Sagu is the most popular side dish for poori, set dosa, rava dosa and even for rava idli in Karnataka hotels just like vegetable kurma in Tamil nadu. It is served along with coconut chutney. In Kannada Sagu means Kurma. Being in Bangalore for the past 10 years, I had tasted this saagu ( mixed vegetable sagu) several times in restaurants, marriage functions here.
In some places, potato sagu is served instead of vegetable sagu. During avarekalu season ( Field beans), avarekalu sagu is served. Recently I got this recipe from Nagalakshmi ( one of my friends in School moms group). Actually she shared two versions. One is the green version and the other one is red. But I wanted to try the hotel style sagu recipe. So I chose the green version and tried it forRagi Poori. It came out really well. In some hotels, sagu looks red in color. To make that, use byadgi red chilli / Kashmiri red chilli while grinding masala or use red chilli powder.
Before posting here, I shared a picture of this sagu with my friends in Whatsapp, got their approval about the color and texture and posting it confidently. The flavor and texture of this sagu is very similar to south Indian veg kurma. Coconut, poppy seeds are the most important ingredients. It forms the base for this gravy. You could find many variations in sagu masala. But tastes good in all the ways ! Lets see how to make Karnataka style mixed vegetable sagu recipe with step by step pictures.
Saagu recipe / mixed vegetable sagu recipe
Karnataka style mixed vegetable sagu recipe - side dish for poori, set dosa, rava idli and rava dosa
Mixed vegetables - 1 cup ( 1 medium carrot, 5 beans, 1 potato, handful green peas ) ( Cauliflower, knol khol can also be used)
Big onion - 1 no
Tomato - 1 small ( optional)
Salt & water - as needed
To Grind
Grated coconut - 1/4 cup
Green chillies - 3 nos ( use 2 for less spicy taste)
Poppy seeds/Khus Khus – 1.5 tsp
Fried gram dal – 1.5 tsp
Big onion – 1/2 no (medium sized)
Coriander seeds - 1/2 tsp
Ginger - 1/2 inch
Garlic cloves - 2 nos
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
Cloves - 2 nos
Cardamom - 1 no
Coriander leaves - 1 tbsp
Tamarind – A pinch (Optional)
To Temper
Cooking oil – 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
Urad dal – 1 tsp
Curry leaves - Few
HOW TO MAKE VEGETABLE SAGU - METHOD
Wash and chop all the vegetables finely. Grind all the ingredients given under “ To grind” to a smooth paste. Set aside.
Heat oil in a pressure cooker base. Temper mustard seeds, urad dal and curry leaves. Add the finely chopped onion and saute till transparent.
Add the chopped vegetables and required salt. Mix well and add ground paste. Saute till raw smell goes off.
Lastly add 1 cup of water. Mix well and Pressure cook for 1 whistle in low flame. Open the lid after the steam is released. If its watery, boil for a minute. If its too thick, add some water to adjust the consistency. Mix well and serve with poori, set dosa or rava idli.
Enjoy !
Note
Adjust the quantity of green chillies as per your spice level.
Adding tamarind is optional while grinding masala.
You can add 1 tsp of ginger, garlic paste instead of ginger and whole garlic.
You can also add few mint leaves while grinding.
Try this easy, Karnataka special vegetable sagu for poori, dosa. Its flavorful and healthy too!
Instant chakli recipe / Simple murukku recipe with step by step and video. This Karnataka style easy and simple murukku recipe (Chakli in Kannada) using store bought rice flour and besan flour was in my to do list for long time. Recently I got a pack of bull driven cold pressed (Chekku ennai) sesame oil, groundnut oil and coconut oil from Gramiyum – An online store. Product & packaging was too good and its professional too. If you are looking for original cold pressed oils, you can buy them online from Gramiyum. They also have organic honey, natural nuts at a reasonable price.
My MIL usually says snacks fried in groundnut oil is more flavorful. So I thought of making this easy, Karnataka style chakli/ murukku by frying in cold pressed groundnut oil ( Kadalai ennai).This instant chakli recipe which I had bookmarked years ago from Savi ruchi blog came to my mind. Its an easy, instant chakli recipe made with easily available ingredients. It came out very well with the awesome flavor of groundnut oil. I have tasted this Chakkuli/Chakri ( My friends tell this way) in my friends place. All my friends here make it during Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Gokulashtami festivals.
