Creamy Drumstick Curry/Munagakaya (mullakada) curry/Nuggekayi Curry

This Creamy Drumstick Curry/Mullakadala curry/Nuggekayi Curry is a very special South Indian  festive recipe which tastes delicious and this recipe is very simple to prepare with very few ingredients.Here we use every thing in the form of paste except Drumsticks.The addition of Cashew nut paste gives the richness to the dish.

Nutritional Benefits Of Drumstick/Munagakaya/Nuggekayi : It contains vital B-complex vitamins like Folates, Pyridoxin, Niacin,Thiamin,Riboflavin and Panthothenic acid.It is a good source of Oleic Acid,which is health benefiting mono unsaturated fat.Due to the rich amount of Vitamin C in it helps in reducing common cold and flu.It is good for pregnant women to overcome sluggishness,vomiting sensation and giddiness.It is also rich in Iron and calcium.It also has anti-bacterial infections which helps in relieving throat infections.

Preparation time : 15 mins

Cooking time : 30 mins

Yield : 2

Ingredients :

Drumstick pieces : 1 cup/9-10 no (1" inch pieces)

Onions : 3 (medium size)

Green chilies : 3-4 no.

Ginger-garlic paste : 2 tbsp

Cashew nuts : 1/2 cup

Red chili powder : 1 tbsp

Salt : to taste

Oil : 1 tbsp

Turmeric powder : a pinch

Garam masala powder : 1 tsp

Method of Preparation :

1. Grind onions and green chilies together into paste and keep aside.Soak cashew nuts in water for 10 mins and grind them into paste.


2. Heat oil in a kadai and add onion-green chilies paste,saute for 1-2 mins,then add ginger-garlic paste,saute til the raw smell goes off.


3. Add a pinch of turmeric powder,salt,red chili powder,drumstick pieces,cook for 5-10mins by closing the kadai with a lid.


4. Then add cashew nuts paste,saute for 1 min  and then add some water,close it with a lid,cook for 5 more mins.


5. Finally add garam masala powder,stir and dish out.This goes very well with roti, chapathi and also rice.

[caption id="attachment_525" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Creamy Drumstick Curry/Munagakaya (mullakada) curry/Nuggekayi Curry[/caption]

Papaya-Musk Melon (Cantaloupe)-HoneySalad/Bopayi-Kharbooja Salad/Parangi-Kekkarikke Hannu Salad

Cantaloupe/Musk melon/Kharbooja/Kekkarikke hannu/Honey dew/Mash melon is a very healthy fruit having many health and beauty benefits. Similarly Papaya/Bopayi pandu/Parangi is also having several health and beauty benefits.So,consuming both healthy fruits in single go in the form of a salad,is a healthy option. To add more richness and taste,I have added Honey and for flavor I have used mint leaves.

Health Benefits Of Cantaloupe/Musk melon/Kharbooja/Kekkarikke hannu/Honey dew/Mash melon : It contains good amount of Dietary fiber,which aids in proper digestion and also helps in eliminating acidity from the stomach.It is a good alternative for high calorie snacks and desserts. It contains rich amount of Vitamin A,which is essential for proper vision.It also contains Potassium,which is used for controlling blood pressure, for preventing strokes and also preventing the formation of kidney stones.These are abundant in powder antioxidant Vitamin C,which helps in preventing cancer.As this fruit is madeup of more than 80% of water,it is good for people on dieting. It also contains moderate amount of B-complex vitamins.

Health Benefits of  Papaya/Bopayi pandu/Parangi : It is a  great fruit for all the ages of women and men. It contains  veryless calories and high amount of phyto nutrients,vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.It is a great source of Vitamin A,C and flavonoids like beta-carotene,lutein,zea-xanthin and crypto xanthin.It also contain good amounts of Folic acid,pyridoxin,riboflavin and thiamin.It also contain calcium and potassium.Because of its anti-inflammatory properties it is used to treat stomach infections.

Preparation time : 10 mins

Yield : 2

Ingredients :

Papaya/Bopayi/parangi pieces : 1/2 cup

Musk melon/kharbooja/kekkarikke hannu : 1/2 cup

Honey : 1 tbsp

Black pepper powder : 1 tbsp

Salt : to taste

Mint leaves : fistful

Method of Preparation :

1. Chop mint leaves finely and keep aside.


2. In a wide bowl, add musk melon pieces,papaya pieces,salt and freshly prepared/crushed black pepper powder,mix and keep aside for 5 mins.


