Badanekai Ennegai (Spicy Coconut Stuffed Aubergine)

What is Ennegai?


Ingredients
Putta Badanekai (Baby Aubergine): 1 kg
Enne (Oil): 3-4 tbsp


for Roasting & Grinding
Thenginakai (Coconut): 1 cup (grated)
Ona Menasu (Dried Red Chillies): 3-4
Kothambari Beeja (Coriander Seeds): 1 tsp
Jeerige (Cumin Seeds): 1 tsp
Menthe (Fenugreek Seeds): 1/2 tsp
Huli (Tamarind): a marble-sized piece
Bella (Jaggary): a small piece
Uppu (Salt): to taste
Enne (Oil): 1 tsp



Method
Make 2 slits on the Aubergines such that it has 4 sections with its stalk still holding it intact. In a wide  pan/wok, roast in oil the ingredients in set 2. Grind them and Fill them into the slits made in the Aubergines. Heat oil again in the wide pan/wok and place the aubergines in it. Shallow fry them in a low flame until they are cooked inside and the outer layer has turned a bit crispy. Serve hot with chapati, rotti or rice.

Variation 

• If baby aubergines are not readily available, use the bigger one, chopped. Saute them in oil and add the ground paste at the end. Saute further 5 mins.
• This recipe can be made with Bendekai (Okra), Green Beans, DoNNE Menasu (Capsicum), etc.
• For Hagalkai (Bitter Gourd) version, boil chopped pieces in water, jaggary and tamarind until all the water has evaporated. This removes the bitterness. Grind rest of the ingredients and follow the same recipe.

Pulao (Vegetable Pilaf Rice)

What is Pulao?


Vegetables usually used are Potato, Carrot, Green Beans, Green Peas, Radish, Cauliflower, Greens, etc in equal portions.


Ingredients
Basmati Akki (Basmati Rice):  2 cups
Tharakari (Vegetables): 2 cups (chopped)
Chakke (Cinnamon): 1 inch piece
Lavanga (Cloves): 2-3
Elakki (Cardamom): 2
KaaLu Menasu (Pepper): few
Veg Stock: 2 tsp
Neeru (Water): 4 cups
Enne (Oil): 5 tsp
Uppu (Salt): to taste


Method
In a big saucepan or pressure cooker, saute the vegetables and spices in the oil.When browned, add rice and saute till it turns brown too. Add salt, veg stock and water, cover and cook (low heat) for 15 minutes or till all the water is absorbed. Serve hot with salad and raita.

Palya (vegetables/greens/legumes dry side-dish)

What is Palya?

Palya is a dry vegetables/greens/legumes side-dish. It can be made with different  vegetables/greens/legumes. Popular ones are: Greeen Beans, Alasande (Long Beans), Aloogadde (Potato), Bendekai (Okra), BaLekai (unripe Plantain), Cabbage, Beetroot, Badanekai (Aubergines), Mangalore Southekai, Nuggekai (Drumsticks), Soppu (Greens), KaaLu (Legumes)


Ingredients
Tharakari/KaLu (Vegetables/Legumes): 2 cups
or Soppu (Greens): 4 cups
Thenginakai (Coconut): 1/4 cup (grated)
Neeru (Water): 1 cup
Uppu (Salt): to taste


for Oggarane/Tempering
Saasive (Mustard Seeds): 1 tsp
Uddina BeLe (Black Gram Lentil): 1 tsp
Kadale BeLe ( Bengal Gram Lentil): 1 tsp
Hasi Menasu (Green Chillies): 2 (slit) or Menasina Pudi (Chilli Powder): 1 tsp or Ona Menasu (Dried Red Chillies)
Arashina (Turmeric Powder): 1 tsp
Karibevu (Curry Leaves): 4-5
Enne (Oil): 2 tsp


Method
Take oil in a wok or a wide pan and add the oggarane ingredients to it. Add vegetables/greens/legumes, water, salt and cook till the water evaporates. Garnish with grated coconut.


Variation: just 1 tsp of cumin seeds, 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp chilli powder can be used instead of the above Oggarane. Garnish with chopped Coriander Leaves.

Munchi Kajipu (Vegetables in Chilli and Coconut Gravy)

Munchi Kajipu literally means Chilli Gravy in Tulu Language. This can be made with different vegetables.

Ingredients:
Tharakari (Vegetable): 1 cup (chopped)
Channa (ChickPeas): 1 cup
Neeru (Water): 1 cup
Uppu (Salt): to taste

for Grinding
Tenginakai (Coconut): 1 cup (grated)
Ona Menasu (Dried Red Chillies): 3-4
Jeerige (Cumin Seeds): 1 tsp
Aarashina (Turmeric Powder): 1/2 tsp

for Oggarane/Tempering
Karibevu (Curry Leaves): 4-5
Enne (Oil): 1 tsp

Method
Boil the vegetable pieces, chickpeas and salt in a saucepan of water for 10 minutes. Grind the ingredients in set 2 and add it to the Munchi Kajipu and simmer for 10 mins. Heat oil in a small pan and add oggarane ingredients to it. Pour this over the Munchi Kajipu just before serving.

Kolambu (Vegetables in Pepper and Coconut Gravy)

Kolumbu is very similar to Sambar, difference is that fry the coconut before grinding. Also, use less chillies/sambar powder and add 1 tsp of pepper while grinding. It can be made with different vegetables (either individually or a combination of few together), popular ones are: Green Beans, Bendekai (Okra), Potato + Tomato, Marrow, Pumpkin, Aubergine, Carrot, Moolangi (Radish), Nuggekai + Bedanekai (Drumsticks + Aubergine), BaLekai (unripe Plantain), etc.

