Mushroom - mom's kerala style

I slowly warming up to cooking with mushrooms. I'm using it in soups and curries these days :). These recipe i found is quick and easy and just used all the spices my mom will use to make her mutton stir fry and i loved it.So thought of documenting it

Mushroom  -  2 cup ,sliced  (any kind but store brought only please do not forge from your backyard :)  )

Pearl Onion /Kooch ulli - 1/4 cup , sliced

Ginger  - 1/4 tsp ,chopped

Garlic  - 1/4 tsp ,chopped

Curry Leaves - a few

Indian Bay Leaf -1

Cinnamon - 1/2 '' piece

Cloves - 2

Cardamom -2

Fennel Seeds - 1/2 tsp

Turmeric  Powder - 1/4 tsp

Chili Powder - 1/2 tsp

Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp

Kerala Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp

Pepper Powder - 1/2 tsp

Oil - 2 tbsp

1. Heat oil  in a heavy bottom wide pan .
2. Add the bay leaf, cinnamon ,cloves and cardamon and fennel.
3. Add the ginger and garlic  and cook for a minute.
4. Add the onions and curry leaves and cook till onion turns golden.
5. Add turmeric, chili,coriander ,pepper and garam masala powder .
6. Add the mushroom and cook for another 3-4 minutes .
7. Switch of the flame and garnish with coriander leaves

Tendli(Kovvaka) - Kerala Style Mezhukvaratti

Kovvaka is called tendli,kunduru,tindora etc in hindi. This simple preparation of mom's is one of my favorite. Kovvaka has to be very tender. We used to love to take it with paratha to school in our lunch boxes. But goes well with sambar rice or curd rice. 

I remember a unique think told  about this plant , you see most of the homes in kerala grows this vegetable . it is a vine and it is said that if lamb eats the plant the kovvaka on the plant turns bitter :).

Tender Kovvaka  - 2 cups ,diced into thin rounds
Oil - 2 tbsp
Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Pw - 1/4  tsp
Hot Green Chilli - 3-4 ,slit into halves
Curry leaves - a few
Salt to taste

1. Heat oil and pop the mustard.
2. Add slit green chili and curry leaves .
3. Mix well and now add turmeric and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Add  kovvaka and cook oh high for 3-4 minutes.
5. Now add salt to taste and mix well.
6. And now cook on medium till kovvaka is tender.

Kantora Fry

Kantora is a vegetable that looks like a little karela but its not a very bitter like karela. A bengali friend of mine introduced me to this vegetable. It is available every were in north India and even easily available in very Indian grocery store here. It is very good side for rice and rasam. It can be stuffed and cooked like karela.

Kantora  - 1 cup ,diced in half moon shape
Curry leaves  - a few
Mustard - 1/4 tsp
Urad Dal - 1/2 tsp
Hing - 1/8 tsp

Turmeric Pw - 1/8 tsp

Chili Pw - 1/4 tsp

Oil - 2 tsp

Sal to taste

 image courtesy : internet

1. Heat oil in a frying fan and pop mustards.
2. Add urad dal, hing and curry leaves.
3. When urad dal turns golden and add kantora.
4. Add salt and turmeric and cover for a minute.
5. Remove the cover and cook  till the kantora  turns golden along the sides.
6. Add the chili powder and mix well and remove from flame.
7. Enjoy with rice and rasam.