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Friday, April 29, 2011

Elephant Yam - Chena Masala Curry



Wonder how this vegetable got the name elephant yam. Now this is called chena in Malayalam. A very naadan taste is achieved in this recipe, where masala ingredients are roasted and ground. Replace yam with potato and make a potato masala curry.

Ingredients

400 gm - Chena/ suran/ elephant yam, cut to smaller cubes
3 to 4 - Green chili, slit in center
2''piece - Ginger, finely chopped
2 medium size - Tomato, chopped

Roast & Grind to smooth paste

3/4 cup - Freshly grated coconut
1 piece - Cinnamon stick
4 to 6 - Clove
1 - Star anise
5 to 6 big - Garlic
4 to 5 - Shallots / small onions
4 to 5 - Whole dry red chili
2 tbsp - Coriander powder
1/2 tsp - Turmeric powder

Garnish

1 tsp - Mustard seeds
1/2 cup - Shallots/ small onions, chopped
1/4 cup - Coconut chopped, thenga kottu
3 to 4 sprigs - Curry leaves

Method

1 ) Pressure cook chena with ginger, green chili, tomato and salt to taste, adding enough water. Pressure cook for one whistle.

2 ) In a kadai, fry & roast grated coconut, on medium to low heat. Add cinnamon, clove, star anise, dry red chili, garlic and shallots. Add little coconut oil in between roasting, for good taste and flavor. Fry till the coconut turns light to medium brown in color. Now add coriander powder and turmeric powder. Further fry till the powders changes color to a slight darker shade. Take off the stove and cool.

3 ) When cool, grind to a smooth paste with enough water. Now add this coconut paste to the cooked chena. Add enough water for the gravy. Add salt to taste and some curry leaves. Bring to a boil and take off the stove.

4 ) Meanwhile, in a kadai, add coconut oil and pop the mustard seeds. Then add, coconut bits, small onion and fry to a light brown color. Add rest of the curry leaves and fry for a second. Garnish the curry with this and stir in. Serve hot with rice. Serve as a side dish with rice or roti.

9 comments:

Nitha said...

delicious curry...

Suman Singh said...

Tempting suran curry..mom used to make this once in a while..your recipe sounds great..thanks for sharing!

Poornima said...

I recently discovered your blog and am pleasantly surprised by the number of great recipes on offer. Tried many and all were good. Thank you.Being a mallu I love the mallu recipes too.

Pravs said...

Nitha : Thank you :)

Suman singh : Do try and let me know :)

Poornima : Welcome to my blog :) Very happy to know you tried out the recipes and they turned out well.

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

very interesting, yummy n mouthwatering curry..
first time to your space ...lovely blog with innovative recipe collection you hve..
Am your happy follower now..:)
do stop by mine sometime..
Tasty Appetite

Vini said...

chena masala curry looks delish! I have some frozen chena, will surely try this recipe.

Hari Chandana P said...

OMG... Truly delicious.. Awesome picture too !!
Indian Cuisine

Joyce said...

I would love to try this but I have a modern "safe" pressure cooker without the rocking valve on top. How long is one whistle after the pressure cooker comes to full heat? My cooker does have 3 lines on the valve. thanks so much! Joyce

Pravs said...

Joyce : Happy to note you want to try this recipe. After after the pressure cooker comes to full heat, simmer and cook for 5 minutes. I am not familiar with the cooker you are using..but i hope my suggestion helps :)