Kaalan – Yogurt Curry with Ground Coconut
We just got back from an extended weekend break in Las Vegas. Yes, the 10th anniversary celebration was in our favorite city in the whole world. What, you don’t think it is a romantic city? It sure is, for us at least! As much as Siv and I love each other, we have totally different hobbies and interests, except for two major ones – food and poker. Where else can you get the best of both these?
We have been to Vegas plenty of times, in fact before 2007 we used to go there about 3-4 times every year. We took a New Year resolution in 2007 to take a much needed break from poker; it was starting to feel like an addiction. This blog has been a major help in keeping me away from the tables, let’s just say that one addiction got replaced by another. After a year and a half with absolutely no poker, not even a home game, we felt that we could safely go back to playing it for fun. And that is exactly what we did this time, got our fill of the game, made some money in the process, got back home and left it right behind us.
We stayed at the Bellagio this time; I have to say by far this is my favorite hotel in Vegas when it comes to customer service. They had no problems at all to accommodate our early check-in (8 am) and late check-out (2 pm) requests, they didn’t even act like they were doing us a favor as most other hotels do when faced with such requests. The room was fabulous, but my favorite room is still TheHotel at Mandalay Bay, with a separate living room and flat screen TV in all the rooms, including the loo!
The foodie part of the trip was great as well, we tried three Michelin rated restaurants this time, Michael Mina and Le Cirque at the Bellagio and Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill at Caesars Palace, the reviews coming up later as soon as I download the pics and sort through. We also had lunch with Johnny Chan at the Noodles restaurant in Bellagio, obviously in town for the WSOP. Okay, I lie, we didn’t really have lunch with him, he was dining with his family on the table next to ours, but the tables were so close it was almost like being at the same table. I had forgotten my camera in the room for that meal, but even otherwise we wouldn’t have disturbed him for a picture while he was dining with his family. It really was exciting to be so close to a celebrity, ok, if you don’t follow poker you won’t have any idea what I am talking about, so I won’t digress much and get back to food.
As much as we enjoyed all the fine food, after three days of non-stop action with very little sleep, I was all ready for some comfort food. We got back home only at about 2:00 am on Tuesday morning, as usual my bad travel luck got into play and our flight was delayed by 2 hours. I had smartly taken Tuesday off, since I knew that I will really need to catch up on my sleep. Siv had to go to work early morning, poor guy, but I slept in till noon and woke up with some major craving for simple home-cooked food. With what I could find in the fridge, here is what I whipped up, Kaalan and a spicy potato fry with white rice.
Kaalan is a classic Kerala vegetarian delight, a must have dish in Sadhya, the traditional Kerala feast. Incidentally I got a request for this recipe from three different people in the past few weeks. It is a very simple recipe, and tastes heavenly with rice and a simple spicy stir fry. I normally make a moru curry without coconut which is even simpler, but I really had to post a recipe here before people start forgetting that this is indeed a food blog. So I went through the whole shebang of grinding coconut et all and I must say the effort (if you can call it that) was totally worth it.
I used cucumber in my version, since that is what I had in the fridge. You can also use plantain, yam, different types of gourds etc. or mango or pineapple for a sweet and sour version. Plantains are the best choice in my opinion.
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber skinned and seeded and cut into large cubes
(substitute with plantain/yam/mango/pineapple) - 3 small Thai green chilies slit
- 1/4 tsp red chili powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- salt to taste
- 3 cups yogurt stirred well
- To Grind
- 3/4 cup grated coconut (fresh/frozen available in Indian grocery stores)
- 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
- For Seasoning
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 3 whole dry red chilies
- a few curry leaves
Method
Grind the coconut and cumin seeds with just enough water to make a really smooth paste.
Cook the vegetables with the green chilies, red chili and turmeric powders, salt and a cup of water in a large saucepan till the vegetables are tender.
Add the ground coconut paste to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook for two minutes. Stir in the yogurt and mix well. Cook on low heat till the liquid is heated through, but do not let it boil otherwise the yogurt will curdle. Remove from the heat.
In a frying pan, heat the oil and add the mustard seeds. When these start to splutter, add the rest of the seasoning ingredients and fry till the chilies turn dark brown. Pour this over the curry and mix well.
