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

RAW BANANA MASALA

Masala dosa is favourite of all especially the potato masala.  Since I did not have potato at home and my daughter also do not want to eat potato, I tried making the masala with the raw banana and liked it very much along with the crispy dosa.

The method of preparation is same as Potato masala only replacing the same with raw banana.  Though the taste is absolutely different from the potato masala, once in a while you can  relish the same  in this variation and enjoy the dosa with sambhar and chutney.

Let us look at the recipe now:

HOW TO MAKE EASY DOSA BATTER

If you have not planned to make the dosa batter and family members are demanding for dosa the following day morning, what you will do?  One easy answer will be you can get it from the shop.  You want to make it early in the morning and the shops open at 9.00 am. What you will do ?  and you do not have much time to soak the rice to make the batter.  In such a situation,  here is an easy method which I tried for a crispy and tasty dosa.

It takes only one hours time soaking and the batter is ready for you to make dosa.

Let us look at the recipe now:

VAZHAKKAI BHAJJI ( TAVA FRIED)

Rainy season has started and we will be enjoying the hot bhajias with cup of tea when we are at home.  My family members always prefer to have onion bhajias but I also prefer brinjal, potato, banana, chow chow etc.

Today, it was raining heavily and my daughter wants bhajias but she had a sour throat so I do not want to deep fry the items and give her.  Then I remembered my friend Saraswati told me that she makes it on the tava.  I adopted this method and made the bhajias with potato and banana.

You will not get the satisfaction with the tava fried bhhajias as we are used to the deep fried ones. But still for a change, you can adopt this method for a healthy way since it is not deep fried and also no besan is used.

Let us look at the recipe now:

VEGETABLE KURMA

Veg Kurma is a side dish prepared with mixed vegetables with mild spice which can be served with Chapati, Idiyappam etc. and it is very rich in taste.  There are variations in each kurma recipe  as some people add cashews or roasted dal (pottu kadalai).   I decided to prepare my own way and it was a hit at home as well as my brother and family liked it very much.  I served it along with Idiyappam for the breakfast along with coconut milk and morukootan.

Since various vegetables can be used for making this dish, it is an added advantage for the parents to feed their children who are fussy in eating the vegetables.

Let us look at the recipe now:

CURRY LEAVES PAKODE

Recently I made curry leaves bhajia using big curry leaves which was lying in the fridge.  Since curry leaves are good for health having medicinal values and properties, I tried this and was quite tasty with the flavour of the leaves.

Normally, we temper the curry leaves and  everyone throw the  same while consuming the dish.  In order to get the maximum benefit of the leaves, I always try to incorporate the same in a paste form so that it is not wasted by throwing it away.

When I made the bhajia, I thought of making the pakode and was hit at home.  My children did not even hesitate to finish it off.

Now let us look at the recipe

RAW BANANA VADA(NON FRIED)

Raw bananas are available always.  This vegetable can be used for making various subzis, chips and ripen, eat as fruit.  All the parts of  Banana Plants are used for cooking or for other purpose. Instead of potato, you can make use of banana.

I have prepared this vada so many times but could not post it.  Today being a holiday, want to make something hot for the breakfast hence I made this non fried vada as I had time to make it.

You have to cook the same in a non stick tava in low flame for 5-6 minutes.  Though you will not get the taste of deep fried vadas, since it is very healthy (non fried), you can once in a while enjoy this food too.

Though the potata vada is served with dry lasoon chutney or green and sweet chutney, Since I prefer to have brown bread than the PAV, we enjoyed it along with the brown bread.  

Let us look at the recipe now:

Watch video on you tube

CURRY LEAVES BHAJIA

Curry leaves have got several medicinal properties and helps in curing stomach related ailments, grow hair etc.  I have posted few curry leaves recipes and the links are here:

I have already posted curry patta idli,  curry patta idli fry, curry patta rice,  curry leaves kuzhambu, curry leaves kuzhambu rice,  curry patta gun powder,  curry leaves mor kuzhambu,   curry leaves adai,  curry leaves dhokla, curry leaves powder etc. 

