Pudina Chutney / Mint Dip

Mint is one of those herbs which is very easily available in India and so very popular and chutney is my favorite preparation to make.  We all make all kinds of chutneys , rice , paratha and drinks. This is one of my favorite. I just love to serve it with warm rice and ghee . Goes well with crackers and chips too. Mix a tbsp of chutney with 1/4 cup yogurt and you have a wonderful dip.

 Mint Leaves - 1 cup

 Urad Dal - 1 tsp

 Hot Green Chili - 2 , slit into half

 Coconut - 1 tsp

 Salt - 1/4 tsp

 Tamarind Pulp - 1/8 tsp or a 1/4 inch piece

 Oil  - 1/2 tsp

1.  Heat oil in a pan and urad dal and let it turn golden.
2. Add coconut , green chilli and tamarind and cook for a minute.
3. Add the mint leaves and switch of the flame and let the leaves wilt a little.
4. When cooled add salt and grind without water if possible and serve 

Simple Palak Curry / Sauteed Spinach in mild spicy gravy

I love palak and often cook with it . This preparation is very simple and requires very few ingredients.

Palak/Spinach  - 4 cup ,chopped very fine

Onion - 1/2 cup ,chopped fine

Tomato - 3/4 cup , chopped fine

Ginger Garlic Paste - 1/2 tsp

Chilli Pw - 1 tsp

Turmeric - 1/4 tsp

Garam Masala - 1/4tsp

Oil - 2 tbsp

Butter - 1 tbsp

Paneer - 2 tbsp  gratted

1. Heat oil and add ginger garlic paste and cook for a minute.
2. Add onion and cook till translucent.
3. Add chilli pw and turmeric pw and cook for another minute.
4. Add tomato and cook till oil starts to separate.
5. Add palak and cook till tender .
6. Add garam masala and butter and remove from heat.
7. Garnish with gratted paneer.

Pavakka Mezkuvarrati/ Karela Fry / Sauteed Bitter Melon

Bitter Melon is a medicinal vegetable used in South East Asian cooking . Its very good for controlling blood sugar so very good for  diabetic people. In India people drink bitter melon juice every day empty stomach to keep blood sugar level in control. As the same suggests it is bitter in taste but very earthy in flavor. Everyone hates it as a kid and grown up loves it  .This is my moms recipes and its so simple and quick and  love it with chappati and rice.

Bitter Gourd / Karela  Sliced - 2 cups , Slit into half , remove the seeds and slice thin

Onion -  1/2 cup , sliced  thin

Hot Green Chilli - 5 , slit into half

Turmeric - 1/4 tsp

Oil - 1 tbsp

Salt to taste

Lemon Juice - 2 tsp

1. Wash and slit the bitter gourd into half , remove the seeds and slice thin.
2. Add salt  , turmeric  and lemon juice to the sliced gourd and mix well.
3. Keep it aside for an hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
4. Heat oil and add the sliced onion , slit green chilli and bitter gourd.
5. Cook on medium heat  for 15- 20 minutes keep mixing now and then.
6. And serve with rice or chappati.