Erode Style Mutton Thanni Kuzhambu & Mutton Varuval - A Journey through Kongu Cuisine & Kida Vettu Culture

Looking for an authentic Erode style Mutton Thanni Kuzhambu recipe? This traditional Kongu Nadu mutton curry and spicy Mutton Varuval combo brings the rustic flavours of Tamil Nadu’s famous Kida Vettu feast straight to your kitchen. Prepared with shallots, sesame oil, and freshly ground local spices, this dual-purpose recipe yields a light, soulful lamb curry and a fiery, pan-fried mutton side dish. Perfect for Sunday family lunches, holiday feasts, or lovers of regional South Indian non-veg cuisine, this step-by-step guide ensures tender, juicy meat and a deeply aromatic, traditional-style gravy. Explore the timeless style of cooking with this traditional Mutton Kuzhambu and Varuval from Kongu Cuisine.  Detailed story & recipe guide below.

CAULIFLOWER STIR-FRY

    Recently, my daughter wanted a few quick fix recipes.  Happy to know that she is using my recipes from the blog while cooking, and also she's coming up with a lot of comments to perfect it though - perfect in the sense of recipes and also in terms of blogging. Well, in the process, we found that I had missed a few most frequented and family favourite dishes missing from the blog.  As such, it should have been conveniently forgotten to be added in due course of blogging.  So as a quick action coming up with a few of her favourites and for her reference.

    The idea also creeped into my mind that such quick fix, easy to make recipes could be used by people who are in their learning process.  Especially it could be useful for `Bachelors and Spinsters, Students and office goers staying away from home or for beginners. 

    This Cauliflower Stir Fry recipe is one style which I cook at home, and it is a family favourite.  A simple and quick fix recipe which goes well with both Roti and Rice.  What you need are a few Cauliflower florets cut into small pieces, simply toss them in oil, add salt and cook on a low flame until it wilts and turns soft.  Then add simple spices like Turmeric Powder and Red Chilli Powder, enough... these two spices does more justification to the dish and if at all you need some intricate flavour for this stir-fry, you can go ahead with your whims and fancies and add pepper powder or garam masala or fennel powder etc., & etc., The choice is yours.

    When I say Cauliflower Stir Fry you can see a wide range of recipes around the globe and yet another one which I frequent at home is the Chinese Version with other vegetables like Broccoli, Carrots, Mushroom, Sweet Peas etc., And yet another one with Scrambled Eggs. But this Cauliflower stir Fry is purely a version suitable for an Indian palate.  This is a simple and easy stir-fry made with less oil and minimum spices.  

    This Cauliflower Stir Fry recipe goes well with any type of rice dish, especially it is compatible with Curd Rice.   Whenever we make variety rice like Coconut Rice, Lemon Rice, Tomato Rice, Puliyodharai, Moong Dhal Khichdi or Arisi Paruppu Sadham.  This Spicy Cauliflower Stir Fry can be served as a side dish for Roti, Chapati, Parathas etc.,
     

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Course : Side dish
Spice Level : Moderate
Difficulty : Easy
Serves : 4
Author : SM

Preparation Time - 5 Minutes
Cooking Time - 10 - 15 Minutes

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HOW TO COOK CAULIFLOWER STIR-FRY

CAULIFLOWER STIR-FRY

INGREDIENTS:

For Cauliflower Stir-fry:

Cauliflower - 2 Cups
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon
Red Chilli Powder - 1–2 Teaspoons
Oil - 1 Tablespoons
Salt - To Taste.

METHOD:

• Clean and cut the Cauliflower into florets
• Wash the Cauliflower florets and soak the florets in warm water with a pinch of Turmeric & a dash of Salt in it for a few minutes.
• Allow it to dry in a colander.
• Cut the Cauliflower florets into small pieces or into desired size.  
  
• Heat oil in a pan over a high flame.
• Reduce the flame to a low level and allow it to cool down for a few minutes.
• Add the Cauliflower florets into the oil, sprinkle some salt over it and give a toss.
• Leave this on a medium-low flame until cauliflower florets wilts & turns soft, stirring occasionally.
• When Cauliflower florets wilt and are 3/4 done, add Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder and toss them up well until all the pieces are coated well with the spices.
• Allow it to fry on a low flame until Cauliflower florets turn slightly crispy.
• Serve Cauliflower Stir-fry hot as a side dish with Rice, Sambar, Rasam or as a side dish for Variety Rice.

CAULIFLOWER STIR-FRY

NOTES:

• Small pieces of Cauliflower florets tends to get cooked soon and also aesthetically looks good .
• I have used just the Turmeric Powder & Red Chilli Powder in this recipe. 
  
• Can also add Curry Masala Powder/Mutton Masala/Garam Masala Powder.
• Adjust the spices to suit your spice level.
• I like to cook Cauliflowers until they wilt and turn soft. 

CAULIFLOWER & EGG STIR FRY

     Cauliflower & Egg stir-fry recipe is from my Mother's repertoire. Egg is one common ingredients in my Mom's kitchen and not a day goes without eggs.  Eggs turn out to be versatile and comes out in different versions & styles each day.  When we get bored with Egg Bhurji or Omelettes, she cooks up Eggs with Cauliflowers, Beans or Cabbage.  This was one frequented side dish I have taken in my Lunch Box, and so I have fond memories of her versions of Omelette with grated coconuts and Veggie & egg stir fries.

