Breadfruit (Seema chakka) preparations

Breadfruit tree has many similarities to jackfruit in all respects except that their fruits emerge from the terminal ends of small branches. Its pulp has more fiber than in jackfruit, which makes it a good bulk laxative. Dietary fiber helps reduce blood cholesterol by preventing its absorption in the gut, reduce obesity, blood pressure and help protect the colon mucous membrane by warding off cancer-causing chemicals from the colon.

For us, it is a delicacy and my husband will get it whenever he sees in the market. I make thoran with breadfruit to be eaten with rice and another curry, to have with chapattis.

Bread fruit thoran

Ingredients:

Bread fruit, skin and remove the center portion and cut into small pieces            - 3 cups

Salt to taste

Water   - ¾ cup

To season:

Oil                    - 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds              - ½ tsp

Red chilli pieces            - 5,6

Cut onion                     - 1 tbsp

Curry leaves     - a few

To rough grind :

Coconut scrapings                    - ¾ cup

Turmeric powder                      - 1/3 tsp

Chilli powder                - 1/3 tsp

Jeera                - 1/3 tsp

Garlic flakes                 - 4, 5

Method:

Heat the oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add the chilli pieces, curry leaves and cut onion. Keep the flame low and when the onion turns brown, add the bread fruit pieces and salt. Stir, add water and cover and cook for about 10 minutes.

Open and check whether the pieces are cooked. Now add the ground coconut mixture, stir well and remove from the fire after two minutes.

Bread fruit curry

Ingredients:

Bread fruit, skin and remove the center portion and cut into small pieces            - 3 cups

Salt to taste

Red chilli powder          - ½ tsp

Turmeric powder          - 1/3 tsp

Coriander powder        - 1tsp

Garam masala powder  -1/2 tsp

Oil        - 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds  - ¼ tsp

Curry leaves     - a few

Onion   - 1 small sliced

Garlic   flakes   - 5, 6, cut fine

Ginger  - ¼ inch piece, cut fine

Water   - 3 cups

Coconut milk    - ½ cup

Method:

- Mix all the masala powders and salt with the bread fruit pieces and keep it aside for some time.

- Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan, add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add cut onion and curry leaves.

- When the onion turns transparent, add the ginger and garlic. Let it cook a bit, then add the bread fruit pieces with the masala. Stir on medium flame, add salt and water and cook on low flame for about ten minutes.

- Add the coconut milk, stir well and remove from fire after two minutes.