Banana flower(poombe or balemoothi) chutney

Fresh banana flower

Banana flower is one of the healthy food source. It is known as Bale moothi or poombe in Kannada language.One can prepare many delicious preparations out of Banana flower.They are rich in fibre and tasty too.Chutney palya, pathrode(pudding) are the some of examples.To prepare banana flower chutney you have to cook it in direct fire.Those who have fire wood oven they can directly dip the banana flower  in burning charcoal till it is fully cooked.Those who don,t have this facility can keep whole banana flower in a container and pressure cook it for 2 signals.The taste will be different but the quality will be same. This chutney  suits good with dosa,rice,ganji(watery boiled rice),chapati,iddly,roti etc
Required ingredients for the preparation of Banana flower chutney
 Banana flower:1
Coconut grated :1 cup
Salt     :as per taste
Jaggery   :1 tsp
Tamarind:a pinch
Black gram(urad)dal:2tsp
Red chilly:1 OR pepper 1tsp
Oil :2tsp
Mustard seeds:1tsp
Garlic:2-3 leaves
Method of preparation of Banana flower chutney

• First cook banana flower as explained above.When it is cool peel the outer layers till you get the whitish inner part.
• Fry Black gram(urad)dal and chilly or pepper with little oil in pan till the dal turns golden brown.
• Grind cooked Banana flower,fried dal mixture,coconut gratings,jaggery,tamarind with little water to form smooth paste.
• Transfer the content in to serving bowl.Add salt to taste.
• Heat oil in a pan.Put mustard seeds and garlic leaves.When mustard seeds starts cracking and garlic well cooked put it over the  chutney and mix well.
• Banana flower chutney is ready to serve.

Banana stem juice

Banana stem is the rich source of fibre,Vitamin B6 and K.It helps to produce hemoglobin and insulin.It eases constipation.It helps the body to fight against infections.It prevents high blood pressure and maintains fluid balance with in body.It is good diuretic and helps to detoxify your body.Banana stem juice is useful in weight reduction,kidney stones,hyper acidity.Any person can take this juice to maintain good health.Consuming this juice in early morning with empty stomach gives good result.

Fresh banana stem juice

Chopping banana stem is bit time consuming job because of fibre.
Required ingredients 
Chopped banana stem  :1 cup
Water                :1 glass(125ml)
Jaggery powder       :1tsp Or
Honey                :1tsp
Cardamom powder     :1/4 tsp
Method of preparation

• Put chopped banana stem and water in juicer and extract the juice.
• Those who want sweet can add jaggery powder or honey.
• Add cardamom powder and mix well.
• Drink it in early morning in empty stomach for hyper acidity.In case of kidney stones you may have to drink it 3-4 times/day.Every time fresh juice should be prepared .

Banana stem(Bale dandu) palya

After cutting banana bunch banana stem is available.Like banana banana stem is also good for health.It is a rich source of fibre,vitaminB6 and potassium.It is useful in weight reduction.It helps to ease constipation,helps in the production of hemoglobin and insulin.It is a good diuretic and helps to detoxify the body.It maintains the fluid balance within the body.It has cooling effect.It is used to treat kidney stones,ulcers.One can use banana stem in raw or cooked form.Many recipes can be prepared by using banana stem.
Among them are Banana stem juice,palya,salad,dosa,iddly,patrode,Sasive,Sambar,Majjige huli.....First we shall discuss regarding banana stem palya.It suits good with rice ,dosa, chapati.
Required ingredients for the preparation of banana stem palya
Finely chopped banana stem pieces :2 cups
grated coconut                 :4 tsp
Coriander seeds               :1 tsp
Turmeric powder              :pinch
Cumin seeds                   3/4 tsp
Salt,jaggery            :as per taste
Oil                    :2tsp
mustard seeds         :1 tsp
Urad dal(black gram):1tsp
Red chilly         :1 piece
Curry leaves      :1 twig
Method of preparation of Banana stem palya 

Chopping banana stem

Finely chop banana stem.Since it has fibre chopping should be done in circles first.While cutting you will get fibres.you have to roll it around your fingers.By practise it will be easy.After cutting in to thin circles you have to chop in to small pieces.
In a pan heat oil,mustard seeds,urad dal,chilly.When mustard seeds start cracking add curry leaves.
Add chopped bananastem.Mix well.Pour little water,salt and jaggery.

