Chettinad Vellai Kurma

(from Nandini’s recipe box)

Source: http://www.spiceindiaonline.com/chettinad_vellai_kurma/

Categories: Gravy, Side dish for Idli/Dosa

Ingredients

  • 1 no Potato (peeled & cut)
  • 1 no Carrot (peeled & cut)
  • 3 tbsp Green peas
  • 1 cup Pumpkin (white or yellow)
  • 1 no Brinjal (cut into small pieces and store in cold water)
  • 2 tbsp Cooked beans (any type sundal)
  • 2 nos Onion (chopped)
  • 5 nos Green chili (slit open)
  • 1/2 tsp Ginger garlic paste
  • 1 no Tomato (chopped)
  • 1 cup Yogurt/curd
  • 10 nos Almonds or cashews
  • 1 tsp Dalia flour / pottukadalai maavu
  • 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 2 tsp Coriander /dhania powder
  • 1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
  • 1 tsp Ghee
  • 3 tsp Oil
  • 3 tbsp Fresh grated coconut
  • 2 nos Bay leaf
  • 1/4 tsp Garam masala powder
  • 3 drop Coconut oil (optional)
  • 6 nos Curry leaves
  • 3 stks Coriander leaves (chopped )
  • 1/4 tsp Cumin seeds
  • 1/4 tsp Fennel seeds

Directions

  1. Step 1: Put grated coconut, dalia flour, cashews and yogurt in the mixie and blend well to form a thick foamy sauce and keep aside. (If using almonds blanch them and then ground. Blanching — Soak them in hot water for 10 minutes and then peel the skin off)

  2. Step 2: Chop all the veggies, wash and keep aside. If using sundal, it has to be soaked overnight and pressure cooked.

  3. Step 3: Heat ghee and oil in a pan, splutter cumin seeds, fennel seeds and curry leaves. Add in the bay leaves and green chilies. Let it sizzle for seconds and then add chopped onions. Fry until its translucent and then add the ginger garlic paste. Keep sauteing till the raw smell goes away. Add in chopped tomatoes and cook for few minutes. Now add the chopped veggies along with turmeric and coriander powder. Saute this for few minutes, add 2 cups of water, cover and cook for 10 minutes over medium flame.

  4. Step 4: When done, add the yogurt sauce, garam masala and salt. Let simmer on low flame for 5 minutes till the oil separates.

  5. Step 5: Add in few drops of coconut oil and garnish with coriander leaves.

  6. Step 6: Serve hot with steaming Idlis, Kal dosais, iddiyappam, appam, chapatti or even with plain Neyyi Sadam(Ghee rice).

  7. Use fresh whole garam masalas while seasoning instead of garam masala powder for nice strong flavour.

  8. Coconut oil is added for extra rich aroma and its totally optional.

  9. Authentic chettinad vellai kurma is made mostly with country vegetables (Naatu Kaikarigal) like Broad beans, Ash gourd, Brinjal and drumsticks. Restaurant versions include all variety.

  10. Yield: 3-4 adult servings approx.

Email to a friend | Print this recipe | Back