Kitchen Corner-Try It

  Idiyappam and Pattani Curry- Kerala Breakfast Recipe  Are you looking for a healthy and comforting breakfast? Idiyappam/  string hoppers is a much-loved traditional breakfast of Kerala. String hoppers are healthy and a fun recipe to make. It is steamed rice noodles, delightfully soft and springy.  It tastes delicious with mild stews, vegetable kurma, or green peas curry. If you like to serve it as dinner, try spicy egg curry or chicken curry. It is simple, satisfying, the very definition of comfort food. You might be surprised to find out that it is super easy to make at home.  Today's recipe is my best go-to for making soft and fluffy idiyappam. It goes well with this delicious dried peas curry. The sauce is versatile and is good with any vegetable of your choice, lentils, or beans. The gravy consists of coconut milk and grounds coconut paste. It adds a nutty flavor and tastes like kurma. It is a delicious and healthy vegetarian/vegan recipe , that you will b...

   Angamaly Manga Curry- Raw Mango Coconut Milk Curry  Today's recipe is an everyday curry for lunch in Kerala and reminds you of its regional flavors and taste. Widely referred to as charu curry, this old fashioned mango gravy is served in many homes in Kerala and relished with steamed rice. Back home, in Kerala,  whenever mango was in season, mom makes this type of coconut-based mango curries. It's something we always cherished at home- good food that makes you nostalgic and is filling and comforting. Regular charu curries are usually made, with coconut, lentils, or yogurt. In this recipe, raw mango gets stewed in spiced coconut milk, and the curry is zesty and tangy. There is a right balance of heat and flavor, and the coconut milk adds a touch of sweetness. While making this mango curry, I had to suppress the temptation of adding prawns.  It is an old habit of mine, adding prawns to charu curries and stir fry. My grandmother, mom does the same thing. But eve...

Kaithachakka Tenga Aracha Curry Kaithachakka/pineapple tenga aracha curry is a simple curry that can be served with rice. It can also be served as a todu curry for Sadhya . Since Onam festival is next week, I wanted to share this fairly easy to make sadhya recipe.This curry is new to me. When you taste it, you will love the simplicity of this curry, plus it is easy to whip up and exotic in taste. It looks and tastes similar to pineapple pachadi , but it has dominant taste and flavor of coconut. We had this curry a few times during our recent trip to Kerala and it is curry made on special occasion. I believe it is a central Kerala style recipe. This is a mouthwatering delicacy, entirely vegan and full of flavors. It has the tangy sweetness of pineapple and flavor of coconut. I am fan of anything  made with pineapples and if you are like me please check out my other pineapple recipes. I will share the links of the recipes at the end of this post. This is a delicious pineapple c...

Potato Masala/ Sadhya Urulakizhangu Masala Today's recipe is a spicy potato masala/urulakizhangu masala that I often make as a side dish for chapathi. But this is also an integral part of Kerala Sadhya. This Sunday malayalees around the world will be celebrating Vishu/ Kerala New year. So this is the perfect time to share some Sadhya recipes. Sadhya is a hearty meal, a vegetarian feast with rice and curries ranging from mild and flavorful vegetable and lentils curries to more spicy vegetable curries like this potato masala. Due to this wide range of flavors, one can doubt whether it will be hard to appreciate each dish separately. As an ardent Sadhya lover, let me tell you each curry has its distinctive unique flavor and texture. In Trivandrum area, there is another version of potato curry. It is Vada kootu curry . Small deep-fried lentil balls cooked in potato curry. Most of the recipes of Kerala Sadhya have been passed down generation after generation, but each region h...