Banana stem palya

Grind coconut,cumin,coriander seeds and turmeric powder with out adding water to form coarse powder.
When bananastem is half cooked add powdered masala to it and mix well.
Cook them till bananastem is fully cooked and water content evaporates.
Banana stem palya is ready to serve.
 

Curd rice(mosaranna)

South Indian meal will not be complete without curd rice.It has soothing effect and is very cool to the body.It is very easy preparation.

Required ingredients for the preparation of Curd rice

Wellcooked rice    :1cup

Curd               :2 cup

Milk              :1 cup

Salt              :as per taste

Pepper powder:1/2 tsp

Ginger           :1 inch size

Pome granate seeds :1/4 cup

curd rice

Seed less grapes:10 number

Coriander leaves

curry leaves

Cashew,raisins:10 each

Ghee          :2tsp

For seasoning:Channadal,urad dal,mustard seeds

Method of preparation of curd rice

• Take well cooked rice ina bowl.Add salt to taste.
• Add fresh curd, pepper powder,grated or finely chopped ginger,pome granate seeds,grapes cut in to halves.Mix well.
• Decorate with cashew,raisins,coriander leaves.
• Heat ghee ina pan.put mustard sedds,channadal,urad dal.When mustard seeds starts popping add curry leaves and put it over the rice.
• Add milk 10 minutes before serving sothat the curd rice willnot be sour.
• If you want to prepare curd rice well in advance then add only 1/2 cup of curd to it.add 2cups of milk to get delicious curd rice.
• Serve at room temperature with chutney or pickle.

Ghee Rice

Ghee rice is one of the easy rice preparation,very tasty.Ghee rice can be served as snack also.Main ingredient here is fresh ghee and rice.Daily intake of ghee rice helps for weight gain.
Required ingredients for the preparation of ghee rice
basmathi rice/any good variety of white rice:2 cups
Ghee                                       :7-8tsp
Onions(medium)                             :3-4
Salt                                       :as per taste
cinnamon                                   :2 inch
clove                                      :4
Pepper                                     :1tsp
Cardamom                                   :3
Green chilly                               :2
Cashew nut,raisins                          :20 each
Cumin seeds                                :1 tsp

Method of preparation of ghee rice

• Slice onions and green chilly longitudinally and  keep it aside.
• In a small pan heat pepper,cinnamon and clove till they become warm and make coarse powder and keep it aside.
• If you are preparing ghee rice in pressure cooker or pan,Take 6-7 tsp of ghee in pressure pan and heat it.
• Add cumin seeds.Slowly add chopped onions,green chilly one by one in the same order.
• When onions turn in to golden brown put washed rice and fry till the rice become white.
• Add 4 cups of water and salt .stirr till the salt dissolves completely.
• Now put powdered masala cardamom to it.
• Close the lid.Pressure cook till you get 2 signals.
• Allow it to cool by its own.
• In a small pan take remaining amount of ghee and heat it.Add cashew nuts and fry.
• When cashews are half cooked add raisins and fry till they bulge.
• Pour it over the pressure cooked rice and mix well.
• Ghee rice is ready to serve.
• If pre cooked rice is there then add salt to it.
• Heat ghee in a pan put cumin seeds,onion,green chilly and fry it till onions turn golden brown.
• Add cooked rice ,powdered masala And garnish with cashew and raisins.

chitranna

Chitranna is rice preparation served along with rice or it can be served as snack.Chitranna is one of the traditional  preparation of Karnataka.
Required ingredients for the preparation of Chitranna
White rice       :2cup
Lemon            :2