    Egg Bhurji is an Indianised Scrambled Egg converted to suit the Indian Palate.  What makes it different and unique is the addition of Spices. This recipe is similar to an Egg Bhurji with just an addition of finely chopped Cauliflowers along with it. Maybe we can all it as Cauliflower Egg Bhurji too.  This quick fix recipe goes well with both Roti & Rice. 

    Cauliflower & Egg Stir fry recipe comes handy for working folks who want to make something quick, healthy and delicious for their breakfast or for their kids' lunch box. This one is the best try for beginners venturing into cooking or students/bachelors living outside their homes. One of the best dish ever which is hassle-free and can be prepared with minimal ingredients.  Above all, combine it up with few Slices of Bread or Chapati for a complete meal.  Goes well with Rice too.
    

    In this Cauliflower & Egg Stir Fry Recipe, I have cooked Cauliflowers & then scrambled the Eggs with Onions, Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder and Curry Masala(Mutton Masala).  You can also add some tomatoes while sautéing or substitute Red Chilli Powder with finely chopped Green Chillies.  You can also be easy with the Masala - use Garam Masala/Curry Masala/Mutton Masala... Anything which fancies you.  If you do not have any, simply prepare it with Onions and Green Chillies and finish off the dish with a sprinkle of Black Pepper Powder.  The options are to go along with your whims and fancies... or cook with what ingredients you readily have.  

For more EGG RECIPES, Click here...

Cuisine - Indian
Course - Side Dish
Spice Level - Medium
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 2 -3
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 5-7 Minutes
Cooking Time - 7- 10 Minutes

HOW TO COOK CAULIFLOWER & EGG STIR FRY

CAULIFLOWER & EGG STIR FRY

INGREDIENTS:

For Cauliflower & Egg Stir Fry:

Cauliflower - 2 Cups
Eggs - 2 Nos.
Onion - 1 No.
Garlic - 1 Clove
Turmeric Powder - 1/8 Teaspoon
Red Chilli Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Masala/Mutton Masala Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Salt - To Taste
Oil - 2 Tablespoons

 

METHOD:

• Clean and cut the Cauliflower into florets
• Wash the Cauliflower florets and soak the florets in warm water with a pinch of Turmeric & a dash of Salt in it for a few minutes.
• Allow it to dry in a colander.
• Now, finely chop the Cauliflower.  
  
• Heat oil in a pan over a high flame.
• Reduce the flame to medium-low and add finely chopped Onions, Garlic and sauté it until Onions turn translucent.
• Add Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder and Curry Masala Powder to the above and fry this on a low flame until aromatic.
• Add finely chopped cauliflower and give a quick stir.
• Sprinkle a dash of salt and cook this on a low flame for a few minutes, or until the Cauliflowers turns soft and cooked.
  
• Meanwhile, crack open the Eggs in a small bowl one by one and then combine it up in a big bowl.
• Beat the Eggs lightly along with a dash of Salt.
• Gently pour the beaten Egg into the Pan & Scramble the Eggs into tiny pieces on a medium-low flame until well cooked.
• At this point, make sure to stir it up continuously and scramble the eggs well.
  
• Once the eggs are finely scrambled and well-cooked, switch off the flame.
• Finally, the Eggs and Cauliflower should have combined up well.
  
• Serve Cauliflower & Egg Stir Fry hot with Roti or Rice.
• This stir-fry goes well with hot fuming Rice & Rasam.(my personal preference).
  

NOTES:

• Finely Chopped Cauliflowers tends to get cooked soon and also aesthetically looks good when combined with scrambled eggs.
• I have used Red Chilli Powder in this recipe.  Can substitute it with 2-3 finely chopped Green Chillies.
  
• I have used Curry Masala Powder, can substitute it with Mutton Masala/Garam Masala Powder.
• Adjust the spices to suit your spice level.
• The idea of breaking the eggs one by one in a small bowl and then combining it in a bowl is, by any chance one of the Eggs turns out to be bad, then the entire bowl gets wasted.
• So I usually do this way while using up more than one egg in a recipe. 
• Also, beating the eggs along with salt before scrambling it helps you to yield perfectly scrambled eggs.  
• I like to scramble it up into tiny pieces and well cooked.
• All the way while cooking I keep the flame at medium-low.
• This way it doesn't smell "eggy" when packed in Lunch Boxes. 
• Can cook the same recipe with finely chopped Beans/Cabbage instead of Cauliflower.
  

BENGALI CHICKEN KOSHA

    Sometime last year, my son send me a recipe and asked me to make it.  When I looked into the recipe, I was damn sure why he even asked me to make it.  The Chicken Curry had Potatoes in it.  Chicken/Mutton/Beef with Potatoes are liked head down by my hubby & kids.  So went along to make a new recipe - a Bengali Style Chicken Curry, the popular Chicken Kosha. 

    Chicken Kosha is a traditional Bengali way of cooking chicken. It is rated as high on spice level in local terms.  Pondering through the recipe and its history & origin, The word Kosha in Bengali means dry or with a little gravy but mostly quite dry in consistency. It’s a popular dish from a Bengali Kitchen & every Bengali family has their own version of cooking Kosha - may be Chicken/Mutton.  This recipe is the one my son send me and the way I cooked Chicken Kosha.  