Chakkakuru Ularthiyathu/Jack fruit Seeds Stir-Fry Chakkakuru ularthiyathu is a quick and yummy stir fry made with jack fruit seeds. Jack fruits is a common fruit in south India. It is seasonal fruit and is available this time of the year. Back home in Kerala mom used to save the jack fruit seeds to make curries and stir-fries. It is just like any other vegetable and is used to make oyichu curry or in aviyal or to make upperi. Yellow edible plump bulbs are the fruit. Jack fruit seeds are nutritious just like the fruit. It is rich in protein, iron, vital minerals, and antioxidants. It is easy to add jack fruit seeds to your diet. Treat it like any other seeds and it is a yummy snack by itself. It can be baked or steamed. Chop them up to make stir-fries. This stir fry is tasty and spicy with the flavor of fennel seeds, curry leaves and coconut oil. It is a perfect side dish for rice Cooking time 30 minutes Recipe type- side dish- vegetarian Cuisine- Kerala- Indian Ingredien...

Tomato Dates Curry/Thakkali Enthapazham Curry This is a sweet and sour curry made with tomato and dates. It can be served as a chutney or as a thodu curry for sadhya. It can be served along with pickles and pachadi. It is quick and can be made in a jiffy. Try this you will surely love it. Ingredients Tomato- 3 medium Dates -8-10 seedless Ginger- 2 tsp chopped Onion- 1 small Tamarind- small ball Jaggery- 2 tsp (powdered) Curry leaves- a few Turmeric powder- a pinch Chilly powder-11/2 tsp Pepper powder- 1/2 tsp Fenugreek powder- 1/2 tsp Cumin powder- 1/8 tsp Oil Mustard seeds- 1/3 tsp salt to taste   Soak  dates for one hour. When it gets soft remove seeds and mash  with hands to into a pulp. Soak tamarind and also extract its pulp. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When it splutters and add chopped onion,ginger curry leaves. Saute till it turns golden brown. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook till it is soft. Next goes in turmeric...

Padavalanga Chena Kootu/ Snake gourd Yam Curry Padavalanga Chena Kootu/ Snake gourd Yam Curry is delicious and healthy combo of vegetables and chickpeas. Kootu curry is an integral part in Kerala Sadhya and is relished along with aviyal and erisseri .Kootu curry has a wonderful aroma of roasted coconut.You can use any combination of vegetables and lentils to make kootu curry. Earlier I posted a combination of plantains and yam. Try this, you will surely love it. Ingredients Chena/elephant yam- 2 cups Padavalanga chopped- 2 cups Chickpeas- 1/2 cup Whole Black Pepper- 1 tsp Dry red chilly- 4 Grated coconut- 3/4 cup Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp Cumin- 1/3 tsp Ghee- 1 tsp Jaggery - 1 tsp Salt to taste   For seasoning- Shredded coconut- 1/3 cup Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp Whole Pepper - a few Dry red chilly -2 Curry leaves- 2 springs Soak chickpeas for about 4 hours and then pressure cook it and keep aside. Add water to the same level as chick peas in...

Achinga Payar Chakkakuru Mezhukkupuratti Achinga payar or yard beans is a very common vegetable grown in Kerala and it is a healthy and delicious vegetable. It tastes best in stir fries and I have already posted one recipe with yard beans and raw plantain. This is another combo with chakka kuru/jack fruit seeds. Jack fruits are seasonal fruit but seeds can be preserved for few more months. It can be used in curries and stir fry. Try this yummy combo,you will surely love it. Ingredients Achinga payar- cut into  one inch piece- a small bunch (approximately 2cups) Chakkakuru/jack fruit seeds- 15 nos Shallots- 8-10 Crushed red chilly- 1/2 tsp Red chilly powder- 1/2 tsp Pepper powder- a pinch (optional) Turmeric- 1/4 tsp Garlic- 2 cloves Curry leaves- a few Coconut oil- 1 1/2 tbs Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp salt to taste Wash chakka kuru/jack fruit seeds. You can cook it in a pressure cooker. Cook with one cup water and salt in medium flame for 6-8 mi...

