507:NADAN ERISSERY / CHENA- KAYA ERISSERY/ HOW TO MAKE KERALA SPECIAL ERISSERY

Erissery is a traditional dish of Kerala. Erissery is one of my fav dishes in Sadya. Erissery can be prepared with Elephant yam(Chena) and Raw Banana. Fresh Elephant Yam is very hard to get in USA. Most of the time I used Frozen Suran to make Erissery.  Luckily, last week I got the fresh and tender yam from the Indian store. So this recipe I used the Fresh Elephant Foot Yam. Taste of Erissery was amazing. A tasty and healthy  side dish for rice.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time:      25 minutes

Serves:                4No.

Ingredients:

Chena /Elephant yam-(cut into small cubes)           1 cup

Raw plantain-( cut into small cubes, skin on           1 cup

Water-                                                                1 cup (or as required)

Turmeric powder                                                  1/4 Teaspoon

Red chili powder                                                - 1/2 Teaspoon

Black pepper powder                                           1/2 Teaspoon

Salt-                                                                  To Taste

Coconut oil                                                         2 Teaspoon

For the coconut paste:

Grated coconut-                                                 3/4 cup

Cumin seeds-                                                    1/2 Teaspoon

Water-                                                              as required

For Tempering

Grated coconut                                                3 Tablespoon

Coconut oil                                                      2 Teaspoons

mustard seeds                                               1/2 Teaspoon

cumin seeds/jeera                                          1/4 Teaspoon

Urdh Dal                                                        1 Tablespoon

Dry red chillies                                              2 no.

1 sprig curry leaves

Method:

• Wash the yam and banana.
• Take a heavy pan, ,add Yam,, Banana, red chili powder, turmeric powder, black pepper powder, salt  and water. Mix well.

• Cook until it is done. Lightly mash it with the back of the ladle.
• Add a coconut oil and mix it very well.
• Grind the coconut and jeera to a fine paste by adding water, little at a time.

• Add the ground coconut-cumin paste. Add more salt ,if required. Mix well and cook for 3 minutes in simmer. Switch off the gas.

• In a small pan, heat the coconut oil and temper with cumin , mustard seeds ,Urdh dal and red chillies.

• When the mustard seeds splutter add the grated coconut.

• Add curry leaves, Hing powder, fry the coconut till they turn crunchy and light brown.

• Switch off and pour this tempering over the Erissery.
• Your delicious Kerala Special Nanda Chena and Kaya Erissery is ready !!

. Note:

• Make sure you get good quality Chena, sometimes if the water content is high in Chena, the flavor will not be there.
• Prepare the erissery using coconut oil, if you want the authentic Kerala taste. 
• The consistency of the dish should be reasonably thick

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413: Palada Pradhaman/Milk Ada Pradhaman

Palada pradhaman is very popular dessert in Kerala .It is made on occasions like Vishu, Onam & marriage feasts.  This a rich and delicious dessert and it is a fitting finale to the sadhya(feast), leaving your guest with unforgettable memories of the delicious Onam sadhya.

Ingredients:

Instant ada                              1 cup

Whole milk                              2 ½  cups

Evaporated milk                       1 tin

Water                                      1 cup  

Sugar                                      1 ½ cup

Green Cardmons                       6no. (crushed)

Saffron                                     a pinch

 Ghee                                       2 tbsp.

Cashews & almonds                   a handful

Method:

                           

• Soak the adas in water for 30 minutes  Wash & drain in cold water 2-3 times until water is clean.
• Place a heavy bottom vessel and add in one cup of water and allow it to boil. Add ada into it. When its almost cooked drain the water and keep aside.
• Pour the milk , evaporated milk and saffron into the thick bottom non stick vessel, heat it.when it boils, add the sugar and continue boiling until it thickens.
• When it is well reduced or thickened, add the cooked ada pieces into it.  Cook it in very low flame.
• Finally add the crushed cardamom powder to  the milk  and  mix well. switch off the flame.
• Blend the well boiled milk and the ada together and remove from the flame only when it reaches the consistency that makes it ready to serve
•  Heat ghee and roast the cashew nuts and raisins and garnish on top.

Note:

You can make ada at home. Here is the recipe.

For making fresh ada:

Unnakkal ari (Raw rice)  - 1 cup.  Sugar   - 3 tsp. Coconut  - 1 tbsp.

