SWEET TAMARIND CURRY, CHINCH CURRY, KODUKAPULI CURRY

Locally known as Chinch, it is called Guamachil, Manila Tamarind, Kodukkai Puli/Kodi-kai-puli, Sweet Tamarind, Thai-Sweet Tamarind, Madras Thorn, Monkey Pod, Jungle Jilebi, Bilayati Imli, Seema Chintakayalu (Foreign Tamarind), Kona Puliyankai (Twisted Tamarind).

It is not so - common fruit in market.  Is often sold by vendors going around  streets and in front of school, or in the prime markets where the local vendors sell it.

During our school days, we have seen it hanging on the tree which was looking so beautiful but never ventured to find out what exactly it is.  \

Recently, when I went to Jambli Naka, I happened to see this and checked with the lady who was selling this what is the use of it.  She said it is just to be eaten like that.  I bought it only  for Rs.10/- since I never tasted it.  I opened the pods and found some whitish thick pulp in it with black seeds.  The seeds had the resemblance of the normal tamarind seeds.

The pods contain a thick, sweetish, acidic pulp that is eaten raw or made into a drink similar to lemonade.  The plants can be seen on highways and plenty near Powai lake route.

When I get something new, if it is edible, I always try some cuisines with it.  I made salad, a curry with radish and a drink out of it. shall upload one by one.

NEEM FLOWER RASAM, VEPAMPOO RASAM, RASAM

Neem flower rasam is made during the Tamil, Telugu New year day.  Sour,  bitter, sweet, salt & spice  everything is mixed and the same should continue in the following days that is why on the new year day, these kind of dishes are made

Neem flower can be purchased form the Tamilians stores or if you have the tree nearby, can collect the flowers.  Yesterday, I had been to the market to buy certain things for the GUDI PADVA, i.e. the New year day of Maharashtrians, I happened to see the bunches of neem leaves full of flower and could not resist myself from buying the bunch as the New Year is on April 14, Monday, 2014, I wanted to make the rasam or raita or thogayal  or pachadi out of it.  

Neem flower, vepampoo

This recipe is lying in my folder since last year and I forgot about it.  I thought I had already posted it.  when I was checking it today, found that I have not posted it.  Hence sacrificing my sleep, I decided to upload the same and then go to sleep.

If you put them in a paper, pack it tightly and keep it in fridge and forget.  you will get the dried flowers.  there is no need to keep them in the hot sun for drying or you can use the fresh flowers too.

neemflower pachadi, vepampoo pachadi     neem flower raita       neem flower and leaves

Vepampoo rasam, neemflower rasam

IDLI

Idli is basically made with rice and urid dal.  It is a South Indian dish, however, made all over the world now.  It is served normally with coconut chutney, sambar, milagai podi.  It is a very tasty and healthy dish as the doctors recommend to give the patients this for breakfast as it does not do any harm since  it is steamed and no oil.  However, I have been advised not to eat this since I have some stomach related issues as fermented food does not suit me.  I used to take proportion 3:1 or 4:1 depending upon the combination of rice. If I am using only raw rice I used to put 3:1 and boiled rice 3 cups boiled rice, 1 cup raw rice and 1 cup urid dal.

GREEN CHANA CURRY

Green chana curry is made with green chana or cholia it is known as like the normal choley or Kadala Curry, brown chana curry.  A good combination  with Puttu, Aappam, roti, chapati etc.  Very easy to prepare and tasty to relish.

Green Chana curry, Cholia Curry

CORNMEAL DOSA

corn meal dosa is very easy to prepare.  I adapted this recipe from www.simpleindianrecipes.com but slightly modified it and there is difference between my recipe and the original one.  It can be prepared quickly and serve hot with any kind of chutney.  I served it with green chutney and sauce and it was awesome.  Thanks to Dahlia for this wonderful recipe.

watch youtube: cornmeal dosa

NENDRAN PAZHAM PULISSERY, COCONUT, CURD BASED BANANA CURRY

Nendran pazham pulissery is a coconut, curd based curry which goes well with plain rice, idli, dosa, adai, sevai etc.  I like to have it with chapati too.  We can replace the pazham (banana) with pineapple, ripe mango.  I even make this with vegetables viz. drumstick, ash gourd and mango.  During the mango season, almost every second day,we used to make it as we all used to love this curry along with plain rice (red boiled rice) especially.  It is very easy to make, enjoy it.

BESAN PUDA

Besan puda is made with besan or chickpea flour or gram flour it is known as along with rice flour.  Some veggies are also added to it and can be instantly made and served with chutney.  If you have sudden visitors at home, this one is an ideal breakfast or evening snack for them.

This item I tasted when we went for a picnic.  I was attracted to it when I saw the board and checked with the boy who was on the counter.  He said it is basically made with besan and rice flour.  I though to trying it and liked it.  since then, I wanted to make it but I could make it only recently.  Here is the recipe for you.

Watch youtube: Besan puda 2   besan puda 1

CURRY LEAVES CHUTNEY

Curry leaf is a good source of vitamin A, calcium and folic acid.  It is also anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, hypo-cholestrolemic, and delays premature graying. With its anti-inflammatory benefits, it is used in treating bruises and skin eruptions. It can also be used as a sedative and a hair tonic. Its mildly laxative properties aid digestion too. 

Normally, everyone throw the curry leaves from the curry but one of my fried used to eat that saying it is good for hair.  My mother in law used to grind it along with the masalas so that it goes into the stomach without any problem, unknowingly.  But I must tell you that if it is ground along with Sambar Masala,  the sambar tastes divine and I love it.  After she taught me this, I still follow her recipe of sambar.  

Coming back to Curry leaves chutney, it was an instant chutney for me to serve with besan puda for my husband.  Curry leaves with some roasted urid dal, red chilli is a lovely instant chutney and good for health.

Curry leaves chutney

Watch Youtube:    curry leaves chutney

RAJ KACHORI

Raj kachori is a chaat item which can be enjoyed with the sweet chutney, green chutney, curd, boiled sprouted moong or chana, boiled potatoes etc.  To top it with fine sev, pomegranate and chopped green coriander leaves.  One of my colleague brought this items in the office for celebrating his birthday and I loved it.  Since then, I wanted to make it and tried twice and failed as the kachori was not puffing  properly and becoming crisp. Third time I succeeded and served the same to my judges and neighbours and it was awesome.  Though I had made it just two days before my wedding anniversary as I wanted to serve them  for my guests, clicked photographs and completely forgotten about it.  Yesterday, again I  was told by my friends to make it for the get together today, then I remembered decorating this with pomegranate, sev, coriander leaves and the rich look of it, I remembered clicking the photographs.  So after making  a lot of kachoris today for the get together, I thought of shooting it and uploading the video too.

Raj kachori

watch the video onYoutube: raj kachori a  raj kachori b  raj kachori c  raj kachori d  raj kachori e

COCONUT COOLER

Tender coconut is a natural refreshing drink worldwide.  It  contains sugar, vitamins, minerals, electrolyte, enzymes, amino acids etc.  It hydrates the body hence it is given to the patients those who are dehydrated. It also contains the B Complex vitamins viz. riboflavin, niacin, thiamin and folates etc.

Though it is a natural refreshing drink, I thought of making it slightly in a different way by using the cream also.  Normally, most of the people after drinking the water, throw the cream of it.  It can be used for making subzi or eat as it is or used for tender coconut payasam or milk shake,  tender coconut kheer,  tender coconut kulfi, AloeVeraTenderCoconutMethiSproutsSabzi  etc.

coconut cooler