Saturday 16 June 2012

Simple Kerala Style Potato Stew (ishtu)

 A very simple dish from the southern part of India, a small state called Kerala,God's Own Country!!.The main ingredient i have chosen today is potato and of course the coconut milk ,which is essentially part of the stew or ishtu as known regionally.The ishtu is also a  part of the traditional Kerala lunch called sadya.(want to know more about Kerala?? Pls check  wikipedia and tourism and also Pictures).Ishtu is also a part of the onasadya.Onam is the  main festival of Kerala and ishtu is served in a very small quantity among the many other items. I would also like to add that originally ishtu used to be made by extracting coconut milk from a freshly grated coconut. But in today's busy lifestyle everybody takes the easy way out.



 There are also many other varieties of stew like mixed vegetable stew,mutton stew,chicken stew etc.
In my home it was always the potato stew with appam( lacy pancake).I also like it with idlis and dosas.
I would love to try the chicken or mutton  stew variety but that i am keeping for later.. I already have  a backlog of " to try " recipes!!

Ingredients


Potato -1  cup boiled and mashed but into medium pieces, not like a paste)
Onion- 1 chopped lenghthwise
Green Chillies- 2 slit into half
Ginger- 1tspn finely chopped
Thick coconut Milk-say 1 cup( depends on teh consistency of gravy)(you can use powder or can)
Water-1/2 cup
Salt to taste
Coconut oil-1 tbsp
Curry leaves- 1 sprig

Method

In a deep saucepan put in the onions,green chillies, ginger,water and let it just come to a boil..(you may also do this boiling in thin coconut milk)As soon as bubbles start appearing add in the mashed potato and let it boil again.Now add the coconut milk and salt and stir well and let it boil.Lower the heat and simmer for a minute.Tip in the curry leaves and pour the coconut oil on top.That will give the authentic Kerala taste to your ishtu!!Turn off the stove.



That's it.. your ishtu is ready to serve!!
You can try it with hot steamed rice too though i prefer it with lacy pancakes,string hoppers,idlis or dosas!!!

I am sending this stew recipe to 2 events

1)Soup Kitchen event at Spanish Wok

The Soup Kitchen, The Soup Kitchen Badge
2)Kerala Kitchen at Erivum Puliyum


Kerala Kitchen is conducting the event and this is the host.





8 comments :

  1. wow.. looks yummy and delicious..

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  2. Nothing says Kerala more than vegetable stew, one of my favorites, wonderful with appam or chappati. Love that picture up there, Renu :)

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  3. Thank u tisa:)...hmmm i love it with dosas too.

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  4. Healthy ishtu,goes perfect with appams..:-?)
    Thanx for linking it to the event:-)

    Ongoing Events at(Erivum Puliyum)-
    1. The Kerala Kitchen(June'12)

    2.EP Series-Basil OR Cardamom

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  5. I love appam n stew... this looks perfect...

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  6. Quick and delicious... thank you for the recipe

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Renu