    And experts suggests cooking this recipe in an Iron Wok, which brings out the dark colour unique to the authentic Kosha recipes.  But I personally would recommend removing the dish from the wok, once cooked.  Otherwise, the acidity in the Curry can react with the Iron wok giving a metallic taste to the dish, and also it can make the dish go very dark.  I learnt this during my initial days of cooking.  Traditional Kosha recipes and particularly Bengali style of cooking mostly use Mustard Oil.  You can get easy with your preferred Vegetable Oil while cooking this recipe, but Mustard oil gives the authentic flavour to Chicken Kosha.

For more BENGALI RECIPES, Click here...

Cuisine - Bengal, India
Recipe Type - Curry
Difficulty - Medium
Spice Level - Medium - High
Serves - 3 - 4
Author - SM  

Preparation Time - 15 -20 Minutes
Marinating Time - 1 Hour/Overnight
Cooking Time - 30 - 40 Minutes

 

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HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN KOSHA - BENGALI STYLE SPICY CHICKEN CURRY

BENGALI CHICKEN KOSHA

INGREDIENTS:

To Marinate the Chicken:

Chicken - 1 Kg
Onion - 2 Nos.
Garlic - 7-8 Cloves 
Kashmiri Chilli Powder - 11/2 Teaspoons
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 Teaspoon
Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon
Oil - 1 -2  Tablespoons

For Chicken Kosha:

Oil - 1/4 Cup
Potato - 4-5 
Bay Leaf - 2 Leaves
Dry Red Chillies - 2-3 Nos.
Green Cardamoms - 4-5 Pods
Onions - 2 Nos.
Ginger Garlic Paste - 2 Tablespoons
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon
Red Chilli Powder - 11/2 Teaspoon
Coriander Powder - 11/2 Tablespoon
Cumin Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Tomato - 1 No.(Large)
Green Chillies - 4-5 Nos.
Black Pepper Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Lemon Juice - 1 Teaspoon
Sugar - 1 Teaspoon

 

METHOD:

To Marinate the Chicken:

• Clean, Wash & cut the chicken into medium-sized pieces.  Wash them thoroughly and allow it to drain through a colander.
• Heat oil in a pan and sauté 2 finely sliced Onions along with  a dash of Salt on a medium-low flame.
• Slightly crush the Garlic Pods and add it along with the Onions and fry them on a medium-low flame until Onions turn into rich brown colour.
• Adding salt while sautéing the Onions helps in speeding up the browning process.
• Care should be taken not to burn the onions, which can make the dish bitter.
  
• Once, the Onions turn into golden brown, remove it from the pan and allow it to cool down.
• Now, marinate the Chicken Pieces with a dash of Salt, Kashmiri Chilli Powder, Garam Masala Powder, fried Onions & Garlic and Lemon Juice.
• Mix well until well combined and keep it aside for about an hour or overnight.

BENGALI CHICKEN KOSHA

 For Chicken Kosha:

• Peel, wash and cut Potatoes into large Cubes.
• Leave the Cubed Potatoes in salted water until use.  Drain off any excess water before adding it into the hot oil.  
  
• Heat 1/4 Cup of Oil in a wok and deep-fry the Potatoes(a small batch at a time).
• Fry the Potato Cubes until golden brown and keep them aside.
• In the remaining Oil, add Bay Leaves, Green Cardamoms & Dry Red Chillies(snapped into 2 or 3 pieces). 
• Fry the spices on a very low flame until fragrant.
• Add finely sliced Onions and sauté it on a medium-low flame until it turns into golden brown.
• Now, add Ginger Garlic Paste and fry this on a low flame until the raw flavour goes.
• Then add, Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Coriander Powder & Cumin Powder and give a quick stir.  Fry this on a low flame for a few minutes.
• Then add finely chopped Tomato and cook this on a low flame until the tomato turns soft & cooked.
• Sprinkle some water if needed at this stage & Cook this Masala on a low flame for a few minutes until oil separates from the mix. 
• Now add the marinated Chicken Pieces to the Kosha Masala along with Green Chillies slit into two.
• Add about 1/2 cup of hot water to the above and mix well.
  
• Cover & cook on a low flame until the Chicken pieces turn soft and cooked, stirring occasionally.
• Once the chicken is cooked, add the fried Potatoes,  sprinkle some Pepper Powder and cook this on a low flame for a few minutes until the potatoes are well coated with the Kosha Masala.
• Adjust the amount of Salt at this stage, add Sugar and leave the Chicken Kosha on a low flame until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Chicken Kosha is a slightly dry gravy like Curry.  Adjust to your preference.
• Once the Chicken is well done, switch off the flame and keep it covered for a few more minutes on the stove top.
• Serve Chicken Kosha hot, with Roti, Naan, Paratha, Chapati, Kulcha, Batura, Puri, Luchi, Parotta.
• Goes well with White Rice or or with steamed Basmati Rice. It can also be served along with with Rice Dishes, Biriyanis & Pulaos, Kichadi etc.,
  

 

BENGALI CHICKEN KOSHA

NOTES:

• Can use any type of vegetable oil for the recipe. Mustard Oil gives an authentic flavour to the dish.
• Slow cooking enhances the flavour of the dish.
• Adding Kashmiri Chilli powder gives a vibrant colour with a red hue in the gravy.
• Kashmiri Chilli Powders are less spicy but have a bright red colour.
• If Kashmiri Chilli Powder is not available, use normal Dry Chilli Powder, but adjust the amount to suit your spice level.
• Can use Red food colouring to do the job, if preferred - which I would suggest not to... 
• While frying the onion slices for marinating, care should be taken not to burn them, which will totally spoil the taste of this dish.
  
