Yucca Root Fry / Kappa Mezhukkupuratti

This recipe is also called "Kappa Mezhkupuratti" in Malayalam. It is a delicacy among all who love Yucca ( Kappa in Malayalam). Here's how I prepare it at home.

Things you will need:

Yucca Root (Kappa in Malayalam)-2 medium size
Green Chillies- 3 or 4
Curry Leaves
Salt to taste
Onion- 1 medium size diced
Turmeric powder- 1 tsp
Chilli powder- 1 tsp
Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
Oil- 1 tbsp

Preparation Method:

Peel and cut the yucca root into 1 inch cubes.
Add the yucca root , salt and turmeric powder and water in a pan.
Add enough water to immerse the yucca root.
Now bring this to a boil and cook until the root is nice and tender. Make sure it is not overcooked.
Once done use a strainer to drain the water off.
Heat oil in a pan .
Now add, mustard seeds and wait till they splutter.
Then add , Onion , green chillies, Curry leaves, and stir on medium-high heat.
Once onion is carmelized, add red chilli powder and stir.
Now add the cooked root to this pan and stir for 2 minutes. Do a taste test and add salt if necessary.

Yucca Root stir fry is ready to be served with warm rice and a curry like Mango Curry.

Yummy Chicken Manchurian

Things you will need :

• Chicken - 1 lb ; cut into bite-size pieces
• All Purpose flour (Maida)- 1/2 cup
• Corn Flour- 1/2 cup
• Salt to taste
• Pepper Powder- 1 tsp
• Green Chillies- 2 or 3 ; finely chopped
• Garlic-5 pods ; finely chopped
• Ginger- 1 inch piece; finely grated
• Onion- 1 medium size; diced
• Green Onion - few; finely chopped
• Soy Sauce- 2 tbsp
• Tomato Ketchup - 2 tbsp
• Chilli Garlic Paste- 1 tbsp
• Oil -for deep frying and gravy

Preparation Method :

• Using water mix all purpose flour, corn flour, pepper powder and salt into a fine paste.
• Mix the chicken pieces in the paste and set aside for half hour.
• Now deep fry till the pieces turn golden brown on all sides.
• Heat 2 tbsp oil in the same pan and add the ginger, garlic and onions and stir till onion turns golden brown.
• Add green chillies and stir again.
• Now add soy sauce,chilli garlic paste and tomato ketchup.
• Stir well for 3 mins.
• Now add the fried chicken pieces and mix well.
• Garnish it with green onions and cilantro.
• Serve 'Chicken Manchurian' hot with Chappathi/Indian Bread or Naan.

Baingan ka Bhurta/ Baingan Bharta (with Mixed Veggies)

Things you will need

Eggplant- 1 large
Oil- 2 tbsp
Cumin seeds- 2 tsp
Onion- 1 ; finely diced
Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Coriander powder- 2 tsp
Turmeric Powder-1/2 tsp
Red Chilli powder- 1 tsp
Garam Masala Powder- 1 tsp
Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
Tomato- 1 ; diced
Yogurt - 1/2 cup
Green Chillies - 3 or 4 ; diced
Mixed Veggies(Peas, Carrots and Corns)- 1/2 cup
Salt to taste
Cilantro -chopped for garnishing

Preparation Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Brush the eggplant with oil and place it on a baking sheet in the oven.
Bake for 45 minutes until tender.
Remove from heat and cool.
Now peel the eggplant and cut into bite size pieces.
Heat oil in another pan.
Add mustard seeds ,cumin seeds and onion.
Fry until onion is golden brown and mustard seeds splutter.
Now add ginger garlic paste, coriander powder, turmeric, red chilli powder and garam masala powder along with tomato and cook for about 1 minute.
Now add yoghurt, eggplant ,mixed veggies, green chillies and salt.
Cover and cook for 10 minutes on medium-high heat.
Remove cover and continue cooking about 5 minutes.
Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with Chappathi or Puri.