Basically I love this Karnataka style chakli a lot and got the recipe for homemade chakli powder from my friend Priya. I will share that recipe later. This chakli is made with rice flour and besan flour. Its prepared without butter or ghee. Hot oil is used to bring crunchiness. So it doesn’t have a melt in mouth texture just like butter chakli but tastes crispy and crunchy. It tastes the best with full flavor by the next day. We enjoy this chakli with our evening tea/ chai.
As its summer vacation in India, Kids must be nagging you for some evening snacks. Do try this easy chakli recipe at home for your kids!They will like it. Please excuse me for the non uniform shapes. I am not so good or patient enough in pressing
murukku. But my MIL says everything comes by practice. So this year, I am planning to try more murukku
recipes. Hope I can make perfect swirls in future.
Lets see how to make Karnataka style Instant chakli recipe with step by step pictures and VIDEO.
Red chilli powder - 1 tsp ( I used Kashmiri chilli powder)
Sesame seeds - 1/2 tsp (I used black. You can use white too)
Asafetida/Hing - 1/4 tsp
Hot cooking oil - 3 tbsp
Water - As needed
Salt - As required
Cooking oil or Groundnut oil - To deep fry
HOW TO MAKE CHAKLI - METHOD
In a wide bowl, sieve the rice flour + besan flour.To the sieved flour, add salt, red chilli powder, sesame seeds and hing.
Heat cooking oil and add it to the flour. Mix with a spoon till oil spreads well in the flour.
Add water gradually and make a smooth dough.Make the dough slightly sticky. If the dough is too hard, chakli will break while pressing. Cover the dough with a wet cloth till use. Besan flour in the dough absorbs more water and dough becomes thick over time. So if the chakli breaks while pressing, sprinkle little water to the dough and try again. You will get it right. Sprinkle water whenever needed.
Take the chakli maker with star mould, fill with the dough. Press it on a butter paper or cotton cloth. Make shapes. Cover it till use else dough will become dry and murukku breaks while frying.
Heat oil in a kadai to deep fry the chakli. When the oil is heated, drop a pinch of dough. If it rises to the top immediately, oil temperature is right.
Drop 2-3 chakli for one batch. Keep the flame medium. Do not touch the chakli for one minute. Let it cook in the hot oil. Then flip it and cook the other side. Keep the flame medium. Cook the chakli till 90% of bubbles cease and becomes golden. Remove in a tissue paper. Repeat the same & fry all the chakli. Store in an air tight box after it cools down completely. Tastes best the next day ! Enjoy !
Note
Besan absorbs all water in the dough. So you may need to add sprinkle more water whenever needed while pressing.
Do not reduce the quantity of hot oil else chakli may turn hard.
Make sure oil temperature is right else murukku absorbs more oil.
Try this easy, instant chakli for your kids and family’'. They will love it !
Ugadi festival is around the corner. This year for Ugadi, I am sharing a Karnataka special delicacy Mavinakayi Chitranna recipe. Its nothing but raw mango rice recipe ( Mangai sadam) prepared in Karnataka style. I learnt this recipe from my School momsfriend Archana.
When I was asking her about Ugadi special recipes of Karnataka other than holige/Obbattu, she told me that they make Mavinakayi chitranna , Mavinakayi chutney, kosambari, obbattu saaru and some palya for the festival. As I had already shared Holige recipe and easy obbattu saaru recipe,I wanted to try Kosambari and mango chitranna this year.
Actually our friend Tara told me another recipe for Mavinakayi chitranna adding onion and roasted methi seeds powder. I will post that version later. I found many variations for this particular recipe on net. As I am sharing a festival recipe, I wanted to make a simple no onion, no garlic green mango rice and I followed my friend's recipe blindly :) So here you go, Ugadi special Karnataka style mango rice recipe – Mavinakayi chitranna with step by step photos and a video !
