Saasmi (Vegetables/Greens/Fruits in Mustard and Coconut Gravy)

Saasmi means Mustard Seeds in Tulu (my mother tongue), as it is the major ingredient in this recipe. It can be made with many vegetables, Soppu (greens) as well as fruits. The popular ones are: Spinach, Dantina Soppu (Amaranth), Bendekai (Okra), Beetroot, Hagalkai (Bitter Gourd), Mavina Hannu (ripe Mangoes), Ananas (Pineapple), etc.


Ingredients
Tharakari/Hannu (Vegetable/Fruit): 1 cup (chopped)
or Soppu (Greens): 4 cups (chopped)
Hasi Menasu (Green Chillies): 1 (slit)
Mosaru (Yogurt): 1/2 cup
Neeru (Water): 1 cup
Uppu (Salt): to taste


for Grinding
Thenginakai (Coconut): 1/2 cup (grated)
Saasive (Mustard Seeds): 1 tsp
 
Method
Boil the veg/greens/mangoes with green chilli and salt in a saucepan of water. (In case of bitter gourd, soak the pieces in brine before boiling to remove bitterness). Grind the coconut and mustard seeds to a smooth paste with little water. Add this to the Saasmi along with the yogurt. Simmer for few minutes and serve hot.


Variations: Tamarind can be used instead of yogurt for sourness. Add it in the boiling stage of the recipe. Chilli powder can be used instead of Green chillies for a different taste.