Bottle gourd dal / Sorakaya pappu

Bottle gourd have always been an integral part of Andhra cooking.Various gourds like bottle gourd and snake gourd are incorporated into every day cooking in various recipes like dals,stir fries..etc.High in fiber content and low on calories,these vegetables are specially recommended  after about of sickness when digestive system is affected and needs to recover.Also very good for health conscious people.Mixed with dals,gourd from a complete meal combining required protein content with fiber and other necessary vitamins.

Bottle gourd dal / Sorakaya pappu

Preparation Time : 10 minutes ;
Cooking Time : 15 minutes ;
Cuisine : Andhra Cuisine

Ingredients :
Bottle gourd /sorakaya : 1 cup sorakaya pieces
Toor  Dal (Kandhipappu)  : 1 cup
Dried Red chilies : 5 - 6
Onion : 1 small
Tomato : 2 medium
Garlic : 4 cloves
Tamarind : small sized
Turmeric powder : a pinch
Oil : 1 tsp
Mustard seeds,urad dal : 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds : 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves : a few
Salt to taste
water for cooking

Method :

1. Clean the dal and keep aside.Chop onions and tomatoes.Crush the garlic or cut it into small pieces along with the skin.
2. Heat oil in a pressure cooker ,add mustard seeds,urad dal and curry leaves.Once it splutters,add onions ,red chilies and garlic.Once onion turns brown,then add dal and fry for few minutes.
3. Then add tomatoes,sorakaya pieces/bottle gourd pieces,tamarind,turmeric and add water for cooking.Cover it with lid and pressure cook for 3 to 4 whistles till the dal is cooked well.
4. When the pressure is off,take the dal masher or pappu guthi ,then mash the dal well the red chilies. Add salt and cook on high flame for 3 to 5 minutes.
5. Then serve with hot rice,chapati ..... etc.

Bottle gourd dal / Sorakaya pappu

Note :

1. Normally sorakaya is mashed well and blended with the dal. But if you prefer to have bigger chunks don't overcook it.

Palak Rice Recipe ~ Indian Spinach Rice ~ Step by Step

              

                   Spinach Rice (Palak Rice) Recipe

 This spinach or palak rice is perfect as a lunch box.You can give it to your kids in their lunch box.
 If you are making this for your kids then reduce the amount of green chillies and make accordingly.
 Palak rice is very healthy rice recipe. As Spinach is very nutritious green.This is the perfect ways to add  some greens in your diet.Let's start making this and you will come to know that how healthy and delicious  this is.

Prep Time : 15 min ;
Cook Time : 30 min ;
Serves : 4

Ingrediants:

• Rice - 1  cup rice washed
• Spinach - 1 large bunch ,washed and chopped
• Onion - 1 small chopped
• tomato - 1 chopped
• Green chillies - 2
• Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Oil or Ghee - 2 tsp
• Bay leaves - 1
• Cinnamon - 1 stick
• Cloves - 2 - 3
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Coriander leaves
• Salt as needed

To Grind :

• 1/2 cup of grated coconut
• 1 bunch of Coriander leaves
• 1 small onion
• 1 tsp of red chilli powder
• 1 tsp of garam masala

Method :

 1.Heat oil in a pressure cooker,then add bay leaves,cloves and cinnamon sticks and saute for a seconds.

2. Add sliced onions and green chillies and saute until it lightly browns.

3. Then add tomatoes and turmeric powder and saute for 2 - 3 minutes.

4. Add the chopped spinach and mix well.

5. Let it cook for a while. The spinach will let out water so there's no need to add any more at this time.

                               

6. In the meantime,grind the ingredients undder to "grind" with some water to a smooth paste.

                                

7. Add this to the spinach mixture and mix well..

Next,add the rice and some salt and mix again..Then add 2 cups water,close the pressure cooker and cook for 2 whistles or about 15 minutes.The amount of water requried will depend on the type of rice you are using.

Once done,garnich with coriander leaves and serve hot rice with raita or curd ...

Spinach Rice (Palak Rice) Recipe