ANANAS SAMBHARE

(PINEAPPLE CURRY)

A Pathare Prabhu meal is incomplete without a coconut milk based curry……. No Pathare Prabhu wedding feast is complete without this wonderful sweet & spicy Ananas Sambhare…….. Ananas means pineapple…… This delicious fruit contains disease fighting antioxidants, helps in digestion, suppresses inflammation, boosts immunity, etc……. Coconut milk has many benefits too…… It strengthens the bones, helps prevent anemia, improves digestion, boosts the immune system, has antibacterial, antiviral & antifungal properties, etc.

INGREDIENTS : 200 gms chopped pineapple, 2 green chillies, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, a pinch of asafoetida, 1 tbsp besan (gram flour), 1 cup coconut milk, 3 tsp sugar, Salt to taste, water, 1 tsp oil.

DIRECTIONS : Chop the pineapple……. Slit one green chilli…. Chop the other green chilli in thin slices……… Mix besan with 3 tbsp water to make thick smooth paste…… Heat oil on a medium flame…… Add slit green chilli and a pinch of asafoetida….. After a few seconds add the pineapple pieces & turmeric powder…… Sauté…….. Add 1 & 1/2 cup water and stir…….. Simmer till pineapple pieces soften…….. Mix in sugar and salt….. Simmer….. Now mix in the besan paste stirring constantly but lightly to prevent any lump formation……… Add coconut milk….. Stir….. The moment it simmers, put off the flame…….. Garnish with thinly sliced green chillies…….. Serve hot with steamed rice.

NOTES : Adjust green chillies according to taste……. Can add cashewnuts – for this add cashewnuts while sautéing pineapple pieces…… One can adjust consistency of the gravy, according to taste, by increasing/decreasing water/coconut milk.

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HIRVE KAALVAN

(FRESH CORIANDER & COCONUT CURRY)

Hirve Kaalvan is a mild and creamy curry…… This curry is very easy to make…… It goes very well with fried items (vegetables, fish,etc.) and rice…… Can be used as a dip…… Coriander is a herb with various health benefits…… It aids in digestion, regulates blood pressure, lowers cholesterol levels, maintains normal blood sugar levels, etc. 

INGREDIENTS : 1 small bunch of Coriander leaves, 1/4 cup grated coconut, 1-2 green chillies, a pinch of turmeric powder, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 200 ml coconut milk, salt to taste, 1 tsp rice flour.

DIRECTIONS : Mix rice flour in 1/4 cup coconut milk stirring continuously……… Add this to rest of the coconut milk…… Whisk to make sure there are no lumps…… Grind coriander leaves, grated coconut, green chillies, cumin and salt to a fine paste……Pour the rice flour mixed coconut milk in a pan and heat it on a low flame continuously stirring….. Add a pinch of turmeric powder……Stir……. Add the ground green paste……. Stir continuously…… When it is about to come to a boil, turn off the gas…… Serve with steaming hot rice and fried fish/vegetables.

NOTE : A pinch of turmeric brings out the green colour of the curry…… Green chillies can be increased according to taste….. Can be served with a slice of lemon.

PATHARE PRABHU STYLE SHEKTACHYA SHENGA BHAJI

Pathare Prabhu name for Drumsticks is Shektachya Shenga……. Drumsticks are pods of the tree Moringa oleifera….. This superfood is considered to be therapeutic with a very high nutrition content……… Drumsticks are beneficial for fighting cold & flu, digestive disorders, lung problems, glowing skin, strong bones, avoiding infections, improving nervous & immune system, reducing diabetic level, etc….. One should choose plump and fleshy drumsticks for cooking.

INGREDIENTS : 2-3 drumsticks, 1 onion, 1/4 tsp cumin, a pinch of asafoetida, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1-2 tsp red chilli powder, 1 tsp Prabhi sambhar masala, 2-3 tsp sugar, salt to taste, 1-2 tsp oil, 1/2 cup water, coconut, coriander leaves.

DIRECTIONS : Peel the tough green outer layer of the drumsticks…….. Cut into finger sized pieces……… Finely chop the onion and coriander leaves……. Grate the coconut……. Heat oil…… Add cumin and asafoetida……. When the cumin splutters add chopped onions…….. Stir fry till the onions are translucent…….. Now add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, Prabhi sambhar masala, sugar, salt and the drumstick pieces…….. Stir and add water…….. Cover and cook……. When it is almost done add grated coconut and chopped coriander leaves……. Cover and cook again for a few more minutes…….. Serve hot with rice/ chapatis.

NOTE : This dish is little sweetish…… One can adjust sugar according to taste……. Also adjust chilli powder according to taste.