Chow Chow

I'am sure the name of the dish might get some raised eyebrow response, but people from Karnataka and specifically southern part of the state might be very familiar with this name. I had it for the first time when I was in Udupi. The waiter was going on with his list of breakfast specials of that hotel and suddenly this " Chow Chow" caught my attention. Its basically a breakfast combo of khara bhath ( Upma/upittu) and kesari bath ( sheera). As they say, eat breakfast like a king, this dish is indeed the best fit for that saying coz its heavy and rich. So amigos, do try this sometime and I'am sure you will love it.

North Karnataka Special

Happy and excited to share this north Karnataka special platter. Lots of items missing but this combo is close to authentic uttara karnataka everyday lunch. Garlic flavored jowar roti ( jwalada rotti), green chilli chutney( menshikai khara), soya bean curry ( kaalu pallya), groundnut chutney ( shenga hindi/ shenga chutney) and last but not the least spicy daal (khara byali). All these along with a bulb of onion is what every north kannadiga yearns for. I'am not sure if this platter will be able to connect to every one but I would want every other person to try this healthy meal once in lifetime.

Sesame Groundnut Ladoo

Ingredients: ( 4 small ladoos)

• 400 grams roasted peanuts
• 50 grams lightly roasted sesame seeds
• 50-100 grams sugar
• small chunk of Jaggery, soaked and melted in hot water
• Ghee/ clarified butter

Preparation steps:

• Grind the roasted peanuts, sugar and sesame seeds into coarse powder
• Add the molten jaggery into the powder and mix well.
• apply ghee on your palms and prepare ladoos as per required size.
• Coat the surface with sesame seeds for decoration.

Mirchi Ka Salan

Yet another dish which originates from Hyderabad. Mirchi ka salan also known as Mirch ka salan is  basically fried chili peppers cooked in groundnut and sesame gravy (salan). It goes well with chapatis and rice. Its an apt dish to turn any regular meal into a feast.

Sesame Groundnut Ladoo

Sesame groundnut ladoo is one healthy festive treat. Minimal ingredients but there is absolutely no compromise in terms of taste. If anytime you feel you have had enough, then u can stuff them into wheat flour dough and make pancakes( shengada holige/ groundnut sesame obattu).

This delectable delight takes me back to the days when me and my sister (guddu) used to dress up on nag panchami to visit temple, offer milk and these ladoos to nag devata. I can never get those days back but the memories of that time always manages to get a smile on my face.

Happy Nag Panchami everyone.