• The true flavour of Chicken Kosha comes from the intense flavours of spices & mustard oil.
• Adding Sugar is purely optional, but helps to balance the overall taste notes in this Curry.

VEGETABLE STEW

        "Vegetable Stew" is a combination of classic Vegetables slow-cooked in a liquid particularly on a very low flame. But when it comes to "Kerala Style Stew" colloquially called "ISHTU" it is cooked with Coconut Milk which results in a creamy, rich textured stew. Kerala Stew is usually not allowed to boil, but simmered to perfection, that the essence of Meat, Vegetables, Seasoning and Flavourings get infused into the dish. A dish which took twists & turns and which finally got confined to the taste buds of a typical Keralite.
     

    This Vegetable Stew is totally a vegetarian version of a typical Kerala Stew, but authentically Vegetable stew stands as a base to all other stews originating from the region.  Basically, a vegetarian dish slowly adapted into using Chicken, Lamb/Mutton, Beef or Duck in it.  The base for a Kerala Stew is Coconut Milk.   The mild usage of local spices and condiments enhances the flavours with only a subtle note of the ingredients and all the more perfectly retaining the white colour which is synonymous to Kerala stew. Creamy and light on Masala, this dish stands out for its unique & versatile flavours. Add Mutton for a "Mutton Stew" & Chicken for "Chicken Stew" to this basic Vegetable Stew.  Yet another version of unique "Minced Meat Stew" can be prepared with Minced Meat too.
     

    Stew is usually served along with Appam, Idiyappam or Puttu.  It goes well with Bread too.  It is one of the most frequented dishes in a Kerala household. And especially, on the day of Christmas and Easter, it is an unavoidable breakfast dish in our household, a tradition picked up from my MIL. Mutton/Beef Stew is quite famous among the Christian families of Kerala and is served for festivals like Christmas, Easter, and special occasions like Weddings, Christenings, Anniversaries... Not an exaggeration, but any special occasion calls for the combination of Appam, Stew & Cutlets, at home.

      So, an all good Vegetarian version of a Kerala Stew made only with vegetables, like Carrots, Green Peas & Potatoes. Add classic vegetables like Beans, Cauliflower or any other vegetables of your choice along with the above for a whole lot of Veggie filled Kerala Stew.  If you are in a mood for a Vegetarian Version of this classic stew, then this recipe is for you and I make this Vegetable Stew when I am in a mood for a light Stew.


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Cuisine - Kerala
Recipe Type - Stew
Course - Side Dish
Spice Level - Low - Medium
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 4- 6
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 20-30 Minutes
Cooking Time - 20-30 Minutes



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HOW TO COOK VEGETABLE STEW

VEGETABLE STEW

INGREDIENTS:

Spices:

Cinnamon 1" Stick - 1 No.
Cloves - 2 No's.
Cardamom - 2 No's.

For Vegetable Stew:

Carrot - 1 Cup
Green Peas - 1/2 -3/4 Cup
Potatoes - 1 Cup
Onions - 1 No.
Ginger 1" Piece - 1 No.
Green Chillies - 5-6 No's.
Garam Masala - 1 Teaspoon
Thick Coconut Milk - 1 Cup
Thin Coconut Milk -  2 - 21/2 Cups
Curry Leaves - 2 Sprigs
Salt - To Taste
Coconut Oil - 2 Tablespoons

For a detailed Recipe on HOW TO MAKE COCONUT MILK, Click here... 

 

To Garnish:

Coriander Leaves - a few

VEGETABLE STEW

METHOD:

For Vegetable Stew:

• Clean, Peel and dice Carrots and Potatoes.
• Extract Coconut Milk and keep it aside.
• Cut Onion into thin Slices, slit the Green Chillies and keep it aside.
• Heat oil in a pan and splutter the ingredients mentioned under 'Spices' on a medium flame.
• Sauté Onions and Curry leaves along with the spices until onions turn translucent.
• Add slit Green Chillies and finely chopped Ginger to the above and sauté for a while.
• Sprinkle Garam Masala and fry this on a very low flame until fragrant(optional).
• Add Carrots, Peas and Potatoes to the above and mix well.
• Sprinkle some salt and a pinch of sugar.
• Add enough water for the Vegetables to cook.
• Once the Vegetables are cooked, pour Thin Coconut Milk and mix well.
• Leave this to boil on a very low flame, stirring occasionally.
• Finally, pour in the Thick Coconut Milk and give a quick stir.
• Leave this on a low flame for a few more minutes.
• Finally, garnish it with Coriander Leaves.
• This Creamy Vegetable Stew is ready to be served with Appam, Idiyappam, Puttu or any dish of your choice.
• Goes well with Bread too. 

VEGETABLE STEW

NOTES:

• Adjust the number of Green Chillies to suit your spice level.
• If you want spicy stew, can add a few more Green Chillies, or finally sprinkle some white pepper over the stew (this is to retain the white colour of the stew).
• If cooking this Vegetable stew along with any meat, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Can add Mutton/Lamb, Beef or Chicken to this Vegetable Stew. 
• Can try making Stew with Minced Meat too.  
• But we add a combination of Vegetables along with Meat while making Stew at home.
• Some Stew recipes just add Potatoes along with the Meat.
• Use any preferred classic Vegetables for this recipe.  Normally Carrots, Potatoes, Green Peas, beans etc., are used.
• If cooking the Vegetables in a pressure cooker, just cook it for a whistle.  
• Adding Garam Masala is totally optional. 
• Can use any vegetable oil for the recipe. But Coconut Oil gives an authentic touch to this typical Kerala Stew.
• I usually add about 3-4 teaspoons of Milk Powder along with Coconut Milk, which gives you a creamy white coloured Stew.  But it is purely optional.
  

