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Swetha's Fusion
Where there is Fusion there is Creation!

Sabakki Sandige | Sabudana Papad | Sago Vadams | Sun Dried Tapioca-Pearls Fryums

Sunday, August 04, 2024



Sandige are prepared during summer and are used during monsoon season. Some parts of south India gets such a heavy rainfall and floods that its hard to get out of the house to get vegetables. Before refrigerators come into our life, Sun dried fryums and pickles were ways of preserving food for 'rainy days'. These are still prepared and in use as they are yummy, and serves as snacks as well ...and anyway, one can not depend on electricity during monsoon :P 
Sandige is served mainly as side dish with rice. There is no word for Sandige in English, 'Fryums' was the first commercial brand which sold sandige/vadam made with potato starch & tapioca flour in India. The name got stuck and people simply use the word 'Fryums' for Sandige or Vadams. 

There are different variety of sandige and happala:  
  • Base ingredient: akki/rice, ragi (finger millet), sabakki(Tapioca Pearls), aralu (Puffed paddy rice), avalakki (pounded rice), semolina 
  • Sandige made with vegetables - potato, bitter gourd, ivy gourd, green chilies
  • Papad/Happala: akki/rice, jackfruit, avalakki/poha, urad dal/black gram, karada (spicy red) happala, potato, genasina (sweet potato)
  • Combination of - black gram + ash gourd, aralu + ash gourd, 
  • Dal Vadi (sun-dried lentil dumplings): Toor dal (split pigeon peas), moong dal, Punjabi vadi - these sun dried dumplings are used in making curry.
Sabakki/Tapioca Pearls sandige is one of the easiest to make. ...at least for me. You can not go wrong with it, good recipe for newbies venturing into making sandige. I also feel it's the tastiest one. I could be biased. This is my mom's recipe. She is used to make every summer - a lot of it. Not only store a huge quantity for us, she used to pack batches of them to share with others as well. Every year, she used to  make sandige with rice, ragi, sabakki, potato, bitter gourd, ivy gourd and green chilies. 

Check out other recipes I have blogged which uses - Sabakkii, Sago, Sabudana 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup - Sabudana / sabakki / tapioca pearls
  • 4 cup - Water
  • 1 tsp - Green chilli paste (or as per taste)
  • 1 tsp -  Cumin / jeera
  • ¼ cup - Onion finely chopped (optional)
  • pinch - Hing / asafoetida
  • Salt - as per taste

Method:

  1. Rinse 1 cup of sabakki couple of times and soak in enough water for at least 3 to 4 hours.
  2. After soaking, drain and keep it aside.
  3. In a large pan, bring 4 cups of water to boil.
  4. Add soaked sabakki to the boiling water.
  5. Mix-in chilli paste, cut onion and salt.
  6. Occasionally stir and cook until sabakki becomes translucent. 
  7. Turn of the flame, add cumin and hing. mix it all well. 
  8. Let it cooldown for about 10 minutes, the mixture will become more thick.
  9. Meanwhile, prepare the trays to put sandige on. I used parchment paper for lining on baking trays, you may use clean thick plastic sheets or use steel trays without lining.
  10. Using a long spoon, place a tbsp of prepared sabakki mixture on the sheet and slightly spread making a small rounds.
  11. Sun dry them for 2 days or till it dries out completely. I transfer all the sandige on one tray on day-3 and put it out in sun for one more day. NOTE: bring the sandige inside the house in the evening and put them out next day morning. Do NOT leave them out overnight.




  12. On the last day, once you bring the sandige inside, let it air out for couple of hours or overnight, then transfer it to a container. 

Fry and Serve:

  1. Put deep-fry pan on stove with about two cups of oil on high flame. 
  2. Once hot, reduce the flame to medium-high
  3. Carefully slide few sun dried sabakki sandige to the hot oil. It will start to bubble and swell. Use a slotted spatula or long strainer spoon to move them to the center and flip the sandige and make sure it is cooked at the edges by pushing it into hot oil. 
  4. Remove the fried sandige from the oil and transfer on to a paper towel to drain extra oil. 
  5. Fry in multiple small batches to cook them evenly and is manageable. Do not crowd the fry pan.
  6. Sandige is ready to serve as a snack or as a side dish with rice.

NOTE:

  • Use medium size sabakki/sago . Don't use nylon variety.
  • It is better to soak the sabakki overnight, so that you can make the mixture early in the morning. And when you put it out in the sun, it will receive a full days sunlight to dry well. By end of the day one, it would have started to leave the lining sheets.
  • While preparing the mixture, if the mixture becomes too thick, just mix little bit of hot water.
  • If the mixture is watery, take some raw sabakki, blend it into powder. Mix in the powdered sabakki to the mixture and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes and let it cool. This will help the mixture to thicken
  • Salt should be added carefully. When you taste the batter, it should be mild, after sandige dries it will be just right.
  • When deep fried, the sandige will expand, therefore keep the size little small.
  • Using onion is optional. But if you don't mind, use it. It really tastes good.
  • If you have small children in house, reduce the chilli paste to reduce the spice or not use it at all.
  • Instead of green chilli , you can grind red chilli and tomatoes to get tomato flavor and red colored sandige .
  • You may add lime juice along with cumin; or  1/2 cup buttermilk while cooking for some tanginess.
We leave in bay area and are blessed with plenty of sunshine in summer - excellent condition for drying sandige. But also, there are Seagulls in the area as well, not a lot compared to coastline, but better to be cautious then to risk it. We have covered patio in our backyard, I placed sandige at the East-edge of the patio in the morning and moved it to West-edge around noon - still under the patio to avoid seagull droppings. I placed the trays with sandige on garden chairs and/or iron-board, so it was easy to move. Sandige did not receive sunlight for about half hour around noon, but since we have longer summer days, it does not matter. 

