Kerala Vegetable Stew

 Whenever I see fresh beans in the market, I am tempted to do a thoran or a stew. Of course any day I prefer a non-vegetarian stew to a vegetarian but when the beans look nice and healthy, it demands my attention and I change loyalties towards the veg version of my stew.

Personally, I feel this dish is one of the simplest and less spicy dishes and one instantly takes a liking to that creaminess in the medley of veggies that are dumped into it. The only hassle you would find is in obtaining your coconut milk which we call as the first milk extraction and the second extraction of the coconut.

 In Kerala, a boutique state in India way down South, we call those extractions-Onnam Pal and Rendaam Pal. Onnam Pal or the first milk extraction is made by adding warm water to freshly grated coconut in a blender and then squeezing out the excess water from the blended mix by hand such that the milk collects into a large vessel (remember in both versions do not throw away the squeezed out or sieved out coconut) or by passing the blended mix through a sieve.

That first extraction that you obtain is the first milk which is the thick milk and will be finally poured into your veggie mix as the final garnish or I would compare it to a standing ovation to a beautiful piece of music.

The second milk or the one that receives the initial applause while the audience is still warming up to the musicians and their seats is not as attractive as that thick milk. This second milk or the Rendaam Paal is the milk in which your veggies would simmer in. This again is made with the remnants of the coconut left in your sieve or that you kept aside while squeezing out the milk with your bare hands. Once again warm water is added to it and blended and the process is similar to the first milk extraction.

 With both milks at hand and ready for the concert to begin, choose the veggies you love to go into your stew. Normally, one would use cubed potatoes, diced carrots, a half inch beans, small florets of the cauliflower and peas. I did not have the last two at home, so just made without them. I used the pressure cooker here to cook my potatoes faster.
You may use any heavy bottom vessel of your preference. In the vessel a tbsp. of coconut oil is drizzled in, a tsp of mustard crackled, a bay leaf or two, to that a sliced onion, two split green chillies, a tbsp. of sliced ginger (you can reduce that amount, this was my preference) were sautéed. As they saute, add the potatoes/pressure cook the potatoes for two to three whistles. Add half a cup of water and then throw in the other diced veggies and your second milk in which the veggies will simmer and cook.

If you are using the pressure cooker, allow it to whistle just once or maximum twice so that the other veggies that you threw in would cook.

 As they simmer and cook through, do check on them as you do not want them to get mushy or soupy. You do want to feel the veggies in your mouth and see them in their chopped state in your stew. Grind a clove and a few peppercorns in your mortar and pestle and throw them into this simmering dish. These all add to the spice of the dish.

I love my ginger, the peppercorns and those green chillies and that keeps me assured of my spice. I will get my spicy stew although it will look very bland at first sight. There is a temptation to go in for some turmeric or cayenne pepper...but trust me the spice is there baby! Once the veggies have cooked and the rendam milk has reduced in quantity, slowly add in the salt, stir well, throw in a few curry leaves and then the finale which is pouring in that thick extracted coconut milk you set aside. The stew is done! Perfecto! Switch off the flame and drizzle in a tiny glug of coconut oil.

Have them with your Hoppers/Appams/ Puttu/ Steamed funnel cake/ String Hoppers/Idiyappams. Enjoy!

Cheat's way out :-If you are too lazy to extract the coconut milk and go through the whole nine yards, then pour in the canned coconut milk or use the tetra pack. Adjust the quantities to your liking. Cream or milk is equally good if you are still lazier than the first cheat's way out. But do try the dish!

Instead of the veggies if you want to make the chicken stew, just let the chicken pieces simmer in water and the second extract.