BEEF ULARTHIYATHU - KERALA STYLE

    This month I am comping up with a few Christmas specialities.  A few recipes which suits well for the Season.  And mainly a few dishes from our family favourites when it comes to Christmas or Easter Menu.  Default Kerals style Christmas dishes like Cutlet, Stew & Beef take up the party table along with other Christmas goodies like Christmas Fruit Cake & Homemade Wine.

    When it comes to Christmas celebration, it's all about food, food and more food & DRINKS - Boozing up!!!.  When it comes to Christmas Menu, beef is one must-have in the Menu in our household.  Christmas Menu in Kerala is incomplete without a Beef dish in the Menu.  So, here I come with a tasty, flavour filled Pothirachi Ularthiyathu which you can easily add it into your upcoming Christmas Menu. Pothirachi is nothing but meat from Buffalo which is commonly used for cooking in Kerala.  But you can use normal cow's meat or even Lamb(if you do not prefer beef) for this recipe.

    At my MIL's place she makes Beef Vindaloo or Beef Ularthiyathu for Christmas & Easter.  A slightly gravy like dish, which would go well with Appam, Puttu, Parotta, Chapatis, Idiyappam etc.,  Serve Beef Ularthiyathu along with hot fuming Rice, especially Kerala Matta Rice, Moru Curry, Cabbage Thoran and smidgen of Pickle for a complete meal.This is one classic combination in a Kerala household.  This Beef Ularthiyathu is an easy recipe and made with local spices which adds a wonderful flavour & aroma.  And I forgot to say you, it's spicy too.  

    When it comes to a Beef Recipe, needless to mention the Kerala favourite, Parotta and Beef, it's match made in "God's Own Country."  This Beef Ularthiyathu goes hand in hand with Malabar Parotta.

    This version of  hot & spicy Beef Ularthiyathu is one authentic Kerala Kallu Shappu style. Most of the Toddy Shop grubs are tongue-teasing culinary expertise with wide gastronomic opportunities.  And this spicy Beef recipe is one popular dish in a Toddy Shop.  The taste and flavours of food cooked in Kerala Kallu Shappu have a distinctive touch and this Beef Ularthiyathu gets easily fixed into the genre.

FEW OTHER KALLU SHAPPU GRUBS:

• Kappa Puzhungiyathu
• Kappa Ularthiyathu 
• Kappayum Irachiyum Ularthiyathu
• Beef Roast - Kerala Kallu Shappu Style
• Meen/Fish Pollichathu
• Meen Vevichathu/Mulakittathu -Kerala Style Red Fish Curry
• Kerala Fish Curry
• Chemmeen/Prawns Varattiyathu
• Chemmeen/Prawns Roast
• Chemmeen/Prawns Ularthiyathu
• Kozhuva Meen/Anchovies Fry
• Karimeen Thilappichathu
• Fried AnchoviesNadan Fish Fry

 For more KERALA KALLU SHAPPU RECIPES, Click here...

Cuisine - Kerala
Course - Side Dish
Spice Level - High
Difficulty - Medium
Serves - 4-6
Author - SM


Preparation Time - 15 - 20 Minutes
Cooking Time - 30 - 45 Minutes

For KERALA STYLE BEEF RECIPES, Click here....

HOW TO MAKE BEEF ULARTHIYATHU - KERALA STYLE BEEF FRY

BEEF ULARTHIYATHU - KERALA STYLE

INGREDIENTS:

To cook Beef:

Beef - 1 kg
Hot Water - 2 Cups
Salt - To Taste
Vinegar - 2 Tablespoons

 

To Grind:

Coriander Powder - 3 Tablespoons
Kashmir Chilli Powder - 4 Tablespoons
Pepper Powder - 11/2 Tablespoons
Turmeric Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Fennel Seeds - 2 Tablespoons
Cinnamon(1" Piece) - 4 Sticks
Star Anise - 2 Flowers
Cardamom - 4-5 Pods
Cloves - 4-5 Nos.

 

For Beef/Pothirachi Ularthiyathu:

Coconut Oil - 3-4 Tablespoons
Mustard Seeds - 1 Tablespoon
Curry Leaves - 2 Sprigs
Coconut Bites - 11/2 Cups(Optional)
Shallots - 1 Cup
Onions - 11/2 Cups
Green Chillies - 6 Nos.
Garlic - 5 - 6 Tablespoons
Ginger - 15-20 Cloves

METHOD:

To cook Beef:

• Clean, wash & cut Beef into small cubes.
• Leave this aside in a colander for a few minutes.
• Meanwhile, grind all the above spices mentioned under" To Grind" (adding little water) into a fine paste.
• Add the ground Masala to the Beef along with Salt & Vinegar and mix well until well combined.
• Add the above beef masala mix to a pressure cooker.
• Meanwhile, boil 2 Cups of water and pour this into the pressure cooker.
• Cover the pressure cooker with the lid and place the vent cap.
  
• Cook for about 4-5 Whistles on a high flame.
• Then lower the flame & cook for another 7-8 Whistles or 20-30 minutes.
• Cook beef accordingly. Adjust the cooking time to suit the meat.
  