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~ Sabakki Sandige | Sabudana Papad | Sago Vadams | Sun Dried Tapioca-Pearls Fryums ~
Posted by Swetha @ 8/04/2024 03:16:00 PM :: 0 comments

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Cauliflower Tawa Fry - South Canara Style

Sunday, July 14, 2024

 


Cauliflower Tawa Fry and similar tawa fry dishes are made as a side dish to go with Ganji. In india, as any typical Mangalorean house, we ate 'kuchalakki ganji' for supper. Which is basically red boiled-rice porridge, -very nutritious and well suited for the tropical weather conditions.
Check out other tawa fried side dish recipes.

Ingredients 

Masala for Marination:

Method:

  1. Cut the cauliflower florets into slices. Basically cut lengthwise in the middle, about a centimeter thick.
  2. Take a bowl of warm water or tap water, mix some salt. Put the slices in the water till ready to use. Soaking in water helps in removing chemicals like pesticides and salt helps kill any bugs if present as well. 
  3. To prepare the masala, take all the masala ingredients listed in a mixing bowl, add little water and mix it to form thick paste.  
  4. Drain the sliced cauliflower from water put it into the mixing bowl with masala. Keep it aside and marinate for about 15 mins.
  5. After 15 minutes, sprinkle the suji rava over the mixture, mix it to lightly coat the cauliflower slices. 
  6. Place a flat fry pan on stove, switch it on to medium flame. Lightly spread oil over the pan. 
  7. Once the pan is hot, transfer the marinated cauliflower slices on the pan, spread and arrange them evenly. 
  8. Reduce the flame to medium-low, drizzle 1 tsp of oil over the  cauliflower slices, cover the pan and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes or until the underside of the slices are crispy.
  9. Remove the cover, flip each slice, on a low flame, let the other side get crispy as well. No need to cover the pan this time. Will take about 5 to 7 minutes.
  10. Serve hot along with rice. 
NOTE:
  • You may use same masala and steps to make tawa fry with Potato, Brinjal/Eggplant, Breadfruit, Plantain/green-banana, Kantola/spiny gourd and Fish. 
  • Lime juice can be substituted for tamarind paste.
  • I usually use Rasam powder as it gives more flavor. If you don't have rasam powder, just substitute with more red chilli powder.
  • Garam masala can be substituted for Rasam powder. One may notice, we in South India do not use much of Garam masala in our dishes as it does not suit the weather condition and one may end up upsetting their stomach. Garam means 'Heat', Garam masala is good to use in cold place like in North India, It generate heat in your body while digesting. If we do use garam masala, we also add poppy seeds, black pepper, coconut etc., to cool down and counter act. My mom would make Gasgase (poppy seeds) payasa for desert after having a meal which needed garam masala (like Chicken curry or Biryani)


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~ Cauliflower Tawa Fry - South Canara Style ~
Posted by Swetha @ 7/14/2024 08:18:00 PM :: 0 comments

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Breadfruit Fritters | JeevGujje Bajji | JeevKadgi Podi

Thursday, June 27, 2024

 

Breadfruit is an interesting fruit. When it is fully ripe, it is consumed as a fruit which is sweet just like Plantain. For the sevory dish and curry, it is better to use the breadfruit which is just before mature (See below). Don't use raw breadfruit. 

In India, breadfruit is mostly used in South-India, as it grows in tropical climate. My mom made this podi as a side dish to have with supper. As any typical Mangalorean house, we ate 'kuchalakki ganji' for supper. Which is basically red boiled-rice porridge, -very nutritious and well suited for the tropical weather conditions.  The rice water in porridge, or ganji, replenish all nutrients and water that are lost due to sweating and is rich in amino acids, vitamin E etc,.

Ingredients:
  • half of the whole Breadfruit
  • 1 cup - gram flour | besan | chickpea flour 
  • 1 tbsp. - rice flour 
  • 2 tsp - red chilli powder
  • 1 tsp - cumin seeds
  • a pinch - of asafoetida (hing)
  • a pinch - of baking soda [Optional]
  • salt to taste
  • oil for deep frying
Method:
  1. Cut half of the breadfruit one more time to make into 1/4th.
  2. Peel the breadfruit's outer skin, cut it vertically to remove the center core. Discard the skin and the core.
  3. Then cut it into slices. Crescent shaped .5mm to 1cm slices.
  4. Put the cut slices into cold water with bit of salt. Keep aside.
  5. Meanwhile prepare the batter by placing the rest of dry ingredients in a deep bowl.
  6. Gradually add water while mixing to make a smooth paste. Not too watery nor thick paste.
  7. Put oil for deep-frying on the stove on medium-high heat.
  8. Once the oil is hot, reduce the flame to medium as breadfruit takes more time to cook.
  9. Drain the breadfruit slices and keep aside.
  10. Dip each breadfruit slice in the batter and carefully slide into the hot oil for frying. Repeat with few more slices until fry pan fits enough. Need to work faster here so that all the slices are evenly cooked. Do not over crowd the pan, may have to make in multiple batches depending on the size of your fry-pan. 
  11. Fry the podi in medium flame, flipping the podi after every few minutes to cook evenly on both sides.
  12. Once cooked, carefully remove the podi with a help of a large slotted spoon - onto a paper towel to remove excess oil.
  13. Serve hot as a appetizer with green chutney, or as a side dish with rice.
 


NOTE: For breadfruit podi, it is best to pick when it is at the stage of Full Size Green to Mature.