Cooked rice – 2 cups ( Raw rice or steamed rice – 1/2 cup)
Grated raw mango – 1/2 to 3/4 cup ( Based on sourness of mango)
Grated coconut - 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt - as needed
To temper
Cooking oil - 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Chana dal - 1.5 tsp
Raw Peanut - 1 tbsp
Green chillies - 3 nos ( Slit)
Curry leaves - Few
Coriander leaves - 1.5 tbsp
METHOD
Wash and pressure cook 1/2 cup of rice ( you can use raw rice or steamed rice) adding 1.25 cups of water and few drops of cooking oil. I used steamed rice/ Boiled rice. I used 1:3 ratio of rice and water. After the rice is cooked, spread it in a plate and add a tsp of oil around. Let it cool down. Measure 1.5 cups of cooked rice and keep aside.
Wash and grated a medium sized raw mango. Taste it to check its sourness. After grating measure 3/4th cup of it and set aside. Pls refer the pic above. Adjust the quantity of raw mango based on its tanginess.
Heat oil in a kadai.Splutter mustard seeds.Add urad dal, chana dal and peanuts. Roast till peanuts are done and dal turns golden brown in color. Roast it in medium flame. Now add the slit green chillies, curry leaves and half of the chopped coriander leaves. Saute for a minute.
Now add the required salt and turmeric powder.Mix well. Some people add raw mango,saute for a minute and then add the rice. But I added the cooked rice first and tossed well for a minute then added the raw mango as the sourness of my mango was less. My friend also told me to do the same. You can saute the raw mango before adding the rice if its too sour. It can be done in either ways.
Lastly add the grated mango and mix well for a minute. Check for taste. If the taste is too sour, add some more cooked rice, some red chilli powder or slit green chillies to balance the sour taste. You can add more rice or grated mango based on your taste. Mix well and cook for a minute.Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves and grated coconut. Serve hot or warm as u wish.
Enjoy !
Note
For variations, you can make the raw mango paste without coconut seperately, refrigerate it for a week and then mix with cooked rice whenever needed.For this, add the grated raw mango after the tempering is done. Allow it to cook for a minute and switch off the flame. Let it cool down and then store in a box. Use clean spoon to handle.
Adjust the quantity of green chillies based on the sourness of mango.
I have used steamed rice ( Puzhungal arisi). Generally raw rice is used. You can add basmati rice as well.
The quantity of rice may vary based on the sourness of raw mango. My mango was not too sour.
It is optional to peel the skin of mango. As we are grating the mango, it is not necessary to peel the skin.
Some recipes call for grinding mango, coconut, green chillies and add to cooked rice. You can try this method for variation.
Do not avoid coriander leaves. It lends a nice flavor to the rice. Add half of the coriander leave while tempering and the remaining to garnish.
Try this simple and yummy raw mango rice at home, enjoy your lunch !
Here is a fool proof, Karnataka special Vegetable pulao recipe (vegetable palav) with step by step pictures and video. This mixed vegetable pulao is a must and should recipe in all the weddings, lunch buffet and parties in Bangalore, Karnataka. In hotels, its called as rice bath or veg palav in the menu. In our school moms group, we used to conduct kitty party once in a month in one of our houses. Mostly it would be a lunch party. I still remember Tara’s kitty party lunch menu. I had this pulao for the first time in her house and after that in few hotels, marriage functions and birthday parties. My friends call this as “Palav” in Kannada. I am a big fan of this Karnataka style pulao especially for its wonderful flavor. I don’t mind eating one full plate of it.
I got this recipe from Tara and made it for our Sunday Lunch last week. It came out very well with the awesome masala flavor which is the highlight of this pulao. Tara makes it super spicy and very tasty. The whole pot gets emptied in few minutes. Thanks a lot Tara for teaching me this wonderful, authentic Karnataka veg pulao recipe to me. Now I am confident enough to try this rice variety for my guest and parties. This pulao looks mild green in color.
In some hotels here, they serve a red colored pulao adding red chilli powder. If you are looking for that version, check out this delicious and Restaurant style SPICY VEG PULAO recipe which I learnt from my another friend Megha. Now lets see how to make this yummy, Karnataka style Vegetable pulao with step by step pictures and video !
