NELLIKKAI GOJJU 

Gojju also known as Menskai is a sweet sour traditional dish popular in Karnataka . It is one of the mandatory dishes included in a festive spread . Gojjus can be prepared using vegetables as well as fruits. Tamarind is used in the preparation of Gojjus with vegetables like capsicum, okra or bitter gourd. But the same can be omitted while preparing Gojjus using sweet sour fruits like Pineapple, Mango or Gooseberries . Here is a recipe to prepare a sweet sour finger licking Nellikkai Gojju / Gooseberry relish . 

                                                                                

INGREDIENTS

Gooseberries - 10

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Jaggery - a plum size ball 

Salt - 1 tsp

INGREDIENTS FOR THE GOJJU MASALA

Split Black gram dal - 2 tbsps

White Sesame seeds - 2 tbsps

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp

Red chillies - 3 ( Broken)

Grated coconut - 2 tbsps

Oil - 1/4 tsp

TO MAKE THE GOJJU PASTE

1. Dry roast sesame seeds and keep aside.

2. Roast Black gram dal, Fenugreek seeds , Cumin seeds and Red chillies in hot oil till they emanate a very pleasant aroma and allow them to cool . 

3. Grind all the roasted ingredients with coconut gratings into a smooth paste adding little water .

TO MAKE THE GOJJU

1. Cover the gooseberries with water and cook adding turmeric powder, salt and jaggery.

                                                                                                             

2. When the berries are cooked blend in the ground Gojju masala . 

3. Stir well and cook till the Gojju thickens and switch off flame. 

                                                                                  

 Add a seasoning with mustard seeds and curry leaves if you wish to. 

                                                                                

Enjoy the flavoursome Nellikkai Gojju with  steaming hot rice as a main course or relish it as a side dish with your meal.

 VEGAN TAMALES / SWEET CORN KADUBU

Cooking food wrapped in leaves is an age old practice followed around the world. Cabbage leaves , Grape leaves and Colocasia leaves used for wrapping and steaming are consumed along with the dish . Turmeric leaves, jackfruit leaves and screw pine are also used in steaming different kinds of kadubus which are peeled and discarded before relishing the food. Elai Adai , Idlies and Kadubus acquire a pleasant aroma and retain  moisture when banana leaves are either used as wraps or cups for steaming. Here is a steamed dish wrapped in corn husk which I relished during a visit to a farmer's market . I tried out a vegan version of Mexican Tamales using freshly ground Sweet Corn paste and stir fried vegetables . Since fresh corn becomes slightly watery when ground , I have used wheat flour to adjust the consistency of the batter. Besan , Rice flour , Maize flour or any other flour of your choice can also be used .

                                                                                        

INGREDIENTS

Fresh Corn Cobs - 2

Wheat flour - 2 tbsps or as required

Salt - 1/4 tsp

Sambar Powder - 1/4 tsp

TO PREPARE THE OUTER COVERING

1. Separate the husks , wash and keep them immersed in hot water till required.

2. Remove the corn from the cob and grind to a smooth paste adding Sambar Powder and salt.

                                                                                                                

3. Blend in the wheat flour to make a thick spreadable batter.

                                                                                                    

INGREDIENTS FOR THE FILLING

Finely chopped carrots - 1/2 cup

Finely chopped cabbage - 1/2 cup

Finely chopped capsicum - 1/2 cup

Grated ginger - 1/2 tsp

Grated garlic - 1/2 tsp

Crushed pepper - 1/2 tsp

Salt - 1/4 tsp

Sesame oil - 2 tbsps

TO PREPARE THE FILLING

1. Heat oil and add crushed pepper followed by grated ginger and garlic.

2. When it emanates a pleasant aroma add all the finely chopped vegetables.

3. Stir fry till half done .

                                                                                                    

4. Stir in salt and switch off flame.

MAKING THE TAMALES

1. Drain and pat dry the soaked corn husks.

2. Spread out a husk and grease it on the inner side.

                                                                                            

3.Place a lump of batter and flatten it along the greased husk.

4. Spread about three table spoons of the stir fried vegetables on the batter .

5. Fold the husk bringing the tip and and base of the husk together. 

                                                                                                     

6. Tuck in the folded edges underneath the Tamale and place it in a steamer with the folded edges facing downwards.

                                                                                   

7.  Line the rest of the husks with batter, fill with vegetables and fold all the Tamales similarly and steam them for fifteen minutes.

                                                                                            

8. Relish the warm Vegan Tamales with Tomato Sauce or Green Chutney after discarding the husk.

DIDEER NELLIKKAI OORUGAI /

INSTANT GOOSEBERRY PICKLE 

Gooseberry season has arrived !Time to make lip smacking chutney , pachadi , tokku and pickles using these wonder berries containing an inexhaustible source of  nutrients necessary for good health ! Here is a quick and easy to make recipe for Nellikkai Oorugai / Gooseberry pickle. Since it is an instant pickle it can be prepared in small batches as and when required . Stays good up to a week under refrigeration.

INGREDIENTS

Gooseberries / Nellikkai - 250 gms

Sesame oil - 4 tbsps

Chilly powder - 1 tbsp

Salt - 1 tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp

Powdered Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp 

Mustard seeds - 1 pinch 

METHOD 

1. Wash the Gooseberries/ Nellikkai thoroughly and steam them for 15 minutes and cool them.

2. The segments of the steamed berries will fall apart easily . 

3. Remove the seeds from the segments.

4. Heat oil in a kadai and splutter mustard seeds .

5. Add asafoetida , powdered fenugreek seeds and  turmeric powder  one after another.

6. Stir in the gooseberry segments .

7. Add chilly powder and salt and blend well on low flame for a minute.

8. Switch off flame and cool the pickle before storing in a clean dry jar. 

Enjoy your lip smacking Dideer Nellikkai Oorugai / Instant Gooseberry Pickle with your meal .