My cook is originally from Mumbai, which means that she knows more about the Maharashtrian cuisine than I ever aspire to. Usal is one of her specials. But because I don't know how to break open and grate a coconut, and she hasn't volunteered either, this is not something we make often.
Every few weeks, when I manage to get hold of some grated coconut in the supermarket, it's usal time.
Buy bean sprouts or make your own. For a cup of sprouts, you need 2 cloves of chopped garlic, a small onion chopped finely and 1/3 cup grated coconut. Parboil the sprouts. Heat a tsp of oil in a pan, add garlic and stir till lightly browned. Add the onions and stir fry on a low heat till softened. Add 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and 1/2 tsp of cumin-corainder powder (sold as such in Mumbai, but you can make your own with half of each). Now add the sprouts, coconut and salt to taste. Stir, add a little water (very little, just a tbsp or so) and cover the pan. Let cook on a low heat for a few minutes for the sprouts to absorb flavors.
I eat this with roti, but it's a great snack in itself with some lemon juice. Oh! and I still have half that coconut stowed away. There's another treat in the offing, soon.
In the meantime, usal goes to Weekend Wokking, being hosted by Kits Chow this month.
Every few weeks, when I manage to get hold of some grated coconut in the supermarket, it's usal time.
Buy bean sprouts or make your own. For a cup of sprouts, you need 2 cloves of chopped garlic, a small onion chopped finely and 1/3 cup grated coconut. Parboil the sprouts. Heat a tsp of oil in a pan, add garlic and stir till lightly browned. Add the onions and stir fry on a low heat till softened. Add 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and 1/2 tsp of cumin-corainder powder (sold as such in Mumbai, but you can make your own with half of each). Now add the sprouts, coconut and salt to taste. Stir, add a little water (very little, just a tbsp or so) and cover the pan. Let cook on a low heat for a few minutes for the sprouts to absorb flavors.
I eat this with roti, but it's a great snack in itself with some lemon juice. Oh! and I still have half that coconut stowed away. There's another treat in the offing, soon.
In the meantime, usal goes to Weekend Wokking, being hosted by Kits Chow this month.
Comments
BTW, I usually get the guy who sells the coconut to remove all the husk from the coconut before he gives it to me - most of them do that.
And then after coming home, when you want to use it, just give it a few sharp blows with a hammer holding it in the palm of your hand. Cracks open perfectly.
Cheers,
Siri
Thanks for submitting to Weekend Wokking!