Seema Vankaya Perugu Pachadi/Chayote with Yogurt

Chayote/seema vankaya is a sweet Indian melon vegetable........it's sweetness makes it special, the sour taste of curd gives unique taste to this vegetable........


Ingredients:
1chayote(peeled and cut in cubes), 2cups yogurt, 1/4onion(roughly chopped), 1/4tsp.turmeric, 1/2tsp.urad dal, 1/2tsp.jeera and mustard each, 1spring curry leaves, 1/2tsp.oil, 1tsp.coconut(shredded), 2green chillies(adjust as per spice levels), salt to taste.

Paste: coarsely grind the coconut and green chillies and it keep it aside.

In a pan heat oil, once it is hot add urad dal, mustard and jeera once they start to splutter add curry leaves and onions and fry til the onions are translucent. Now add the chyote cubes, salt and turmeric powder and cook on medium heat, covered with lid, until the chyote is tender, once they are cooked add the ground paste and fry for a min., and allow it to cool for a while(if it is hot the yogurt breaks), once it is cooled add curd and mix well and serve it with steamed rice............

Vankaya Perugu Pachadi/Eggplant in Yogurt

Eggplant/Brinjal/Vankayalu is one vegetable that can be cooked in various types........here is one simple and delicious recipe.............

Ingredients: 1lb.eggplan/vankayalu (cut length wise), 1cup,yogurt/curd/perugu, 3 green chilies(cut into small pieces), 1''ginger root(cut into tiny pieces), 1tomato,( cut into small pieces), 3tbsp.Coriander leaves, 1/4tsp.turmeric powder, salt to taste.

Seasoning: ½tsp.mustard, ¼tsp.cumin seeds, 2whole dry red chilies, 2springs curry leaves, 1/2tsp.chana dal, 1/2tsp.urad dal, a pinch of asafoetida, 1tsp.oil.

In a pan heat oil, once it is hot add all the seasoning ingredients, once they start to splutter add the eggplant pieces, green chillies, tomato, ginger, salt and turmeric and cover it with lid and cook on medium heat for 5min., now remove the lid and cook till the eggplant is soft. Now remove it from the flame and allow it to cool( should not add curd in hot curry because it cuddles the curd). Once it is at room temperature add yogurt/curd and mix well............garnish it with coriander leaves. Serve it with rice......