• Once cooked, remove the lid of the pressure and check whether the Beef has turned soft & tender.
• If there is some water in the cooked beef mix, cook this on a low flame until it becomes slightly dry.

BEEF ULARTHIYATHU - KERALA STYLE

For Beef/Pothirachi Ularthiyathu:

• Heat Coconut Oil in a heavy bottomed/non-stick pan.  I usually cook this recipe in a brass Uruli.
• Splutter Mustard seeds.  Immediately add Curry Leaves and give a quick stir.
• Then add, finely sliced Onions & Shallots.
• Follow it by Green Chilli slit into two and finely chopped Garlic & Ginger.
• Saute until Onions turn translucent.
• Now add the cooked Beef along with the masala and mix well.
• Cook this on a low flame until the Beef Masala turns slightly dry and aromatic.
• Add a bit of Coconut Oil and cook again on a low flame for a few more minutes.
• Cook until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Switch off the flame, cover and leave it aside.
• Serve Beef Ularthiyathu hot.
• Goes well with Appam, Puttu, Parotta, Chapatis, Idiyappam etc.,
• Serve Beef Ularthiyathu along with hot fuming Rice, especially Kerala Matta Rice, Moru Curry, Cabbage Thoran and smidgen of Pickle for a complete meal.
• This Beef Ularthiyathu goes hand in hand with Malabar Parotta. 
  

 

NOTES:

• Cook beef accordingly. Adjust the cooking time to suit the type of meat you are using.
• Adjust the amount of Red Chilli Powder & Pepper Powder, to make this recipe less spicy.
• Using Coconut oil gives the authentic taste to the dish. Can use any other cooking oil too.
• Adding coconut bytes to the Beef Roast is truly optional.
  

______________________________________________________________________

A QUICK TIP :

• Use raw papaya to tenderize the meat. It is a natural 'MEAT TENDERIZER'.
• Raw papaya contains an enzyme called Papain. The connective tissue in the meat breaks down when it comes in contact with Papain. Papaya is one of the preferred tenderizers for red meats (Lamb, Mutton & Beef).
• Use a few pieces of Raw Papaya while cooking the meat.  This will tenderize the meat, making it more soft and succulent, without changing its taste and flavour.
• Yoghurt (Curd), Lime Juice, Vinegar, Soda-bi-carbonate all have softening and tenderizing effects on Red Meats.

CHICKEN LIVER FRY

    Chicken Liver Fry is a simple recipe cooked with Chicken Livers along with freshly ground Peppercorns and Spices. The same recipe can be prepared with Mutton Liver too. The ingredients are quite minimal, and the method is one of the simplest and quick to incorporate. Marinated Chicken Livers are roasted with spices and ample of Curry leaves. Very few ingredients are used in this recipe and freshly ground Peppercorns gives a magical touch and a wonderful flavour to this Chicken Liver Fry. This Chicken Liver Fry can be served as a Starter/Appetizer or as a side dish for Parotta/Roti and Chapatis.  Steaming hot Rice and Rasam paired up with this Chicken Liver Fry, is one best combo I personally prefer.

      Chicken Liver or Lamb Liver as a matter of fact may not be liked by many.  But it is one Offal used widely in cooking.  Cleaning the Chicken Liver is quite tricky, and we should make sure it doesn't turn out to be 'BITTER.'  I never encountered with this problem when I was in India.  The Butcher caters fresh Chicken Livers and would have a separate batch of Chicken Livers which we can buy.  I started cooking Chicken Livers after watching Chef Damu's cooking show to which we were an ardent fan while we were in India.  Immediately after the show, my husband and I would go out shopping for the ingredients, and this is one such recipe from that time. 

    But here in Malaysia, I find it hard to get well cleaned Chicken Livers. Sometimes the whole batch of cooked Chicken Livers turn out to be bitter and would go down the drain.  So make sure to remove any greenish part in the Liver and soaking the liver in cold water & then marinating the Liver also helps to get rid of the bitterness to an extent.

    Why does Chicken Livers turn Bitter once cooked?  This usually happens when the gall bladder attached to the liver, sometimes breaks when it is removed, and some liquid runs into the liver and makes it yellowish-green. So make sure to remove any greenish part of the liver, that is what makes it very bitter.
     

Tips to prevent the Chicken Livers from tasting bitter

• Clean them perfectly before cooking
• Remove any connective tissue and cut off any greenish parts from the Liver  
• Soak the Livers for about 20-30 minutes in cold water(not ice water)  just colder than room temperature.
• Then discard the water and pat dry the liver pieces.
• Wipe off any extra blood from the Chicken Liver with a paper towel.
• Marinate the Chicken Liver with Salt, Turmeric Powder and Lemon Juice for about 10-15 minutes.
• Cook properly.

 

For more CHICKEN Recipes, Click here...