Karnataka style vegetable pualo recipe
How to make Karnataka style veg pulao recipe at home
Green chillies - 6 nos ( use 8 for more spicy taste, 4 for less spice)
Mint leaves - a handful
Big onion - 1/2 no
Cinnamon - 2 inch piece
Cloves - 3 nos
Cardamom - 2 nos
Ginger - 1.5 inch piece
Garlic cloves - 8 nos
Water - as needed ( to grind to paste)
HOW TO MAKE KARNATAKA VEG PULAO - METHOD
Wash and soak 1 cup of rice in 2 cups of water for 15 to 30 minutes. Wash and chop the vegetables into small cubes.
Grind the ingredients given under “ To grind” to a smooth paste by adding required water. Set aside.
Heat oil in a pressure cooker base and add the whole garam masala. Saute until aromatic and then add sliced onions. Saute till transparent. Now add the tomato pieces and saute till mushy.
Add the ground masala paste. Mix well for a minute. Now add chopped vegetables, mix well for a minute. Then add the soaked rice along with water. Add dhania powder, crushed kasoori methi(optional) and required salt in the water. Mix well. Take some water and check for taste. Add more salt if required and slit green chilli for spicy taste.
Pressure cook in very low flame for two whistles. Open the lid after the steam is released completely. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Remove in a plate and serve hot with onion raita ! This rice looks slightly mushy when hot. But rice grains become fluffy and separate as it cools down.
If you are making it for parties or functions, make this pulao one hour in advance and let it be in the cooker to stay warm. If it cools down, sprinkle very little water and reheat it for few minutes before serving. Tastes and smells yum !
Enjoy !
Note
My friend Tara adds 8 to 10 chillies for the mentioned quantity. But I used 6 as my chillies were spicy. Adjust the quantity based on your taste. You can even add slit chillies in the water if you feel spiciness is less.
If you want, you can use red chilli powder or red chillies instead of green chillies while grinding the masala.
Addition of dhania powder and kasoori methi gives a nice flavor to pulao. Kasooi methi is not added usually in Karnataka style pulao, but I followed my friend's suggestion :)
Good quality raw rice is used for Karnataka style pulao. You can replace with basmati rice of you wish. In that case, use 1:1.5 cups of rice and water ratio based on the rice you have.
For variations, you can use coriander leaves instead of mint leaves but flavor may vary.
Try this yummy, spicy Karnataka style veg pulao for your weekend lunch or lunch box, Enjoy !
Here is an interesting avarekalu palya recipe / avarekalu curry for rice. Every year during Avarekalu (Indian Hyacinth beans/Surti/Lilva beans in English, Mochai in Tamil) season, I would like to try some new and unique recipes with it. As I say in all my Karnataka recipes post, my 7 Kannadiga friends ( School moms group) are the biggest source and inspiration for me to try and share Karnataka recipes in Chitra’s Food Book. According to me, each and every recipe I learn from them is a Gem. I have already shared few avarekalu recipes like Hitikida Avarekalu gravy for Ragi mudde, Avarekalu methi pulao, Avarekalu sagu, Avarekalu Huli from my friends.
This year I learnt Avarekalu Dantina soppu palya ( Lilva beans/Surti – Amaranth Leaves curry in English, Mochai kottai -Thandu keerai poriyal in Tamil) from my friend Megha. As I had just a handful of leftover Avarekalu after Sankranti celebration, I wanted to use it effectively. So Megha suggested me to make avarekalu palya adding soppu so that the yield will be more and its a healthy option as well. She told they reserve the cooked soppu water to make bassaru recipe. But I used it to make Lauki gravy.
Soon I will learn Bassaru from my friends and share it here. I still have avarekalu akki roti and avarekalu uppittu recipes in my try list. I will try to share them at least by next year during this season. Now lets see how to make this healthy, Karnataka style avarekalu Soppu palya.
