Navalkolache lonche ( Navalkol pickle)

Pickles and chutnies are inevitable part of our meals without which an Indian meal is considered to be
 incomplete .Each region has its own specialities . Today I am posting the recipe of Navalkol pickle. In konkani they are known as gadde  ( navalkol is also known as Kohlrabi in english) .

 This vegatable is very versatile and can be used in various gravies . The pickle is especially prepared in maharashtrian and konkani homes during pujas or functions. It can be had instantly and has to be consumed within 10 to 15 days.

Ingredients :

2 cups .....................Navalkol cut into small cubes
2 tbsp.......................mustard seeds ( sarson or rai seeds)
1 tbsp.......................fenugreek seeds (methi)
2  tsp......................asefoetida powder (hing)
3 to 4 tbsp..................chilli powder ( I use Bedgi mirchi pd)
3 to 4 tbsp..................fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup...................sesame or mustard oil
salt as required


Method :

In a pan heat 1tsp oil and fry mustard (keep 1 tsp mustard aside)  and fenugreek seeds
 till they are golden and crisp.
When still warm crush them in a crusher. ( Khalbatta)
Now heat the remaining oil till fumes come out of it.
Let if cool a bit and then add remaining 1 tsp mustard.
After the mustard seeds splutter add hing powder .
In the meanwhile add the crushed and ground mustard and methi and chilli powder to cut pieces of navalkol.
Also add salt and lemon juice.
When the above oil is completely cooled add it to the navalkol pieces.
Your pickle is ready to eat.

Bharli Vangi ( with sesame )

This maharashtrian dish is one of my favourites when it comes to making something with vangi 
( known as baingan in hindi and eggplants or brinjals  in english). Even people who don't like vangi (and I have 2 such members in my own house ) enjoy this dish . It does take little more time than a normal sabji but then the end result proves that your  efforts are worth making this dish .

Ingredients :

250 kg .........................Small brinjals 

1.................................onions sliced

1 onion ........................very finely chopped
5  to 6 tbsp........................sesame seeds
3 to 4.............................garlic cloves

2 tbsp............................grated coconut

7 to 8............................dry chillies ( bedgi variety )

2 tsp..............................Goda masala

2tbsp............................tamarind pulp

half lemon sized........jaggery ( gul )

1 tsp.............................turmeric powder

2 to 3 tbsp.......................oil

salt as per taste

oil

Method:

In a pan add 1 tsp oil and add sliced onion and garlic and roast.

Keep aside 1 tbsp sesame seeds and when onions are golden brown add remaining 

 sesame seeds and roast for a while.

Add coconut and roast and then add chillies.

Grind this masala  with tamarind pulp, goda masala, turmeric powder and jaggery.

Add salt to this masala .

This is the masala that is to be filled in the brinjals.

Now make 4 vertical slits in the brinjals taking care not to cut it into two.

The brinjal should remain intact.

Fill the above masala in the brinjals.

In the pan heat the remaining oil and saute the finely chopped onion.

Then arrange the stuffed brinjals in the pan.

Dilute the remaing masala and pour over the brinjals.

Cover the lid and let them cook for 10 minutes.

Turn them upside down and and cook for 5 more minutes with covered lid.

In the end heat 1 tbsp oil in a small vessel and splutter sesame seeds in it .

Top the stuffed brinjals with this tadka .

My 2nd Liebster Award

Another Liebster award for me  : -

I am very  happy to announce that I  received another liebster award from a fellow blogger Sowmya of nivedhanams .Thanks a lot Soumya for sharing it  with me. 

With the award comes 11 questions and a responsibility to pass on the award to other 11 bloggers.
Rules of the award: 
1. Write 11 random facts about yourself.

These are the 11 facts about me :

1. Love to cook.
2. Reserved with unknown people.
3. Enjoy reading books
4. Interested in books like Mahabharata.
5. Strong believer in God.
6. Love going to various places.
7. Like gardening.
8. Like to get wet in rains.
9. Have few but true friends.
10. Want to learn the art of baking.
11. Love to lead a calm and peaceful life.

2. Answers of  the 11 interview questions  given to me by Soumya : 

1. How many blogs do you visit and read daily?   

     Depends on how much time I have.
2. Which social networking site (facebook, twitter, networked blogs, subscribe option, google connect) is the best according to you and why?

     Facebook and Google connect as they are user friendly and less complicated
3. Which camera and lens do you use?

     Yashika
4. What is your favorite movie?

    Hindi movie : Lagaan and 3 Idiots
5. When doing a completely new recipe, do you follow the original completely or make changes as you do?

    I change it according to the tastes preferred by family
6. Which recipe took many tries before it came out to your satisfaction?

     Bengali sweet : Rosogollas tried many times and yet to reach perfection
7. Your favorite pass time

    Reading and listening to music
8. How do you store your bookmarked recipes?

     I sort them based on their types. eg Breakfast, Curry, sweets etc
9. How do your store your recipes that are tried and tested - other than your blog?

    Written notes
10. How many items do you have in the draft ready right now?

     At present none .
11. How many food blog events do you participate in a month - approximately?

     Depends on what dishes i make that month and whether they suit the event.

11 More bloggers that I am nominating

      Sushma of authenticfooddelights

     Tina of kaipunyam

     Vidhya of aportiontoshare

     Beena of cookingatmayflower

    Priya of cooklikepriya

    Resh of daily-cuppa

    Priya of priyasmenu

   Shobha of foodmazaa

   Kaveri of palakkadcooking

   Champa of versatilekitchen

   Swathi of zestysouthindiankitchen

  

Congrats to the winners and please answer the 11 questions below and post about it on your blog.

What is your idea of relaxation ?

What type of movies do you like ?

Where would you like to go for the vacations ?

Which is the dish you like to eat the most ?

What quality of yours do you think is admired by your near and dear ones ?

Since when did you start cooking ?

What are your other passions ?

What TV programmes do you like to watch?

Is there any wish that is still unfulfilled and if yes what is it ?

What quality of yours do you like and what quality of yours you dislike ?

What type of dishes are easiest for you and which are the hardest to prepare ?

3. Fabricate 11 new questions.
4. Nominate 11 bloggers who have less than 200 followers and mention them in your post.
5. Tell the person who nominated you, along with the people whom you've nominated