Cuisine - South Indian Course - Side Dish
Spicy Level  - Medium-Spicy
Difficulty - Low
Serves - 3- 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 15-20 Minutes
Soaking Time - 20-30 Minutes
Marination Time - 10-15 Minutes
Cooking Time - 15 -20 Minutes

 

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN LIVER FRY

 

CHICKEN LIVER FRY

INGREDIENTS:

To Marinate the Chicken Liver:

Chicken Liver - 500 Grams
Lemon Juice - 1 Tbspn
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Tspn
Salt - To Taste

 

For  Masala Powder:

Coriander Seeds - 1 Tablespoon
Dry Red Chillies - 4 - 5 Nos.
Peppercorns - 1 Tablespoon

Cumin Seeds - 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves - 2 Sprigs

For Chicken Liver Fry:

Oil  - 2-3 Tablespoon
Fennel Seeds/Sombu  -  1 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves  -  2 Sprigs
Green Chillies - 4 Nos.
Ginger-Garlic Paste - 2 Tspn
Shallots  -  15 Nos.
Masala Powder - all the above ground spices
Pepper Powder  -  1 Tablespoon(Optional).
Salt  -  To Taste

 

MADURAI KARI DOSAI

    "Sangam Valartha Madurai,  Tamizh Valartha Madurai", Madurai just didn't embrace and encourage learned men and literature but also paved a culinary path laced with hospitality.  Madurai’s food is a happy union of all these influences, mainly that of Chettinaad cuisine, known for its fiery flavours.  Madurai known as Temple & trading city, it has taken its sobriquet of 'Thoonga Nagaram'(the city that never sleeps). The streets stay alive through the night with bustling crowd, Food Stalls & market activities.  

    Madurai is a food haven for Street Food & hospitality. The place & people are famous for their inventive varieties of street food & fast food that it is a common saying that they serve more than 7-10 side dishes along with a humble Dosa.  As I see, Madurai is hardly the sort of city where you can linger over a relaxed meal or enjoy fine dining, but food is taken very seriously by the locals.  Madurai is not a city which flaunts vibrant restaurants and if you want real food with real taste then you should hardly try not to notice the ambience.  But, as my husband says, there comes the real taste.

    With a wide arena of world-famous Madurai style Street food, with Idlis and Parottas, here we are going to talk about Kari Dosai.  Madurai's most famous Simmakkal Konar Mess Kari Dosai. A three layered thick Dosa, layered with an omelette and then covered with minced mutton/Kothu Kari Masala. This dosai will definitely change your opinion about the extent to which dosas have evolved.  The Konars - are a community of cowherds and goat herds. A community which rears cattle catering Offal dishes sounds shocking though.  As said, "கொன்றால் பாவம் தின்றால் போச்சு!!!"

    If Parotta found its popularity in Madurai Cuisine, then Kothu Parotta found its origin in this city.  And the tradition of Kothu Parotta has become the identity of Street Food or the ones commonly called as Kaiyendhi Bhavans/Thattu Kadai. The total credit of inventing Kothu Parotta goes to Madurai.  Then comes Jigirdhanda & Paruthi Paal, local refreshing drinks with unique ingredients. Madurai Idli, Kari Dosai, Ayirai meen kulambu, Spicy Madurai Biriyani, Chukka Varuval, Bun Parotta are few other dishes along with long list of Vegetarian & Non-vegetarian dishes, which comes into my mind when I think of Madurai Food. 

    Speaking the truth, I never have had an opportunity to taste this popular Madurai Kari Dosai which is famous in Simmakkal Konar Kadai.  But ever since I came across this Kari Dosai, wanted to make it and I made it for lunch.  Lunch is one meal we eat heartily, and I planned it during the recent Lock down when all were at home.  With my over whelming attitude, I bought up the hot Dosa griddle with a Kari Dosai all the way from my kitchen to the dining table(which is just 2 steps away) to top it up in my husband's plate.  And there went a mishap, he just extended his hands to spoon in the Salna, and the dosa griddle scorched his back.  I went down with my guilt and ran for a piece of ice cube.  Two hot lines got scorched at his back and the scar took a few days to vanish and until then he enjoyed making me feel guilty of my mishap.  Lesson Learnt: "Never ever bring the dosa griddle(or whatsoever which is hot) to the dining table. Take extra safety measures while handling hot utensils/dishes".

MADURAI KARI DOSAI

    Well, coming back to MADURAI KARI DOSAI - I made this Kari Dosa with a hearty spread of Kothu Kari Masala cooked in a typical Madurai Chukka Varuval Style.  Then what we need is a simple Dosa Batter.  We need to pour thick Dosas as for an Uthappam. Do not spread the Dosa. Spoon out some beaten Egg over the Dosa and top it up with Kothu Kari Masala, drizzle a hearty spoon of Gingelly Oil, cover and cook until the Dosa & Eggs are cooked.  Finally, garnish the Dosa with finely chopped Coriander Leaves. Here you go with a hot Madurai special Kari Dosai.  Serve it along with plain or Chicken/Mutton Salna or any other Curry or Chutney of your choice.  This Kari Dosai is sinfully heavy and leaves us with a feeling it is over dozed with Meat, Egg and above all it is served along with another Madurai speciality - Salna. Any way, it is an utter indulgence topped with decadence.

 

For more Recipes from MADURAI CUISINE, Click here...

 

MADURAI KARI DOSAI

What you may need for this Kari Dosai:

INGREDIENTS:

Idli/Dosa Batter - 3- 4 Cups
Kothu Kari Masala - 1-1/2 Cups
Beaten Egg - 2-3
Gingelly Oil - as needed
Coriander Leaves  - for garnishing

 

METHOD:

For Madurai Kari Dosai:

• Beat the Eggs along with Salt and keep it aside.(can add Pepper to it if you prefer).
• Heat the Dosa Griddle on a high flame and then lower the flame.
• Smear the Griddle with oil.
• Thoroughly mix the Dosa Batter and pour one big ladle of batter over the Dosa Griddle.
• Do not spread the batter. The Dosa should be slightly thicker.(like for an Uthappam).
• Spoon in a ladle of beaten Egg and spread it out on top of the Dosa.
• Wait for a few minutes.  Let it cook halfway through.
• Now spoon in Kothu Kari Masala and spread it out evenly on top of the Egg spread Dosa.
  
