-- Vegetable Saagu (Karnataka Style mixed vegies gravy) --

[Sangeetha]

-- Vegetable Saagu (Karnataka Style mixed vegies gravy) --

Ingredients :

Mixed cut vegetables - 2 cups
Turmeric Powder – ½ teaspoon
Salt – 1 teaspoon or as per taste

To fry and grind:
Urad Dhal(ulutham parupu) – 2 teaspoons
Coriander Seeds(malli seeds) – 1 tablespoon
Black Pepper(milagu) – 4 to 5 Nos
Cumin (Jeeragam) – ½ teaspoon
Cinnamon Stick(pattai) – ½”
Cloves(kirambu) – 2 Nos
Coconut gratings(thuruvina thenga) – ¼ cup
Green Chillies – 2 to 3 Nos
Pottukadalai (Chutney Dhal) – 2 teaspoons
Fresh Coriander Leaves(kothamalli) chopped – 2 tablespoons

For Seasoning(thalikaradhuku):
Oil – 1 tablespoon
Mustard(kadugu) – 1 teaspoon
Urad Dhal(ulutham parupu) - 1 teaspoon
Red Chilli – 1 or 2
Asafoetida Powder(perungayam) – ½ teaspoon
Onion chopped – ¼ cup
Curry Leaves(karuvepilai) – few

Method:

# Carrot, Beans, Green Peas, Potato, Chow Chow, Capsicum etc., can be used for making “Saagu”. Cut the vegetables into small cubes and add green peas.

# Fry in a teaspoon of oil all the ingredients given under “To fry and Grind” (except Pottukadalai and Coriander Leaves) and cool it. Then grind it along with Pottukadalai and Coriander leaves to a fine paste.

# In a thick bottomed vessel put the oil and when it is hot add mustard. When it crackles, add urad dhal+red chillies+asafetida powder and fry till the dhal turns light brown.

# Add chopped onion, curry leaves and fry for few seconds.

# Then add the vegetable pieces along with turmeric powder and salt. Mix well and add enough water just to cover the vegetables.

# Cook on medium heat for five minutes or till the vegetables are half cooked.

# Then add the ground masala paste and sir well. If necessary add little more water and allow to boil.

***Can be served with Poori, Rawa Idli, Appam and Idiyappam.

Note: “Saagu Powder” is readily available in the shops. If you buy this ready made powder, then just cook the vegetables with salt and turmeric powder and add the required powder and make this Saagu...