It is raining heavily and my daughter wants to have something to eat before going for her classes.  She asked me to prepare Bread pakoda i.e bread bhajia.  Since I had some left over batter,  the big curry leaves were lying in front of me, so thought of trying it and it turned out very well, tasty.

Here is the recipe for you to relish the same during the rainy season with a cup of tea or coffee.  Iused Anjali's  home made tea masala  and really it was a good combination.

Let us look at the recipe now:

METHI SPROUTS VATHAL KUZHAMBU

Methi seeds are having several medicinal values.  This is part of  Indian cuisine without which the dish is incomplete.  Make dosa, idli, sambhar or any other dish, you need to add methi.

Since the sprouts are having more values, I always include sprouts in our diet.

Methi seeds helps in reducing cholesterol level, rduces risk of heart diseases, controls blood sugar levesl, aids digestion, helps counter acid reflux or hearburn, lose weight, remedy for fever and sore throat etc.

Every ingredient has the advantage and disadvantage hence according to your health issues, you must use the ingredients.

I made this vathalkuzhambu since I had the sprouts with me.  It is really tasty with hot plain rice and chapati too.  This is a diabetic friendly recipe.

Now let us look at the recipe now:  youtube: methi sprouts vathal kuzhambu

Other recipes of sprouts: subzi,  soup

MASALA UPMA

Upma is a Breakfast item prepared by everyone with rava, semolina.  One must eat this very hot along with chutney, choley it tastes awesome with choley.

Masala upma is made with vegetables and sambar powder or you can put any kind of masala for flavor.  I used sambar masala and vegetables and it was quite tasty with raita, papad.  You  can also serve the same with any kind of  chutney. It is quite a simple preparation like the normal upma with addition of spices  and vegetables, that is all.

I was bored of eating the normal upma so I decided to prepare the same this way and goes well with onion  raita and papad too.  Even if there is no accompaniments, it is fine.

Now let us look at the recipe now:

LAPSI UPMA, DALIA UPMA, BROKEN WHEAT UPMA

Varieites of upmas are made by us. one of the healthy upma is made with lapsi also known as dalia, broken wheat rava, godambu rava etc.  

I make this very often as my weekly menu is set.  Monday morning idli, followed by dosa, next day, upma, adai, bhakri, kanda poha, kozukkattai etc.  it keeps on changing depending upon the mood  of my children and availability of time etc in the morning.

Since it is good for health and also can be made with vegetables which makes it more healthier and tasty, I prefer to prepare the same on Saturday/Sunday as we can have it hot.  I prefer to have it hot just like that or with some pickle or sambar or chutney.  

video: Lapsi upma, broken wheat upma dalia upma

Let us look at the recipe now:

DALIA IDLI

I want to try the cracked wheat i.e. dalia idli since so many days.  Yesterday as I was grinding  for idli, I felt that the Urid dal  is more for the quantity of rice hence I removed some urid dal batter from it and kept aside.

It must be around 3/4 cup of urid dal batter so I soaked 1/4 cup cracked wheat and mixed both and kept for fermenting. Since the climate was bit cool after a pre monsoon rain, it did not become sour much.  I tried the idli and came out well and served with sambar.

Since I liked it, I am posting the recipe here for you too.

LAUKI DRY SUBZI

Calabash, bottle gourd or white flowered gourd, sorakkai, dudhi, lauki are the names for this vegetables.  It is also known as opo squash or long melon, is a vine grown for its fruit, which can either be harvested young and used as a vegetable or harvested mature, dried and used as bottle, utensil or pipe.

They grow in a  variety of shapes, can be huge and rounded,small and bottle shaped or slim and serpentine.

It has got many health benefits hence you can include this vegetable atleast once in a week in your diet.

Lauki dry subzi

CHAKKA PAZHAM PORI, JACKRUIT PAZHAM PORI, JACKFRUIT FRITTERS

Pazham pori or Banana fritters are made with Ripe  Nendran Pazham.  This banana is available plenty in Kerala and this is a lovely snack enjoyed with a cup of tea. 

