USLI STYLE PATRA

I have already posted patra or alu vadi it is known as.  Recently I posted the same  made with pumpkin leaves. 

As I was sharing the recipe with my friend Shubha, she said that they make alu vadi with tuvar dal paste which was quite interesting.  Since I was having  a bunch of  pumpkin leaves with me, I tried my hand on it and was a hit.  The tuvar dal paste  is made for  preparing usli with French beans or any other vegetables like carrot etc.  

Basically, the alu vadi is prepared with gram flour paste with spices and jaggery, I thought for a change will try this version and was liked by everyone at home.

It is a very good snack item any time and you will also love it after trying your hand on this.  If you want a spicy version, do not add jaggery.

Let  us look at the recipe now.

PUMPKIN LEAVES PATRA

We make Patra with aloo leaves also known as Colacasia leaves, arbi leaves etc.  In Malayalam, we call it as Chembu Elai.  With this leaves, we make pulikootu, masiyal etc.

Patra is a Gujarati snack item made with this leaves and is quite tasty.  However, it is popular in Maharashtra also known as Alu Vadi.  it is made with spicy besan batter and tossed with sesame seeds and mustard seeds.   We can either deep fry or tava fry and serve it as it is or with chutneys, sauce etc.

Similarly, I tried the patra with Pumpkin leaves and turned out very nicely though it was my first attempt to make this today.

Most of the people are not aware that the pumpkin leaves are edible and can make various dishes out of it because it is not easily available in cities.  These are available in villages and village people make various dishes out of this and also with payar leaves (chowli leaves).  

 This snack can be served at any time.  After steaming, cool it and keep it in fridge,  you can use it within 2 days.  It remains in fridge for a week but I prefer to finish it off as soon as it is made.

Now let us look at the recipe :

PUMPKIN LEAVES SUBZI WITH TOMATOES

Here is the third recipe with pumpkin leaves.  These leaves are bit rough to handle as there is tiny thorns in it but unharming.  We can remove the thorns gently or cut the leaves as it is after washing.  

As you all are aware, the leafy vegetables are having many health  benefits and it is available now, I am preparing the subzi with it.  

Recently I have posted the poriyal and molagootal and now with tomatoes.  If you wish you can add some other vegetables like carrot, potato, sweet potato etc. for making the poriyal and molagootal and with subzi too.

Let us look at the recipe now:

PUMPKIN LEAVES MOLAGOOTAL

Few minutes ago, I posted the pumpkin leaves poriyal.  The health benefits are explained in that recipe.  I hope everyone will take the opportunity to try this rare recipes.

If you have the plant in your backyard, you get the leaves any time you want otherwise, look out in the market where you stay.  In Mumbai we get this during August/September month.

The molagootal is a mild dish goes well with rice, chapati, phulka etc.  in coconut gravy.  Now let us look at the recipe.

PUMPKIN LEAVES PORIYAL

Pumpkin leaves are high in Calcium and also are good source of Vitamins A, B6, C, protein, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin flolate, iron, magnesium,phosphorus, potassium and manganese. 

Most of the people do not know that this leaves are edible.  All leafy vegetables are good for health.  I remember during my childhood, mother used to make this poriyal.  We also used to make poriyal with chowli leaves i.e. payar leaves.  It tastes good with specially curd rice and I love to eat all leafy vegetables with curd rice.  We can also make molagootal and  the subzi with tomatoes. (recipes coming very shortly).

You can also serve this along with sambhar rice, rasam rice or with chapati too as a side dish.

 To remove the thorns, gently break a small portion off the top of the stem and  drag it down the leaf. As  you do this,  you will notice some of the fibers peeling off. Pull through the entire leaf and continue to do this until most thorns have been stripped. When done peeling the from the stem, turn the leaf over and peel the fibers and thorns directly on the leaf.  Even if you do not do this, you can directly use this, as I do.

In Mumbai we get these leaves during August/September.

