Kaalan - Onam Sadya Recipe

I am in the collection of Onam Sadya recipes, I have posted few already in the vegetarian menu, still more I am posting to make it complete, one among them is Kaalan. It’s a very famous vegetarian Onam recipe served in the occasion, next after the pulisherry is served or sometimes as first. The recipe is very simple and its made out of just the raw plantain. Whenever you are hurry to make something, this will be the best choice, all you need as the key ingredient as curd.

You can also add some yam/chenna which gives you the extra taste, however if you don’t get it in your place, you can ignore it. Kaalan is most famous in Thrissur and many people may not be very sure about this, so if you have never tasted go far it and I am sure you will add this to your cooking menu once in a while :)
 

Ingredients:

• Raw Plantain-1 Nos (Cut as small cubes)
• Yam/Chenna- ¼ Cup(Optional)
• Curd (Beaten)- 1 Cup
• Chili Powder- 1 Tspn
• Coriander Powder-1 Tspn
• Turmeric Powder- ¼ Tspn
• Pepper Powder- ½ Tspn
• Green chilies- 2 Nos
• Fenugreek Seeds- 1 Tspn
• Mustard Seeds- 1 Tspn
• Dry Red Chilies- 4 Nos
• Coconut Oil- 2 Tspn
• Curry Leaves- few
• Water- 1 Cup

To Grind:

• Coconut Shredded- ½ Cup
• Cumin Seeds- 1 Tspn
• Garlic pods- 2 Nos

 

Method:

• In a pan, pour water,add the yam,plantain,chili,coriander,pepper and turmeric powder and heat in the medium flame until the vegetables cooked well.
• Ground all the ingredients to fine paste under “to grind” and keep aside.
• After the veggies are cooked (do not let all the water to dry up), add the grounded paste to it and mix well.
• Bring down to low flame, add the beaten curd and mix well again, add salt.
• In a separate pan, add the oil when it heats up add the mustard,curry leaves and dry red chilies and fenugreek seeds and give a stir.
• Add this to the curry and stir well and serve hot.

 
Tips:

"While cooking the vegetables make sure the water is not fully dried up.

After adding the curd, don't keep it in the flame as the curd may get separated and doesn’t give a proper taste.

Adding coconut oil is optional,you can add your own choice of oil, however coconut oil gives you the better taste."