Ishtu Kerala Style

Ingredientsfor 5 servings

• 4 nos Potato
• 2 nos Carrots I use baby carrots
• 1/4 Green peas I use it to give a color to my stew, Pacha pattani
• 2 nos Onions julienned, big
• 11/2 inch Ginger thinly sliced lenghtwise
• 1/2 tsp Garlic paste
• 2 Stems Currly leaves
• 2 cup Thin coconut milk
• 3/4 To Thick coconut milk
• 2 tbsp Oil
• Salt, to taste
• 3 Flaps Cinnamon (Karugapatta)
• 3 nos Cloves (Grambu)
• 3 nos Cardamoms (Elakka)
• 1 nos Bay leaf

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Peel off the skin from potatoes and carrots.

2. Step 2

   Microwave each item separtely with enough water and salt.

3. Step 3

   Cooking time for potato and carrot can be different.

4. Step 4

   Get aside 1/4 cup of cooked potatoes, mash it very well and set aside.

5. Step 5

   Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a pan.

6. Step 6

   Add the masala ingredients to it.

7. Step 7

   Once the masala aroma comes out, add onions, green chillies, curry leaves, followed by ginger and garlic.

8. Step 8

   When you see onions becoming translucent and green chillies skin bubbling up, add green peas and Let it cook for 7 minutes.

9. Step 9

   To this mix, add cooked potatoes and carrots and coat them well with the masala mix.

10. Step 10

    Add thin coconut milk along with mashed potatoes and let it cook on low heat for about 15 minutes.

11. Step 11

    Mashed potatoes thickens the gravy.

12. Step 12

    Taste test here for salt and adjust to taste.

13. Step 13

    Add thick coconut milk, Bring to a gentle boil and take it out immediately from the stove.

14. Step 14

    The gravy consistency should be thick and gluey.

15. Step 15

    Garnish with more curry leaves.

16. Step 16

    Standards I follow:- 1) 2 cups thin milk = 1 1/4 cup water + 3/4 cups thick milk 2) If I dont have all masala ingredients, I use 1/4 - 1/2 garam masala powder (But taste is very much compromised.). 3) Before serving I take out masala sticks out, if I end up using whole spices. 4) Some times, I put star anise before serving as garnish and serving purposes.

17. Step 17

    The Ishtu Kerala Style!