This curry keeps well in the refrigerator for couple of days. Do not reheat, just bring it back to room temperature before serving with warm rice.
Blog Events
Sending this over to the event Frozen Yogurt hosted by Siri of Siri’s corner, such a bundle of energy; she manages to make me feel old and lazy.
This is also my entry for AFAM – Coconut hosted by Suganya of the beautiful food porn blog Tasty Palettes . AFAM stands for A Fruit A Month, an event started by Maheswari of Beyond the Usual.
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Good for you – getting out of addictions is no joke..
Looking forward to the restaurant reviews. yoghurt curry looks totally delish with that spicy potato on the side -
We used to visit vegas like a holy pilgrimage and we had to put an end to that
What is the podi sitting next to potato fry?
I totally want this platter! Kalan and potato fry, what more can i ask for
Glad to know that you enjoyed your lil’ trip to Vegas (not to mention the lil’ bit of celebrity sighting). Are we getting any food reviews?
Here’s one more: i’ve never been to Vegas, go figure
tamarind?? awesome!! while i cook up something with that, let me just say i was thinking of kaalan just today morning. and there you are!! will make it this week for sure!
Guess what, this is exactly what I cooked today!!:)
Wow sid that is a delicious bowl of kalan.
Never been to vegas. Well atleas food blogging is a good addiction.
Sig non stop action and no sleep what were you guys up to
The kaalan looks so good, anything with yogurt or buttermilk is just perfect. And those spicy potatoes delicious.
I can put a picture to each place that you mention in this post
S went to Vegas in April and took some 700 pictures so I didn’t feel left out
the plate is so inviting.
The Bellagio is indeed one of the best hotels. The Venetian was very good, but their service quality is not among the best. Don’t know about the Wynn, which is also supposed to be good. Will await your food posts; I very much wanted to try Le Cirque the last time, but my companions weren’t serious foodies.
U r NOT old and lazy!!!
I never imagine myself being so adventurous at ur age! .. 
the kalan looks sooo yummy Sig and Guess what, I am on my bed still cuddled up in my comforter and the first thing that got into my mind was morukozhambu!! It has been a while that I had it!! nice coincidence na.. Looking forward for ur pics and reviews for LA..a trip is due for us!!! 
Hugs,
Siri
Kaalan, Olan ,Aviall , YUM YUM YUM!!!
We have been Vegas once with kids! Imagine hanging around in Vegas with kids!! Only Casino we can go with them was Circus Circus. We don’t gamble anyway, it was okay. Got to make a trip again with grown up kids in few yrs!:)
That sounds like a fabulous celebration
What an extremely comforting meal to come home to.. downright delicious.
WOW! thats one awesome looking smooth creamy kaalan…u did really grind that coconut
You guys went to Flay’s Mesa? another WOW! I dont know why, that guy always makes me smile….he is one arrogant but cute brat:P
Shn
Mmmm…. yummy kaalan. I feel like dipping my spoon and tasting it. Just WOW. :drool:
We haven’t been to vegas yet. We keep thinking abt it on every long weekend
. Just checked tickets for 4th of july weekend and the prices were sky high 
.
Anyway..I love your thali with comfort food. This the food I love to eat any day
.
you know sig..i love to see veggie food on ur blog
…and this kaalan is something more on the lines of avial/morkulambu which we do…love ur version too :drool: and sure to try it pretty soon…and i love ur reviews about places you visit…esp of US of A and you make me want to visit, inspite of my preference to places this side of the pond 
beautiful pics sig, the good old kerala speciality!! looks like u guys had a great time in vegas
that sure is a good way to make up for the absence on the anniv day!! shake off your tiredness and come over to my blog for a lil something!! 
That picture is so good. Love the Spicy potatoe side dish..platter looks gr8.
Sig, If I knew you were coming to vegas, I would have met you (I live in vegas). I love your blog.
keep it up.
I have been married for 10 years(march) this year too.
Have a wonderful time.
That’s amusing, I went to Vegas for Memorial day weekend too (Stayed at the Bellagio- OMG!) and came home and cooked khichdi!
Such a small world:)
that’s great, Sig! Good to know you had a good time in Vegas. Kalan looks delicious.