Credit:https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ (Breadfruit Production Guide)

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~ Breadfruit Fritters | JeevGujje Bajji | JeevKadgi Podi ~
Posted by Swetha @ 6/27/2024 01:24:00 PM :: 0 comments

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Potato Dry Curry | Aloo Sabji | Aloo Sabzi

Thursday, December 28, 2023

 


Potatoes are very versatile vegetable. There are so many recipes out there to make with potatoes, that there is no end to it. Sometimes I don't even follow any recipe, I just toss some flavors and spices with boiled potatoes, voilà! a dish or a snack is ready ...aand turns out so yummy every time. 
This recipe is north-Indian style potato curry. checkout other dishes made with Potatoes

Ingredients:
  • 3 cups - Potato - peeled and cubed
  • 1 cup - Onion - roughly chopped - for masala
  • 1 cup - Onion - cut into thin slices or small pieces 
  • 2 cup - Tomato - chopped
  • 2 Inch - Ginger - chopped
  • 4 to 5 - Garlic  cloves - crushed
  • 3 to 4 - Green chilli - finely chopped
  • 1 tsp - Cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp - Red chili powder (or as per taste)
  • 1 tsp - Turmeric powder 
  • 2 tsp - Coriander powder 
  • ½ tsp - Coriander powder for potatoes
  • ¼ tsp - Garam masala powder
  • 1 tsp - Black pepper powder 
  • 2 tsp - Ghee
  • ¼ cup - Fresh cream (or I use coconut milk) can adjust the quantity depending on how watery or dry you want your curry to be
  • Fresh Coriander leaves  - for masala + for garnishing
  • Lime juice - from 1/2 lime (optional)
  • Oil - For frying
  • Salt - As per taste
Preparation
  • Wash potatoes with water, peel the skin and cut into big pieces. Put the pieces into a bowl of cold water. Set aside.
  • Paste: Sauté roughly-cut onion, chopped ginger and garlic - until onion is translucent. Transfer it to a blender. To the same blender add cut tomatoes, green chilies and coriander leaves. Make it into paste and keep aside 
Method:
  1. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a pan, add ¼ tsp of  turmeric powder and ¼ tsp of  red chilli powder to the oil, sauté for 10 seconds. Drain potato cubes, add it to the oil and roast. Half way through sprinkle bit of salt, continue roasting until potatoes are golden brown. Transfer the  potatoes in to a bowl. Sprinkle ½ tsp of coriander powder and ¼ tsp of garam masala powder over the potatoes. Toss it around to coat the potatoes. Keep aside
  2. In the same pan, add 2 tsp of oil. When hot add cumin seeds.
  3. Once the seeds starts to sputter, add the thinly cut onion and sauté until the onions are translucent. May stir in pinch of salt & sugar to help the process.
  4. Now add the ground paste. Stir and cook the paste until the nice aroma comes and oil starts to collect to the sides.
  5. Mix-in the ghee.
  6. Add rest of the red chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and coriander powder. Mix and stir for a 30 seconds 
  7. Now add the roasted potatoes and mix to let the masala coat the potatoes. 
  8. Depending on how dry or watery you want your gravy to be, add cream+ water or coconut milk + water.  Mix everything well, reduce the flame, cover and simmer the gravy. Cook until the oil starts to float on top or collect to the sides. Gently stir the gravy in-between.
  9. Once done, turn off the flame. Add lemon juice. Mix well. 
  10. Garnish it with coriander leaves and serve.
  11. Enjoy the potato curry with roti/chapati/pulkha or as a side dish for rice.


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~ Potato Dry Curry | Aloo Sabji | Aloo Sabzi ~
Posted by Swetha @ 12/28/2023 10:10:00 AM :: 0 comments

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Mixed Dal | Lentils - with Peanuts curry

Wednesday, December 27, 2023


I make this mixed lentils curry often to go with phulkas (puffed up roti without oil. also check this video from Hebbar's Kitchen). I make it thick as it will be easy for me to take in my lunch box without any spills or leaks. Just by adding more water  it will have more gravy consistency to mix with Rice as well. You can make this curry with the lentils of your choice or purchase mixed lentils from local Indian store [or from Amazon - Indian Bean & Lentil Superfood or Pancharatna Dal]. Additionally, I add Green Lentils as well, which gives extra volume as it does not soften as much as the other lentils do and gives the curry bit of a darker color. Since many Indians are vegetarian, Dal (lentil) is the main source of protein. Here is a recipe for you full of protein. ... and yummy too. 

More recipes using Lentils & Beans

Pancharatna Dal mix contains: (Pancharatna means five gems)
    English                Hindi           Kannada
Split Mung Beans - Moong dal  - Hesiru bele
Split Red Lentils   - Masoor dal - Mysoor bele
Split Chickpeas     - Chana dal   - Kadle bele (Bengal gram)
Split Matpe Beans - Urad dal     - Uddina bele (Black gram)
Split Pigeon Peas   - Toor dal     - Togari bele

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup - Pancharatna dal mix 
  • ½ cup - green lentils
  • ¼ cup - peanuts
  • 1 inch - ginger - chopped and crushed
  • 3 - green chilies - finely chopped
  • 1 - tomato - finely chopped
  • 1 tsp - cumin seeds
  • ½ tsp - kaloji (nigella seeds) - fennel seeds or caraway seeds maybe substituted 
  • ¼ tsp - asafoetida
  • ½ tsp - turmeric powder
  • ¼ tsp - red chilli powder
  • 1 tsp - curry powder (optional)
  • 3 tsp - ghee or oil
  • ½ cup - chopped fresh cilantro or coriander leaves
  • 7 to 10 - curry leaves (optional)
  • fresh lime juice from 1/2 lime or as per taste (optional)
  • salt as per taste
Method:
  1. Wash the lentils with water multiple times until water runs clear. I usually collect the water from multiple wash and use it for watering my plants.
  2. Add 4 cups of water to the lentil and cook it until tender. I use pressure cooker and cook it for two whistles. Instant pot may be used. Or just boil the lentil in a sauce pan over medium flame until it is cooked - for this you may need more water and it will take more time. Set aside the cooked lentils.
  3. Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds & nigella seeds to the hot oil.
  4. Once the seeds starts to sputter, add asafoetida, chopped green chilies, crushed ginger and curry leaves. Stir for a minute 
  5. Add peanuts and stir it until peanuts are slightly roasted. 
  6. Next add chopped tomatoes, bit of salt and sugar and cook until the tomatoes turn mushy. 
  7. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder and curry powder. Mix and cook of a minute
  8. Now add the cooked lentils to the mix. If needed add some more water. 
  9. Add salt and bring it to rolling boil. 
  10. Turn off the stove and mix-in lime juice.
  11. Garnish with chopped fresh coriander and serve.

