Vendakkai Morekuzhambu/Majjige Huli/lady's finger in Spicy Yogurt gravy

Morekuzhambu (Tamil),Majjige Huli (kannada) a yogurt/curd based item,is an integral part of South Indian menu.Served in almost every Tamil wedding as a part of the traditional menu.Simple to make and great to taste can be prepared in a jiffy with various vegetables like Lady's finger/okra , ashgourd,chayote/chou chou. 

Today I am going post how to make using lady's finger.Nevertheless,I am going to tell you  how to go about making morekuzhambu using the other veggies.

Preparation Time : 10 mins
Cooking Time : 7-8 mins
Serves : 2-3

Ingredients

10-15 nos Lady's finger - cut into 1 inch long pieces
2 cups thick curd
1 tsp methi / fenugreek seeds
pinch of turmeric
salt to taste
For the masala
5 tbsp grated fresh coconut
1 tsp jeera/cumin seeds
3-4 green chillies
small piece ginger
1 tsp corriander seeds/dhania
3/4 tsp channa dhall /bengal gram /kadalai paruppu
For Tempering
Mustard seeds
few curry leaves
pinch of asafoetida

Method

• In a kadai,heat a little oil and roast the lady's finger with a little salt. Roast until the slimy texture of the lady's finger is lost.
• If using other veggies like white pumpkin,snake gourd(padwal),chou chou ;cut them into 1 inch cubes and boil in water with a little salt.
• Grind all the ingredients under the MASALA section into a fine paste.
• Beat the curd well,add salt ,turmeric,methi seeds and the ground masala paste to it and mix well.
• Slowly pour this curd mixture to the roasted lady's finger or boiled veggies and cook on low flame.
• Turn off the stove,once you see the mixture raising.Donot let it boil,else you will experience a curdled texture.
• Prepare the tempering and pour it all over.
• Serve hot with steamed rice and ghee.

Instant Khatta Dhokla / Safed Dhokla

I have already posted the recipe for Khaman Dhokla earlier in my blog. This is another type of dhokla called  Khatta(Sour) Dhokla or Safed(White) Dhokla because of its sour taste and white color.
Traditionally prepared by grinding rice and udad dhall  into a batter and fermenting it overnight.It is steamed the next morning and served with mint chutney.
Here,I am going to post the instant version of this dhokla,which can be prepared in just a matter or 10-15 mins.

Preparation Time : 10 mins
Cooking Time : 20 mins
Serves : 1-2

Khatta Dhokla / Safed Dhokla

Chou Chou /Chayote Kootu

"Kootu" is a Tamil word meaning "ADD".In this particular recipe,its a combination of vegetables and lentils/dhall.Most of the vegetables can be used to prepare except for Okra/Lady's finger/bhindi due to its slimy nature.
There are various varities of kootu,like

Arachuvitta Kootu - A kootu which is prepared using freshly ground masala/spice powder using corriander seeds,gram dhall,dry red chillies mixed with thoor dhall ,vegetables and tamarind extract.

Poricha Kootu - Poricha meaning FRIED in tamil is prepared using ground coconut,pepper seeds,cumin seeds and fried udad dhall and mixed with vegetables and moong dhall.

Thengai Arachuvitta kootu - A kootu prepared using fresh coconut,green chillies,curry leaves and cumin seeds mixed with Moong dhall and vegetables.

 Here I am going to present Chou Chou/Chayote also called as Bangalore Kathirikaai.You can use ash gourd/white pumpkin,orange pumpkin instead.


Preparation Time : 10 mins
Cooking Time : 20 mins
Serves : 2-3
 

Chou Chou /Chayote Kootu

Potato Sambar / Urulaikizhangu Sambar

Sambhar is an inevitable part of South Indian cuisine. A preparation involving vegetables,tamarind water,thoor dhall(pigeon peas) and a special spice powder called Sambar powder.
Various vegetables like drumstick,potato,bell pepper/capsicum,lady's finger/okra,Radish,Brinjal etc are used in the making of sambhar.
A perfect combination would be hot steamed rice,sambhar and some fried/roasted papads (fritters).
For the Not So Calorie Specific,drizzling of fresh ghee on the rice adds up some more flavour.


Preparation Time : 15 mins
Cooking Time : 20 mins
Serves : 2-3

Urulaikizhangu Sambar /Potato Sambar

Peanut Ginger Chutney

This spicy ,sweet ,tangy chutney / dip is a very good accompaniment for dosa ,idli,adai ,chapati etc or simply can be mixed with piping hot rice and ghee.The sweetness from the peanut,dry red chillies and ginger for spice and a little tamarind for the tangy combine and give a nice taste and flavor to this chutney.

Preparation Time : 10 mins
Cooking Time : Nil

Peanut Ginger Chutney

Hara (Green) Chutney / Corriander Mint Chutney

Hara Chutney is an extremely handy dip which is a must while preparing any form of Chats,Sandwiches or an accompaniment for any Indian starters,kebabs and tikkis.
Combination of corriander,mint and a few additional spices,it can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.

Preparation Time : 10 mins
Cooking Time : Nil

(Image updated on 30 May 2019)