Chakkakuru Muringakka Thoran Today's recipe is yet another simple thoran that can be served with steamed rice. Jack fruit is a seasonal fruit in Kerala and there are several sweet and savory dishes prepared with jack fruit. Chakkakuru is jack fruit seeds and is used in curries and thoran/stir fry.Drumsticks/muringikka makes it more healthy and flavorful. Try this simple thoran, you will surely love it. Ingredients Chakkakuru/jack fruit seeds- 15-18 Drumstick- 4 nos Shallots sliced- 5-6 (Or one onion- medium finely chopped) Coconut grated- 3/4 cup Green chilly-3-4 Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp Cumin - 1/2 tsp Chilly powder-1/3 tsp Garlic - 2 pods Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp Curry leaves- 2 springs salt to taste Coconut oil- 2 tbs Wash chakka kuru/jack fruit seeds. You can cook in a pressure cooker. Cook with one cup water and salt in medium flame for 6-8 minutes ( one whistle). When it cools down,gently peel off the top white skin and the bottom red skin. Cut i...

Vellarikka Manga Curry/Cucumber Mango Curry Today's recipe is a common curry for lunch in Kerala and reminds you of its regional flavor and taste. Moru curry or yogurt curry with cucumber or ash gourd is a favorite curry that is served over rice. Coconut based curries and lentil curries are also served with rice. This is a simple combo of cucumber and green mangoes.  This is a coconut based curry. Try this,it is yummy with rice, fish fry and thoran. Ingredients Green Mango- 1 Cucumber- 1 medium sized Tomato-2 small Shallots- 5-6 Ginger- 1 tsp chopped Garlic- 1 clove(optional) Fenugreek powder- a pinch Cumin seeds- 1/3 tsp Green chilly- 4 Coconut-1 cup Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp Chilly powder- 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds- 1/3 tsp Dry red chilly -2 Curry leaves- 1 spring  Peel off skin and discard seeds of cucumber and  mango and chop into cubes. Add one cup of water , green chilly, garlic,turmeric powder, chilly powder and salt. Cover and  c...

Padavalanga Parippu Thoran Padavalanga/ snake gourd is common vegetable in Kerala. Back home it was always grown in the backyard garden and mom makes many endless varieties of curries with this veggie. Here I rarely find fresh padavalanga. So when I got some fresh ones I made this padavalanga kadalaparippu thoran.Thoran is a simple and easy side dish which goes well with rice. It is  stir fry recipe of vegetables with coconut. Ingredients Padavalanga/snake gourd- 3 cups chopped Kadala parippu/split channa dal cooked - 3/4 cup Onion- medium finely chopped Coconut- 1/2 cup Green chilly-3-4 Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp Cumin - 1/3 tsp Chilly powder- a pinch Garlic - 2 pods Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp Curry leaves- 2 springs salt to taste Coconut oil- 2 tbs   Cook kadala or gram until it becomes soft but not mushy and keep it aside. Chop the padavalanga/snake gourd into small pieces. In a food processor lightly crush coconut, cumin, red chilly powder( o...

Chena Thenga Aracha Curry/Yam Coconut Curry Chena/Yam curry is a healthy and yummy curry that can be served over rice.It is a coconut based mildly spiced and tangy curry.   You can also add dried prawns and convert this dish into  non-vegetarian. Serve this with steamed rice, vegetable stir fry and fish fry to make a complete Kerala style lunch. Ingredients Chena/Yam- 250 grams Green chilly-4-5 Chilly powder-1/2 tsp Tomato- 1  Tamarind pulp- small ball Chopped ginger- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp Salt to taste To make the paste Shredded Coconut- 1 cup pearl onion- 4-5 (or a small piece of onion) Garlic -2 cloves Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp For tempering Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp Coconut shredded- 2 tbs Dry red chilly-2 Curry leaves- a few Cut yam into cubes.Cook this along with tamarind pulp,green chilly, turmeric,chilly powder,chopped ginger,salt and half cup of water.. When the yam is almost done add cubed tom...