3. Then mix once again,add honey and finely chopped mint leaves and serve.Checkout other fruit salad recipes also kiwi apple fruit chat,pomegranate-grape salad,

[caption id="attachment_524" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Papaya-Musk Melon (Cantaloupe)-HoneySalad/Bopayi-Kharbooja Salad/Parangi-Kekkarikke Hannu Salad[/caption]

 

Note : Can add other fruits like apple,banana,kiwi etc.,

For extra taste can add chatmasala powder/amchur powder.

Bitter Gourd Gravy Curry/Kakarakaya Pulusu/Hagala Kayi curry

Bitter gourd/karella/kakarakaya/hagala kayi is a God sent solution for people suffering with Diabetics. We all know that it is healthy for our body sill we don't prefer to eat it because of its bitter taste.There are many ways to eat this bitter vegetable in form of fry,curry,pickle and in form of a snack. In this recipe I have used tamarind pulp,jaggery and  roasted Peanut powder to neutralize the  bitter taste.

Health Benefits of Bitter gourd/Karella/Kakarkaya/Hagala kayi : Its main benefit is controlling Type 2 Diabetics. Bitter gourd helps in curing kidney and liver diseases.It prevent cancer cells from multiplying.Because of its high fiber content it helps in relieving constipation.Helps in maintaining good heart health and also helps in improving immunity.It helps in weight loss by improving metabolism.

Preparation time : 20 mins

Cooking time : 30 mins

Yield : 2

Ingredients :

Bitter gourd/kakarakaya/Hagala kayi : 2 (medium size)

Onion : 1 (big)

Slitted Green chilies : 3

Ginger-garlic paste : 1 tbsp

Tamarind pulp : 2 tbsp + 1 tsp

Red chili powder : 1 tbsp

Salt : as per taste

Turmeric powder : A pinch

Peanuts/Ground nuts : 2 tbsp

Grated Jaggery/bellam/bella : 1 tsp

Dessicated/Dry coconut powder : 1 tbsp

Oil : 1 tbsp+1/2 tsp

Coriander leaves : for garnishing

Method of Preparation :

1. Cut bitter gourd/kakarakaya/hagala kayi   into small pieces and boil them by adding salt,turmeric powder and a tsp of tamarind pulp and required amount of water until 2-3 vissils in a pressure cooker. Chop onion into long thin slices.Roast grounduts/peanuts in a tsp of oil,cool them and grind them into powder.


2. In a kadai, heat 1 tbsp of oil and add onion pieces, slitted green chilies,saute till the onion pieces turn transparent.add ginger-garlic paste and saute till the raw smell goes off, then add boiled bitter gourd pieces, salt (very little as we have already added while boiling bitter gourd),red chili powder and cook for 5 mins by closing the kadai with a lid.


3. Add 2 tbsp of tamarind pulp,jaggery, little water and cook for 5-7 more mins.Add peanut powder,which we prepared and then a tbsp of dessicated/dry coconut powder, dish out and garnish with coriander leaves.This curry goes well with rice.

[caption id="attachment_454" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Bitter gourd/kakarakaya/hagala kayi gravy curry[/caption]

 

 

 

Corn sweet Fritters /Mokkajonna Boorellu/Jola kalugalannu sugeelu

This recipe Corn sweet Fritters /Mokka jonna Boorellu/Jola kalugalannu sugeelu is a traditional South Indian recipe,especially in Andhra Pradesh,these corn fritters are prepared on special occasions like Ugadi,Pongal,Dusshera and are offered to God as 'Naivedhyam' . My Mom-in-law introduced this recipe to me recently and I liked them so much,which is why I thought of sharing this recipe with you Asap. This is a very simple recipe with less than 5 ingredients.The main important point here is to make these fritters,we need to select aged/old corn kernels or else using tender kernels makes the batter  juicy and we cannot make balls out of it. The batter should be thick enough to make balls. We can make it in any shape round,oval or flat,I am making it flat here. Checkout sweetcorn recipes also here and here.