Avarekalu Danitina soppu palya
Field beans - Amaranth leaves Curry for rice / Avarekalu palya
Wash and chop the soppu leaves( Keerai leaves) and set aside. In a cooker base, take the avarekalu ( Mochai/hyacinth beans) and put the chopped leaves. Add 1 cup of water to it and the required salt.
Pressure cook for one whistle in low flame. Drain the excess water in a bowl, use it for making gravies.
In a kadai, heat oil and temper mustard seeds, urad dal, cumin seeds and curry leaves.Add pinched red chillies, crushed garlic and finely chopped big onion. Saute till onion turns transparent.
Add the cooked soppu+avarekalu, mix well. Check for salt and mix well. Lastly add the grated coconut and mix well. Serve with rice !
Enjoy !
Note
Crushed garlic and chopped onion gives a nice flavor to this palya
You can skip onion & garlic if you want to make no onion no garlic version. In that case, add more grated coconut at the end.
You can use arave soppu/Arai keerai instead of Dantina soppu/Thandu keerai.
Try this healthy, Avarekalu soppu palya recipe for rice and enjoy !
Ellu Bella (Sesame seeds-Jaggery trail mix in English) is one of the most popular Makar Sankranti recipes in Karnataka.This is basically a mix of 5 main ingredients – Sesame seeds, Jaggery, Dried coconut pieces, Roasted Peanuts and Fried Gram dal.During Sankranti festival, this mix sold in small packets in all the shops.This ellu bella mix is exchanged with friends & relatives to celebrate this harvest festival and as a token of love for better bonding of relationship. In Kannada, they call this as Ellu beerodu in which they give a pack of ellu bella mix, betel leaves & nuts, fruits ( preferably banana), Sugar moulds ( Sakkare achu) and sugar cane to the near & dear. I have seen my friends ( School moms group) preparing this ellu bella mix 2-3 days before Sankranti and distribute to all. Being in Karnataka for the past ten years, I wanted to share their traditional sankranti recipes in my blog. So I asked my friend Archana to share the recipe and the method of making ellu bella.She explained patiently and clarified all my doubts on how to cut jaggery & coconut into small pieces etc. Thank you so much Archu. Some people add equal measure of all the ingredients whereas some use according to their preferences. I have just followed my friend’s recipe. I prepared ellu bella for the first time in my house successfully and distributed to Raksha’s friends as well. They all loved it very much.Next year I must try homemade sakkare achu. Now lets see how to make Ellu bella recipe at home with step by step pictures !
Check out my other Karnataka recipes too!
Take the whole dried coconut. Grate it using a grater to remove the skin. Slice it using a chips slicer to make thin slices.Chop into very small pieces using a sharp knife. Spread in a plate.
Take the jaggery and cut into small blocks using a knife.Then cut them into very small pieces using scissors or nut cracker tool. I used scissors ( Achu vellam/Achu bella works the best. But I used round ones).Spread the jaggery pieces in the plate.
Microwave peanuts in high power for 2-3 minutes.Remove in a cover or cloth and rub it well to remove the skin. Break them into 2 and keep aside.
Sun dry the coconut & jaggery pieces for 2 – 4 hours OR Dry roast the coconut pieces without changing the color. Warm the jaggery pieces without melting.Sun drying is the best option though. Dry roast sesame seeds till it crackles. Set aside to cool.
In a wide bowl, take the roasted, broken peanuts, fried gram dal, sugar balls, jeera mittai, dried coconut pieces and jaggery pieces. Mix well and store in a box. Distribute to your Family & Friends !
Enjoy !
Try this easy,traditional Karnataka special ellu bella mix at home and have a great celebration !
Distribute ellu bella with a pair of banana, betel leaves & nuts, sakkare achu & sugarcane piece as shown below ( sugar cane is missing in the pic )
Karnataka style mixed vegetable sagu recipe - side dish for poori, set dosa, rava idli and rava dosa 
. Some people add equal measure of all the ingredients whereas some use according to their preferences. I have just followed my friend’s recipe. I prepared ellu bella for the first time in my house successfully and distributed to Raksha’s friends as well. They all loved it very much.Next year I must try homemade sakkare achu. Now lets see how to make Ellu bella recipe at home with step by step pictures !
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