• Keep the flame at low while cooking Kari Dosai.
• Drizzle few teaspoons of Gingelly Oil over the Kari Dosai.
• Cover the Kari Dosai with a lid and cook on a very low flame for a few minutes.
• Garnish it with finely chopped Coriander Leaves.
  
• Once cooked, remove the Kari Dosai from the griddle(there is no need to flip and cook the Dosai).

For more Recipes with MUTTON/ LAMB, Click here... 

MADURAI KARI DOSAI

NOTES:

• Do not spread the batter. The Dosa should be slightly thicker.(like for an Uthappam).
• Cover the Kari Dosai with a lid and cook on a very low flame for a few minutes.
• You don't need to flip and cook the Dosa. 
• I have made Kothu Kari Masala with minced Mutton.
• Can prepare the same Kothu Kari Masala with minced Chicken/Beef.  For a Vegetarian option, can prepare the same recipe with shredded Cabbage, Cauliflower or minced Soya Chunks.
• If you feel adding Eggs to be a heavier option, can skip the step.
• Serve Madurai Kari Dosai with Salna or any Chutney or Curry of your choice.

 

MADURAI STYLE MUTTON KOTHU KARI MASALA

    Madurai known as a Temple & trading city, it has taken its sobriquet of 'Thoonga Nagaram'(the city that never sleeps). The streets stay alive through the night with bustling crowd, Food Stalls & market activities.  Madurai is a food haven for Street Food & hospitality. The place & people are famous for their inventive varieties of street food & fast food that it is a common saying that they serve more than 7-10 side dishes along with a humble Dosa. If Parotta found its populairty in Madurai Cuisine, then Kothu Parotta found its origin in this city.  And the tradition of Kothu Parotta has become the identity of Street Food or the ones commonly called as Kaiyendhi Bhavans/Thattu Kadai. The total credit of inventing Kothu Parotta goes to Madurai.  Then comes Jigirdhanda & Paruthi Paal, local refreshing drinks with unique ingredients. Madurai Idli, Kari Dosai, Ayirai meen kulambu, Spicy Madurai Biriyani, Chukka Varuval, Bun Parotta are few other dishes along with long list of Vegetarian & Non-vegetarian dishes, which comes into my mind when I think of Madurai Food.

     This recipe comes as a part of an ultimate delicacy, a speciality of Madurai & Madurai Street Food - Kari Dosa.  Sinfully heavy and leaves us with a feeling it is over dozed with Meat, Egg and served along with another Madurai speciality - Salna. So as a first part of the recipe here comes a typical Madurai style Kothu Kari Masala.  Some recipes even use Chicken/Mutton Sukha Varuval simply shredded into fine pieces and then spread on top of Kari Dosai.    When I planned to make Kari Dosa, I decided to make the Kothu Kari Masala in a typical Madurai Style, so that it goes well as a topping for Kari Dosai. 

     When it comes to recipes with Kothu Kari or Minced Meat, we can prepare it in different versions.  This Madurai style Mutton Kothu Kari Masala Recipe hit the mark with the special notes of Spices.    This Madurai Style Kothu Kari Masala can also be served as a side dish for Rice or Biriyani. A perfect combo of my liking is Rasam and especially Kozhi Rasam and Kothu Kari Masala served along with steaming hot Rice is an utter delicacy to devour upon.

    This recipe is similar to Mutton/Chicken Chukka Varuval recipe and what I have substituted is Minced Meat.  I have used Minced Mutton in this recipe. The only difference is the cooking time needed for the type of minced meat you are using.  This recipe can also be cooked with Minced Chicken or Beef.  This recipe calls for freshly roasted & ground Masalas which makes Mutton Kothu Kari Masala flavour-filled.  And few other tips which yields you with authentic  Madurai Style Mutton Kothu Kari Masala are:

• Shallots give an authentic taste to the dish.  It is advisable to use Shallots for the recipe.
• Dry roast the spices for Mutton Kothu Kari Masala on a very low flame.  Care should be taken not to burn the ingredients.
• Use Gingelly Oil for authentic flavour.
• Use ample of Curry Leaves for this recipe, which will give out a wonderful aroma to Mutton Kothu Kari Masala.
• Add Minced Mutton along with 1/2 a cup of Water & Cook this on a low flame until it turns soft & cooked.
• Then cook it on a low flame until it turns slightly dry. 
• Sprinkle pepper powder generously.

For more Recipes from MADURAI CUISINE, Click here...

INGREDIENTS:

For Mutton Kothu Kari Masala:

Minced Mutton/Lamb  -  1/2 kg.
Gingelly Oil - 2 -3 Tbspn 
Fennel Seeds/Sombu  -  1 Tspn
Curry Leaves  -  2 Sprigs
Green Chillies - 4 Nos.
Ginger-Garlic Paste - 5 Tspn
Shallots  -  25 Nos.
Turemric Powder -1/2 Tspn
Chukka Masala - 2 Tbspn
Water - 1/2-3/4 Cup
Pepper Powder  -  1 Tbspn.
Salt  -  To Taste

For Kothu Kari Masala Powder:

Coriander Seeds - 1 Tbspn
Dry Red Chillies - 6 - 8 Nos.
Cumin Seeds - 1 Tspn
Curry Leaves - 2 Sprigs