Shavige Oggarane (Lemon Flavored Rice vermicelli)

Misty mountains, birds chirping, cool breeze, mountains & paths filled with lush green grass, small streams with crystal clear water..., all these are some of the amazing beauty of Malenadu (a region in Western Ghats). Monsoon creates magic here & this place becomes a paradise on earth.

I have loads of memories attached with these places. Though I have spent my childhood days in cities, I never missed to come here during holidays. I used to envy my cousins who spent all the time there. Even now, the very thought of visiting these places makes me rejuvenated. During my visit to India this time, I did visit some of these places but could not spend much time.


Whenever I visit my aunt's place in Malenadu, she serves me home made akki shavige/shamige (rice vermicelli). She prepares the tangy lemon shavige as she knows that it is a hot favorite for many of us. Here in Singapore, I do not have the instrument to prepare akki shavige. Hence, I have used store bought rice noodles/vermicelli.

Ingredients: (Serves 2-3)
For noodles
Rice noodles: 200 gms
Water: 1 liter
Salt: According to taste
For tempering/oggarane
Oil: 2 tbsp
Mustard Seeds: 1/2 tsp
Urad dal: 1.5 tsp
Channa dal/gram dal: 1.5 tsp
Groundnuts/Peanuts: 2 tbsp
Green chilli: 3-4nos
Curry leaves: 2 strings
Turmeric: 2 big pinches
For garnishing
Coconut: 3-4 tbsp
Coriander leaves/cilantro: 2 tbsp (finely chopped)
Other ingredients
Lemon juice: 4-5tbsp (adjust accordingly)


Method:

1. Boil water in a broad pan. Add salt. When water starts boiling, add the rice noodles & cook according to the package instructions. (I normally cook for 3-4 mins). When noodles become soft, turn off the heat & let the noodles sit in hot water for another minute.
2. Drain the hot water & run the noodles under cold water. Break the noodles into manageable size.
3. Allow it to cool.
4. Meantime, prepare the tempering. Heat oil in a pan. When oil is hot, add mustard seeds. When mustard seeds splutter, add urad & channa dal. When dal turns golden, add ground nuts & roast till the nuts turn golden brown. Add green chilli, curry leaves, turmeric & turn off the heat.
5. Pour this tempering over the noodles, adjust salt. Add lemon juice, coconut, coriander leaves to the noodles. Mix then thoroughly.
6. Serve it with chutney, pickle or as is.
   

Doddapatre Bajji (Coleus aromaticus Pakora)

How are you guys? What are you planning for Christmas & New Year? I am back this monday & am all tired, sad, sick & what not!! On top of it.., I had to rush back to work on the same day.., hmmmmm..., Boring isn't it? I will write about my exciting trip to India in my coming posts. Also, will soon catch up with you guys too. I have got few recipe requests. Will try to publish them in the coming months.

I will quickly jump to the recipe & stop all the blah.., blah..
This bajji/bonda/pakoda.., huh...whatever you call it... is from my ajji(grandmom). The strong aroma of the doddapatre leaves along with the bland gram flour & the spicy chilli powder made a great match. I forgot all my diet & took 2-3servings :)

Ingredients:
Gram flour/besan/kadale hittu: 1 cup
Rice flour: 2-3tbsp
Chilli powder: 1 tsp (adjust according to your family needs)
Salt: According to taste
Baking Soda: a small pinch
Oil: 1 tbsp
Water: Around 1 cup (Sorry.., didnot have time & patience to measure it)
Doddapatre yele/Coleus aromaticus: 8-10 leaves
Oil: For deep frying

Method:

For the batter: Add the gram flour, rice flour, chilli powder, salt, baking soda to a bowl & gently mix them. Heat the 1 tbsp oil & when the oil is hot, add it to the gram flour mixture. Mix it again.

Now add water (little at a time) & prepare the batter. Batter should be like a thick milkshake.

Wash each doddapatre yele(leaves) carefully & allow it to dry or pat them dry.

Add sufficient oil to a deep pan & heat the oil. Dip the leaves in the batter(one leaf at a time) & put the leaves properly coated with batter to hot oil. Fry on both sides until they turn golden brown.

Drain it on an absorbent paper & enjoy the hot bajji/pakora with coffee/tea.



Notes:

1. Donot try to mix ginger, garlic, coriander leaves to the batter as it would out power the aroma of doddapatre leaves. These leaves have a great aroma (difficult to take.., if you are first time to this leafy vegetable).
2. Be very gentle while washing these leaves as they tear our easily.

Will write more about the medicinal values of doddapatre in my coming posts (One more interesting recipe using doddapatre soppu is following soon). Meantime, have a close look of the leaves.



Last but not the least....

"Merry Christmas. Enjoy your day with family & friends"