Chitranna

Salt            :as per taste
Turmeric powder :1 tsp
Mustard seeds   :3 tsp
Coconut         :1 cup
Jaggery         :1/2 cup
Red chilly      :4-5
Groundnut       :1 cup
Oil             :2 tsp
Curry leaves    :3 twigs
Method of preparation of Chitranna

• Wash and cook rice in 4 cups of water.Rice should not be over cooked.
• Grind grated coconut,2tsp of mustard seeds,chilly and turmeric powder without adding water.
• Extract lemon juice by squeezing lemon.Mix it with salt and jaggery.
• Now mix coconut paste,lemon juice with pre cooked rice and keep it aside.
• Take oil in a pan and heat it.Add mustard seeds.
• When they start popping add ground nut seeds and fry.
• Then add curry leaves and rice mix.
• Mix well.Serve hot.

Simple delicious dish Majjige Huli/Kayi Huli/Melara

Majjige Huli/Kayi Huli/Melara is on of the popular non spicy south Karnataka Vegetarian dish. Majjige huli suits best with  rice. Because of non spicy nature this will be loved by all age group.As the name indicates 'Majjige' means buttermilk,'Kayi' means  coconut in Kannada language.This is a  type pf dish/sambar prepared by using butter milk and coconut.Many vegetables suits  good for the preparation of Majjige huli especially Ash gourd,bottle gourd,cucumber,beans,ladies finger,brinjal,even spinach.This is one of the easy recipe but delicious too.Usually majjige huli will be served at the end but before buttermilk or curd.
Required ingredients for the preparation of  Majjige Huli
Any of the above said vegetable for example cucumber majjigehuli-
Cucumber             : 1
Fresh coconut       : 1
Green chilly            : 2
Butter milk            : 1 cup
Salt                       : as per taste
Ghee/ butter          : 1 tsp
Mustard seeds      : 1 tsp
Red chilly               : 1
Method of preparation of Majjige huli

• Wash and chop the cucumber after removing the seeds.
• Cook it in a vessel by adding salt.
• When it is fully cooked add butter milk.
• Grind grated coconut with green chillies to form smooth paste.
• When the buttermilk is about to boil add the paste.
• Add sufficient quantity of water so that the consistency should be little thicker than the usual sambar.
• Stirr once in awhile.
• When it starts boiling that is 1-2 bubbles appear put off the fire.
• Seasoning can be done with ghee or butter so that the taste will be better.
• Heat ghee/butter in a  pan,Add mustard seeds and red chilly.When they start popping put it over the majjige huli.
• Delicious majjige huli is ready to serve.
• Note:If you want to prepare Majjige huli out of ladies finger or brinjal then add butter milk while cooking it self.No need of adding butter milk afterwards.

Coconut chutney

In coconut chutney main ingredient is fresh coconut.Fresh coconut gives unique taste to  chutney.Like Kerala people Dakshina Kannada people are famous  for coconut preparation.Different varieties of chutneys are prepared by using coconut.Here we shall discuss  two simple ,tasty coconut chutneys.Coconut chutney  is good combination with rice,dosa,iddly,chapati etc.
Coconut chutney type-1
Required ingredients
Fresh grated coconut   :1 cup
Red chilly             :1
Blackgram(Urad)Dal    :1 tsp
Tamarind               :A pinch
Salt                   :as per taste
Oil                    :1-2 tsp
Mustard seeds          :1 tsp
curry leaves           :5-8
Method of preparation of coconut chutney

• In small pan take urad dal and red chilly. Add little oil.
• Heat the pan in a low flame.Fry them till chilly becomes crispy and black gram turns to golden brown colour.
• Now grind grated coconut,fried chilly and dhal,tamarind with little water.
• Transfer the content in to serving bowl.Add salt to taste and mix well.
• Take 1 tsp of oil in a pan and heat it.
• Add mustard seeds.When they start popping add curry leaves and put it over the chutney.
• Coconut chutney is ready to serve.

