Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Kadala curry-Thattukada style!

I have mentioned about a thattu kada turned restaurant - Pai's thattu kada in one of my earlier posts.Thattu kada is a roadside eatery which usually serves ready to eat food like idlis,dosas,porottas,idiyappams etc etc.Thattukadas in Kerala are especially famous because of the type of food they serve-the famous one being Porotta and Beef fry.You can find these shops on almost every nook and corner.They usually start preparing by early evening and by nightfall,everything is ready to be served.They continue their business till wee hours of the morning.It is a pleasure to see them serving the food onto the plate with such fervor and enthusiasm.People start flocking these shops immediately after they start the business.

As kids,we never had outside food on a regular basis.Once in a fortnight appa would take us all out for an evening in the park,dinner in a restaurant and ice-cream.And we loved it!!But then,we grew up..hmm...!!We got introduced to Hotel food(as my dad puts it) and came the days of ordering out.It was during that time that Pai's started their shop.It was very close to where we lived and was quite tempting.Their speciality was 36 varieties of dosas with various accompaniments.But...thattu kada food was taboo in our house.Appa felt that they cooked veg and non-veg food in the same kitchen and used same dishes.For quite sometime he believed that,but we persisted and then he gave silent approval.But till date,when we order food from Pai's,he has a frown on his face!!Amma also had similar misconceptions,till she tasted this-or rather,was forced to taste this.Usually,kadala curry is served with Puttu or Idiyappam.But in Pai's it is served with the famous thattu dosa.Here it is...

Kadala curry - Thattukada style!

Ingredients


Black channa/Bengal gram/Chickpeas - 200 gms(soaked overnight)
Salt to taste

For the masala

Grated coconut - 3/4 cup
Coriander seeds - 2 tbsp
Jeera - 1/2 tsp
Red chillies - 4 or 5
Tamarind - 1 small channa size
Clove - 2
Cinnamon - 1 small piece
Cardamom/Elaichi - 1 small

For seasoning

Coconut oil - 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 2 sprig
Onions - 2,sliced thinly lengthwise
Tomatoes - 1/2 of one tomato,sliced thinly lengthwise

Method

Cook the channa in a pressure cooker with salt till done.
Roast the ingredients for the masala adding the ingredients one after the other starting with coconut and ending with elaichi till well browned.
Let it cool and grind it to a smooth paste adding half of the tomato.
Prepare seasoning in a frying pan,add oil-splutter mustard seeds.
Add curry leaves,onions and fry till it starts browning.
Add tomatoes and the grounded masala.
Let it boil,add the cooked channa with the water.
Mix well,check the salt.
Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Serve hot with Puttu,idiyappam or dosa..!!

22 comments :

  1. Divya, nice one...looks like you have taken your time!...:)

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  2. Enjoyed reading of your experiences and the dish looks wonderful!

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  3. i make the kadala curry exactly the same way...but i use white channa...looks delcious..

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  4. Thanx for sharing this wonderful keralan dish..looks tasty!!

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  5. yummy kadala curry. my most fav. curry with rotis.

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  6. This is new for me....nice recipe

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  7. Lovely read.

    I love this curry with puttu.....

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  8. i do the same way ...it very delicious with puttu and papad....

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  9. Love this curry a lot. Looks so good. YUM!...

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  10. I have heard of it. But never tasted. Should try soon.

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  11. Nice kadala curry....
    Y dont u send it to the new MBP Street food?

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  12. looks delicious..will try it...

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  13. Divya, thks for sharing another chanya randayi, surely wd go well with puttu!
    I think you missed this post here's the link -http://fantasycookblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/two-is-breakfast-meal-and-subzi-sheet.html I hv prepared n used ur Soi bhajjil masolu in this..hv a look..tc..

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  14. Divya, m not sure if my comments r being saved or gobbled by cyberspace! There is an award waiting to b picked up --for u, kindly visit my last post on palak puris..thankyou!

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  15. Liked reading your memories on thattukada food.....as a child I was always made to believe that thattukadas served unhygienic food, but during my hostel days I tried it once and was hooked.....

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  16. Srivalli,thank you.Its only been a week but I feel I've been away way too long than that!!!

    Jackie,thank you.

    Ranji,thank you.I am sure it will taste as delicious!!!

    Hetal,thank you.My pleasure!!

    Uma,thank you.Try it with Puttu..!!

    Sangeeth,thank you.Try it once!!

    Rachel,thank you!!

    Suma,you are right.Ultimate combination with puttu,I am sure yours must be as delicious too!!

    Sukanya,thank you!!

    Sumitha,you bet!!

    Nithu,it sure is worth a try!!

    Shubha,thank you.For MBP,we have to choose and send from other blogger's recipes.I don't think I can send my own entry!!

    Sowmya,thank you-Please do!!

    Purnima,I am so sorry I've been so mean.Shall pick up the award from your blog soon,thanks a lot for considering me for that award.And I am so happy that you tried out the Soi bhajil masol!!

    Jayashree,same here!!

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  17. Thattu kada..oh..i miss that.Though just came back from vacation, and had plenty of road side dishes..Channa looks delicious.

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  18. nice curry divya ,love the gravy

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  19. nice curry divya ,love the gravy

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  20. Maheshwari,thank you..I know,i miss the thattu kada food too!!

    Sagari,thank you!!

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  21. Oh divya, how come we missed each ohter, when we were small my dad also used to take to childrens park then to hotel mosty BTH or near by then icecream in hotel or park.....once pai that kada started, we used to bring home and eat it, it is my dad fav kada........Oh god so many similarities divya...how can so many co-incidence can happen

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Love,
Divya.

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