Similarly, we can make the pazham pori with ripe jackfruit also.  Yesterday I happened to buy a small jackfruit as it was plenty in the market due to Vat Poornima today.  I was thinking of making the pazham pori with jack fruit since long but could not make it.  The reason behind is that myself and my children are very fond of jack fruit and as soon I bring it home, it is finished within seconds.

Since I had enough jackfruit and only myself and my daughter were there to have the entire fruit, I thought of making the fritters with it.   It is dipped in the batter and deep fried and served along with a cup of tea or coffee.  Video link here

Let us look at the recipe now:

TEA MASALA

Normally, we add crushed ginger while making tea.  I love the tea masala also in it. 

A simple and easy tea masala made at home by my neighbour Mrs. Anjali Takalkar and shared for posting on my blog.   Thanks to Anjali for sharing this simple and lovely recipe and thanks for the lovely tea too.

Once we were sitting and chatting on a Sunday, she said she will make tea for us.  As it was around 5.30 pm and we wanted to have the tea very badly.  The tea was very nice and  I asked her which tea masala she is using.  She said it is home made one.  

I asked her for the recipe and she shared the same with me for posting.

Here is the simple, easy and lovely tea masala for you.

SOYA FLOUR KHEER

Today is Vat Savitri/Vat poornima.  It is similar to the Nombu, the South Indian ladies observe.   According to legend, great SAvitri tricked Lord Yama, the lord of death and compelled him to return the life of her husband Satyawan.    Hence, married women observe this for the well being and long life of their husband. 

Infact you do not need any reason to make any food items as,  if we want to eat, we can make it any time and no need to wait for any occasion or any guest coming home.

However, on the occasion of  Poornima and Vat Savitri, I prepared this kheer for neivedyam.

Let us look at the recipe now:

BABY CORN BHAJIA

Baby corns can be eaten as it is when it is tender.  I just love to eat as it is.  If I want to make something out of it, I must get two packets otherwise I will end up eating the whole stuff as it is and there wont be anything to make the dish.

Corn cobs are roasted in coal, apply nimbu salt mirch masala on it and have. It is yum.

Baby corn can be used to make salad, subzi, bhajia etc.  This photo graph was in my folder since two years and I totally forgot about it.  Today I was searching the folders one by one for rangoli, I found the same and checked the blog whether I posted the same or not and it was not there. Hence I decided to post the same now.  

Reason for posting this at the right time as the rainy season is going to start and you will enjoy this hot bhajia along with a cup of tea or coffee definitely.

Let us look at the recipe now:

PAPAYA PARATHA

When my children refuse to eat the vegetables, I always use them in making parathas.  Papaya is one of the vegetable and fruit they do not eat.  Hence I made this paratha today and was quite tasty. 

Papaya has got many medicinal values.  Papayas offer not only the luscious taste and sunlit color of the tropics, but are rich sources of antioxidant nutrients such as carotenes, vitamin C and flavonoids; the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; and the minerals, potassium, copper, and magnesium; and fiber. Together, these nutrients promote the health of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer. In addition, papaya contains the digestive enzyme, papain, which is used like bromelain, a similar enzyme found in pineapple,  to treat sports injuries, other causes of trauma, and allergies.  Video will be uploaded soon.

BAKED BRINJAL

Baingan bharta is a famous North Indian dish served along with roti.  The brinjal used for making this dish is used here for making the baked brinjal wth some tomatoes cooked with honey and sugar spread on top of it.

I always say that this is a vegetarian fish jokingly to my children.  I love the brinjal curry, kootu, poricha kuzhambu with karamani, bharta, bhajia etc. made out of baingan ie.. brinjal.  Since so many days, I wanted to make the brinjal marinated with some masala and baked.

Last week I got the opportunity to try this as I was having lot of time in the evening and had planned to make hence I had purchased the baingan.

Now let us look at the recipe now without wasting time much.

