NELLIKKAI GOJJU 

Gojju also known as Menskai is a sweet sour traditional dish popular in Karnataka . It is one of the mandatory dishes included in a festive spread . Gojjus can be prepared using vegetables as well as fruits. Tamarind is used in the preparation of Gojjus with vegetables like capsicum, okra or bitter gourd. But the same can be omitted while preparing Gojjus using sweet sour fruits like Pineapple, Mango or Gooseberries . Here is a recipe to prepare a sweet sour finger licking Nellikkai Gojju / Gooseberry relish . 

                                                                                

INGREDIENTS

Gooseberries - 10

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Jaggery - a plum size ball 

Salt - 1 tsp

INGREDIENTS FOR THE GOJJU MASALA

Split Black gram dal - 2 tbsps

White Sesame seeds - 2 tbsps

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp

Red chillies - 3 ( Broken)

Grated coconut - 2 tbsps

Oil - 1/4 tsp

TO MAKE THE GOJJU PASTE

1. Dry roast sesame seeds and keep aside.

2. Roast Black gram dal, Fenugreek seeds , Cumin seeds and Red chillies in hot oil till they emanate a very pleasant aroma and allow them to cool . 

3. Grind all the roasted ingredients with coconut gratings into a smooth paste adding little water .

TO MAKE THE GOJJU

1. Cover the gooseberries with water and cook adding turmeric powder, salt and jaggery.

                                                                                                             

2. When the berries are cooked blend in the ground Gojju masala . 

3. Stir well and cook till the Gojju thickens and switch off flame. 

                                                                                  

 Add a seasoning with mustard seeds and curry leaves if you wish to. 

                                                                                

Enjoy the flavoursome Nellikkai Gojju with  steaming hot rice as a main course or relish it as a side dish with your meal.

DIDEER NELLIKKAI OORUGAI /

INSTANT GOOSEBERRY PICKLE 

Gooseberry season has arrived !Time to make lip smacking chutney , pachadi , tokku and pickles using these wonder berries containing an inexhaustible source of  nutrients necessary for good health ! Here is a quick and easy to make recipe for Nellikkai Oorugai / Gooseberry pickle. Since it is an instant pickle it can be prepared in small batches as and when required . Stays good up to a week under refrigeration.

INGREDIENTS

Gooseberries / Nellikkai - 250 gms

Sesame oil - 4 tbsps

Chilly powder - 1 tbsp

Salt - 1 tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp

Powdered Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp 

Mustard seeds - 1 pinch 

METHOD 

1. Wash the Gooseberries/ Nellikkai thoroughly and steam them for 15 minutes and cool them.

2. The segments of the steamed berries will fall apart easily . 

3. Remove the seeds from the segments.

4. Heat oil in a kadai and splutter mustard seeds .

5. Add asafoetida , powdered fenugreek seeds and  turmeric powder  one after another.

6. Stir in the gooseberry segments .

7. Add chilly powder and salt and blend well on low flame for a minute.

8. Switch off flame and cool the pickle before storing in a clean dry jar. 

Enjoy your lip smacking Dideer Nellikkai Oorugai / Instant Gooseberry Pickle with your meal .