I am a strict vegetarian. Living abroad limits you to lesser variety when eating out as there are less herbivores in other countries. I am here to talk about a vegetable that I re-discovered. I use the word re-discover here as Turnip or Nulkol as it is known in Tamil seems to be one vegetable which is not oft seen in Brahmin households. I haven't seen Turnip in Mumbai too much, that maybe the reason I didnt know what to make with it when I saw it in the Singapore Indian markets.
Its a must try!!!!!!!!!!!!
MIX VEGETABLE KOOTU with Turnip / Nulkol
Ingredients
Any vegetables can be put - Elavan (Ash gourd or White pumpkin), Bangalore katrikkai, Nulkol, Carrot, potato, raw bananas,(all these must be peeled and chopped into square pieces) beans, green brinjals (chopped into small pieces), drumsticks(chopped into finger lengths), greenpeas. curry leaves. You can add even one tomato if u like.
Add one piece of each vegetable, but if the Nulkol is small add 2 pieces. As we are mixing a lot of vegetables the quantity will become too much.
Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
Salt as per taste
Asafoetida- a pinch
Red chilies- 3 (again depending on taste and the type of red chillies u r using)
Oil- 1 tsp
Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
Urad dhal- 1/2 tsp
Grated coconut- 1 cup
Cumin Seeds – 1tbsp
Method
Pressure cook the toor/mung dal and set aside.
Steam all of the vegetables with turmeric, asafoetida & salt in a pan. Break a few curry leaves and add it to the vegetables for aroma. Don’t cook it too soft that it gets mashed completely (don’t steam cook in the pressure cooker. It’s better if u do it in a pan and cover with a lid, so u can keep checking if the vegetables are done.)
Once cooked, Mix the cooked dal with the steamed vegetables.
Now in a mixie take one cup coconut, add 1tbsp jeera(cumin seeds) and 3 red chillies and grind to a paste). Allow it all to boil together for a while so that the masala enters the vegetables.
Then u do the tempering(tadka)
Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When it starts to pop add urad dhal and fry for few minutes. You can add 1 or 2 red chillies (this will make it spicy so be careful) and season the kootu.
Taste the kootu when u are cooking it. Tasting and cooking is a foolproof method of cooking for beginners.
Once seasoned it is ready to be served.
It tastes good with Chappati or rice. Its highly nutritious too as it has so many vegetables and hardly any oil. Its totally steam cooked. The only oil u use is for tempering.
I am sure you’ll will enjoy this recipe.
You can read more about Turnip here
and the nutritional benefits of eating Turnip here
Dear friends,
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed the interesting and tasty discussion initiated by Ms. Sukanya Balakrishnan on Nulkol. As far as I know, no taboo is associated by Brahmins with the harmless vegetable Nulkol. But even then, it is not used widely by them. I dont know.
By the way in New Delhi where I reside, in Hindi Nulkol is called Gaunt Gobi. In Hindi cauliflower is called Phool Gobi and the cabbage is called Bandh Gobi. As you are aware, Nulkol belongs to cauliflower family. However, vegetable market is never flooded by Nulkol in the same proportion as cauliflowers or cabbages. I dont know why.
Best regards,
Gopalan Rajamani, delhigopal@...
In Bangalore Noolkol is available in plenty. We have not heard about this in Kerala.
This is a foreign vegetable brought by the British.
A few years back there was one Dr.K.T.Achaya living in the same apt. where I am
staying. He has written a best selling book called the Dictionay of Indian Cooking, where
he has a separate section for foreing vegetables. He mentioned that he had once a visitor from England who was regularly using this vegetable for his diabetes. He was happy
that he could get the same in Bangalore. Some good varieties can be eaten raw also.
We make use of it mainly in sambar.
P.K.Ramakrishnan, peekayar@...
We can also prepare thuyir pachchadi withKnulkol.Cut into thin stipes or cubes.cook well .Drain the water.Grid coconut wiyh green chillies and mustard if you want.Mix in thick curds.Add the cooked the knukol add salt .Season it and garnish withcoriander leave.
ReplyDeleteAnasuya, ansiram2003@...
Hi madam,
ReplyDeleteexcellent. Couldn't resist temptation, will make it today. Thanks
regds,
chithra
Thu, 8 Feb 2007 22:39:42 -0800(PST)