Those who know about Koddel (a Konkani dish with coconut base), may say this does not look like or taste like koddel . When I read this recipe in “Udupi special” in a Kannada weekly, I felt like trying it. I have not seen or tasted any koddels before. They are more popular in South Kanara , and we don’t have this dish in North Kanara (from where I come).
Usually koddels have a thick gravy consistency, they are served as side dishes and they have a different masala for the base with garlic seasoning . In the article from where I picked up this recipe, it is mentioned as Udupi Kannada speaking brahmin’s recipe.
Whether it is koddel or not, it was amazingly delicious. Since this dish is bit sweetish, I served it with Gujrathi daal . I used less coconut than mentioned and made it a dry dish.
Ingredients: 1 cup chopped green beans 3/4 cup fresh/frozen coconut 4-5 red chilies 1 tea spn coriander seeds 3/4 tea spn cumin seeds 1 tbl spn jaggery 1/4 tea spn tamarind extract (or 1-2 pieces of tamarind) A pinch turmeric 1/2 tea spn mustard seeds 4-5 curry leaves Oil Salt
Method: Grind together coconut, red chilies, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, jaggery and salt. (Do not fry any of the ingredients like we do for other dishes). Cook green beans in enough water. When they are cooked, add the ground paste, tamarind and mix well. Heat a little oil and add mustard seeds. When they start popping, add curry leaves, fry for a min and add this seasoning to the dish. Serve hot as a side dish with rice.
Serves : 2-3 Preparation time : 20mins
I am a potato loving person. I like them in any shape and in any dish. Slightly roasted crispy potatoes taste better than the cooked ones. How about these crispy tiny pieces of potatoes in daal ? Its a delicious combination.
I have a pack of kasoori methi , which was crying to be used. These pieces of dried leaves give an amazing taste to any dish. These are good for health.
Next is daal , who does not like daal ? A simple daal and rice gives more satisfaction than eating out in fancy restaurants paying huge money. So here is a combination of the above three. This dish is born out of my imaginations.
Ingredients: 1 cup finely chopped potatoes 1 cup cooked masoor daal (red) 1 tea spn kasoori methi A pinch asafoetida 1/2 tea spn mustard seeds 1/2 tea spn cumin seeds 3-4 green chilies 1/2 tea spn garam masala 4-5 curry leaves A pinch turmeric Oil Salt
Method: Cook daal with turmeric. Heat oil and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds. When they start popping, add curry leaves and green chilies. Fry for a moment and add potatoes, salt, fry till the potatoes are brownish and crispy. Add cooked daal, garam masala, kasoori methi , asafoetida. Cook for 5mins. Serve hot with rice.
Serves : 3-4 Preparation time : 20mins
