Cook's Hideout: Soy Nilgiri Kurma and Dal Rotis

June 03, 2013

Soy Nilgiri Kurma and Dal Rotis

Blogging Marathon# 29: Week 1/ Day 1
Theme: Cooking with Colors
Dish: Soy Nilgiri Kurma --- Green
Today we are starting the 29th edition of Blogging marathon and my theme for this week is "Cooking with Colors". We can all agree that we eat with our eyes first and the more colorful a dish is, the more healthier and appealing it is. So for the next three days, I'm going to post dishes that have one featured color ingredient.
Nilgiri Kurma with Soy
For the first day, I'm cooking with the color 'Green'. I saw this dish being made on a Telugu Cooking show (abhiruchi) and it looked very appealing, so I jotted down the recipe. As I was looking through my notebook for ideas of dishes to make for BM, I saw this recipe and thought this will highlight the color green really well. 
This dish tastes very earthy and is quite delicious. It is a little time consuming to make, but ones all the components are ready, the curry takes no time to finish.

This dish has quite a few green ingredients -- mint, cilantro, spinach and methi (fenugreek leaves). Then there's the ground masala with cashews, coconut and poppy seeds that makes the dish creamy and delicious. 
I used Soy chunks, but any other protein like paneer or tofu can be used. Mixed Vegetables will taste great too. Here's how I made it:
Nilgiri Kurma

Ingredients:
Masala Paste 1:
Cashews - 2tbsp
Dry grated coconut - 2tbsp
Poppy seeds - ¼cup

Masala Paste 2:
Mint leaves - ¼cup
Cilantro - ¼cup
Green chilies - 2-3
Salt - ½tsp

Other Ingredients:
Spinach Puree - 1cup
Methi (fenugreek leaves) - 1 cup, finely chopped
Soy Chunks - 1 cup
Onion - 1 medium, finely chopped
Ginger + garlic paste - ½tsp
Red chili powder - to taste
Ground Coriander - 1tsp
Ground Cumin - 1tsp
Salt - to taste

Method:
  • Soak soy chunks in hot water for 5 minutes, squeeze out the water and set aside.
  • For Masala Paste 1: Soak cashews and dry coconut in warm water for at least 15 minutes. Dry roast poppy seeds on medium flame until lightly golden. Grind these 3 ingredients into a smooth paste using little water. 
  • For Masala Paste 2: Grind all the ingredients until smooth.
  • Spinach Puree: Cook spinach in tiny bit of oil until wilted, cool and grind to a paste. Alternately spinach can be boiled until tender and then ground to a paste.
  • Make curry: Heat 2tbsp oil in a saute pan, add onions and cook until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add ginger+garlic paste and cook for another minute.
  • Next add methi (fenugreek leaves) and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add both the masala pastes, red chili powder, salt and spinach puree. Cook covered for 5-6 minutes.
  • Next add the soaked soy chunks, ground coriander and cumin. Add water if the curry looks too dry. Simmer for 4-5 minutes. Serve with roti or rice.
Nilgiri Kurma
I served this green curry with dal roti. Dal rotis are the perfect and easy way to add protein and nutrition to everyday rotis, just add some cooked and mashed dal to dough and make rotis as usual. Super simple, but super healthy and delicious. You can use any combination of dals, I used toor and masoor dal.
Dal Roti
Dal Rotis:
Toor Dal - 2tbsp
Masoor dal - 2tbsp
Wholewheat flour (Atta) - 2cups
Red Chili powder - to taste
Asafoetida/ Hing - a pinch
Turmeric - a pinch
Ground Cumin - ½tsp
Salt - to taste

Method:
  • Pressure cook dals until very tender. Mash into a smooth paste.
  • Combine all the ingredients along with the dal paste and form into a smooth pliable dough using water as needed. Let the dough rest for at least 15 minutes.
  • Divide the dough into equal size pieces; roll out into 5-6" roti and cook on hot griddle until brown spots form on both sides. Serve hot with your favorite curry. They taste great just as is.
Dal Roti
Lets check out what my fellow marathoners have cooked today for BM# 29.
Signature

19 comments:

  1. Mouthwatering! Curry is colorful, appetizing and looks creamy as well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely pics. Fitting entry for "Green". Would love to try it out.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Curry looks rich n healthy!!! Love the healthy green color!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So many wonderful ingredients...I am sure it must have tasted really good.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful Clicks! I am drooling here!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am in love with the color and the dish looks so good.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Feel like inviting myself to ur place to enjoy both catch kurma and rotis..Beautiful pair.

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is one elaborate dish..but seems worth and I can sense the aromas of the different herbs and spices right here..looks real good.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such a wonderful combination Pavani. I love green and your dish surelÝ makes me green with the delicious pic :) and dal roti adds to the protein.

    ReplyDelete
  10. That masala paste 1 should have made your house smell heavenly.. And those reflection on your spoon just increases the green color.. awesome pics and a healthy recipe too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. it came out a lovely color and I love the trees reflected in the spoon. reinforces it coming from nature with all the green herbs in the dish.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lovely colors and beautiful pictures. Agree with Mir, Love the reflections in the spoon.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful combination of herbs and greens in the gravy ! Beautiful pictures as well!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I kept seeing the picture so many times and have actually not yet read the recipe.. such a treat for the eyes... screams healthy.... picture perfect..
    Sowmya
    Event - Authentic Indian Sweets w giveaway
    Event - FR - Eggless Baking - Sweet/Savory
    Event - Kid's delight - Sweet Treats

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think I too have noted it down. Now your curry is waking up my brain cells.:)
    Really love the color of the dish. Everyone at my home loves soy and have to try this soon.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful color and a perfect combination wit rotis like that roti pic.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kurma looks great...should be tasting great with roti

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by my Hideout.

I really appreciate your feedback, so please feel free to leave your comment. I read all the comments you post, but I may not respond to them. Thank you for your time and hope you enjoyed your stay.

Have a Wonderful Day!!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin
Blogging tips