Corn Kernels~Carrot Upkari (Bhaji/Sundal).

"Corn Kernels~Carrot Upkari (Bhaji/Sundal)" ... My simple dinner tonight ... You can have this just as it is like me or with roti/chapati or you can serve it as a side dish with other dishes ... Light on tummy ... Yummy Yummy ... 

** Simple seasoned veggies are known through out India in different names. What we Konkani Saraswat’s call as upkari some Kerala side same community people call it as ukkeri. Northern parts of India, specially Maharashtra it is called bhaji a hindi word and again down south they call it Sundal basically Madras side. There may be many more names to this humble dish that is cooked in almost every home. Upkari can be prepared with both pulses or vegetables or sometimes with addition of both. I have included over 100 types of upkari and many more will follow. You can make your own mix and match of veggies too and come out with your own concoction. 

** Coming to tempering / seasoning part you can again use garlic, hing or just mustard-curry leaves etc. All upkaries can be tempered as per your family choice, here today I have used urad dal, mustard, hing etc. but you can use a little bit of garlic or ginger too, to each one their own choice. But some veggies go well with hing / asafoetida flavor, while some are simply awesome with garlic. Corn is available in plenty now, and nowadays you get the kernels removed and ready for use too which really is a blessing as that is the toughest part of me. So prepared this simple upkari/bhaji/sundal for dinner. You can relish this one as it is or with chapati. 

** Here is my simple recipe of "Corn Kernels~Carrot Upkari (Bhaji/Sundal)" … My Style … 

** Ingredients : 

Corn Kernels : 250 gms. 

Carrots / Gajar : 2 large sized say approx. 250 gms. 

Coconut : 2-3 tblsp freshly grated. 

Coriander / Dhania / Korthimbir Leaves : 2 tblsp finely chopped. 

Lemon / Nimbo Juice : 1 tsp freshly squeezed. 

Salt to taste 

** For Tempering : 

Coconut Oil (optional you can use any oil) : 1 tbsp 

Urad Dal : ½ tsp 

Mustard Seeds / Rai / Sasam : 1 tsp 

Green Chillies / Hari Mirchi / Tarni mrisanga : 3-4 cut into small pieces 

Dry Red Kashmiri Red Chillies : 2-3 cut into pieces 

Hing / Asafoetida Powder : ½ - 1 tsp (depending on its aroma) 

Curry Leaves / Kadipatta / Karbevu : 8-10 fresh one’s 

** Peel off the outer skin of carrot, wash, wipe and cut them into small cubes close to the size of the corn kernels. Add them to the corn kernels, put both in a colander and rinse under running water well. Drain off all excess water. 

** Put the drained corn kernels and the carrot in a microwave glass dish and microwave on high for 4 minutes, mix well and then further cook for 2 minutes. Keep this ready aside. 

OR 

** Put the drained corn kernels and the carrot in a thick bottomed vessel / kadai, add in 2-3 tblsp of water and cook covered on minimum heat till done. 

** Note : I used the MW method as I have always found that it cooks perfectly the veggies with minimum effort. But you can use any method of your choice. The main point here is to cook the veggies. 

** In a thick bottomed kadai add the coconut oil, when hot add in the urad dal, when the color changes slightly add in the mustard, they will begin to splutter, immediately add in the green chilly pieces, red chilly pieces, hing, curry leaves and fry for a minute. 

** Now add in the cooked corn kernels and carrot along with freshly grated coconut and salt to taste. Mix well on medium heat for a minute or two. Keep tossing till all the ingredients are well. Add in the coriander leaves, mix well and remove from fire. Lastly add in the lemon juice, mix well and its done. 

** "Corn Kernels~Carrot Upkari (Bhaji/Sundal)" is done and ready to be served. You can serve this as it is or as a side dish to accompany other dishes or simply serve it with roti. I love to have this as it is for dinner with some piping hot rasam or soup during monsoon. It really fills the stomach well and induces a good sleep. 

** Both corn and carrot are good for health and must be relished when in season. For that matter all seasonal veggies should be enjoyed during its period. Include this simple upkari / bhaji / ukkeri / sundal in you menu sometime and enjoy them with your family and friends. Children are sure to love it as they like corn very much, so it relieves you off tension as to what to feed them that is healthy.