SOUTHEKAYI MOSARU PALYA

 SOUTHEKAYI MOSARU PALYA

Today's recipe is for an easy to make yet tasty side dish made with cucumber and curds from my Home State of Karnataka. It gets its name from the two principal ingredients, Cucumber (Southekayi in Kannada) and Curds (Mosaru in Kannada.) Cucumber is called  "Taushe" in my mother tongue, Konkani, and "Kakdi" in Marathi. 

We welcome cucumber - which is largely made up of water- for its cooling properties during the hot summer months, particularly in combination with curds. Therefore it is commonly used in salads and raita, both in the South and North of India.

Cucumbers also have numerous health benefits. 

Elsewhere in this blog, you will find recipes for dishes made with Cucumber, such as:-

• Taushe Ullel (Cucumber Pachadi)
• Cucumber Pachadi
• Khamang Kakdi
• Southekayi Hasi Majjige Huli 

Tips:-

1.  Choose tender cucumber for best results. If they are not so tender, you will have to peel the cucumber. 

2. The curds used should be fresh to get a better taste for your dish. 

Ingredients:-

• Cucumber, medium sized, 1
• Fresh Curds, 1/2 cup
• Onion, 1
• Green Chillies, 2
• Asafoetida ,(Hing), 1/8 tsp 
• Turmeric Powder, 1/8 tsp 
• Salt, to taste

For Tempering:-

• Mustard Seeds, 1/2 tsp
• Cumin Seeds, 1/2 tsp
• Urad Dal, 1 tsp
• Red Chilli, 1, broken into halves
• Curry Leaves, a few
• Oil, 1 tbsp

Method:-

Wash and chop the cucumber. 

Whisk the fresh curds

Chop the onions

In a kadhai, heat the oil and on medium heat add the mustard seeds, when they splutter add the cumin seeds. When they sizzle add the urad dal and saute till it changes colour

Next add the broken red chilli and saute for a few seconds

Now add the chopped onion, green chilli, and curry leaves and saute till the onions become translucent

To this add the chopped cucumber and salt to taste

Mix in the asafoetida and turmeric powder

Cook till the cucumber becomes slightly soft. It should be cooked yet remain crunchy.

Switch off the gas and allow it to cool

When it comes to room temperature, add the whisked curds and mix well

Check for salt and add if required

Transfer to a serving bowl

Serve the Southekayi Mosaru Palya as a side dish with the main meal