Kaalan (Onam special)

Hi,
This was a long break. First we had our vacation and then the time for settling back to the daily routine in Bahrain. The heat was too much when we came back. It brought more heat when I thought about the pleasant rains at home. Now that I'm back to routine and Noel started school, I got time again to sit here and write to you. Next week it is onam and so why not start with a traditional recipe. Today I made kaalan. It is an easy to make veg curry. Have it with rice.

 Ingredients

1. Green plantain (thadiyan kaa) -2
2. Grated coconut - 1/3 of 1 coconut
3. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
4. Green chilli - 3
5. Shallots - 3
6. Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
7. Salt to taste
8. Curd - 1 cup

For tempering

• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Shallots - 2
• Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp

Method

• Cut the plaintain into small pieces
• In a pressure cooker add little water along with plantain pieces cook it well and mash.
• Grind ingredients from 2 to 7 adding little water into a smooth paste.
• Add this paste to the mashed plantain and mix well.
• Switch on the flame and let it cook for a minute. Do not allow it to boil. 
• Mix well and remove from flame. 
• Add curd after 2 minutes and mix well. 

For tempering. 

• Heat coconut oil in a pan.
•  Add mustard seeds when oil is hot. 
• Add sliced shallots when mustard seeds splutter. Add fenugreek seeds
• Remove from heat and pour over the curry.