthy kidney and helps and maintain the acid level in urine. It is good for people who suffer from kidney stones, it helps to breakdown the stone and flushes out the tiny particles.  It regulates the blood pressure in our body.  It is good for treating urinary tract infections. It helps in reducing inflammation in our body and take care of our health. It is a good source of beta - carotene and good for our eyes.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this Watermelon Rind - Tomato Sambar. It is very simple and healthy. The curry suits to all the main dishes of your choice.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Watermelon Rind : 2 to 3 Cups
Toor dal : 1/2 Cup
Tomatoes : 2 (Medium sized )
To Add :
Home made spice Powder : 2 to 3 Teaspoons
Green chilly : 2
Coriander Leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Mustard - Jeera Seasoning : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : To Taste
Turmeric Powder : A pinch
Dry ginger powder : 1/4 Teaspoon
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
To season :
Ghee/ Coconut oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Curry leaves : 6 to 8

Method :

1. Wash watermelon nicely and keep it in a big bowl before cutting. ( At least for 30 Minutes).
2. Cut watermelon and remove the fruit part. Remove the outer layer of the rind.
3. Cut the rind into small pieces. Keep it aside
4. Wash and cut tomatoes and remove its seeds.  ( Your wish).

5. Wash and slit green chilly,  cut coriander leaves and curry leaves.
6. Put watermelon pieces, cut tomatoes and washed toor dal in a pressure cooker.
7. Add 1/2 cup or little less water and cook for 65 to 6 minutes. ( Use the weight).

8. Remove the lid of pressure cooker once it is cooled.
9. Add salt, raw methi seeds, turmeric powder and mix it well.
10. Let it boil for 2 minutes. Add home prepared spice powder. Add dry ginger powder.
11. Mix it well and cook for another 3 minutes. Put off the gas.

12. Shift the ready Watermelon Rind - Toamto Samabar to a serving dish.

13. Add mustard seeds, jeera, ingh and curry leaves seasoning to it.

14. Add cut coriander leaves and serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Use a pressure cooker to cook watermelon rind pieces or it remains hard and the curry does not taste good. Do not over cook. 2 whistles are enough. You can cook the dal separately. Adding any other spices of your choice is optional. Remember use of home prepared spice is healthy. Adding fresh grated ginger is optional. The thickness of the curry can be your choice. If you like bit watery add more water and use little more spice. Or use more dal to get the thickness.
Time : 30 Momites.
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Home Prepared Spice Powder :

Dry roast, coriander seeds, ( 2 Tablespoons ), urid dal, 1/2 Teaspoon, red byadagi chilly  4 to 5, dry coconut (kobbari/Copra) 2 to 3 tablespoons. Dry grind once it is cooled. You can use this as spice powder for curries.