Kaalan | Kalan – Onam Sadhya Special

Kaalan | Kalan

Kerala style plantain and elephant yam in yoghurt-coconut sauce.
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 4 to 5
Ingredients:

1. Chena/ Elephant Yam ,cut into small cubes- 1/3 cup
2. Plantian / Ethakaya, thinly sliced – 1/3 cup
3. Green chilies,sliced- 3 to 4( or according to taste)
4. Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
5. Black pepper powder – 3/4 tsp
6. Kashmiri chili powder – 1/4 tsp
7. Curry leaves- 2 sprigs
8. Yogurt- 2 cups
9. Fenugreek powder- 1/4 tsp( roasted and powdered)
10. Salt – to taste
11. Water – as required

For Coconut paste:

1. Grated coconut – 1/2 cup
2. Cumin seeds – 1/4 tsp
3. Water – as required

For Tempering:

1. Coconut oil  /  Ghee- as required
2. Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
3. Dry Red chilies – 3 to 4
4. Curry leaves- 1 sprig

Instructions:

• Cook Elephant yam and plantain along with green chilies, turmeric powder, black pepper powder, Kashmiri chili powder, curry leaves, sufficient quantity of water and salt to taste.Cook until it is done and the water is almost completely evaporated.Gently mash the vegetables using the back of the ladle.
  
• Grind together the ingredients listed under ‘ For coconut paste’ to form a smooth paste.
  
• Now add the prepared coconut paste and mix well.Cook for about  2 to 3 minutes.( Do not bring it a boil.)
  
• Gradually add the beaten yogurt, stirring well as you do so.Switch off the stove and stir well.Add  more salt as required.
  
• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and let it splutter.Add dry red chilies and curry leaves.
  
• Add this to the curry .Finally add the fenugreek powder and mix well.Serve with rice.
  

NOTES

• For best results, use sour yogurt.
• Adjust the number of green chilies according to your taste.