• Wash the unakkalari well and either powder it or grind it.
• To this, add the sugar and the coconut oil, and mix it till it is slightly thinner than dosa batter consistency, but thick enough to be spread on a leaf. 
• Tear the banana leaf into five portions, remove the fibre, and spread the batter on each leaf by hand. Flatten and smoothen it out.
• Place a vessel of water on the flame, and when it boils well, add the flattened ada into it.
• When the ada is cooked well, switch off the flame.
• Drain the water and when it cools, gently separate each ada from the leaf.
• Cut the ada into very small pieces.
• Now ada is ready for Pradhaman. 

Note: see my other  Ada Pradhaman recipe

404: Pavakkai Kichadi/ Bitter gourd in Yogurt sauce

Pavakkai Kichadi is a traditional Kerala dish made using fried bitter gourd and yogurt.

Recipe Type:  Side dish, Kerala Onam & Vishu Sadya Recipes

Cuisine:         Kerala, South Indian

Ingredients:

Finely chopped Bitter gourd       1 cup

Thick Plain Yogurt/Curd             1 cup

Grated ginger                            1 Tbsp.

Mustard seeds                           ½ Tsp.

Finely chopped Green chilies      3 no.

Grated coconut                          2 Tbsp.

Coriander leaves                        1 Tbsp.  

Oil                                              for deep frying

For Seasoning

Coconut oil                                  1 Tsp.

Mustard seeds                             ¼ Tsp.

Red chili                                      1 no.

Hing                                            1/8 Tsp.

Curry leaves                               1 String.

    

Method:

• Fry the Pavakkai / Bitter gourd, Green Chilly and Curry leaves till it is brown and crisp. When it’s almost brown take it off from the oil and keep aside.
• Grind grated coconut, ginger and mustard seeds to a fine paste. Mix the curd to this paste. Add Fried items into curd.  Add salt and mix it well.
• Heat coconut oil, splutter mustard seeds, curry leaves ,red chilies and hing. Add the seasoning to the curd mix.  Decorate with coriander leaves.
• Now Pavakkai kichadi is ready to serve.
• Serve with steam plain rice.

Sāmbhar

Each state in the South prepares sambar with a typical variation, adapted to its taste and environment. Kerala Sambar is different from the typical Sambar made in the other South Indian states.  I made this sambhar without coconut. This is a simple recipe from my ‘Madappalli”. Enjoy

Ingredients

Tovar dhal                                      ½ - 3/4 cup

Tamarind                                        a small size

Turmeric powder                          ¼ Tsp.

Sambhar Powder                           2 Tbsp.

Red chili powder                           ¼ Tsp.

Asafetida powder                        ¼ Tsp. 

Salt                                               to Taste.   

Water                                          As required

Vegetables

 Chopped Okra                             4 No.

Carrot                                            1 No.(Cubed)

Tomatoes                                      2 No. (Chopped)

Silted Green Chilies                      3 No.

 Chopped Bell Pepper (Capsicum)  ¼ cup

Grated Ginger                                1 Tbsp.

Curry leaves                                  few

For Seasoning

Coconut Oil                                    2 Tbtsp.

Mustard seeds                              1    Tsp.

Broken Red chillies                        2 No.

Curry leaves                                   few

For Decoration

Coriander leaves                          few.

Method: 

• Pressure cooks the dal with water & turmeric powder on high flame for 4 whistles. After that takeout from the cooker and mashed well and add enough water and blend it well.
• Now add the all vegetables and salt and let it cook for few more minutes.
• When the vegetables are half cooked add the tamarind water and let it cook till all vegetables are well cooked.
• Meanwhile heat oil in another pan and add the sambar powder and Asafetida powder. Fry it for a minute; make sure that it doesn't get burnt. Add some water to the powder and make a thick paste,
• Add this to the veggies and let it boil for 10 minutes in medium heat.
• Heat the coconut oil in a pan, crackle the mustard seed, after that add all seasonings fry it.
• Add this fried tempering into the cooking sambar. Remove from the fire.Decorate with coriander leaves.
• Now Sāmbhar is ready to serve.
• Serve hot with steamy rice, idlis and dosas.

