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Cherupayar curry

Whole green gram curry

Ingredients

For 4 servings. 1 serving = 1 adult; a 6-year-old eats about half.

  • Cherupayar (whole green gram)160 g
  • Frozen grated coconut60 g
  • Shallots (kunjulli)60 g (~5)
  • Garlic4 cloves
  • Cumin seeds (jeerakam)¾ tsp
  • Turmeric powder½ tsp
  • Kashmiri chilli powder1 tsp
  • Mustard seeds½ tsp
  • Curry leaves¾ sprig
  • Coconut oil1 tbsp
  • Salt1 tsp

You need

  • Pressure cooker (3–5 L)
  • Mixer-grinder with small and large jars
  • Small tempering pan (tadka pan)
  • Sharp knife and chopping board
  • Sieve or colander
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method

  1. Ahead (optional, the night before): soak 160 g green gram in 480 ml (about 2 cups) water. Soaked, it needs only 3 whistles.
  2. Rinse the green gram in a sieve. Put it in the pressure cooker with ½ tsp turmeric and 800 ml (about 3¼ cups) water. Cook on medium-high until the first whistle, then medium for 4 more (2 more if soaked). Let the pressure drop by itself. It should be soft and splitting.
  3. While it cooks, grind 60 g coconut, ¾ tsp cumin seeds and 4 cloves garlic with 160 ml (about ¾ cup) water to a smooth paste. Thinly slice 60 g (~5) shallots.
  4. Open the cooker, stir in the coconut paste and 1 tsp salt, and simmer on medium for 4 minutes until it bubbles.
  5. For a toddler, take out their portion now. Stir 1 tsp chilli powder into the rest and simmer 2 more minutes.
  6. Heat 1 tbsp coconut oil in the small pan on medium. Add ½ tsp mustard seeds and wait until they pop.
  7. Add the shallots and ¾ sprig curry leaves and fry 2 to 3 minutes until the shallots are golden. Pour over the curry.

Tips

  • Thickens as it sits. Add hot water when reheating. Good with rice or chapati in the next day's lunchbox.

Keeping and freezing

  • Fridge: keeps 3 days in a lidded box. Cool it within an hour of cooking.
  • Freezer: freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat until steaming hot.

Good to know

  • Asthma: buy frozen grated coconut without sulphites (220–228).
  • Toddlers: take their portion out before adding chilli or pepper.