Monday, August 27, 2012

ONAM SPECIAL 2012 - Koottucurry - Vegetables Cooked With Chilly & Coconut Paste


ONAM SPECIAL 2012 

KOOTTUCURRY 

I have always been interested in food related topics that cropped up during conversations among family members and friends. After I became a food blogger my interest in traditional recipes intensified double fold. I picked up some Kerala recipes from my Sambandhi (son - in - law's mother) during a casual chat, when she rattled off about her childhood in Kerala and about the festivities and the delicacies of God's Own Country. Here is a simple yet delicious recipe of Koottucurry which is one of the numerous curries traditionally prepared for the Onam Sadya during the festival of bounty called 'Thiruvonam'.



 INGREDIENTS 

Split Bengal gram dal - 1 cup 
Turmeric powder - 1 pinch 
Chayote/ Chow Chow vegetable - 2
Carrots - 2 
Fresh coconut gratings - 1 cup 
Rice flour - 1tsp 
Green chillies - 4 
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp 
Salt - 1 tsp 
Curry leaves - a few 
Coconut oil - 1 tbsp 
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp 
Split Black gram dal - 1/2 tsp 
Red chillies - 2 ( broken ) 

METHOD 

1. Wash, peel and cut the chow chow and carrots into big cubes. 
2. Wash and drain the Bengal gram dal and add 1 1/2 cups of water and turmeric powder. 
3. Top the dal with the cubed vegetables and pressure cook up to three whistles. 
4. In the mean while grind the fresh coconut gratings, green chillies, cumin seeds and rice flour together into a smooth paste. 
5. When the pressure subsides remove the cooked dal and vegetables from the cooker. 



6. Add the ground coconut paste, salt and curry leaves, and cook till all the ingredients blend well. Take care not to mash the dal too much. 



7. Heat the coconut oil and add mustard seeds. 
8. When the mustard seeds splutter, reduce flame and add the black gram dal and fry till it turns golden in colour. 
9. Add the broken red chillies and fry till the chillies become crisp. 
10. Pour the seasoning over the Koottucurry.



Enjoy the delicious Koottucurry with the sumptuous ONAM SADYA.