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~ Mixed Dal | Lentils - with Peanuts curry ~
Posted by Swetha @ 12/27/2023 04:25:00 PM :: 0 comments

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Potato & Green Peas Curry | Aloo Matar

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

 

Aloo matar, basically potato and peas curry. - goes well with Indian bread like poori or chapati. Usually, the dish has more gravy consistency but, I made it bit dry as it is more convenient for me to take it for my lunch. I follow Ranveer Brar's recipe. you may watch his video here.
Also, check out other dishes made with Potatoes
Ingredients:
  • 3 cups - potatoes - cubed
  • 1 cup - green peas - shelled
  • ½ tsp - cumin seeds
  • 1 inch - ginger - chopped
  • 6 - 7  - garlic cloves
  • 1 big - onion
  • 3 - green chilies
  • handful - cilantro /fresh coriander leaves 
  • 2 medium - tomatoes
  • ½ tsp - turmeric powder
  • 2 tbsp. - coriander powder
  • 2 tsp - red chilli powder
  • 3 tsp - oil
  • 3 tsp - ghee
  • 3 cups - water
  • Salt - as per taste
  • handful - cilantro /fresh coriander leaves  (for garnish)
Preparation:
  • Wash, peel skin, & cut potatoes into cubes (about a inch) 
  • Remove the peas from the shell. Frozen or can peas may be used
  • Make a coarse-paste of   Tomatoes, green chilies and coriander leaves
  • Prepare ginger garlic paste with pinch of salt 
  • Finely chop onion and keep aside.
Method:
  1. Heat oil in a pan. once it is hot add cumin seeds.
  2. Once the seeds starts to sputter, add ginger garlic paste. Sauté for a 30 seconds
  3. Next add chopped onion and sauté until onion turns translucent. I also add pinch of sugar to help onion to sweat and cook fast.
  4. Add turmeric powder and coriander powder, mix.
  5. Now add tomato, green chili and cilantro paste and sauté until tomato is cooked and mushy.
  6. Next add red chilli powder and ghee, keep stirring.
  7. Now add cut potatoes, sauté for about 2 minutes and then add green peas and mix.
  8. Mix-in water, cover and cook until potatoes are tender. Stir in between and make sure the curry is not burnt at the bottom. [I used less water and simmered on low flame to make dry curry]
  9. Remove the pan cover, smash couple of cooked potato cubes from the curry and mix. This helps the curry to thicken further. Cook for a minute of so then switch off the stove.
  10. Garnish with chopped cilantro /fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot Aloo Matar curry with Poori or roti/chapati

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~ Potato & Green Peas Curry | Aloo Matar ~
Posted by Swetha @ 12/26/2023 09:23:00 PM :: 0 comments

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Potato Pumpkin Stir fry | Aloo Kumro Thorkari [Bengali dish]

Sunday, December 24, 2023


 My mom-in-law used to make this quick and easy dish for breakfast or dinner to go along with Poori, roti, chapati or phulka. This curry has a slight hint of sweetness which comes from the pumpkin. 

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups - Potatoes – cut into cubes
  • 2 cups - Pumpkin – cut into cubes
  • 2 - Green chilies 
  • 2 inch - Ginger 
  • ½ tsp - Panch phoron (A Bengali seasoning mix consisting of  5 types of seeds - fenugreek seed, nigella seed, cumin seed, black mustard seed and fennel seed in equal parts. Readily available in store or you may prepare the mix at home)
  • 1 tsp - Turmeric powder 
  • 1 tsp - Red chilli powder or as per taste
  • 3 tsp- Oil (preferably mustard oil]
  • Salt – to taste
Method:
  1. Wash and cut potato and pumpkin into cubes and keep aside.
  2. Finely chop green chilies and ginger, keep aside. (ginger may be grated)
  3. Heat oil in a pan. Add panch phoron. Once the seeds starts to sputter, add chopped green chilies and ginger to the oil and sauté.
  4. Add cubed potatoes and cook until half done. (potatoes take more time then pumpkin to cook)
  5. Next add pumpkin cudes, salt and turmeric powder and sauté till the cubes roasted.
  6. Add a cup of water and  red chilli powder. Cover and cook till you potato & pumpkin cubes are cooked and tender. 
  7. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with Roti/poori/chapati/phulka 

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~ Potato Pumpkin Stir fry | Aloo Kumro Thorkari [Bengali dish] ~
Posted by Swetha @ 12/24/2023 10:16:00 AM :: 0 comments

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Okra (aka Ladies Finger) Stir Fry | Bendekayi Palya | Bhindi Sabji

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Bendekayi Palya is one more of the side dish had with rice and Rasam or Sambar or Huli(curry).
This is similar to other Mangalore style Palya with grated coconut but, with slight difference here and there.
For Bendekai, the main part is when prepping it, Since it has the tendency to get all slimy, there is one extra step before cutting them. So please read the instructions below. 

