Veggies cooked in a coconut-yogurt sauce – Authentic Kurukku Kalan..!!

Hey foodies..How are u all doing..Relaxing after the eventful long weekend/getting back to the bustling work probably..isn't it..:)..Hope you all had lovely times..Seattle was all back to its rainy self n it was cold n beautiful out here..We got all lazy n mostly stayed glued to couch/bed enjoying the weather n having hot coffee’s n fritters n pepper chicken..;) ..n finally yesterday in spite of the heavy pour we got out n roamed around the full day..Had our lunch out n then we(he.!) got this very bad idea of going for Final Destination Imax 3D..God..I still get creeps..goriest ..yuckiest n grotesque movie I’ve ever seen..:shudder:..I dunno if I am a hyper..:D..,but I was all flushed out,paper-white when I came out n was scared shit out even to step on escalator..:S..Guess the 3D effects took its toll on me..:(..I had this terrible hangover after that..glared all the trucks n stuffs passing by to see if any of the screws are going loose n all that till all my screws started to feel loose..:D..Apparently a hot tea n some snacks helped..:D..n today I saw this nice movie Little miss Sunshine to rub off that bad effect n it helped..The movie was very sweet n different ,carried a strong point in it..loved it..:)

..So much of movie talk for a foodie space..Don't you think so.:P..So lets get back to some food talk..One good news is that finally I got to make good use of the gift card awarded by Google Cooking Knol-edge contest..Remember..?? I got myself a Kitchenaid FP, n so far ,touchwood ,its working beautiful n great help to me..am loving it..:)..As for all you who wants the reviews,I’ll keep you guys posted..:) ..n yes I also got these 2 amazing cookbooks of Sanjeev Kapoor..with lotsa mouth-watering pics n recipes,that I feel like trying out each of them..I hope to soon get back to my menu planning routine, n start trying it out n posting it here..:)

Actually I wanted to post a non veg or something,but today is a real busy day for me n I don't really have the time to prep up a new snap from the cam n all..So am going by a draft this time,the one I promised you all in last post..A simple Kalan..Its a main item of Sadya aka feast n is basically a yogurt based saucy dish with cooked veggies in it ..mild,yummy n stays fresh for long..There are two variations of it in Kerala..In South side ,in some area’s they serve it really thick gravi-ed ,as side dish with rice n in other areas its a lengthy curry ,main dish with rice.I am used to the 2nd section…In Our area its called,Kurukku Kalan ,Kurukku means thick .I remember,my aunt used to make it n pack it for us in big Horlicks bottle’s n it would stay safe in fridge for more than 2 weeks.It pairs well with hot rice n some spicy side dish like Potato poriyal or so..For the first time I made it for Onam,last week n it was a hit.I got to see this TV show ,where the cook was making it in a very big kadai for almost 100 people,n he shared all the tips n tricks for the authentic taste.For all those who sorely miss such authentic delights that are true epitomes of finest Kerala food,here I go..:)

So sorry for the not-so-good pics,taken just before the Sadya..:)

Peel n chop into cubes 1 medium sized semi-ripe plantain/banana/kaya.(the green one..not yellow..)..Semi ripe means it’ll be slightly sweet yet firm.Also get 1/2 a cup of yam/chena chopped..I got the frozen ones here.Almost a cup or more of these veggies..

Now cook them in water,3/4 tsp Turmeric powder,1/2 tsp Chilli powder,2-3 slit green chillies,1/2-1 tsp fresh ground pepper powder,salt n 5-6 curry leaves.You can use a pressure cooker or simply cook them in a deep bottomed pan with a close-fitting lid.

When they are half cooked n soft,mash them lightly with the back of a handle.Dont mash them into mass,just lightly so as to release the flavor of the veggies.

Open the pan n cook till there is very little water inside.

Now simmer n add 1.5 – 2 cups of beaten thick yogurt n stir to mix.Lower the heat n don’t let the yogurt boil.

Simmer n cook till the yogurt gets light froth on sides.Yogurt added for Kalan should have slight tanginess.Normally the ones we get here wont have that.So just add a tsp of Tamarind paste to give it that tanginess..

When the yogurt turns frothy on sides add a ground paste of 3/4 cup fresh grated coconut,3-4 green chillies,n 1/2 tsp cumin powder.

Stir to mix,close n simmer till the coconut mix is blended well with the gravy n its no more raw.

Do a taste test,adjust salt n sourness.Stir n simmer till the desired thickness is attained.

Now heat coconut oil n add 1-2 tsp mustard,1 tsp fenugreek,a handful of pearl onions sliced into thin rounds(optional,not use in authentic method though this adds a lot of flavor),a few dry red chillies n a handful of curry leaves.Fry really well n add 1/2 tsp pepper powder n complete the frying ..Pour it over the curry ,stir n close till use.

The dish attains the complete taste after a couple of hours only .Once cooled you can pour it into an airtight bottle n store in fridge.

Verdict: Its a true delight n we love it..I especially love to suck that fried chillies in the curry,filled with the mild gravy n still lots of heat in it..;)..As it stays yum for a long time,this is a healthy n apt choice for working ladies n mom’s .With veggies n yogurt it has the essential goodness in it too..:)

Sanghi is celebrating her century post n kindly thought of me in that joy,passing me the diamond friends award..Thanks Sanghi..:)

..Also Chakhlere passed me these cute awards..I cant thank you enough..hugs..:)

..Have a great week all of you..I’ll soon be back with some hot, spicy ,kick-ass non veg dishes..:D

hugs

:)