Avial (Mixed Vegetables in Coconut Gravy)

What is Avial?

The recipe for Avial is very similar to Majjige Huli, the difference being 1 tsp cumin seeds are added while coconut is ground. The vegetables commonly used are: Suvarna Gedde (Yam), BaLekai (unripe Plantain), Boodu Kumbalakai (Ash Gourd), Carrots, Green or Long Beans, Badanekai (Aubergines), Nuggekai (Drumsticks), Thondekai (Ivy Gourd), Mangalore Southekai (Cucumber), Patlakai (Snake Gourd), etc. If you cannot find all the vegetables, you can also use frozen mixed veg pack!

Koddel (Vegetables in Sweet, Sour and Spicy Coconut Gravy)

Koddel is Vegetables in Sweet, Sour and Spicy Coconut Gravy. Koddel can be made with different vegetables, popular ones are: Kumblakai (Pumpkin), Hagalkai (Bitter Gourd), BaLekai (unripe Plantain), Green Beans, Badanekai (Aubergines), Bendekai (Okra), Mangalore Southekai, Kudane/Kustikai (mini Aubergines), etc. 

Ingredients
Tharakari (Vegetable): 1 cup (chopped)
Huli (Tamarind): a marble-sized piece
Bella (Jaggary): a small piece
Water: 1 cup
Salt: to taste

for Roasting & Grinding
Tenginakai (Coconut): 1 cup (grated)
Ona Menasu (Dried Red Chillies): 3-4
Kothambari Beeja (Coriander Seeds): 1 tsp
Jeerige (Cumin Seeds): 1 tsp
Uddina BeLe (Black Lentils): 1 tsp
Menthe (Fenugreek Seeds): 1/2 tsp
Enne (Oil): 1 tsp

for Oggarane/Tempering
Saasive (Mustard Seeds): 1 tsp
Karibevu (Curry Leaves): 4-5
Enne (Oil): 1 tsp

Method
Boil the vegetable pieces jaggary, tamarind and salt in a saucepan of water till the water dries up. In a  small pan, roast in oil the ingredients in set 2. Grind them and add it to the Koddel adding more water to desired consistency and simmer for 10 mins. Heat oil again in the small pan and add oggarane ingredients to it. Pour this over the Koddel just before serving.

Gasi (Veg/Legumes in Spicy Coconut Gravy)

Gasi is Vegetables or Legumes in Spicy Coconut Gravy. Gasi can be made with different vegetables, popular ones are: Green Peas, Black Chick Peas or any other legumes, Green Beans, Cabbage, Potatoes, Mangalore Southekai, Thondekai (Ivy Gourd), Budu Kumbalakai (Ash Gourd), etc. 

Ingredients
Tharakari (Vegetable) (chopped) or KaaLu (Legumes) (soaked overnight or canned): 1 cup
Neerulli (Onion): 1 (chopped)
Huli (Tamarind): a marble-sized piece
Neeru (Water): 1 cup
Uppu (Salt): to taste

for Roasting & Grinding
Thenginakai (Coconut): 1 cup (grated)
Ona Menasu (Dried Red Chillies): 2
Kothambari Beeja (Coriander Seeds): 1 tsp
Arashina (Turmeric Powder): 1 tsp
Enne (Oil): 1 tsp

for Oggarane/Tempering
Saasive (Mustard Seeds): 1 tsp
Karibevu (Curry Leaves): 4-5
Enne (Oil): 1 tsp

Method
Boil the vegetable pieces or soaked legumes, tamarind and salt in a saucepan of water for 10 mins. In a  small pan, roast in oil the red chillies, coriander seeds & turmeric powder (add in that order). Grind them with coconut, add it to the Gasi and simmer for 5 mins. Heat oil again in the small pan and add oggarane ingredients to it. Pour this over the Gasi just before serving.

Puli Kajipu (Vegetables in Coconut and Yogurt Gravy)

Puli means Sour and Kajipu means gravy in also known as, Majjige Huli in Kannada (language of Karnataka, India). Puli Kajipu can be made with different vegetables, popular ones are: Green Beans, Marrow, Budu Kumbalakai (Ash Gourd), Badanekai (Aubergine), Bendekai (Okra), Capcicum, BaLekai (Plantain), Alasande (Long Beans), Mangalore Southekai, Hagalkai (Bitter Gourd), Thondekai (Ivy Gourd), Suvarna Gedde (Yam), etc. For the latter two, stir fry them in oil rather than boil in water to avoid stickiness.

Ingredients
Tharakari (Vegetable): whichever you fancy (chopped into large chunks)
Thenginakai (Coconut): 1 cup (grated)
Arashina (Turmeric powder): 1 tsp
Hasi Menasu (Green Chillies): 2 (slit)
Mosaru (Yogurt): 1/2 cup
Neeru (Water): 1 cup
Uppu (Salt): to taste

for Oggarane/Tempering
Jeerige (Cumin Seeds): 1 tsp
Karibevu (Curry Leaves):4-5
Thuppa (Ghee): 1 tsp

Method
Boil the vegetable pieces, green chillies, turmeric and salt in a saucepan of water for 10 mins. Grind the coconut with some water and add it to the Puli Kajipu along with the mosaru and simmer for 5 mins. Heat the ghee in a small pan and add oggarane ingredients to it. Pour this over the Puli Kajipu just before serving.