PAAVAKKA PULI KOOTAAN/ ACHAR (Tangy bitter gourd pickle)

This can be used hot or cool as a side dish for rice or as a pickle. This dish will stay for about a week in airtight container.
I am sure that whoever don't like even the name of bitter gourd will ask for more.

INGREDIENTS
Bitter gourd------------------2 medium size,cut in to small pieces
Ginger------------------------ 1 tsp, cut in to small pieces
Garlic--------------------------6 flakes (about 1tsp sliced and crushed)
Tamarind----------------------1 small lemon size or to taste (soak in warm water)
Red chilly powder-----------1 tsp
Turmeric powder------------1/4 tsp
Fenugreek seeds/uluva--- 1 1/2 tbsp
Mustard seeds---------------1/2 tsp
Dried red chilly---------------1
Oil------------------------------- 2 tsp
Curry leaves------------------a sprig
Salt as needed

METHOD

1. In a vessel cook bitter gourd with ginger,turmeric powder,red chilly powder,needed salt and little water.
2. Once the bitter gourd is cooked,add tamarind water/paste.Bring it to boil.
3. Next in a pan add little oil and roast fenu greek seeds and powder it. Add this to the above vessel.
4. Next add crushed garlic to the cooked bitter gourd and slow cook it.Check the seasoning.
5. Then do the tempering. For this add oil in a medium heat pan and splutter mustard seeds,dried red chilly and curry leaves.
6. Now pour the tempering to the cooked bitter gourd and transfer to a serving bowl.

cut bitter gourd,tamarind,crushed garlic,fenu greek seeds and ginger

Step 1

Step 2 to 4

Step 6

VAAZHAKKA UPPERI (Banana stir fry)

INGREDIENTS


Banana---------------------2 small
Garlic-----------------------2 large pods,chopped
Green chilly---------------2 small,cut round wise
Small onion/shallots-----2 tbsp,chopped
Turmeric powder---------1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds------------1/4 tsp
Dried red chilly-----------1
Curry leaves--------------- 3 or 4 leaves
Oil----------------------------1 tsp


METHOD

1. Slightly peel the skin of banana and cut in to small pieces.Dip the cut pieces in tamarind water or turmeric water to prevent discoloration.
2. Wash thoroughly and add turmeric powder and mix it good.Keep it aside.
3. Next cook the above cut banana with needed water,salt and chopped green chilly.Do not over cook it.
4. Now in a medium heat pan add oil and splutter mustard seeds,dried red chilly and curry leaves.Then add chopped garlic and onion and saute till the raw smell goes.
5. Now add this tempering to the cooked banana and mix it .
6. Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy this yummy side dish with rice.

Ingredients

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

BANANA FLOWER AND CELERY STIR FRY (Vaazhapoo celery poriyal)

In my family,the favorite side dish for rice is banana flower poriyal.If it is made,it will be more like having this poriyal with rice as dish :)
This time, I thought of combining celery with banana flower and it came out super delicious.If you had not tried this combo,please try this.It is a perfect combo.


INGREDIENTS

Banana blossom/flower--------- 1 large
Celery leaves and stalk---------1 1/2 cup,chopped
Grated coconut-----------------1 1/2 cup
Green chilly---------------------2 large,slit length wise
Small onion---------------------1/4 cup, chopped
Oil------------------------------2 tbsp
Turmeric powder---------------1 tsp
Mustard seeds------------------1/2 tsp
Curry leaves--------------------1 sprig
Dried red chilly-----------------1
Salt to taste

METHOD

1. Remove the outer 6 bracts and the small yellow flowers inside.Now, chop the inner soft and tender bract finely.
2. Wash it thoroughly and add a tbsp of oil,salt and turmeric powder and mix it good.Keep it aside.
3. Now in a bowl take grated coconut,green chilly and small onion.Crush it together with hand.Keep it aside.
4. Now in a medium heat pan add a tbsp of oil and splutter mustard seeds,dried red chilly and curry leaves.
5. Next add chopped celery and 1/2 cup crushed coconut to it and saute till the sharp aroma of celery goes.
6. Then add chopped banana flower and the remaining crushed coconut to it.Add needed salt and mix it good.Cover and cook in medium low flame.Do not add water.
7. Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy this delicious and very healthy side dish.

Step 5

Step 6

Check out other blogging marathon buddies:
Srivalli, Priya,Reva,Monika,PJ,PriyaVaasu,Jay,Azeema,Ayeesha,Veena,Usha and Gayathri 

EGGPLANT FRY /BRINJAL FRY

INGREDIENTS


Eggplant/brinjal-------------2 large, cut thinly round wise
Turmeric powder----------1/4 tsp
Red chilly powder---------1 tsp
Olive oil ---------------------2 tbsp
Salt as needed


METHOD

1. In a bowl mix turmeric powder, red chilly powder and salt together.
2. Then add thinly cut eggplant/brinjal to it and coat it evenly.
3. Heat oil in a pan and fry the eggplant slices in both sides.
4. Transfer to a plate and drain off excess oil using tissue paper and enjoy this as a side dish with rice.

Options: You can use any oil of your choice.

I am sending this to the events
 Dish Name Starts with E
Spoonful of Love's Egg plant Event and also linking Cooking with Siri's Event

Check out other blogging marathon buddies:
Srivalli, Priya Suresh,Reva,Monika,PJ,PriyaVaasu,Jay,Azeema,Ayeesha,Veena,Usha and Gayathri