Rasakalan

Rasakalan – the lesser known cousin of Moru kootan. This dish is very similar to moru kootan but distinct in its own way. A simple recipe, and tastes wonderful with plain rice and mezhukuperatti. Though I have given a long list of veggies, you can make do with whatever is there. Let’s get straight to the recipe

Ingredients:                  ( Serves: 2 - 3)

1.       Pumpkin – 100 gms

2.       Ash Gourd – 100 gms

3.       Raw Banana – 1

4.       Yam – 100 gms

5.       Drumstick – 1

6.       Sour curds – 2 cups

7.       Grated Coconut – 1 cup

8.       Methi Seeds – ½ tsp

9.       Red Chilies – 3 – 4

10.   Turmeric Powder – a pinch

11.   Jaggery – a little

12.   Mustard Seeds – ½ tsp

13.   Coconut Oil – 2 tsps

14.   Curry leaves – a few

Method

Wash and cut all the vegetables into cubes. Cook the vegetables with a pinch of turmeric, salt and a little jaggery. (You can boil the vegetables in water or use the pressure cooker and cook for 1 whistle.)

Heat a small pan, fry the methi seeds and red chilies in about ½ tsp of coconut oil. Grind the fried methi seeds and red chilies with coconut adding little sour curds into a smooth paste.

Once the vegetables are cooked, add the ground paste allow to boil for 2 mins. Then add the beaten sour curds. Mix well. Simmer for 2 mins. Do not let the kalan boil after adding the curds. Add a sprig of curry leaves.

Heat a tsp of oil in a pan, add mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add it to the rasakalan.

Delicious Rasakalan is ready to be served with hot white rice.