Note: Those who want more spicy chutney they can increase the number of chilly accordingly.
Coconut chutney type-2
Those who don't like red chutney for them green chutney can be prepared with green chilly.
Required ingredients
Fresh grated coconut    :1 cup
Green chilly            :1

green coconut chutney

Salt                    :as per taste
Tamarind                :a pinch
For seasoning           :oil,mustard seeds,curry leaves
Method of preparation of green coconut chutney

• Grind grated coconut,green chilly, tamarind with sufficient water.
• Transfer the content in to serving bowl.Add salt to taste and mix well.
• Take 1 tsp of oil in apan and heat it.
• Add mustard seeds.When they start popping add curry leaves and put it over the chutney.
• Coconut chutney is ready to serve

Mango Rasayana

Mangoes are known for their  good taste and deserve the name 'King of fruits'.Mango usually available in summer,chilled  banana rasayana will be good for the hot weather.
Required ingredients for the preparation of mango rasayana

Finely chopped mango pieces    : 2 cups
Fresh coconut                          : 1
Jaggery                                   : 1cup
Cardamom powder                 : 1tsp
Til                                           :2 tsp
Method of preparation of Mango Rasayana

• Select any good sweet variety of mango like Malika ,Neelam,....
• Finely chop the mangoes after washing and removing the peel.Transfer them in to a bowl.
• Add powdered jaggery to the chopped mangoes.
• Extract Thick and thin coconut milk as explained in Banana Rasayana.
• Add thick coconut milk to mango mixture.
• Now slowly add thin coconut milk so that it should not be too thick or too thin.
• Add cardamom powder.
• Heat small pan.Put til in it and fry without oil.
• Transfer them to mango mixture when they start popping.Mix well.
• Delicious mango Rasayana is ready to serve.Those who want chilled they can keep it in refrigerator before serving.

Simple,delicious,healthy sweet Dates Rasayana

Dates rasayana

Dates Rasayana is one  of the easy sweet but delicious and healthy .Because of its natural sweet taste sweets prepared out of it will be more tasty.Dates Rasayana can be used as Payasam or can be served as side dish for water dosa,iddly and shyavige(noodles).

Required Ingredients for the preparation of Dates Rasayana

Dates:1 cup
Coconut(fresh):1
Jaggery :Optional
Cardamom powder:1 tsp
Method of preparation of Dates Rasayana

• Soak dates in water for 5-6 hours after removing the seeds
• Grate the coconut ,grind it with little water ,extract thick coconut milk by squeezing it through a clean cloth.collect it separately.
• Add little more water to the grounded coconut and squeeze the thin coconut milk.
• Now grind soaked dates and thin coconut milk.
• Transfer it to serving bowl.
• Add thick coconut milk and mix well.
• Those who want extra sweet can add powdered jaggery and mix well.
• Add cardamom powder and mix well.
• Dates rasayana is ready to serve.

Zero fat breakfast-Pulka/Dry chapathi

Phulka/Dry chapathi is a popular breakfast of many Indians.Main ingredient of Phulka is Whole wheat atta which is rich in fiber and nutrients It is easily digestible .

Puffed phulka

Required ingredients for the preparation of Phulka

Whole wheat flour   -2 cups
Water               -1 cup
Salt                -1tsp
Method of preparation of Phulka

• Take 1 cup of hot water in a large bowl.Add salt.
• Slowly add wheat flour to make soft dough so that it should not stick to fingers.
• Kneed the dough for 5 minutes and keep it aside for 15-30 minutes after covering it.
• Once again kneed the dough and make small balls of the size of lemon.
• Flatten the balls with the palm and toss it on wheat flour.
• Take one of the flattened ball roll out into thin circles with Chapati roller.
• While rolling sprinkle flour over it to prevent sticking.
• Those who finds difficulty in rolling can take the  help of chapati press.only y drawback is chapati prepared with it will be thick.
• Heat tava on  medium flame.      put the rolled chapati on pre heated tava.
• Cook on one side .When there is small bubbles turn the chapathi up side down .
• Again cook and flip the chapathi and put it directly on fire.
• Now it will puff like balloon.
• Serve hot with Dal/sabji/or any curry of your choice.
• Repeat the procedure  with the flattened balls.
• These Phulkas will be soft and fresh even after a week.