PAPAYA CHUTNEY

When I say papaya chutney, it is not the  normal chutney which we serve along with dosa, idli etc.  It is mixed with the dhokla crumble  and served along with the Fafda and  Jalebi.

Though it is named as chutney, it can be served as a side dish also minus the dhokla crumble.  I love to eat as it is without fafda and jalebi too as it is quite tasty.  I happened to eat this in one of our birthday party organized in the office long years ago.  When I started my blog, I wanted to post this recipe but some how I did not get the opportunity to share this.

Last week when I went to the market, I saw fresh raw papaya and decided to buy the same with the intention of making this chutney and the recipe is here 

COCONUT WATER MINT POPSICLE

Elaneer ie. tender coconut is quite healthy and during summer, it is a great relief if you consume this.  It has high amount of  potassium.  Certain  points  why we should consume a tender coconut  is given below for your ready reference.  I have already posted tender coconut kulfi, falooda, payasam,  kheer another method, coconut cooler etc.

My daughter is very fond of orange candy and during summer,  they eat lots of ice creams, drink coconut water.  Since she likes the  candy, I thought of trying the same with tender coconut and was liked by all at home.

The ingredients are easily accessible and  not too expensive.  You can make mango  and chikoo candies too like this with milk.

Let us look at the recipe now:

MANGO METHI SUBZI

Mango season is still on and one more Mango recipe here for you to relish.  My neighbour prepared this dish and was very tasty.  I liked the bitterness of Methi and the sweetness of Mango which goes well with Roti, Phulka.  I loved to eat it along with plain rice and ghee too.

Since mangoes are seasonal, before the season ends, you can try this recipe.

Thanks to Sarika Bapna for the recipe.

Let us look at the recipe now:

VAZHAPOO USLI

Vazhapoo usli is a dry subzi prepared with  tuvar dal, chana dal and vazhapoo i.e. banana flower, banana blossom it is known as.  This can be served along with sambar rice, rasam rice, curd rice and I like to have it with chapati too.  

Maharashtrians prepare the subzi along with black watana.  My friend used to bring this subzi along with soft  big chapatis her mother used to make and started liking this dish.  We used to prepare sambar and thoran with it.

Recently I prepared the beans usli (not a regular item in our house), I though to of trying the vazhapoo also.

Let us look at the recipe now:

few recipes of banana flower: sambar, thoran, rice, raita

BEANS PARIPPU USLI

Beans pariuppu usli is a dry subzi made with beans, chana dal and tur dal.  It is very tasty and can be served with sambhar rice, rasam rice, I prefer to have it with.

Normally, the dals are soaked and ground to a paste with red and green chilli, steamed and crumbled and added to the cooked beans with tadka.  But I made it in a different way.  

The same can be prepared with Vazhapoo, cluster beans, carrot, cabbage, broad beans  etc.  Maharashtrians make watli dal with raw mango.  

KAIRI KI PARATHA

Kairi ki paratha  ( video  you tube) one of my colleague made and brought for lunch.  We used to sit together for lunch and share our dishes.  She had used the kacha pakka mango which is neither sour nor sweet.   It was a very simple preparation and tastes good.

Before this, I had made the same with raw mango which was sour and with the ripe mango and video had also made.  Since my children did not like it, I did not post it.   Since the season is on, I thought of sharing the recipe with you all.

Whenever I try a new dish, I make it with less quantity only and the measurement is given according to that.  You can increase the quantity according to your requirement if you liked the dish.

Let us look at the recipe now:

KAIRI KI DAL

Kairi means raw mango.  The dal made with raw mango is known as Kairi ki  dal in Hindi and Ambechi dal  Marathi.  It is a simple preparation of dal with the addition of raw mango pieces in it.

I had one small raw mango with me so thought of making the dal with it.  It tastes good with phulka and rice.

Since the season is on, you can try this recipe definitely and enjoy.  I am giving my choice of ingredients and masalas and you can according to your taste bud.

Let us look at the recipe now: