KANTOLE KI SUBZI

 KANTOLE KI SUBZI

In the houses of most Konkani speaking people - such as ours- the rainy season sees a clamour for one particular veggie. This veggie is sought after as it makes an appearance only during the monsoon months. We call this "Phagil" in my mother tongue, Konkani. It is called Teasel Gourd/Spiny Gourd in English, Kantola in Hindi, Adavihagalakai in Kannada, Kakrol in Bengali, Adavikakarakaya in Telugu and Kattupavakai in Tamil.

It has various health benefits being rich in protein and iron and low in calories.

Elsewhere in this blog, you will find recipes for dishes made with teasel gourd/spinygourd, such as :

• Akakarakaya Vepudu ( Andhra style teasel gourd stir fry) 
• Phagila Talasani
• Phagila Puddi Sagle
• Phagila Phodi  ( Teasel Gourd Fritter) 

Today's recipe is for a side dish made with teasel gourd which goes great with rice and chapatis. This is a North Indian recipe. I have adapted this from "Kantole Ki Suzi" YouTube video by the famous Masterchef Sanjeev Kapoor's Khana Khazana.  

We loved this dish and hope you will like it too! 

Ingredients:-

• Kantola (Teasel Gourd/Spiny Gourd), 300 gms
• Onion, medium-sized, 2
• Ginger, 1 " piece
• Tomato,  medium-sized, 1
• Green Chilli, 1
• Cumin Seeds, 1/2 tsp
• Garlic Cloves, 5-6 
• Coriander Powder, 2 tsp
• Cumin Powder, 1/2  tsp
• Red Chilli Powder, 1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder, 1/4 tsp
• Oil, 1 and 1/2 tbsp
• Salt, to taste

Method:-

Wash the kantola and snip off the two ends. Cut them into half and slice them length-wise

Discard the seeds if they are hard- if they are tender they can remain and be used

Apply a little salt to the sliced kantola and keep aside

Slice the onion and tomato

Chop the ginger, garlic and green chill

Heat oil in a thick bottomed kadhai  and on medium heat add the cumin seeds

Once they sizzle and change colour add the chopped garlic, green chilli, and ginger

Saute till the garlic gives off a good aroma

To this add the sliced onion and a little salt

Saute till the onion becomes translucent

Next add the chopped tomato and cook till it turns soft and mushy 

Now add the coriander powder, cumin powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder,  and mix well

Add 1/4 cup of water and let it come to a boil 

Add the sliced kantola and cook on medium heat for about 8-10 minutes stirring from time to time till it gets done

Switch off the gas

Transfer the subzi to a serving bowl

Serve as a side dish with rice and rotis 

BUTTER GARLIC BROCCOLI

 BUTTER GARLIC BROCCOLI  

Broccoli, which is part of the cauliflower family, ranks as one of the healthiest vegetables as described in this article in Medical News Today. 

I first came across broccoli when visiting the US. We liked it and since it is so good for health, I started using them more frequently. It's great to see broccoli more easily available here than before. 

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

• Broccoli and Potato Stir Fry 
• Broccoli and Almond Soup 
• Broccoli and Bellpepper Stir Fry 

Today's recipe is for a healthy and delicious side dish made with broccoli, garlic cloves and butter.  I have adapted this from the YouTube video Butter Garlic Broccoli by Rajshri Food.

We tried this out yesterday and it was truly delicious with fried rice. 

Ingredients:-

• Broccoli, 200-250 gms
• Butter, 1 tbsp
• Garlic Cloves, 7
• Onion, small -sized, 1
• Chilli Flakes, 1 tbsp or to taste 
• Cornflour, 1 tbsp 
• Oil, 1 tsp
• Salt, to taste 

Method:-

Wash the broccoli and break it into florets and keep immersed in fresh water with a little salt

Peel and chop the garlic cloves

Slice the onion

In a small bowl, make a slurry of the cornflour adding a little water- make sure there are no lumps

Heat oil in a thick bottomed kadhai and on high heat add the butter and allow it to melt fully 

Now add the chopped garlic and saute till it gives off a good aroma

Add the sliced onion and a pinch of salt, mix well  and saute till the onion gets translucent 

To this add the broccoli florets and a little salt  and cook uncovered 

Sprinkle a little water and cook till the broccoli gets done but retains its crunch and green colour

Mix in the chilli flakes and saute 

Next add the cornflour slurry to the centre of the dish and stir till it gets fully blended with the broccoli

Switch off the gas and transfer to a serving bowl

Serve as a side dish with fried rice or noodles.