Vegetables were never my thing when I was growing up ,probably you know that by my previous blogposts and my amma would always lecture me how nutritious those veges were,I know I know,that also ,you may be knowing already by my previous blogposts ...Incase you don't know,then you should but don't worry, I'll be reminding you every now and then :D .
Back then I knew less about multivitamin tablets than every vitamins in veges my amma would preach day and night .In fact ,it was little frightening to know that all those alphabets I mugged up in nursery would give me such a nightmare as Vitamin A,Vitamin B,Vitamin C etc etc....sounded more like the upgraded 1.0,1.0.1 or 2.0 versions of those alphabets that once sounded so cute ,simBly, A for Apple ,B for Boy .....
But what you don't know is, I always turned a deaf ear to her advises and once I was away from her ,hostel life and even after marriage ,it took a BIIG toll on my health that I even had to quit my full time job to fix it..It took a while for me to understand the importance of all vegetables and how to incorporate unfailingly in my daily menu ..That's another reason I try to preach or highlight here as well ,to keep me inspired and others as well.....
Did I tell you that I was quite a curious child ? Yeah even that I told you before..Didn't I?..I think I have repeat-that syndrome ! This also I got it from my dear amma,who would always say some stories again & again and agaiiin over phone every time I call her and I would listen to her silently as you do....like ..Aaahaaan !!;D
So, curiosity indeed killed this cat ..I mean ...ME ,jungli billi...meaooow....
I remember how I used to scan the curries my amma made for how many vegetables it contained ,so that I can come up with a solid excuse to not eat them ,as soon as possible. Some curries looked as if the entire vegetable kingdom got deforested by my mother .For example Kerala Avial ,then there were another all vegetable mix curries and then there was this kootu curry .All these curries and more, had a good mix of all vegetables.
Kootu curry is a Kerala special curry ,which can be made up with any vegetables as the name itself suggests "Kootu" meaning together/combined ....but what makes this curry different from similar curries like Avial is the addition of Bengal Gram or Kadala in Malayalam and then it is alright to use one or many vegetables with the kadala as the main ingredient.So,some people make it with all vegetables or just plantain and kadala or like me Yam and kadala . The coconut paste used to make the curry may also differ from place to place just like vegetables used for this curry.
So,this Onam special Sadya recipe was indeed this "Chenna aka Yam and Kadala aka Bengal Gram curry." My better 1/2 who hates this brown kadla ,likes this curry a lot,ate it with content .So,I am quite happy.This finally joins my Onam sadya list's "Approved-to-make".
This is how I make Onam Sadya special kootu curry Kerala style.
Chenna Kadala Kootu curry
Ingredients
Serves 4
Yam/Chenna,diced - 1 cup
Kadla/Bengal Gram(pre-Soaked overnight) - 1/2 cup
Red chilly powder - 1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Water - 1-2 cups
Water - 1-2 cups
Coconut - 3/4 cup + 1 teaspoon
Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
Peppercorns - 1/4-1/2 teaspoon (optional)
Coconut oil - 1 tablespoon
Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon
Red chilies,broken - 3-4 nos
Curry leaves ,a few
Method:
Please watch my video that will show you exactly how I make this yummy yam-my Koottu curry.
Note:
- Pre-soak the kadala/Bengal Gram overnight in enough water, that will help to cook it faster.
- Pepper is added to add little heat to this curry.It can be avoided or used as per your spice level.
- Some people prefer with little gravy and some dry ,so adjust water accordingly .Mine is in between ,semi gravy:D.
- I like the yam pieces little mashed .This curry tends to get thicker the next day and more flavorful.
Enjoy this curry as a part of Onam Sadya or just as it is with boiled rice,not that spicy side dishes or as you please....
Don't wait for Onam ,celebrate everyday as if it is Onam.....
Eat,Love,Live DELICIOUSLY,