  See my  other Sambhar Recipes :

Udipi Sambhar

Express Tomato Sambhar

Millaghai Sambhar,

Kerala Sambhar,

Hotel Idli Sambhar

Andhra Style Sambhar

Arachuvitta Sambhar

Malabar Aviyal

Malabar is located in southern tip of India; Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations, Rich in Heritage, scenic beauty and mouthwatering cuisine. 

Malabar

Pre-independence Kerala was basically split into the princely states of Travancore & Kochi in the south, and Malabar district in the north; the erstwhile split is reflected in the recipes and cooking style of each area. Both Travancore and northern Malabar cuisine consists of a variety of vegetarian dishes using many vegetables and fruits that are not commonly used in curries elsewhere in India (like Ethakka,bittergourd,Karunai).

Methology of Avial, see the link Aviyal

Malabar Aviyal is a thick mixture of vegetables, curd and coconut, seasoned with coconut oil and curry leaves. It plays a major role in Kerala Sadya. Making Aviyal is quite easy, once you are done cutting the vegetables. This Aviyal menu is sure to transport you to the shores of Kerala. Enjoy

Ingredients

Vegetables

Ethaykka (Kerala Banana)    -              1 no

Carrot                                              1 no

Beans                                              10 no.

Elephant Yam                                    50 gm

Raw Banana                                     1 no.

Methanga-Red Pumpkin                      1 small piece

White Pumpkin/Kumbalanga                1 small piece

Lobia/ Nandan Payar                          100 gm.

Golden Cucumber / Nadan Cucumber     ½ no

 Green chilies                                    2 no

Grind Coarsely

Fresh Coconut                                   1 cup

Green Chilies                                    8 no.(Depending on spice level)

Jeera                                               a pinch. 

Other Ingredients 

Turmeric Powder                                ¼ tsp.

Plain sour yogurt/curd                        1 cup (room temperature)       

Water                                              2 cups

Salt                                                to taste

For Seasoning

 Coconut oil                                       2tbsp.

Curry Leaves                                     2 strings

Method:

• Grind coconut, cumin seed, and green chilies with adding  a little water and grind into coarsely.
• Peel and chop all the vegetables into similar sized 2-inch lengths.
• Take a heavy cooking pan, add vegetables, water ,turmeric powder and salt. Cook the vegetables.
• When  the vegetables are ¾ cooked, add the grounded coconut paste  and l tbsp. of  coconut oil into it. Mix the vegetable gently.
• Keep an eye on the vegetables as they may need more water as they cook.
• Now cook over low heat for about 10 minutes till the raw taste of coconut paste gone.
• Whip the curds into a smooth blend. Keep aside.
• Turn off the stove heat and add the whipped curd into vegetables and gently mix  it.
• Heat coconut oil in kadai, fry the curry leaves and add into the Aviyal and mix well.
• Now the famous Malabar Aviyal is ready to serve.
• Serve hot Aviyal with White Rice.

  Note: See my other Aviyal recipe is here, Aviyal 

Gothuma Payasam (Cracked Broken Wheat Payasam)

Cracked wheat is made by cutting or crushing whole raw wheat berries (kernels) into small pieces. Because it contains wheat bran and wheat germ, cracked wheat is an excellent source of fiber.

   This is one of the  Traditional Kerala Specialty.  This is an easy and healthy sweet dish.  Easy to make and a real treat for your taste buds!. Enjoy.

Broken Wheat

Ingredients

Broken Wheat                       1 cup

Water                                  3 cup

Milk                                     1 cup

Medium coconut milk              1 cup

Thick coconut milk                 1 cup

Jaggery (powdered)                2 cup

Dry ginger powder                  1/2tsp.

Ghee                                    2tbsp.

Crushed Cardamom                 2tbsp.

Cashewnuts                           1tbsp.

Coconut pieces                       1tbsp.

Method: 

• Wash the broken wheat thoroughly for 4-5 times.
• Pressure cooks the cleaned broken wheat with 3 cups of water & 1 cup of milk.
• I cooked it on six whistles on medium heat. Allow it to cool. The wheat should be thoroughly cooked and almost mashed.
• Meanwhile melt the jaggery with ½ cup water. Keep on stirring continuously until the jaggery has melted. Strain the melted jaggery.
• Combine the melted jaggery & cooked wheat.
• Add 1 tbsp. of ghee, crushed cardamoms & dry ginger powder to this.
• Cook this mixture till it reaches a thick consistency.
• Add medium thick coconut milk to this & combine well. Let it boil.
• When it attains a thick consistency, add thick coconut milk. Give a good stir & mix well.
• Let it cook for 5 more minutes on low flame & remove from fire.
• Roast cashews & coconut pieces in ghee and add it to the Payasam.
• Serve warm. 