Pavakka Kichadi Today's recipe is kichadi which is a yogurt-based side dish served with rice. Kichadi is also an integral part of Onam and Vishu Sadhya. I have posted other versions of kichadi with beetroot and okra. Kichadi with pavakka/bitter gourd is tasty and easy to make.  Bitter gourd is a staple vegetable in Indian cuisine. Bitter gourd or bitter melon as the name suggests is bitter. But there are some dishes with bitter gourd that you should give a shot before you write off this bitter vegetable completely. And the best part of pavakka kichadi is that does not taste bitter. Thinly sliced bitter gourd is deep-fried in good flavorful coconut oil, till crispy and then mixed into spiced yogurt. The spiced sour yogurt and the bitter pavakka mix in and combine to construct a flavor profile that makes your taste buds happy! I have always loved this vegetable and I should thank my mom and her endless list of recipes with bitter gourd. She makes pavakka theeyal, puli...

Kadachakka Ethapazham Stew One of my vegetable/ fruit of the moment is breadfruit, and it has rekindled memories of a forgotten taste. Not everyone shares my enthusiasm for breadfruit in my family. This simple old-fashioned treat with ripe breadfruit and plantains cooked in coconut milk is comforting and inviting, and my family enjoyed it. My recipe comes from my mother and has a homey feel to it. It is a mildly sweet creamy stew served as a side dish for breakfast or as a snack on its own. There is the enticing flavor of ghee/ clarified butter and cardamom powder. Back home in Kerala, breadfruit is called Kadachakka or Sheemachakka is grown in everyone's backyard. It looks like small jack fruit, but the taste and flavor are very different. Perfectly made soft appam or idiyappam, and this sweet bread fruit plantain stew tastes delicious. It is a simple recipe and can be enjoyed as a snack by itself. Both breadfruit and plantains have a good fruity flavor, and coconut milk gi...

Chena/ Yam Podithuval Chena podithuval is a quick and easy yam stir fry recipe. Serve this as a side dish for rice. You can use other vegetables like potatoes or chembu/taro for this recipe. Ingredients Chena- 3 cups cubed Shallots- 4-5 Curry leaves green chilly- 1 Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp Tamarind pulp- 2-3 tsp Salt to taste Mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp Coconut oil- 3 tsp To roast and grind Urad dal- 2 tsp Raw rice- 2 tsp Dry red chilly-3 Hing/ asafoetida powder- a pinch Fenugreek seeds- a pinch   In a pan add the cubed yam/chena, tamarind pulp,green chilly, turmeric powder, salt, 1/4 cup of water and one tsp of oil. Cook this till the vegetable is soft. Dry roast, urad dal, rice, dry red chilly, fenugreek seeds and few curry leaves. When is light brown mix in the hing. Allow this to cool down a bit and then make a fine powder. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When they splutter add sliced shallots and curry leaves abd saute this golden brown...

Vazhuthananga/Brinjal Mezhukkupuratti Mezhukkupuratti is a spicy stir fry with vegetables, onions, and spices. It is a common side dish served with rice in Kerala. You can make mezhukkupuratti with any vegetable like plantain, yard beans, yam or any other of your choice. This vegetable dish is also served in Onam/ Vishu Sadhya . Here I have used eggplant/ Brinjal. This is a versatile and satisfying side dish that you will surely enjoy.  Brinjal/eggplant is commonly used in Indian and regional cuisine to make curries, gravies, fries, and even snacks. It is rich in iron, vitamins, and fiber and I often try to incorporate it in my diet. Fried eggplant is one of my favorite side dishes and this mezhupuratti is a healthy stir fry . The recipe has a twist, I have added rice flour to the masala. It gets coated with the eggplant pieces and when stir-fried and makes it slightly crispy. This mezhukkupuratti tastes best with rice, but you can also serve it with chapathi. Try th...