VEGETABLE STEW (KOTTAYAM SPECIAL)

INGREDIENTS

1. Potato - 1 (medium sized)
2. Carrot - 1
3. Cauli flower - 5 or 6 florets
4. Green peas - 1/4 cup
5. Big onion - 1
6. Garlic - 1-2 cloves
7. Tomato - 1
8. Curry leaves - 2 sprigs
9. Green chilly - 3
10. Coconut milk (thin) - 1/2 cup
11. Coconut milk (thick) - 1 cup
12. Maida - 1 table spoon
13. Coconut oil 1 1/2 table spoon
14. Mustard seeds - 1/2 tea spoon
15. Black pepper corns-1 tea spoon, cardamom - 3, cloves - 3, cinnamon small piece, bay leaf - 1

METHOD OF PREPARATION

Dice the potato and carrot. Add a cup of water and cook till half done. Add the cauli flower and peas and cook till the veggies are soft. ( Do not over cook)

Crush the whole masalas (except bay leaf) lightly. Mix with the thin coconut milk and maida

Heat 1/2 table spoon oil in apan and saute the onions (thinly sliced) , garlic and split green chillies. When the onion is translucent add the masala- coconut milk mixture. Sir and heat till the gravy thickens. Add the vegetables and salt and cook for 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to minimum and add the thick coconut milk. Stir continuously for 10-15 seconds and remove from fire Keep on stirring for 2-3 minutes.

Heat 1 table spoon oil in an other pan and splutter the mustard seeds. Add curry leaves and tomato (cut into 4 or 6) Stir fry and pour into the stew.

This stew is usually served with paalappam, velleppam and idiyappam