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups -  Okra/Bendekai/Bhindi
  • ½ tsp - Mustard Seeds
  • 10 - Curry Leaves
  • 1 tbsp - Rasam Powder (any brand will do) 
  • ¼ tsp - Turmeric Powder
  • ¼ cup - Grated Coconut
  • ¼ tsp - tamarind paste
  • Pinch of asafoetida
  • 2 tsp - Oil
  • Salt to taste
Method:
  1. Wash Bendekai and drain the water completely. Use a kitchen towel and wipe each one of it separately. Now cut them into circles (kind of, as they look more like hexagon). Keep aside. NOTE: Watch out, there may be worms inside, so keep an eye while cutting. Once the cutting is done, rest is easy. But its worth the effort. 
  2. Heat the oil in a pan, when hot, add mustard seeds.
  3. Once mustard seeds starts to splutters, add curry leaves and asafoetida.  
  4. Add turmeric powder. Stir for 30 second. 
  5. Now, add Bendekai and salt. Sauté for about 3 to 4 minutes. 
  6. Next, sprinkle bit of water, reduce the flame, cover and cook for about 5 minutes or until the Bendekai is almost cooked.
  7. Now add grated Coconut and Rasam powder. Mix, cover and cook for couple of minutes. 
  8. Now dilute tamarind paste with a tablespoon of water and mix with the palya. Let it cook stirring in-between until all the water is dried. Turn off the stove.
  9. Serve hot with Rice. 

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~ Okra (aka Ladies Finger) Stir Fry | Bendekayi Palya | Bhindi Sabji ~
Posted by Swetha @ 12/20/2023 06:26:00 PM :: 0 comments

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Ivy Gourd & Cashew nuts Stir fry | Thondekai Godambi Palya | Tindora Kaju Subji

 


Tondekai Palya used be a very common dish on the lunch menu in our house. Usually had with rice and curry. During festivals and weddings Cashew Nuts are added. Here in US, since it is not commonly available and if I do find them in Indian store I make the Palya with Cashew nuts. make it special since it is rare. I like this dish with Chapati as well. 

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups -  Ivy gourd/Thondekai/Tindora (cut lengthwise) 
  • ¼ cup - Cashew nuts halves
  • ½ tsp - Mustard Seeds
  • 10 - Curry Leaves
  • 3 - Green Chilies
  • ½ tbsp - Rasam Powder or Curry Powder 
  • ¼ tsp - Turmeric Powder
  • ¼ cup - Grated Coconut
  • 2 tsp - Oil
  • Salt to taste

Method:
  1. Wash and cut Ivy Gourd lengthwise. Keep aside.
  2. Finely chop green chilies. Keep aside.
  3. Soak the cashew nuts in warm water for 10 min. Drain and keep aside.
  4. Heat the oil in a pan, when hot, add mustard seeds.
  5. Once mustard seeds starts to splutters, add curry leaves and green chilies.  Stir and cook until green chilies looks roasted.
  6. Add Rasam or curry powder and turmeric powder. Stir for 30 second. 
  7. Now, add Ivy gourd and cashew nuts. Mix-in pinch of sugar and sauté for a minute or so. 
  8. Next, add ¾ cup of water, salt as per taste, reduce the flame, cover and cook for about 15 minutes or until the Ivy gourd is almost cooked.
  9. Add grated Coconut to the palya. Mix and let it cook stirring in-between until all the water is dried. Turn off the stove.
  10. Serve hot with rice or as side dish for chapati/roti and enjoy.

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~ Ivy Gourd & Cashew nuts Stir fry | Thondekai Godambi Palya | Tindora Kaju Subji ~
Posted by Swetha @ 12/20/2023 05:45:00 PM :: 0 comments

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Drumstick Fry | Moringa Fry | Nuggekai fry


Nuggekai or Drumstick or Maringa fruit is usually used in Sambar along with other vegetables.
Drumstick fruit is long (about 10 to 18 inches) pod with seeds in them. Usually, a layer of top skin is removed, cut into about 2 inches long pieces and boiled with salt before using in any dish. While eating, since the outer skin is still tough and fibrous after cooking, drumsticks are often chewed to extract the juices and nutrients ( and all the flavors), with the remaining fibrous material discarded. Here is my version of the recipe for Drumstick fry, a flavorful - fun side dish.

Ingredients:
  • 2 drumsticks
  • 3 tsp - Rasam Powder (any brand)
  • ½ tsp + ¼ tsp - turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp - chilli powder
  • 2 tsp - coriander powder
  • 1 tsp - mustard seeds
  • 4 cloves - Garlic ( garlic paste may also used )
  • ¼ tsp - tamarind paste or lemon juice (optional)
  • 8-9 - leaves curry leaves
  • Pinch of asafoetida
  • Oil - for frying
  • Salt - as per taste
 Method:
  1. Cut drumsticks approximately in two inch pieces. Peel off the outer skin with help of a knife or peeler.. Soak these drumstick pieces in water for around 10 minutes to remove the bitterness. Take out these drumsticks and discard the water. 
  2. Transfer the Drumstick to a sauce-pan. Add water enough cover the Drumsticks. To the same sauce-pan add - ½ tsp of salt, ¼ tsp turmeric powder and ½ tsp of rasam powder. Cook for about 10 minutes. I sometimes use pressure cooker if Drumsticks are too hard and ripe.  
  3. Drain the water and keep the cooked Drumsticks aside.
  4. In a fry-pan, heat oil. Add mustard seeds, curry leaves, allow them to splutter. Add asafoetida, slightly crushed garlic, chilli powder, turmeric, coriander powder and rest of the Rasam powder. Fry for 2 mins on low flame. 
  5. Add cooked drumsticks to this and stir with the spices. Sprinkle bit of water and salt (as needed) and fry for another 5 mins. [Optional: if you prefer bit of tangy flavor as well, mix-in tamarind paste or lemon juice] 
  6. Serve the spicy drumsticks with hot rice as side dish.