Health Benefits of Corn : Corn contain rich amount of both soluble and insoluble fiber there by helping in digestion.It is high in Vitamin B12,folic acid and Iron,which are necessary for preventing Anemia.It helps in controlling blood pressure and diabetics due to the presence of phenolic phyto chemicals in it.It is rich in manganese,a metal required for strengthening connective tissue. Presence of carotenoids in it helps in proper vision.It also contains anti-oxidants which helps in preventing cancer.

Preparation time : 20 mins

Cooking time : 30 mins

Yield : 7-9 no.

Ingredients :

Corn kernels/mokkajonna ginjalu/jola kalugalannu : 2 cups (aged corns not tender ones)

Jaggery/bellam/bella : 1/4 kilo

Cardamom powder : 1 tsp

Oil : for deep frying

Salt : a pinch (optional)

Rice flour/biyam pindi/aki hittu : 1 tbsp (optional)

Method of Preparation : 

1. Grate jaggery/bellam/bella and keep aside. Grind together Corn kernels and jaggery in a mixer grinder in to a thick batter by adding little water if required,if the batter becomes runny add rice flour to make it thick.


2. To the batter add elachi/cardamom powder and a pinch of salt( if wanted),mix thoroughly.Now make batter into lemon size balls and pat each ball flat on a cover or aluminium foil (if required wet your hands occasionally).


3. Heat oil in a kadai and deep fry these patted ones on a low to medium flame till they turn slightly golden brown. Remove them on to a paper towel/napkin and then finally into a serving plate.

[caption id="attachment_508" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Corn sweet fritters/mokka jonna boorellu/jola kalugalannu[/caption]

 

 

 

Simple Capsicum-Paneer Curry/Bell Pepper-Cottage Cheese curry (for roti and chapathi)

This capsicum-paneer curry is a very simple to prepare and a good combination for rotis and chapathis. Paneer in combination with capsicum tastes great and I have used tomato ketchup also in this recipe to add a bit of tangy taste ,which makes it more tastier.I have already mentioned in my earlier posts, that I am a fan of paneer/cottage cheese and my second preference goes to capsicum/bell pepper,which is why, my blog contains various dishes made in combination with paneer and capsicum.

Health benefits of Capsicum/Bell pepper : Capsicum/bell pepper which is also called as sweet pepper is one of the vegetable containing high amount of  Vitamin 'C',which is a very important vitamin for maintaining healthy skin as it helps in the synthesis of Collagen.It also contains rich levels of Vitamin 'A' .It also contains flavonoid antioxidants like Carotenes,lutein,Zea-Xanthin and CryptoXanthin which help in protecting the body against free radicals. It also contains alkaloid compound Capsaicin which contain anti-diabetic,anti-carcinogenic and anti-bacterial properties, thus making Capsicum an important vegetable for sugar patients.

Preparation time : 10 mins

Cooking time : 20 mins

Yield : 2

Ingredients :

Capsicum/bell pepper : 2

Paneer/Cottage cheese : 100 gm

Onion : 1

Cumin seeds/jeera/jeerige : 1 tbsp

Slitted Green chilies/pachimirchi/menasinakayi : 3

Tomato Ketchup : 2 tbsp

Ginger-garlic paste : 1 tbsp

Salt : as per taste

Red chili powder : 1 tbsp

Curry leaves/karivepaku/karivebina soppu : fist ful

Oil : 1 tbsp

Method of Preparation :

1. Chop capsicum/bell pepper into small pieces.Chop onions into thin long pieces.


2. In a kadai,heat a tbsp of oil, add cumin seeds and curry leaves, saute for 30 secs,then add onion pieces,saute till they turn transparent.


3. Then add ginger-garlic paste and saute till the raw smell goes-off,then add slitted green chilies and capsicum pieces,close the kadai with a lid,cook for 2-3 mins or till the capsicum pieces turns little soft.


4. Add salt,red chili powder,tomato ketchup and saute for 2 more mins.


5. Dishout and serve with roti or chapathi or you can even stuff this inside a frankie.

[caption id="attachment_455" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Capsicum paneer curry[/caption]

Note : If you do not have tomato ketchup,you can use tomato puree or paste instead of this.

