Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Kovakkai Podi Karamedu/ Gherkins Spiced Fry

Kovakkai Or Gherkins is one veggie we both like :)..Yesterday i had posted the Curry powder & today i thought i would extend its use to a veggie and choose this as a part of BM 15. Its not necessary to add this powder to the veggie, but its different & a variation is always good right :)



Coming to think of Kovakkai, someone had told my MIL that too much of this veggie makes your memory weak.. Have you guys heard of such stories?? Like.. ladies finger makes you do Math well ( I fell for this..so would ensure i east ladies finer before my Math test :))..So many such stories..cant remember them.. Gherkins effect maybe :D...I dono, whether they are true or these stories were created to make kids eat.. Share with me your experiences..would love to hear them :).. Now off to the recipe!


Ingredients
1. Oil - 2-3 tsp + 1/2 tsp
2. Mustard seeds - 1-1/2 tsp
3. Channa dal - 2 tsp
4. Urad dal - 2 tsp
5. Gherkins/Kovakkai - 5 cups
6. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp 
7. Red Chilli powder - 1.5 tsp
8. Curry Powder - 5-6 tsp
9. Salt - to taste 


Preparation Time!!
1. Remove both the end of Gherkins and cut them into long slices and keep aside
2. In a pan, add 2-3 tsp of oil and add mustard seeds. As they splutter, add Channa & Urad dal and sauté till they turn light brown


3. Then add the gherkins and mix well. To this add the chilli, turmeric powders, salt and mix well. Saute till they gherkins are cooked. Stir occasionally & don't blacken them


4. You could go ahead & have it as stir fried veggie too..
5. Another variation is.. To this cooked gherkins, add the Curry powder and remaining 1/2 tsp of oil and mix well. Gently mix and sauté for 3-5 minutes & its ready to be served


Serve as an accompaniment with rice dishes or with roti's or just enjoy it in a bowl !


Pointers
* I didn't know how much of Gherkins i had picked up.. So after chopping they measured 5 cups & each cup of mine can hold 236 ml
** Reduce the amount of curry powder & other spices based on the quantity you use.. 5 cups may seem like a lot, but they shrink as we sauté them


Serving : 2-3 generous helpings
Duration : 30 minutes


Check out the Blogging Marathon page to see what other Blogging Marathoners are doing this BM#15



Sending this to Priya's Health Side Dishes hosted by Cooks Joy

34 comments:

  1. My fav veggie and I like my mom's version of this curry. Lovely pics, makes me want some right now.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Simply love the addition of the curry powder, will definitely enhance the flavour of this dish..

    ReplyDelete
  3. As a kid, I always believed that ladies finger increases math skill and used to take it a lot.. :D
    Love your kovakkai spiced fry!! So packed with flavor..
    Divya's Culinary Journey
    Showcase- Whats in your Lunch Box?
    Lets Party-Breakfast

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love podia added veggies. Makes the veggie taste very hearty and tasty.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love Tindora. Excellent looking.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Even we were told the stories about tindora and bhendi..love the curry!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love this podi potta curry, looks awesome dear..

    ReplyDelete
  8. Last picture is delicious! Gherkins look crispy and that is how I like this vegetable.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This looks so delicious! I love vegetables and I love curry!

    ReplyDelete
  10. kovakkai looks so yummy and perfect, loved the addition of your curry powder as well...excellent sidedish for rice...!! I have heard some stories like ripe kovakkai is bad for health or so, which I don't believe :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. was interested in new ways to make gherkins..loved it

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lip Smacking Rasi. I too have heard that story and just do not understand who would go to such lengths to spread such rubbish rumors.

    Tickling Palates
    Event : Chilled Delights

    ReplyDelete
  13. Looks so tempting! I love it with rice and moru...but its quite a task to wash and slice these things :D


    Chef Al dente New monthly series: Meal of the Month! Send in your entries for April now.

    ReplyDelete
  14. interesting...would never think of cooking these..usually I just chop these to put in salads

    ReplyDelete
  15. looks lovely n tasty
    http://lavanyasrecipes.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yummy curry. Would be great for the sides

    ReplyDelete
  17. I was also told about the same things about lady's finger and kovakkai...but some how I preffered kovakkai over lady's finger :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lovely picture..we make this at least once a week..very healthy..

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ha ha! The stories are sure interesting ;-)
    Your dish looks amazing. I have never ever tried this veggie before and your post is tempting me into trying it asap!

    ReplyDelete
  20. delicious tindora stir fry..very crisp and perfectly done.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love this dish..looks spicy.. yumm yummm....

    ReplyDelete
  22. That is awesome recipe Rasi...superb...

    ReplyDelete
  23. delicous and awesome.Today i made kovakka-Pvakka poriyal...hmmm

    ReplyDelete
  24. awesum luking..loved the pics...nice one n easy to make..here i dont have this veg.missing it;-(
    Maha

    ReplyDelete
  25. Luv kovakka...i must try this version

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love the tindora curry in all forms. :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. i rem my grand father teling me this...but this is a fav at my in-laws place and since none of them suffer from memory loss i dont believe it anymore! :D prepare it exactly like this quite often actually, it has become quite a fav

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is my dads fav and my least fav veggie. Click looks very nice..

    ReplyDelete
  29. my kiddo's favourite. I also make like this. Nice clicks.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Flavorful curry and is one of my favorite veggies. Thx for linking.

    Vardhini
    CooksJoy

    ReplyDelete
  31. that looks soo delicious...perfect with rice...

    ReplyDelete

Really look forward to your opinions, comments & suggestions :)...Glad you took time to say something on my dish..Its a yay! moment for me :)