KALAN RECIPE

A preparation of buttermilk with thick gravy and the must on the menu for Onam

Ingredients:

1 Raw banana (the kerala nendran banana is the best if available)
6 cups Beaten, thick sour curds
200 gms Chena (jameen kand/karunaikizhangu/suvarne gadde)
1 cup Coconut
2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 tbsp Pepper powder
Salt to taste
2-3 Red chillies
2-3 Green chillies
1 tbsp Mustard seeds
1 tsp Methi seeds
few Curry leaves
Coconut oil

How to make kalan:

• Wash and cut the vegetables into 2" square pieces. They should be thick
• Grind the coconut and cumin to a smooth paste without adding water. Keep it aside.
• Fry the methi seeds to a golden brown in a drop of oil and grind to a fine powder and keep this aside also..
• In 1/2cup of water dissolve the pepper powder and strain it through a clean cloth. Cook the vegetables in this water with turmeric powder and salt.. When the water dries, add 1tsp ghee
• Add the beaten sour curds to the cooked vegetables and boil, stirring occasionally, until the gravy is thickened.
• Add the grinded coconut mixture and fenugreek powder into it and bring the gravy to boil stirring continuously.
• Remove the gravy from flame.
• Heat oil in a pan. When it smokes add the mustard seeds. When the mustard splutters, add the red chillies broken into halves and curry leaves and season the gravy with it.
• Enjoy it with rice.