KALAN | KAALAN RECIPE
Kalan is a traditional yogurt or buttermilk based curry from the Kerala Cuisine. Usually plantain, raw banana or yam is used. It is also served as part of Onam Sadhya. A bit different from other yogurt based curries is that pepper powder is added to it.
Ingredients
FOR THE CURRY:
- 2 large plantains
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups sour yogurt
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp pepper powder
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1¼ tsp salt
FOR THE PASTE:
- ½ cup fresh coconut grated
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 1-2 green chillis
FOR TEMPERING:
- 1 tsp coconut oil or ghee
- 1-2 dried red chillis
- ½ tsp fenugreek seeds
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 sprig curry leaves
Instructions
- Peel and cut plantains into chunks. Do the same with yam if you are using any.
- Add water in a saucepan along with the chopped plantain and sprig of curry leaves. Add a bit of salt and turmeric powder from the measured amount.
- Put the sauce pan over medium heat.
- Cook the plantains till they are done. By then most of the water will have evaporated. If you are using yam then add it with the plantain.
- While the plantain is getting cooked, get the paste ready.
- Grind coconut, green chillis and cumin seeds together in a food processor.
- If required add a bit of water.
- Add the paste to the yogurt. Add remaining salt, turmeric powder and chilli powder. Whisk it well.
- Add the yogurt mixture to the cooked plantain. Reduce the heat and stir the mixture continuously till it becomes thick.
- Let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat.
- Get the tempering ready.
- Heat ghee in a small pan. Add fenugreek, mustard seeds and red chilis. Then add the curry leaves.
- Pour the tempering over the kalan. Serve kaalan with rice or as a part of the sadya.
Notes
- Make sure that you stir the yogurt continuously after it has been added to the curry.
- You may use a combination of plantain and yam or either on its own.
- When peeling the yam, rub your hands with oil. Otherwise your hands will itch.
- Remember this curry is quite thick. Do not add water.
- Use sour yogurt.