Note:

• Before adding melted jaggery to wheat, make sure that wheat is cooked well. 
• You can increase milk and decrease water used in this recipe for a better taste.
• Payasam tends to thicken as it cools down. If so dilute it with warm coconut milk or milk.
• You can use coconut milk powder mixed with warm water.

Chakka Pradhaman /Jackfruit Payasam

Chakka Pradhaman is a traditional Payasam (pudding) of Kerala, India. The main ingredients of Chakka Pradhaman are Jack fruit and jaggery. Chakka varatti/jack fruit jam or jack fruit pulps cooked in coconut milk and then sweetened with jaggery.

I wanted to prepare this Pradhaman with fresh jack fruit  , but I could not find any ripe jack fruit in Indian store, so I used canned jack fruit for this Payasam.

Ingredients

Canned jack fruit                  2 tins

Jaggery                               1 1/2 cups (use it according to your sweet preference)

Low fat Coconut milk tin       1 ½ tin 

Dry ginger powder(Chukku)  1 tsp.

Coconut pieces                     ¼ cup

Fresh Cardamom   powder     1 tsp.

Ghee                                  2 tbsp.

Method

• Cut the jack fruit into small pieces. Shallow fry the pieces into 1 teaspoon of ghee.
• Cook it with thin coconut milk(Mix 1/2 tin coconut milk with 1/2 cup water)  around 15 minutes or till they became soft. When the jack fruit is fully cooked, slightly mashed it using  a potato masher.
• Meanwhile make jaggery syrup, adding ¼ cup of water to the jaggery and cook it in a low flame. When the jaggery is fully melted and strains it to remove dust particles.
• Add the jaggery syrup to the cooked jack fruit and cook till all water is evaporated.
• Now add the ½ tin of coconut milk diluted with very little water and let it come to nice boil. Add dry ginger powder & cardamon powder in it.Reduce the stove heat to very low
• When it reaches thick consistency, add the thick coconut milk and mix it and bring to boil and remove from fire.
• Heat ghee in a pan and fry coconut slices till they become light brown in color and to the Pradhaman.
• Finally pour 1 tbsp. of ghee in to Pradhaman
• Chakka Pradhaman is ready to serve hot or cold anyway you like it. 

Moru kachiyathu/ Seasoned Buttermilk

This is a simple dish from Kerala. I prepare Moru Kachiyathu (Seasoned Butter Milk) whenever I am in hurry & also Dhuvadesi days. It is very easy and can be prepared in less than 10 minutes. You don't need coconut for this recipe.

Ingredients:

Yogurt                                        2 cups (room temperature)

Water                                         1 cup

Ginger grated                              1 tsp.

Turmeric powder                          ¼ tsp.

Salt                                             to taste.

Seasonings:                       

Coconut oil                                    1 tbsp..

Mustard seeds                                1/4 tsp.

Fenugreek seeds                             a pinch

Red chilies                                      2 no.

Curry leaves                                    1 stem   

Method:

• Blend the yogurt with water. Keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard & fenugreek.
• Add chilies, ginger and curry leaves. Fry it for 1-2 minutes.
• Add Turmeric powder in it. Mix well.
• Add blended butter milk & slat and stir well.
• Stir continuously for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Keep on stirring till it becomes warm. Never allow it to boil.
• Remove from the stove and stir for a few more minutes allowing it to cool.
• Serve hot with Rice. 

Note:

• Butter milk should be room temperature. Other ways it may cradle.
• You can store this one week in the refrigerator.

Onam Festival.

Onam (Malayalam: ഓണം) is the largest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. It falls during the month of Chingam (August–September) and marks the homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. Story goes that during the reign of mighty asura (demon) king, Mahabali, Kerala witnessed its golden era. Every body in the state was happy and prosperous and king was highly regarded by his subjects. For all the good deed done by Mahabali, God granted him a boon that he could annually visit his people with whom he was so attached. People make all efforts to celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their dear King that they are happy and wish him well.

