Tomato-Brinjal Curry/Vankaya-Tomato curry/Badanekayi-Tomato Curry

This is one of the traditional Andhra recipe, combination of Tomato and Brinjal along with tamarind pulp gives a sharp tangy taste which makes us addicted to it. This is again another very simple  to prepare yet tasty curry. I have discussed about the nutritional benefits of tomato in my earlier posts, I am mentioning about Brinjal's  here.

Nutritional Benefits Of Brinjal/Egg plant : Brinjal contain very less calories and also less fat content,which is an important benefit for people under diet control. It is rich in soluble fiber.Its peel contain flavonoid antioxidant called Anthocyanin,which helps in preventing Cancer,aging,neurological diseases etc.,It also contain phyto nutrients which help in proper functioning of brain thus helping in having good memory power.It also helps in keeping the blood pressure stable.It is also rich in B-complex group of vitamins.

Preparation Time : 15 mins

Cooking Time : 15 mins

Yield : 4

Ingredients :

Brinjal/vankayalu/Badanekayi : 1/2 kg

Onions : 3

Tomato : 1/4 kg

Jeera powder/jeerige pudi : 1 tbsp

Red chilli powder/karam/ona menasina kayi pudi : 1 tbsp

Tamarind pulp : 1 cup

Salt : as per required

Oil : 2 tbsp

 

Method Of Preparation :

1. Chop Brinjal/vankaya/badanekayi, onions and tomatoes into small pieces.


2. Extract tamarind pulp by soaking tamarind in  hot water for 10 mins.


3. Heat a thick bottomed vessel and add 2 tbsp of oil, after it gets heated add onion pieces and fry till they turn transparent.


4. Then add brinjal pieces and cook for 3-4 mins by closing it with lid.Then remove the lid and add tomato pieces and cook for 2 more minutes.


5. Then add salt,red chilli powder/karam/ona menasina kayi pudi and tamarind pulp and cook for 6-7 minutes. If required, can add water to it.


6. Then add jeera powder/jeerige pudi, mix well and let it cook for 2 more minutes.


7. Dish out and serve along with plain rice or roti.

[caption id="attachment_155" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Tomato-Brinjal Curry[/caption]

 

Paneer Bhurji/ Cottage Cheese Bhurji

I always love to try different dishes with Paneer/Cottage Cheese. This recipe Paneer Bhurji is a famous North Indian recipe. 'Bhurji' means 'scrambled'. In south India Egg Bhurji is prepared commonly but Paneer /cottage cheese bhurji is rarely prepared. This is served for breakfast along with bread in North India, but it goes well with roti or even with plain rice.

In this recipe I  did not completely crumbled the Paneer/ Cottage Cheese, I just  chopped it into very small pieces as I like this way rather than crumbling. I have made few changes to the normal Paneer Bhurji recipe, accordingly to my requirements.

 

Preparation time : 10 minutes

Cooking time : 15 minutes

Yield : 2

 

Ingredients :

Paneer/Cottage Cheese : 100 gm

Tomatoes : 2

Onions : 1 (large)

Green chilies : 5

Tomato ketchup/sauce : 1 tbsp (optional)

Garam masala powder : 1 tbsp

Salt : to taste

Cumin seeds /jeerige/jeera : 1 tbsp

Ginger-garlic paste : 1 tbsp

Turmeric powder/pasupu/Arishana pudi : a pinch

oil : 1 tbsp

Coriander leaves : for garnishing

Water : 1/2 cup

 

Method of Preparation :

1. Chop Paneer/Cottage Cheese into small pieces or even you can mash it with hands.


2. Chop tomatoes, green chilies, onions also and keep aside.


3. Heat a small kadai and add oil into it, then add cumin seeds/jeerige/jeera and fry for 30 seconds.


4. Then add chopped onions and fry for 2-3 minutes or till they turn transparent.


5. Then add chopped green chilies, fry for a minute and then add ginger-garlic paste and fry for 2 more minutes.


6. Add turmeric powder/pasupu/arishana pudi and chopped tomatoes,cover the kadai with a lid and cook for 3 minutes.


7. Then add mashedor chopped paneer/cottage cheese, salt, water,garam masala, stirr well and cook for 3 minutes. So,that all the masala will be absorbed by the paneer/cottage cheese.


8. Finally add tomato ketchup/sauce and mix well. This step is an optional step, if you want you can omit this step.


9. Dish out and garnish with coriander leaves.

[caption id="attachment_75" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Paneer/ Cottage Cheese Bhurji[/caption]

Note : Those who want to have gravy for this can make paste of tomatoes and add to it instead of tomato pieces.

For extra spiciness, coriander powder and cumin powder can be added.

Tomato and white Beans Curry

Tomato and white beans are the best healthy combination as both tomatoes and beans are rich in nutrients and less in calories.This curry serves as a good option for people who are on weight reducing programs.

Nutritional Benefits of Tomatoes : These contain less than 20 calories per 100 gm and contains low fat and zero cholesterol. These contain lots of vitamins,minerals,dietary fiber and especially these contain 'Lycopene' which is a flavonoid antioxidant which acts as an anticancer agent, by eliminating the free radicals (which are the main reason for causing cancer) in the body. These also contain high amounts of Vitamin A and C which helps in protecting our eyes and skin from damage. These also contain trace amounts of Iron,folate/folic acid,potassium,calcium, thiamin, niacin , riboflavin,manganese etc.,

Nutritional Benefits of White Beans : Like tomatoes  these White Beans are also rich in nutrients.These are considered as the best foods to control weight ,as these are low in calories and high in dietary fiber which keep us feeling full for longer periods and thus controlling hunger.These are also rich in antioxidants thus helps in preventing cancer. These contain high amounts of protein,which helps in formation of new cells in our body.These are rich in vitaminB9/folate/folic acid so those who are suffering from Anemia should compulsorily include these in diet. These also contain Vitamin B1 or thiamin which helps in proper functioning of brain cells.

For Soaking white beans : 4-5 hrs

Preparation Time : 15 minutes

Yield : 2

Ingredients :

White Beans : 1 cup

Tomatoes : 3-4 medium size

Onions :  1-2 medium size

Red chilli powder : 3 tsps

Jeera/cumin powder : 1 tbsp

Coriander/dhaniya powder : 1 tbsp

Salt : to taste

Oil : 3 tbsps

Coriander leaves/kothmir/kottumbari elegalannu : for garnishing.

 

Method Of Preparation :

1. First soak White beans in water for 4-5 hrs. Then peel the outer layer and keep aside.


2. Cut onions and tomatoes into small pieces.


3. Heat a pan/cooker and add oil into it. Then add onions and fry until they turn slightly brown.


4. Then add tomatoes and beans and stir for few minutes and then add required amount of salt and red chilly powder,mix well.


5. keep the lid and cook till 4 vissils. Remove the lid and add jeera/cumin powder and also coriander/dhaniya powder and cook for few minutes.


6. Dish out and garnish with Coriander leaves/kothmir/kotthumbari elegalannu


7. Serve hot with roti/chapathi/rice.

 

[caption id="attachment_33" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Tomato and White Beans Curry[/caption]

Note :1) Those who want to cook in kadai can boil white beans first, and then add it.

2) If using packed beans, then soak them for longer periods.

3) Nutritional information collected from Google.