Whoa! That sounds fun!!! From the anniversary post it sure looked like all the girls were rooting for “Siv making up to you”.. no no not just any making up .. but a royal one at that. It looks like he delivered.
He even arranged a Johnny Chan sighting
Nice to see you back. You see this blog hadn’t had any updates in a while.
Ok, ok.. don’t hit me.
OMG!! if i recall correctly..you had said in the past u don’t know how to cook delish veggie fare…ahh…now i see you like to lie
..i am seriously drooling on that…all of that! ..and love vegas…actually have plans to go this year too…but i suck at gambling so spend my time on slots where i make $20 and lose $50..totally deserving for morons like me 
Awesome Sig..!!As usual..
..I asked for some true keralite recipe in your anniversary post..n what more cud I get..seriously..the whole combo luks Yum!!!. :drool: .n ur pics r too cool..it makes me feel lil ashamed of ma photographic skills..rather I am too hungry when the whole thing comes out n so automatically pic s spoiled.. 
..I made a thakkali pachadi last day n hav posted it..Ma first total cooking post.. 
do check wen time permits..
I have heard that vegas s a nice place..we r lookign forward to visiting it..
ahem ahem …. vegas n all…. good goood u enjoyed… i admire u guys for ur zeal n energy
and yeah that kaala which i wud have thot as a mor koyumbu… looks so creamy n rich…
You are one lucky Girl my dear.looks like you had a fantastic time in Vegas.
The only meal i used to enjoy when I was a teenager is just dal,white rice, papad and potato fry. YOur dish reminds me of those days Sig!! Looks incredible!!!
Wish someone makes this for me!!
This comes a little late, Sig, but best wishes for a wonderful anniversary.
Late wishes from me Sig Congrats.. seems u guys had a best time
This is my fav dish but ofcourse our recipe hasfew variations and less ingredients. This is one of the comfort food for me..
hey sig, u have something “coming from the heart” on my blog, dont forget to check out the previous post for another award!!
we make this a lot at home. its so delicious – esp with ripe mangoes!
its comfort lunch…looks delicious….and kadhi specially luved its colour and tadka..its yum
Hey Happy 10th we’ll be joining you in Sept. But you are my kinda gal Sig – food and poker is my way of partying too. As for this dish – it looks great. I really need to give it a try.
mmm, love this with some red curries or side dishes…
The plate of food looks too delicious for words….an uncomplicated, easy to prepare yet very very tasty!!
aw…kalan is my all time comfort food….yummmy
Oh yeah, LA is amazing..wish I could frequent that place very often..
The dishes look lovely Sig..you are one amazing gal!!
Kaalan looks great, Sig. Sort of similar to mor kuzhambu… Glad to hear you had a wonderful time! That plate looks like perfect comfort food!
hai….thanks for the comment….i am in US now currently….but my hubbies office is in mangalore…all relatives in kerala…i like the beauty in kerala which i dont c in any other place but dont know y rt orm my childhood i have no idea to settle in kerala…may be i dont the language which i feel i wont be comfortable…wherez ur hometown?…by the way u look pretty in pic…
Sig, wonderful post…very glad to know u both had a great time :party: , shall wait for the next post wt snaps!
Thanks for picking that dish for ur lovely event..linked it.
Sig, the kaalan kutaan and upperi look fab! Loved the snaps!!
Yes):
That plate of food looks comforting indeed…glad you had a great time in Vegas
Hey!!
Lovely site!! Stomach begins to growl and tongue begins to yearn :drool: to taste the food in the pics!!
So good!!
This dish is very interesting!
Something similar to what we call as Mor-kozamb!
Surely gonna try this in a couple of days time!!
Lovely!!
Keep up the great work!
Love
Sujyothi
one of the few veggie dishes on your blog.. and I had almost missed it!!!!! phew!!!!
looks really yummy… the color looks beautiful. btw, I need the recipe for that potato stir fry too… it looks really good!!!! 
Hi sig, Thanks for the picture perfect Kaalan recipe.I made it today (with plantain) and It was delicious. You have a good collection of Kerala recipes and I have a long must try list now.
Hi Sig,
I found you pictures and recipies being used in the site http://pakistanifoodrecipies.com/?p=2968
.They have been using shilpa’s ( from aayis recipies) recipies too.
Thanks for letting me know L!
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