Chenai Puli Masiyal / Elephant Foot Yam Masiyal ( with Tamarind)

in Side Dish

 

This is a fantastic side dish to be eaten along with rice . This is a locally grown vegetable and is very much ignored in present day cooking .  Its known as Suran or Jimi khand in Hindi . It helps in regulating hormones , aids weight loss and keeps the heart healthy . Its used  in Ayurveda , for digestive disorders and to clear  skin problems. This vegetable is full of fibre and increases memory power .

The vegetable irritates the skin while cutting . Apply lots of coconut oil before chopping the vegetable . It has a thick skin which has to be removed and then the flesh to be chopped as required. its extensively used in Kerala vegetarian cuisine . Its a cheap vegetable and is available in plenty through out the year, in India.

 

Ingredients

  1. Elephant Yam/Chenai  ( peeled and chopped small) 3 cups
  2.  Tamarind   30 grams ( as big as a small orange )
  3. Green chilies 4 chopped fine
  4. Tuvar dal  1/4 cup ( cooked soft )
  5. Turmeric Powder 1/2 teaspoon
  6. Salt 1 1/2 teaspoon
  7. Asafoetida ( hing) 1/2 teaspoon
  8. Coconut Milk  less than 1/4 of a cup
  9. Oil 4 teaspoons
  10. Mustard 1/2 teaspoon
  11. Urad dal 1 teaspoon
  12. Curry leaves few
  13. Coriander leaves half handful

Method

  • Soak the tamarind in 2 cups of water , for 15 minutes .  Squeeze and extract juice .
  • In a Pressure cooker , cook the Yam/ Chenai , adding turmeric powder , salt , curry leaves and tamarind water till soft . Mostly , it takes 4 whistles to cook well.
  • Add Dal and mix well . Add coconut milk and boil for a minute or two.
  • In a shallow pan or saute pan , add oil and heat . Add mustard , when it crackles add the urad dal , hing and green chilies .
  • Saute for a minute and season it over the  cooked Yam/Chenai.
  • Garnish with coriander leaves .

Note

  • As the Yam is  itchy in nature . use oil while cutting them .