Chicken 65 ( a very hot and delicious dish )

Things you will need:

Boneless skinless chicken -2 lbs; cut into bite size pieces
Garam Masala - 1 tsp
Garlic paste - 2 tsp
Ginger paste - 2 tsp
Red chilies powder - 1 tsp
All-purpose flour - 1 tbsp
Pepper Powder- 1 tsp
Cornflour - 2 tbsp
Chopped Ginger- 1 tbsp
Chopped Garlic - 2 tbsp
Chilli garlic Paste- 1 tsp
Egg - 1
Red Food Color - few drops;
Yoghurt - 1 cup
Green chilies - 10; finely chopped;
Oil
Salt to taste
Green Onions - finely chopped for garnishing
Cilantro- finely chopped for garnishing


Preparation Method:

In a bowl and mix corn flour, all purpose flour, ginger garlic paste, chilli powder,pepper powder, egg, garam masala ,salt and water into a thick batter.
Add chicken pieces and coat them well.
Now deep fry the chicken pieces till they turn into a light brown color and set aside.
Heat oil in another pan .
Add chopped ginger , chopped garlic and fry for a few minutes.
Then add fried chicken pieces, slit chillies,red color,chilli garlic paste and salt and stir well.
Now add yoghurt and 1/2 cup water and let it come to a boil.
Keep stirring for about 4 to 5 minutes until it becomes totally dry.
Now garnish it with chopped green onions and cilantro.

Kadala Varuthathu ( Black Chick Peas Fry)

Things you will need:

Kadala/Black Chick Peas- 1 cup
Grated Coconut- 1/2 cup (I use the frozen kind)
Shallots( Pearl Onions)-8 or 10,finely chopped
Red Whole Chillies- 3 or 4
Coriander powder-2 tsp
Red Chilli Powder- 1 tsp
Black Pepper Powder- 1 tsp
Garam Masala Powder- 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder-1/2 tsp
Garlic 5 or 6 pods; chopped
Ginger- 1 inch piece; grated or finely chopped
Mustard Seeds -1 tsp
Cumin Seeds- 1 tsp
Curry Leaves- few
Coriander Leaves (Cilantro)- few chopped
Salt to taste
Oil- 2 tbsp; preferably Coconut oil

Preparation Method:

Soak black chick peas overnight.
Then, using a pressure cooker,cook the soaked chick peas along with salt and 1/4 tsp turmeric powder until they are soft.
This will take about 10 minutes.
Now heat the oil in a pan.
Add mustard seeds and red whole chillies and wait till the seeds splutter.
Now add cumin seeds,curry leaves, pearl onions(shallots),ginger and garlic, and saute on low-medium flame until the shallots turn light brown in color.
Then add coriander powder, turmeric powder,garam masala powder, black pepper and red chilli powder and saute till the raw smell is gone.
Now add the black chick peas (without the water that was used in the pressure cooker) and coconut, and mix well.
Add salt to taste and cook covered for 5 minutes on low flame.

Kadala Varuthathu ( Black Chick Peas Fry) is now ready and can be served with hot steamed rice and Mango Curry or Kanji (Rice Gruel).

Plantain & Beans Fry / Ethakaya Beans Mezhukupuratti

.. also known as 'Ethakaya Beans Mezhukupuratti', this dish is very tasty and easy to make.



Things you will need:

Green Beans- 0.5 lb ; cut into bite-size pieces
Raw Banana/Plantains- 2 ; peeled and cut into small cubes
Red Whole chillies- 3 or 4
Onion- 1 large;diced
Curry Leaves
Turmeric powder- 1tsp
Red Chilli powder-1 tsp
Salt to taste
Mustard Seeds- 1 tsp
Green Chillies- 3 or 4 ; slit in half lengthwise
Oil- 2 tbsp

Preparation Method:

Heat oil in a pan.
Add mustard seeds and wait till they splutter.
Now add onion , green chillies,curry leaves and red whole chillies.
Once onion is brown in color,add turmeric powder and red chilli powder until the raw smell is gone.
Turn the heat to medium-high and add plantain pieces and stir.
Cover the pan and cook for 3 mins. Stir occassionally.
Now add the green beans,salt and cook covered in low-medium heat.
Stir well and make sure there is no water content in the pan.
Do a taste test and add salt if necessary.

Plantain Beans Fry or 'Ethakaya Beans Mezhukupuratti' can now be served with steamed rice and Sambhar or Mambazha Pulissery.