Varathuaracha Kadala / Bengal Gram Curry

Kadala /Bengal gram / kala channa curry is a roasted coconut based curry, varathuaracha means roasted paste, some use fresh coconut paste i prefer roasting  the coconut....Serving with puttu is the best combination for breakfast :) Can also be eaten with appam or noolappam....
Here's the traditional Kerala style Kadala curry!!!

Ingredients :
Serves  : 4

• 1/2 cup / 100 gm Kadala / Bengal gram/ kala channa.
• 1/2 cup / 50 gm grated coconut.
• 30 gm shallots / sambar onions sliced.
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds.
• 5 garlic cloves.
• 5-6 red chilies ( according to your taste ).
• 1/2'' cinnamon.
• Few curry leaves.
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds/jeera.
• 1/2 tsp tea leaves.
• A pinch of hing / asafoetidia.
• 1 tsp oil.

Seasoning : 1 tbsp oil, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 4 shallots/ sambar onions, few curry leaves & 2 red chilies.

Method :

• Wash & soak the bengal gram overnight.
• Tie 1/2 tsp tea leaves in a muslin cloth.( using tea leaves enhancing the color & flavor of the gram,you can also tea bags in place of tea leaves).

• Pressure cook the soaked gram with tied tea leaves pouch, hing & enough water & cook for 4-5 whistles,off the flame & let the pressure cool down.Meanwhile....

1                                                        2

1. Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan add the grated coconut,shallots / sambar onions, garlic & saute, when the coconut is about to change the color....
2. Add the curry leaves, coriander seeds & saute till light brown. 

3                                                       4

• Add the jeera/ cumin seeds,cinnamon & saute till brown, off the flame.
• Add the red chilies & turmeric powder & continue  stirring till it cools down.
• When it's cold add to the blender & grind to a fine paste.
• Once the pressure is down open the lid & add the ground masala, salt & let it boil till the raw smell goes & the gravy is thick .
• Next let's season it.

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan when hot add the mustard seeds when it stops popping add the sliced shallots / sambar onions when light brown add the curry leaves & the red chilies saute for a sec & add to the the kadala / bengal gram curry stir it, cover with a lid keep aside.

• Serve with puttu or idiyappam!!!! :)