A Tasty Challenge.....: Kanava Thoran (Stir fried Squid with Coconut)

Creating a blog was out of the question for a long time for me, as measuring everything in the kitchen was like biting into an eggshell. I enjoy cooking and don’t want to waste even a slightest bit of enjoyment in that small world of mine. But little did I know that everything will change, when my husband came home with the Oscar nominated film ‘Julie and Julia’( a real life story) where Julie Powell (part played by Amy Adams) challenged herself to make all the 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ and blogging all her experiences (The Julie/Julia Project). It was an inspiring movie. A few days later when we were discussing this casually with a friend of ours over tea…everything changed dramatically…..” How about you making at least half of it in one year? Not French but your own. 262 recipes that will inspire others and present it as a blog?” For a minute my mind traveled faster than light… With an experience as a helper in my mother in laws kitchen for 6 years followed by a three year everyday struggle to satisfy the palate of my foodie husband, if I cannot do it then why should I cook? But on the other side with an experience in English literature extending no more than expanding outline stories in English grammar class when I was 18 and two small kids that come in handy at times, will a commitment for the next one year work? Anyway my ‘cook's ego’ didn’t allow me to say no...

So my friends …here I am opening my recipe book, trying to perfect and present 262 recipes in the coming 365 days….A Challenge that will of course tastes good. Come.. Have a walk with me along my journey.. Cheering and inspiring….Forgiving and tolerating…Testing and tasting….for ‘A Tasty Challenge’

Friday, December 3, 2010

Kanava Thoran (Stir fried Squid with Coconut)

Recipe No: 133

Ingredients Serves 5

Squid cut into small pieces….....2 Cups
Coconut Oil…………………………..2 Tablespoons
Mustard Seeds………………………1/2 Teaspoon
Shallots sliced……………………….1/3 Cup
Curry Leaves………………………..2 Sprigs
Kokum/ Kudampuli………………3 small pieces
A bit of Coconut Oil and a sprig of Curry leaf to put on top.

To Grind

Onion chopped……………………….1/4 Cup
Garlic…………………………………….2 big cloves
Ginger…………………………………...1 small piece
Grated unsweetened Coconut…..3/4 Cup
Indian Green Chilly…………….…..2 (Cut into small pieces)
Turmeric powder…………………….1/2 Teaspoon
Salt……………………………………....3/4 Teaspoon
Red Chilly powder…………………..1/2 Teaspoon
Uluva/ Fenugreek powder………..1/8 Teaspoon

Method of Preparation

Grind all the ingredients in the ‘to grind’ section to a course consistency and keep aside till ready to be used.
In a pan (Manchatti- an earthen cookware preferred) on medium high heat, add Coconut Oil and let it become hot. Swirl the pan so that the Oil spreads all over the base of the Pan.
Add Mustard seeds and let it splutter. Add sliced Shallots and Curry leaves and saute till it is golden brown in color.
Add Squid, Kokum (Kudampuli) and the ground Coconut mixture, mix well, add two tablespoons of Water and close the pan. Let it cook on medium low heat till all the water is evaporated and the Squid is cooked through. This will take only around 10 minutes.
Taste for Salt and add more if needed.
Pour a bit of Coconut Oil and tear some Curry Leaves on top and close the lid. Switch off the flame and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving hot with rice.

Notes:

A lot of water will ooze out of Squid while cooking. So it is not necessary to add more water while cooking.
I happened to have some cleaned big squid tubes in the refrigerator with which I made this dish. If you get the small ones cut it into rounds which will give that signature look of Squid thoran.

Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and
serve it to your family with love…

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