        Labels: , ,

        ~ Drumstick Fry | Moringa Fry | Nuggekai fry ~
        Posted by Swetha @ 12/20/2023 04:42:00 PM :: 0 comments

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        Pineapple Pachadi

        Tuesday, December 19, 2023
        This is Kerala style Pineapple Pachadi. It's on the sweeter side. Usually served as one of the side dish during festival or wedding meal.
        Ingredients:
        • 2 cups - Pineapple - finely chopped
        • ¼ tsp - Turmeric powder
        • 1 tsp - Red chili powder
        • ½ tsp - ginger paste
        • 1 tsp - Jaggary 
        • ½ cup - Water
        • ½ cup - Curds/Yogurt - whisked
        • Salt - to taste
        • For Seasoning
        • 1 tbsp. - Coconut oil
        • ½ tsp - Mustard seeds  
        • ¼ tsp - Fenugreek seeds 
        • A sprig - Curry leaves 
        • 3 - Whole dried red chilies
        • ½ cup - Shallots or onion - thinly sliced
        • Ground Masala:
        • ½ cup - Coconut - grated
        • 1 tsp - Cumin seeds 
        • ½ tsp - Mustard seeds 
        • 2 to 3 - Green chilies 
        Preparation:
        • Chop pineapple into big pieces and keep aside. Canned pineapple with big chunks or cut the canned pineapple circles into big chunks. 
        • Slightly dry roast cumin seeds, mustard seeds and coconut. Transfer to a blender, add green chilies, grind into a paste with very little water. Set aside.
        • Prepare ginger paste, set aside,
        • Whisk curds, set aside
        Method:
        1. In a pan, combine the pineapple with 1 cup of water, turmeric powder, chilli powder, ginger paste and powdered jaggery.
        2. Season to taste with salt and cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally until the pineapple is soft.
        3. Reduce the flame, add prepared coconut paste and boil for a few minutes till coconut is cooked and the curry is fragrant and thick.
        4. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, 3-4 minutes. Whisk in the curds, check seasoning and add salt to taste.
        5. For tempering, heat coconut oil in a small pan. Add the rest of the seasoning (tadka) ingredients and allow the mustard seeds to sputter and the shallots to brown slightly. Pour hot tadka over pachadi. 
        6. Stir well and keep covered until serving time.
        NOTE:
        • Leftover pachadi can be refrigerated. Bring pachadi to room temperature before serving. Do not boil pachadi in which yogurt has been added, to prevent curdling.
        • Pachadi should not be boiled after yogurt is added, otherwise the curry may curdle or split. 

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        ~ Pineapple Pachadi ~
        Posted by Swetha @ 12/19/2023 09:19:00 PM :: 0 comments

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        Egg Roast | Motte Fry | Anda Masala Fry

        Monday, December 26, 2022

         

        Egg Roast or Motte Fry is one of the simple side dish, easy to make, but tastes grand.
        What you need is boil egg, onion and any masala. I usually use ready Rasam powder from MTR. Sometime I just add Red chilli powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder. Optionally: garam masala powder and/or ginger-garlic paste may also be used. Just eyeball to your taste preference and prepare this yummy dish.

        Check out Egg dishes 
        Ingredients:
        Method:
        1. Preparation: Boil egg, remove the eggshell, and score lightly with a knife. Cut onion lengthwise - keep aside.
        2. In a pan, add oil and ghee on medium heat. Cook sliced onion with a pinch of salt and sugar until lightly caramelized. Set aside the onion,
        3. In the same pan, add a bit more oil/ghee. Lightly roast the rasam powder, fennel, and other spices before adding in the eggs. Keep stirring the eggs (or they'll pop!) and fry them until lightly roasted. Add in the onions and continue frying everything until browned to your liking. Serve with a sprig of coriander, enjoy!

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        ~ Egg Roast | Motte Fry | Anda Masala Fry ~
        Posted by Swetha @ 12/26/2022 08:00:00 AM :: 0 comments

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        Tora Root | Arbi Root | Kesuvina Gedde - fry palya (stirfry)

        Friday, December 23, 2022

        My previous post was similar dish using Potatoes. This yummy side-dish, goes well will rice and dal or rasam. Easy and quick to make with common ingredients in [Indian] kitchen.  I make the same dish with Potatoes, green saba banana(balekai) or chinese potato (Samrani gedde) - preparation slightly different, but they all turn out yummy. 

        NOTE: The vegetable contains a bitter-tasting compound called calcium oxalate. This can cause an itchy mouth and throat if consumed raw but is safe to eat when cooked. Also, adding tamarind in the dish helps in not causing irritation. I apply oil to my hands while handling the roots (before and after boiling to remove the skin).

        Ingredients:
        • 1 lb. - Tora Root /Arbi Root / Kesuvina Gedde
        • 1 - big onion
        • 6 - garlic cloves
        • 2" - ginger
        • 2 tsp - red chilli powder or Rasam powder
        • 1 tsp - tamarind paste (or as per taste)
        • ½ tsp - turmeric powder
        • ¼ tsp - mustard seeds
        • ¼ tsp - cumin seeds
        • ¼ tsp - fennel seeds
        • ¼ tsp - sugar or jaggery
        • ½ cup - curry leaves
        • 2 tbsp. - oil
        • pinch - asafoetida/hing
        • salt as per taste
        Preparation
        1. Apply oil on your hand and wash Tora roots couple of times.  No worries, the roots will still look brown and ugly. just try to remove the dart while washing.
        2. In a pressure cooker, take some water - enough to submerge the roots. Add a teaspoon of salt ( I add bit of turmeric powder as well). Cook on medium high flame. Once you see the steam, place the weight, and reduce the flame to medium. Turn off the stove after three whistles. Let the pressure release on its own. [If you don't have a pressure cooker or Instapot, you may boil the roots in a pot - just like boiled potatoes ]
        3. Once the pressure is released, drain the water and add fresh cold water (Blench). This helps to remove the skin easily. Apply bit of oil on your hand and peel the skin off the Tora roots. Cut the roots to one inch or so sized pieces and keep aside
        4. Cut onion lengthwise; smash and finely chop garlic and ginger - keep aside
        Method:
        1. Place a thick bottom pan on medium heat. Add oil, once hot add three seeds (mustard, cumin & fennel). Once mustard seeds starts to sputter, add asafoetida and curry leaves.
        2. Now add ginger, garlic and onion. Mix in pinch sugar and sauté until onions are translucent.
        3. Increase the flame to medium-high, add the prepared Tora roots. Stir.
        4. Now add turmeric powder, red chilli powder (I use ready rasam powder), tamarind paste and salt.
        5. Mix and stir-fry until done (about 3 to 5 minutes)
        6. Optional: garnish with fresh coriander
        7. Serve hot with cooked rice and curry. Enjoy!
        Read about health benefits of Taro roots here.
        Check out other side-dish recipes.