Simple, tasty Zero fat breakfast-Akki mudde/riceball

 Akki mudde is steam cooked breakfast popular in some parts of Karnataka. Akki means rice,mudde means ball.In this preparation no oil is used.so it is good for diet conscious people.Children also like this balls.

Required ingredients for the preparation of Akki mudde/rice ball

Akki mudde

Rice          -1cup
Water         -2cups
Salt            -to taste


Method of preparation of Akki mudde/Rice ball

• Wash rice and keep it for drying.
• When the rice is 90-95% dry put it in mixer to make coarse powder.(It is easy to powder the rice)
• Take 2 cups of water in a kadai. Add salt to taste.
• Heat kadai on high medium flame.When the water is about to boil ie,small bubbles appear at the bottom of water add rice to it with continuously stirring in other hand.
• Continue to stirr till the rice is cooked and becomes a big lump.
• When the lump stars separating from the sides of the kadai transfer the lump in to a big plate and spread it to become cool.
• Now make small balls from the cooked rice mixture of the size of lemon .
• Steam cook these balls in steamer or pressure cooker without weight for 30 minutes.
• Serve hot akki mudde with chutney or Sambar.

Delicious sweet Banana Rasayana

Banana Rasayana  is a sweet having the consistancy of Payasam. Differance is in Rasayana  no boiling.Banana Rasayana can be used with Water dosa,Iddly,Shyavige .etc.

Required ingredients for BananaRasayana

Banana rasayana

Ripened banana-10-15
Fresh coconut  -1
Jaggery            -1/2cup
Cardamom  powder    -1 tsp
Til                          -1 tsp


Method of preparation

• Chop  bananas in to small pieces after removing the peel.
• Transfer the chopped bananas in to a bowl.
• Add powdered jaggery to the banana pieces.
• Take grated coconut in a blender.Add little water and grind it.
• Pour the grinded coconut over a clean cloth and squeeze it to collect the thick coconut milk.
• Add this coconut milk to the banana mixture.Mix well.
• Again add little water to the grinded coconut  and squeeze the milk.This will be thinner in consistency.
• Slowly add the thinner coconut milk to banana mix till the consistency of payasam is attained.
• Add cardamom powder.
• Fry til in a pan with out oil till they start popping.
• Sprinkle it over banana mix and mix well.
• Delicious Banana Rasayana is ready to serve.

Water dosa/Neeru Dosa/Thellavu

Water dosa or Neeru dosa  is one of the popular break fast of  Dakshina Kannada.'Neeru' means water.'Thellage' means thin in Kannada Language.This is a very simple,delicious,healthy breakfast for all ages.Water dosa will be very soft and thin in consistency.
Required ingredients for water dosa

Water dosa

Rice                 -2cups
Grated coconut-1/2cup
Salt                 -for taste
 Water         -2cups

How to prepare Water dosa

• Soak rice for 2-3 hours.
• Grind rice  and coconut with sufficient quantity of water so that it should be very smooth.
• Transfer the content to a bowl and add little more water to make it very thin like water.
• Add salt to taste.
• Heat iron tava on high flame.(Water dosa can be done with nonstick tava also.But taste will be better with iron tava).
• Apply a very little oil to the tava.(for nonstick tava no need of applying any oil).
• Now splash the mixture on the tava from 2-3 inches height so that it should spread evenly on the tava.
• no need of spreading with spoon.
• Within few seconds dosa will be cooked.No need of turning the dosa upside down.
• Just remove the dosa from the tava ,fold it in the middle and then fold again.
• Serve hot with coconut chutney or coconut and jaggery mix or with Rasayana.
• This dosa is  easy to prepare,good ,safe,easily digestible for small children,old people and patients.
• Dosa will be soft and tasty even after hours.