Kaalan (കാളന്)

Kaalan is a popular traditional dish of Kerala and it is a must in Kerala sadhya..It tastes great if you prepare this curry in a kalchatti(soapstone pots). Kalchattis are easily available in Kerala. Since i couldn’t find good kalchattis here in Singapore,i prepared this in a normal cooking vessel. This curry is prepared with vegetables like plaintain and elephant yam in a coconut-curd mix and it goes well with kerala matta rice.

Ingredients

1. Plaintain(nenthrakaya) – 1 cup
2. Elephant Yam (chena) – 1 cup
3. Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
4. Green Chilly – 3
5. Curd(sour) – 2 cups
6. Red chilly powder – 1/2 tsp
7. Grated coconut – 1  cup
8. Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
9. Curry Leaves – 5 sprigs
10. Sugar – 1 tsp
11. Dry red chilly –4
12. Fenugreek seeds (uluva) – 1 tsp
13. Mustard seeds – 1tsp
14. Salt
15. Oil

Preparation

1. In a pan,Cook diced plantain,yam with turmeric powder and salt till vegetables are soft.
2. Grind grated coconut,red chilly powder,cumin seeds,1 sprig curry leaves,green chilly into a smooth paste.
3. Once the vegetables are cooked well,add beaten sour curd and stir well to avoid curdling.When it is reduced to half,add coconut paste and let it boil.
4. Turn off the heat and add 1 tsp of sugar to it.Add curry leaves to it.
5. Heat oil in a pan. Splutter mustard seeds,dry red chilly,fenugreek seeds and add the seasonings to the curry.
6. Immediately cover with a lid for 15 minutes.
7. Serve with Rice.