        Labels: , ,

        ~ Tora Root | Arbi Root | Kesuvina Gedde - fry palya (stirfry) ~
        Posted by Swetha @ 12/23/2022 12:07:00 PM :: 0 comments

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        Baby Potato Spicy Stir fry - Alugadde fry palya

         

        This is one of the yummy side-dish, goes well will rice and dal or rasam. Easy and quick to make with common ingredients in [Indian] kitchen.  This time I made with baby red potatoes and left skin as it gives unique nutty taste. I also use regular potatoes as well for this dish, just cut it into bigger pieces. 
        I make the same dish with Arbi/Tora root(Kesuvina gadde), green saba banana(balekai) or chinese potato (Samrani gedde) - preparation slightly different, but they all turn out yummy. 

        Ingredients:
        • 1 lb. - Potato
        • 1 - big onion
        • 6 - garlic cloves
        • 2" - ginger
        • 1 tsp - red chilli powder or Rasam powder
        • ½ tsp - turmeric powder
        • ¼ tsp - mustard seeds
        • ¼ tsp - cumin seeds
        • ¼ tsp - fennel seeds
        • ¼ tsp - sugar or jaggery
        • ½ cup - curry leaves
        • 2 tbsp. - oil
        • pinch - asafoetida/hing
        • salt as per taste
        Method:
        1. Peel, cut and wash potatoes. In a pot, bring water to a boil.. Next, add a teaspoon of salt and potatoes pieces into the water. After few minutes turn off the fire and drain the water. Keep aside slightly cooked potatoes aside.
        2. Cut onion lengthwise; smash and finely chop garlic and ginger - keep aside
        3. Place a thick bottom pan on medium heat. Add oil, once hot add three seeds (mustard, cumin & fennel). Once mustard seeds starts to sputter, add asafoetida and curry leaves.
        4. Now add ginger, garlic and onion. Mix in sugar and sauté until onions are translucent.
        5. Increase the flame to medium-high, add the prepared potatoes. Stir.
        6. Now add turmeric powder, red chilli powder (I use ready rasam powder) and salt.
        7. Mix and stir-fry until done (about 3 to 5 minutes)
        8. Optional: garnish with fresh coriander
        9. Serve hot with cooked rice and curry. Enjoy!
        Check out other recipes using Potatoes and other side dishes

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        ~ Baby Potato Spicy Stir fry - Alugadde fry palya ~
        Posted by Swetha @ 12/23/2022 11:06:00 AM :: 0 comments

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        Dim'er Dalna | Bengali Egg Curry - Version 1 [thick gravy for Roti/Chapati]

        Wednesday, December 21, 2022

         

        Dim'er Dalna means Egg Gravy. This is a staple food, made often for some amount of needed protein. Tastes great & grand, takes less time prepare. My mom-in-law prepared in two different ways. Using almost the same ingredients. (1) make the gravy thick by grinding the masala to have with Roti/Chapati (2) gravy is watery, to have the curry with rice. Here, I am posting one of the version, which is thick gravy.
        Check out more Bengali dishes or Egg dishes
        Ingredients:
        • 6 hard-boiled eggs
        • 2 medium - potatoes
        • 1 big - onion
        • 1 big - tomato
        • 1 inch - ginger
        • 3 - garlic cloves
        • 1-  bay leaf
        • ¾ tsp - chilli powder
        • ½ tsp - poppy seeds 
        • ½ tsp - fennel seeds
        • ½ tsp - sugar
        • 1 tsp - turmeric
        • 1 tsp - kashmiri chilli powder or red chilies
        • 1 tsp - Bengali Garam Masala ( made of - Green cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves)
        • 3 - green chili
        • 2 Tbsp. - mustard or vegetable oil
        • salt as per taste
        • ½ cup - water
        • chopped fresh coriander for garnish

        Method:
        1. Preparation: Peel and cut onion, garlic & ginger; Cut tomatoes; Boil egg and potatoes, remove eggshell and potato skin.  Make small slight marks on sides of the egg with knife and keep aside. Cut potatoes into big pieces.
        2. Sauté and grind: Onion, garlic cloves, ginger, cumin seeds, Green cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves (Bengali garam masala), red chillies or kasmiri chilli powder and poppy seeds. Keep aside.
        3. On medium flame, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a thick pan. To the hot oil add turmeric powder and then add eggs. Keep stirring until the eggs are slightly roasted on all sides (about 2 minutes). Transfer the eggs to another dish, increase the flame to medium-high, now add the cut potatoes and roast them as well. Turn off the flame, transfer the potatoes to same dish with eggs and keep aside.
        4. Put the same pan on medium flame, add 1 (more) tablespoon of oil. Once oil is hot, add bay leaf, fennel seeds & green chilies. Stir for about 20 seconds; now add the ground masala paste. & cut tomatoes. Mix in  ½ of sugar and salt. Stir and cook the masala until nice aroma comes. Once ready, you will notice that the oil starts to separate to the sides.
        5. Add the roasted egg and potatoes to the masala. Add half cup of water and salt as per taste. Cover and let it simmer for five to ten minutes or until done.
        6. Garnish with chopped fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with roti or chapatti.