Onam celebrations are marked in Trikkakara, (one of the 108 Divya Desam) a place 10 km from Kochi (Cochin) Trikkara is said to be the capital of the mighty King Mahabali. A temple with a deity of 'Trikkakara Appan' or 'Vamanamurthy' who is Lord Vishnu himself in disguise is also located at this place. Nowhere else in Kerala can one find a deity of 'Vamanamurthy'.  

There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played with a ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and Attakalam. Women indulge in cultural activities. They make intricately designed flower mats called, Pookalam in the front courtyard of the house to welcome King Mahabali. Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are two graceful dances performed by women on Onam. Folk performances like Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the zest of celebrations.

Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala. The following song is often sung over Onam:

"maveli nadu vaneedum kalam,
manusharellarum onnupole
amodhathode vasikkum kalam
apathangarkkumottillathanum
kallavum illa chathiyumilla
ellolamilla polivachanam
kallapparayum cherunazhiyum
kallatharangal mattonnumilla
adhikal vyadhikalonnumilla
balamaranangal kelppanilla"......

(Translation)

When Maveli, our King, ruled the land,
All the people were equal.
And people were joyful and merry;
They were all free from harm.
There was neither anxiety nor sickness,
Deaths of children were unheard of,
There were no lies,
There was neither theft nor deceit,
And no one was false in speech either.
Measures and weights were right;
No one cheated or wronged his neighbor.
When Maveli, our King, ruled the land,
All the people formed one casteless races.

http://youtu.be/s6VfZ5Giqbo

Onam Sadya

Rich and the poor, everybody prepares Onasadya in a grand fashion as people of Kerala are extremely devotional and passionate when it comes to Onasadya. So much so that, it has lead to saying, 'Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam'. Meaning - men go to the extend of selling all their possessions  for one onam Sadya.

Rice is the essential ingredient of this Nine Course Strictly Vegetarian Meals. All together there are 11 essential dishes which have to prepared for Onasadya. Number of dishes may at times also go upto 13. Onasadya is so elaborate a meal that it is called meals, even though it is consumed in one sitting. Onasadya is consumed with hands, there is no concept of spoon or forks here.

Traditional Onam Sadya meal comprises of different varieties of curries, upperies - thigs fried in oil, pappadams which are round crisp flour paste cakes of peculiar make, uppilittathu - pickles of various kinds, chammanthi - the chutney, payasams and prathamans or puddings of various descriptions. Fruits and digestives are also part of the meal.

The food has to be served on a tender Banana leaf, laid with the end to the left. The meal is traditionally served on a mat laid on the floor. A strict order of serving the dishes one after the another is obeyed. Besides, there are clear directions as to what will be served in which part of the banana leaf.

These days Onadaya has toned down a little due to the urban and hectic living style. Earlier, Onasaya used to be even more elaborate. There were about 64 mandatory dishes - eight varieties each of the eight dishes. At that time three banana leaves were served one under the other to accommodate all the dishes. How exactly they were accommodated in the tummy..is a food for thought!.
This colourful arrangement on the lush green banana leaf makes the food look even more tempting and irresistible .

Hold on...Be a little patient....you need to wait a little before you start gorging the lip smacking meal. There are some rituals which need to be followed. First full course meal is served for Lord Guruvayoorappan i in front of a lighted oil lamp (Nila Vilakku). This is in accordance with the Malayalese trend of starting everything in the name and presence of God.(www.onamfestival.org)

Wishing all my dear friends, my dear readers and everyone out there a Happy and Prosperous Onam! 

On behalf of Onam I am reposting the recipes .Click on the recipe title to take you to the recipe.. (Please click the links)


Sadya dishes                                       Moru Kachiyathu                                                       
                                                          
                        

Sambhar

Ada pradhaman,                  Cabbage Carrot and Peas Thoran
                                   
A                           

Cherupayar Payasam                                kai-mezhukkupuratti-

                                                              
 
 Nei Payasam -Aravana Payasam                         Kottu Curry

                          

Inji Thayir                                                         Beetroot Pachadi

                                                                             

Banana Chips                                          Pavakkai Kichadi

                                  

Puli Inji / Tamarind Ginger Gravy

                                                 

Malabar Aviyal                               Gothuma Payasam(Cracked Wheat)

                                        

                                                 Chekka Pradhaman

Pal Ada Pradhaman

                                                                       

                                          

Naranga Curry