Now let us look at the recipe 

DAL PAKWAN

Dal Pakwan is a Sindhi recipe which is quite filling.  Hence it is served as BRUNCH mostly.  I happened to taste this dish in a wedding and was fascinated by the taste of this dish.  The dal being hot with raw onions and sweet and green chutneys on top with quite a large amount of chopped coriander on top of it is mouth watering.

Since then I wanted to make this and post it on my blog but somehow I could not do it.  Last week I was having some time so decided to make this dish.  It is easy to make as we can make the Pakwan and keep ready in a day or two in advance and make the dal subsequently.  This is what exactly I did.

Now Let us look at the recipe without wasting much time .

MELON SEEDS - BENEFITS AND CULINARY USES

Melon Seeds are viewed as being a powerhouse of various nutrients, featuring essential fatty acids that are believed to be important for maintaining a healthy heart. 

· These seeds are said to help in supporting both the immune and cardiovascular systems. They are believed to help in regulating healthy blood- fat levels and provide vital nutrients that are thought to be essential for promoting wound healing. 

· The properties featured in melon seeds are believed to help sustain healthy skin, nails and nerves. 

· Melon Seeds contain high amounts of antioxidants and are viewed as an excellent source of Folic acid, calcium, magnesium, zinc and protein. 

· They also reportedly feature Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Iron, Calcium, Omega- 3 fatty acids and unsaturated oils. The calcium featured is believed to be necessary for maintaining strong healthy bones and teeth, and is considered to help in combating osteoporosis.

Culinary uses

· The seeds are used for preparing delicious sweets and snacks. 

· They can be added to traditional halwas and fruit fudges for enhancing the flavors. 

· The melon seeds can also be used as mouth fresheners when it is mixed with nuts and spices. 

· A paste of melon seeds are added to spicy meat dishes to thicken its consistency. 

· The hard flesh of the melon fruit is not wasted either and is used to season flour for making exotic breads. White melon seeds are fried and then used in making various types of cakes.

· Another innovative usage for melon seeds is in cereals and fruit puddings.

- This can also be used for making korma and  add in cashew based gravy dishes instead of cashews and badams.

METHI KOFTA CURRY

Methi leaves are very good for health.  Methi seeds we soak it in water or butter milk and eat it as it is.  I have prepared methi sprouts subzi and soup too which is quite tasty and good for diabetic people.  Fenugreek and  leaves are having medicinal properties.  This helps in reducing cholesterol,  aids digestion, controls blood sugar level, helps counter acid reflux and heartburn, lose weight etc.

The leaves are used for making paratha, various curries and thepla etc.  I used a different method in making the koftas from the routine one.  Here I have used chana dal to make the koftas, you can also call it as methi fritters.  Instead of using the potatoes, I have used here the dal, onion, etc. and made the koftas.

Let us look at the recipe now:

METHI KOFTA CURRY

NAVRATAN KURMA

Navratan Korma is a rich gravy based curry to serve along with roti/naan/phulka etc.  It is rich since lots of dry fruits, cream etc are added to this.  Navratan means nine jewels.  So nine vegetables are included in making this tasty curry.  

You will feel that the preparation of this dish is quite a lengthy procedure, but if you make for two to three times, then will be very easy for your next attempt.

It is also easy for the parents to feed their children those who are reluctant to eat the vegetables.

Let us look at the recipe now:

MEHI SPROUTS DOSA

Methi  or fenugreek it is known as has got various medicinal values.  It is a part of Indian  dishes and used widely in varieties of cuisines.

The methi seeds eaten in empty stomach early in the morning helps in reducing the cholesterol and good for those who are suffering from diabetis.

Recently I made methi sprouts vathal kuzhabu, subzi and the soup has already been posted long ago. Though normally we put little bit methi seeds while soaking the rice for Idli or dosa, usage of  methi in large quantity for dosa, I am using it for the first time and liked it very much.

I was bit scared it will be bit bitter, but not as I was expected.  Here I used the methi sprouts.

Since it has got many medicinal values, better we include the same in our menu.  Anything in excess is also not good hence use it moderately.

Let us look at the recipe now