        Labels: , ,

        ~ Dim'er Dalna | Bengali Egg Curry - Version 1 [thick gravy for Roti/Chapati] ~
        Posted by Swetha @ 12/21/2022 09:50:00 AM :: 0 comments

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        Masala Vada

        Tuesday, December 20, 2022

         

        Masala Vada is similar to Dal vada, but with more spices and flavor. 
        Masala vada goes well with coconut chetney
        You also want to check recipes for - Dal vada, Sabudana Vada & Sabudana vada -airfryer version)

        Ingredients:
        • ¼ cup - chopped onions or 1 small onion
        • 1 tsp - chopped green chili 
        • 1 tsp - chopped ginger 
        • 9 to 10 - curry leaves – finely chopped
        • 3 tsp - chopped coriander leaves
        • 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
        • salt as required
        • oil for deep frying – as required
        • water for soaking chana dal – as required
        • Ground together 
          • ½ cup - chana dal (husked and split bengal gram) – 120 grams
          • 1 - dry red chili – deseeded and halved (or red chili powder may be used)
          • 1 tsp - fennel seeds
          • ½ tsp - coriander seeds
          • ¼ tsp - black pepper
        Method:
        1. Rinse chana dal couple of times in water. Then soak in enough water for 2 hours. [if short on time, microwave(with water) for 5 minutes and let it sit for about 30 minutes]
        2. In a blender, add dry red chili, fennel seeds, coriander seeds and black pepper. Grind the spices coarsely
        3. Drain all the water from the soaked chana dal. Add the soaked lentils to the blender along with the spices and  grind the lentils coarsely. Some whole chana dal should be there. No need to add water while grinding.
        4. Remove the ground dal-spice mix in to a mixing bowl.
        5. To the mixture, add chopped - onions, green chilies, ginger, curry leaves, coriander leaves, asafetida(hing), and salt as per taste.
        6. Mix everything together.
        7. Meanwhile, heat oil in a fry-pan 
        8. Let the oil become hot on medium heat. to test if the oil is ready, drop a tiny portion of the masala vada mixture in the hot oil. If it comes up bubbling and quickly on to the surface of the oil, you can begin frying.
        9. Shape the mixture to a big lemon sized ball, press slightly to flatten it on your palm.
        10. Gently drop the vada to the hot oil, may fry multiple vada at a time depending on the size of your fry-pan.
        11. Let one side become light golden and then turn them over with a slotted spoon. Then fry the second side. If the oil becomes very hot, reduce the heat.
        12. Fry until masala vada turns crisp and golden. Flip each vada a couple of times for even frying.
        13. Remove the vadas with a slotted spoon and place them on kitchen paper towels to remove extra oil. Use up the entire masala vada mixture to shape and fry as shown in the steps above.
        14. Serve these spiced masala vada hot with coconut chutney.

        TIPS
        No onion:  If you plan to make dal vada on a festival or a fasting occasion, then simply skip onions. Add a generous pinch of asafetida to mimic the onion flavors. 
        Soaking: Do not soak chana dal for more than 2 hours. Soaking it for longer time does not result in crispy texture.
        Consistency: The ground mixture has a thick and coarse consistency. If the batter becomes flowing or runny, then add some rice flour to thicken it.
        Shaping: A thick coarse mixture helps to shape the vada easily. For super crispy vadai, flatten them more.


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        ~ Masala Vada ~
        Posted by Swetha @ 12/20/2022 02:55:00 PM :: 0 comments

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        Chunky Tomato Onion Gojju

        Wednesday, June 08, 2022
        A simple side dish to go with chapthi, roti, dosa and even rice. May be used as savory bread spread as well. Since it does not go bad easily, it is good to take in lunch-box. This is a south Indian style dish, lets say a distance cousin of Tomato Chutney. Gojju is somewhere in between chutney and a curry :))

        Ingredients:
        • 3 - tomato medium size
        • 1 - onion small size
        • ¼ cup -  fresh coriander - chopped
        • 3 tbsp - sambar powder
        • 1 tsp - chana dal | split chickpeas
        • 1 tsp - urad dal | black gram
        • ½ tsp - cumin seeds
        • 1 tsp - mustard seeds
        • pinch - hing / asafoetida
        • 1 stem - curry leaves
        • ½ tsp - turmeric powder
        • 1 tsp - jaggery or sugar
        • 1 tbsp -  tamarind pulp
        • 2 tbsp - oil
        • salt - as per taste
        Preparation:
        • In a small bowl, soak chana dal and urad dal. Just for about 10 minutes, not too long
        • If not using store brought tamarind pulp, soak small-lemon size tamarind in water
        • Chop tomatoes and keep aside.
        • Finely cut onion and coriander leaves, keep aside.
        Method:
        1. In a pan heat oil, once oil is hot, add mustard seeds. once the mustard seeds starts to sputter,  add cumin seeds, curry leaves, asafoetida, and drained chana dal and urad dal, Stir for few seconds.
        2. Add cut onion and jaggery. Stir and cook until onion is translucent. 
        3. Now add cut tomatoes and sauté for a minutes.
        4. To the mixture, now add turmeric powder, tamarind extract and salt.
        5. Stir the mixture, cover and let it cook for about 10 minutes or until the tomatoes looks cooked
        6. Now add sambar powder and mix. This is a good time to taste to check if salt and spice are right. If needed add salt and/or red chill powder or sambar powder if you prefer the gojju to be more spicy.
        7. Cover and continue to cook for 3 more minutes or until you will notice the oil separates and starts to collect at the edge of the pan.
        8. Once done, transfer to serving bowl, garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with chapati/roti/dosa or rice..


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        ~ Chunky Tomato Onion Gojju ~
        Posted by Swetha @ 6/08/2022 08:47:00 PM :: 1 comments

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