Podalangkai Kootu (padavalangka/snakegourd)

If you are in a hurry you can use cooked toor dal or moong dal.Do not over cook it .This dish tastes good in both dal form and semi gravy form.

Snake Gourd kootu

Snake gourd- 1 cup

onions- 1 small chopped

channa dal- 1/4 cup

mustard seeds-1/4 tsp

oil- 1tsp

asafoetida/hing-1/8 tsp

turmeric pwd- 1.4 tsp

To Grind:

coconut- 1/4 cup

green chillies- 1-2

jeera-1/2 tsp

garlic- 3 cloves.

curry leaves

Method:

Pressure cook channa dal .It must not be mushy.

Heat oil in a pan,add mustard seeds, asafoetida.

Add onions, snake gourd,turmeric pwd and the ground coconut mixture.

Add water-3/4 cup and salt.Bring it to boil and reduce heat.

Cover and cook on low heat until done.The dish  must be semi gravy not dry.

Serve hot with rice.

Podalangkai Kootu

Quinoa Idli

Quinoa is an alternative to rice or couscous. (pronounced as kinwa).It has a mild,fluffy and nutty flavor.Most boxed Quinoa sold in stores are processed to remove the saponins.If not removed just rinse it and soak it for few hours.It is a high protein breakfast food.These are idlis similar to rava idli.So simple to make. It takes around 20 minutes only...

Quinoa Idli

Quinoa- 1/2 cup
rava-1 cup
green chilli- 1 chopped
ginger- 1/4 tsp grated
coriander leaves- 1 tbsp
curry leaves- 1tbsp
grated carrot- 1tbsp(optional)
baking soda-1/2 tsp
buttermilk- 1 1/2 cups(3/4 cup curd+3/4 water)
salt-1/2 tsp
urad dal- 1tsp
channa dal- 1tsp
jeera- 1/2 tsp

Method:
Dry roast rava and quinoa in a pan for 5-6 minutes. Transfer it into a mixing bowl.
Heat oil in a pan,add mustard seeds,jeera, urad dal, channa dal, green chilli,curry leaves, coriander leaves and carrots.
Add this seasoning into the bowl.Add baking soda,salt and buttermilk.
Mix it well.Grease the idli plates with little oil and pour a laddle of the batter into them.
Steam these for 18-20 minutes.
Serve hot with chutney and sambhar.

Qunioa idli