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.