Can add cumin powder,garam masala or chat masala for extra flavor.

Fish Fritters

Fish fritters also called as fish chops is a tasty evening snack recipe.This recipe is very easy to prepare.Fish is considered as an ideal food for  consuming during weight loss programs as these contain less calories and are rich in proteins,minerals and Vitamins.Many varieties of fish like salmons,sardines fish  contain essential fatty acids called omega-3 fatty acids which have many benefits for human health.Fish are very delicate and needs special methods to clean it.To remove the raw smell of fish,we need to clean it with fresh water first and then with curd and little turmeric powder and again with water.

Preparation time : 15 mins

Marination time : 30 mins - 1 hr

Cooking time : 30 mins

Ingredients :

Fish : 1 kg (any type of fish)

Eggs : 2

Coriander powder : 2 tsp

Cumin powder : 2 tsp

Turmeric powder : a pinch

Salt : to taste

Red chili powder : 2 tsp

Garam masala powder : 2 tsp

Ginger-garlic paste : 1 tsp

Oil : for deep frying

Method of Preparation :

1. Clean and cut fish into thin and long slices. In a wide bowl add these fish pieces,salt, a tsp each of red chili powder,coriander powder,garam masala powder,cumin powder,ginger-garlic paste, mix well and marinate for 30 mins - 1 hr.


2. In another bowl take 2 egg whites,beat them thoroughly and add salt, a tsp each of coriander powder,red chili powder,,garam masala powder,cumin powder and beat once again.


3. Dip marinated fish pieces in egg white mixture and deep fry them in oil.Dish out and serve alone or with tomato sauce.Also try out simple fish fry,fish stew

[caption id="attachment_492" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Fish fritters[/caption]

 

Coccinia Chutney/Dondakaya pachadi/Tondekaya chutney

Coccinia/dondakaya/tondekaya  chutney is a good combination for dosa,chapathi,idli,rice.It is very simple to prepare with very few ingredients.You can make this chutney even with ripe coccinea (red inside),which we generally don't use it in curries,as they consume more time for cooking and we just throw them,but we can make use of these ripe coccinia for making this chutney. Along with normal coccinia,ripe coccinia also  have the same nutritional value,so make use of them.

Health Benefits of Coccinia/dondakaya/tondekaya : These are rich in fiber, helping in digestion and easy bowel movement.These also contain rich amounts of anti-oxidants, which helps in eliminating free radicals.These are especially useful in treating Diabetics by regulating blood sugar. These also help in healthy functioning of endocrine glands.These also contain good amount of Vitamin A,B,C.Helps in improving body's Immunity.

Preparation time : 15 mins

Cooking time : 30 mins

Yield : 2

Ingredients :

Coccinia/Dondakaya/Tondekaya : 1/4 kg

Red Chilies/endu mirchi/ona menasinakayi : 7-9 no.

Split Black gram/minapappu/uddhina bele : 1 tsp

Bengal gram/senagapappu/kadale bele : 1 tsp

Mustard seeds/Avallu/sasive : 1 tsp

Garlic pods : 4-5 no

Tamarind : lemon size

Asafoetida : a pinch

Salt : to taste

Turmeric powder : a pinch

Oil : 1 tbsp + 1 tsp

Curry leaves : for garnishing

Method Of Preparation :

1. Clean and cut coccinia/dondakaya/tondekaya into small pieces.


2. Heat a tbsp of oil in a kadai,add asafoetida red chilies,bengal gram, split black gram,mustard seeds one by one and saute for 30 secs,remove them into a plate and cool them.


3. Then add coccinia/dondakaya/tondekaya pieces, cook for 10 mins by closing it with a lid.


4. In a mixer,add red chilies,bengal gram, split black gram,mustard seeds and grind them once,then add cooked coccinia pieces,tamarind,turmeric powderand salt and grind them into a paste/chutney.


5. Dish out and add a tsp of oil on top,mix well and garnish with curry leaves. Serve along with idli,dosa,roti or rice. Also try out Bottle gourd chutney, tomato chutney,Cabbage chutney.

[caption id="attachment_485" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Coccinia/dondakaya/tondekaya chutney/pachadi[/caption]

 

Note : Can add tempering,if needed.