Cabbage, Carrot, Corn and Peas Curry

As we all know eating lot of vegetables is good for health, I always prepare some vegetable curry for Rotis. We prefer to have these vegetable curries dry, instead of making a gravy. This way we can eat a lot of vegetables. Two Rotis and a cup full of this curry fills the stomach and this is a perfect low calorie dinner.

Ingredients:

1. Cabbage – if big, I use half of the cabbage around 200 grams. Cut into small pieces

2. 1 lengthy carrot – Grate it.

3. Corn and Peas – 1 cup (I used frozen here, use fresh peas and corn if available) 

4. Big onion – 1

5. Garlic – 2 pods. Crush it.

6. Oil and Salt – as required

For Seasoning:

1. Mustard Seeds, Cumin Seeds.

2. Red chillies – 4

3. Curry leaves

Method:

1. Steam Cabbage, carrot, peas and corn using microwave oven or steamer for about 6 to 8 minutes. Do not drain the excess water.

2. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds.Once they splutter add curry leaves, crushed garlic, red chillies and onion.

3. Fry the onions till they turn golden brown. Then add the steamed vegetables along with water and required amount of salt.

4. Cook vegetables till they become dry for about 3 to 5 minutes.

5. Turn off the stove and serve with Roti.

 

Raagi Semiya

Today I prepared Raagi Semiya as we wanted to have a light dinner. This is a very light and healthy dish and can be easily prepared, ideal for breakfast and dinner. My father got it from our home town (Salem, Tamil Nadu) and I prefer “Durga” brand over other brands as it does not easily get meshed up while soaking in the water. It’s named “Durga Varutha Semiya” on the packet. Recipe originated from my mother.

Ingredients (for 2 People):

1. Raagi Semiya – 1 packet (200gm)

2. Large Onion – 1

3. Green Chillies – 2

4. Mustard seeds, Cumin Seeds,Urad dal and Channa dal ( For seasoning purpose)

5. Curry leaves, Oil and Salt as required.

Method:

1. In a big vessel, soak the raagi semiya with enough water and required salt for 3 minutes. (Do not soak it for more than three minutes as it will loose its texture)

2. Drain the water from raagi semiya and steam it using idly cooker or microwave oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

3. Heat oil in a pan. Put mustard seeds and cumin seeds along with Urad dal and Channa dal.

4. Once the seeds splutter and dal is fried to golden brown, add curry leaves, green chillies and onions. Fry till onions turn golden brown. Add required salt and add the steamed raagi semiya and cook it for about 3 to 5 minutes.

5. Switch off the stove and serve hot.

 

6. Tastes very good with fresh curd or pickles or any chutney.

Mulaikeerai Thair Pachadi (Amaranth Curd Curry):

It was an ordinary Monday evening…Raji and I were at office cafeteria eating snacks. Raji was enjoying her Kulfi as it was served in our office after a long time and as usual, I was thinking about my dinner that night. My husband prefers Chapathis with fresh veggie dishes with mild spicy taste for dinner.

“Tell me a recipe with perugu (Telugu word for Curd)” I asked Raji.

“What veggies do you have in the fridge?” She asked.

I smiled at her and told “I have only some Green leafy veggies at home. Nothing else. ”

“Prepare Thotakura Perugu Pachadi (Thotakura is Mulaikeerai in Tamil)” Raji said.

I looked at her as if she is blabbering something…because I never heard of this pachadi.

She was laughing…”Really Mani... Prepare Thotakura perugu pachadi…”

“Call Amma and confirm with her… you are making fun of me”, I said

Raji immediately called her Mother. Uh…I should say about Raji’s mother…. She is one of the best cook and I am a great fan of her cooking. All her recipes will be good. I always tell Raji that she should have a blog to post her recipes. I always call her if I want to try any new Andhra recipe.

As usual, Raji got the preparation details of the recipe over the phone from her mother and translated to me in English.

Here are the recipe details.

I used Microwave Oven for cooking.

• Take 4 or 5 bunches of Mulaikeerai cut into small pieces. Soak it in salt water for 10 Mins and wash it thoroughly.

• Take an Oven bowl, put this washed Mulaikeerai and cook it in the Oven for 4 minutes.

• Then allow it to cool completely.

• In the same container, wipe it if there is water. Add 1 tea spoon of oil. Put Mustard, Urad dal and Jeera. Keep it in the oven for 1 or 2 minutes. You will get a nice aroma coming out of this Thalippu.

• Then put 3 Green Chilies sliced length wise, little Coriander leaves and add little Asafoetida.

• Keep it in the Oven for 20 secs and take it out and allow it to cool completely.

• Take a big cup of curd and once everything is cooled down, Mix cooked Mulaikeerai, and the Thalippu with curd and add salt to taste.

Yummy, healthy Mulaikeerai Thair pachadi is ready.

To know more about this leafy vegetable, visit this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth

This is fresh, very healthy and tasty dish. Hope you all try it soon. Please leave your comments on this dish.