PUMPKIN KOOTU

Pumpkin is a vegetable which is highly nutrient dense food.Pumpkin color may be from deep yellow to orange coloration.It is a traditional part of thanksgiving meals inCanada and U.S.and they carve Jack _O_Lantern for decoration around 🎃 Halloween.

Pumpkin is suitable for all ages.It is rich in Vitamins and minerals low in calories.The fiber,potassium and vit. C supports it.Some say that the potassium obtIned in pumpkin has a positive effect in blood pressure.There are lot of antioxidants in it.It is a good source of beta carotene and rich in fibre too.

INGREDIENTS

• Pumpkin_1to2 cups peeled,predetermined and cubed.
• Coconut scrapings -4 tbs
• Cumin seeds_1/2 tsp
• Garlic_2 pods
• Oil_1 tbs
• Mustard seeds_1/4tsp
• Urad dhal_1/2 tsp
• Red chillies/Green chillies_2 or accept. to taste.
• Curry leaves a few
• Salt as needed.

METHOD

1.Grind coconut scraping,cumin seeds,red chillies and garlic pods coarsely and keep aside.

2.Heat oil in a kadai add mustard seeds to it aftet it splutters add urad dhal when it turns brown add curry leaves

3.Fry curry leaves a little and Then add pumpkin pieces to it.Fry a little and then add water to cook it.

4.When half done add salt to it.

5.when almost done add the coconut paste to it.

6. Mix well and cook till everything gets binded.

Another variation.

Can add 1 to 2 tbs.jaggery and instead of grinding chillies can powder pepper coarsely and add to it.

This will be slightly sweeter version of curry.

Serve with rice

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POTATO FRY

Potato fry is an all time favourite for many.This is an easy method and is prepared without boiling the potatoes. When it is crispy it tastes good.

Ingredients

• Potatoes -1 Cup
• Chilly powder_1/2 tsp
• Salt as needed
• Oil as needed
• Mustard seeds_1/4 tsp
• urad dhal_1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder_1/4 tsp
• Chilly powder_1/4 tsp
• Curry leaves few
• Coriander leaves chopped

Peel potatoes and keep in water for at least 15 Mts so that starch can be removed.And the fry will be crispy.

Method

1.Cut potatoes into cubes and keep it in water.

2.Keep kadai and after heating add oil to it.

3.Add mustard seeds and when it splutters add urad dhal and when it turns brown add curry leaves.

4.Now add potatoes and turmeric powder fry for sometime.

5.After sometime add chilly powder and salt and fry.

6.Finally add chopped coriander leaves.

Can serve with rice.Goes best for rasam,damage and curd rice.

MOCHAKOTTAI/FIELD BEANS PORIYAL

Mochai/Field beans are highly nutritious.Some use it as fresh green ones and some use it as dry ones.They are highly nutritious in nature and provide protection against various ailments and diseases.Rich source of manganese,calcium and magnesium.They help in strengthening of bones.It is very healthy one.

If the beans are fresh can boil it and then add it.But if it is dried ones then soak it overnight.Pressure cook it for 2 or 3 whistles and then use it for the curry.

Ingredients

• Field beans/mocha kottai__1cup
• Red chilli powder___1to 2tsp
• Mustard seeds_–1/2tsp
• Urad dhal_1tsp
• Onion_1
• 🍅 Tomato_1
• Turmeric-1/4 tsp
• Salt as required
• Oil 1 to 2 tsp
• Coriander powder_1 /2 tsp
• Coriander leaves finely chopped-1/2 tsp
• Instead of chilli powder and coriander can use Sambhar too.this will taste differently.

Can use 1 to 2 tbs.coconut scrapings grind and can add.

• Chop onion and tomato finely

Method

1.In a kadai put oil.

2.First put mustard seeds when it splutters add urad dhal and when brown add onion when translucent add tomtoes and fry

3.Add cooked mocha to it

4.Now add chilli powder,turmeric powder, salt and coriander powder.

5.Mix everything well.

6. If going to add coconut add it now.

7.when done add chopped coriander leaves.

Mixed vegetable fry

An easy recipe with few vegetables.This stir fry can be done quickly.Basically a mixed vegetable thoran.It is nutritious and delicious dish.it can be done with a variety of vegetables here I have used cabbage,peas and carrot.

Ingredients:

• Mixed vegetables________3 cups
• Shallots ___few or onion finely chopped.
• Coconut_____grated 1/3 cup
• Curry leaves ____a sprig
• Green chillies_____2 chopped
• Red chilly________1

For tempering:

• Oil______2 TBS
• Mustard seeds 1/2 TSP
• Urad dhal____1/2 TSp

Method

1. Boil vegetables and keep aside
2. In a pan first put oil.
3. Then add mustard seeds when it splutters add urad dhal
4. Add red chillies
5. Now add chopped onion or shallots and green chillies to it and fry after adding curry leaves
6. Add the boiled vegetables.
7. Mix well and add salt and finally grated coconut to it.it is ready.

This is served as a side dish for lunch or dinner with rice and some curry.the vegetables can be chopped ,diced or grated.

Another option is that can add vegetables without boiling and fry sprinkling water and dry  fry it with a generous àmout of coconut.

AVARAKAI PORIYAL/BROAD BEANS STIR FRY

This is a vegetable with very high fibre content.This is a simple recipe .After washing the beanswe have to destring it. Snap off the tip of one end of the bean and pull the string .Snap and pull the other end of the bean too.The snapped off  ends and string are waste. If it is small and tender then snap of the ends it will be enough.Chop the avarakai add 1/2 TSP of turmeric powder and cook.

Ingredients

• Avarakai____500 gms
• Turmeric powder___1/2 TSP
• Oil for tempering
• Mustard seeds___1/2 TSP
• Urad dhal_______,1/4 TSP
• Curry leaves_____a few
• Salt as needed

For grinding

• Coconut scraping 1/3rd cup
• Cumin seeds______1/2 TSP
• Garlic ________2pods
• Coriander leaves few
• Green chillies few

Method:

1. Add oil in a pan.when it gets heated add mustard seeds after spluttering add urad dhal.
2. Add curry leaves.
3. Now add the boiled vegetables,salt and after few minutes add the grinded paste to it.
4. Mix well.
5. After the raw smellgoes  switch off .Serve with rice

OKRA MANGO PACHADI/VENDAKAI MANGAI PACHADI

Mango season reminded me to share a recipe with mango and ladies finger.This is a traditional Tirunelveli recipe.We have this dish served for marriages also we prepare this in special occasions where we need oru vaga curry. It’s simple and very tasty recipe.This goes well with sambar,rasam also for blackgram rice.

INGREDIENTS
Ladies finger/Okra_________500gms
RawMango. _______________1(medium)
Toor dhal__________________1/3rd cup
Onion______________________2
Turmeric Powder___________1/2 to1 TSP
Curry leaves________________a few
Oil
Mustard seeds_____________1/2 TSP
Urad dhal___________________1tsp
Salt as required.
Coriander leaves

Masala For Grinding
Coconut scrapings __________1/3rd cup
Cumin seeds_________________1/2 TSP
Red chillies___________________2or 3
Garlic pods___________________3or4

METHOD

*Cut ladies into small pieces.
*Grind all the  masala ingredients and keep it aside.
*Cook dhal and keep it separately.
*Chop onions.
1.Heat 3tbs. Of oil add mustard seeds when it splutters add urad dhal then add curry leaves.
2.Now add onions,ladies finger,cut diced mango and saute.After sauting add enough water to cook it.
3.Add turmeric powder and required salt
4.When it is cooked add cooked dhal mix well finally addthe grinded paste to it.Now add chopped coriander leaves.

Options
*If u don’t have raw mango can use tomotoes.
*Other option is to add tamarind extract instead of water.

VAZHAIKAI PUTTU/PODIMAS

We cook a lot curries with raw banana .Raw banana fry is the most common dish but today I am going to share with you a simple and easy recipe with it.This recipe requires very little oil. It’s very healthy dish and  has high nutritive value.

Ingredient
Raw banana___2
Onion ____2 or Shallots  few
Green chillies 2or 3
Coconut scrapings____2 or 3 tbs.
Oil ___3 tsp
Mustard___1 tsp
Urad dhal____1 tsp
Curry leaves ___a few salt_ as required

 

METHOD
1. Cut raw banana into two halves.cook in water.It should be cooked not mushy.That is it should be firm enough to grate or crumble.
3.When cool remove skin and grate them.
4.To  a pan first add oil then add mustard seeds when it splutters add urad dhal.
5.Now add chopped onions,green chillies and curry leaves.
6. When onion gets sauted add grated banana and coconut. Then add required amount of salt and mix well.
Serve with sambar rice with papad will be the best combination.
Optional: can add 2 or 3 pinch of asafoetida.

Greens Porial/GreensStir Fry/Arai keerai Porial

An easy traditional also a healthy recipe.This is a simple and easy quick side dish that can be had with rice.Best for sambar,rasam and even curd rice.
Ingredients
*Arai keerai _ 2 small bunches
*Onion_ Shallots will be best or can use
Big onions_ 2
*Coconut scrapings_3tbs
*Oil for frying
*Mustard seeds_3/4 TSP
*Urad dhal_1tsp
*Red chillies_2 or 3 accdg. to taste.
*Salt as reqd.

Method
1.Wash the Greens thoroughly and chop finely.
2.Chop onions.
3.In a kadai pour 2 or 3tbs. of oil add mustard seeds when it splutters add urad dhal.Add red chillies after frying and chopped onions and fry till soft.
4.Now add chopped greens and required amount of salt.
5.Sprinkle little water only if required cos .leaves will  have water
6.When cooked add coconut scrapings to it.Mix well.
7.Serve as side dish for rice.
Optional
1.Spinach or mulai keerai can be used.
2.Can use 1/2 TSP sugar to greens to retain its color.
3.While adding chopped onions chopped garlic too can be added to enhance its flavour.

CHOW CHOW KOOTU/CHAYOTO KOOTU

Another South Indian style kootu to share with you all.This is a best  side dish for rice and it goes well with chappathi too.

Ingredients:

chow chow:2 cups chopped

Moong dhal: 1/4 cup

Turmeric Powder:1/4 tsp

curry leaves: a few

Milk: 3 tbs.

For seasoning:

Oil :1tbs

Mustard seeds and urad dhal

For grinding:

Coconut grated 3 to 4 tbs

cumin seeds:1tsp

garlic pods:3t0 4 pods

Redchillies:1 to 2.as desired

Method:

 

1.Peel the skin of chow chow and cut into small cubes.Keep aside

2.Grind all the ingredients

3.Cook dhal seperately and mash it well

4.Cook chow chow with turmeric powder when done add required salt add the cooked dhal  also  to it

5.add the grinded mixture to it and blend well.

6.heat oil add mustard seeds,urad and curry leaves fry and add to it.

7.Lastly add milk to it. Its ready for serving with rice or chappathi

This is a very traditional syle of kootu.Goes well with vathal kuzhambu/puli kulambu also for sambar rice.

 

 

PUDALANGAI PORIYAL/SNAKE GOURD STIR FRY

INGREDIENTS:

Pudalanga:2 cups

Onion:1(optional)

Turmeric powder1/4tsp

chilli powder as desired

curry leaves

oil

a few salt as needed

Method

1.Wash and cut the snake gourd length wise .Remove seeds also soft white portion.cut into thin slices.

2. Take pudalanga  in a colander add little chilly powder and salt to it.water will come out.

3.In a kadai add oil add mustard seeds and urad dhal when it fries add curry leaves then add the vegetable to it.

4.According to your taste add more chilly powder and salt.

keep on frying.When done remove from fire.

Best side dish for sambar rice and curd rice.