How to make spicy Chettinad Vengaya Kosu - a step-by-step recipe guide
Coconut-based vegetarian curry flavoured with fennel seeds, spices, and Bengal gram
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
2 onions
1 potato
½ cup grated coconut
4 dried red chillies
1 tbsp Bengal gram (roasted)
10 cashews
½ tsp fennel seeds
2 tbsp cooking oil
½ tsp mustard seeds
½ tsp black lentil
2 tomatoes
2 green chillies (sliced)
1 sprig of curry leaves
Salt to taste
1 tbsp coriander leaves (chopped)
1 ½ cup of water
Method
Step 1:
Finely slice the onion, chop the tomatoes, and slice the potato into small pieces. Keep them aside.
Step 2:
Grind the grated coconut, red chillies, Bengal gram, cashews and fennel seeds with a small amount of water into a fine, smooth paste.
Step 3:
Heat oil in a Kadai or a pan. Splutter the mustard seeds. Add the black lentils and fry until it is golden.
Step 4:
Add the sliced onion and saute for two minutes over a medium flame. Add a bit of salt to make the sauteing faster. Add sliced potatoes and saute for 4 to 5 minutes over a medium to high flame.
Step 5:
Add the chopped tomatoes and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Cover and cook over a low flame until the potato becomes soft and the tomatoes become mushy. Occasionally, open the lid and stir to ensure the mix is not getting burned at the bottom.
Step 6:
Add the ground paste and give it a good mix. Stir continuously over a medium flame for two minutes or until the raw smell dissipates.
Step 7:
Add half a cup of water and mix well. Add the remaining one cup of water to adjust the consistency of the curry.
Step 8:
Add chopped green chillies, salt as required, and curry leaves. Mix well. Cover and cook over a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes or until done.
Step 9:
Turn off the flame. Finally, garnish with coriander leaves. Vengaya Kosu is ready to be served with roti, idli, dosa, and paratha.
Note:
Adjust the quantity of chillies to suit your spice tolerance. It can serve as a suitable substitute for both chutney and sambar.
Sobha Varghese is a homemaker based in Mumbai, India. Sobha runs a popular YouTube blog called ‘Sobha's Kitchenette’ that focuses on authentic and traditional Kerala recipes.
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