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Sunday, March 06, 2011

Isthu (Potato stew)

I am strongly of the opinion that the English stew is an offshoot of the Malayali Ishtu. With carbs and the great taste of potatoes, the sweetness of coconut milk and the aroma of ginger in it, this is something that my daughter enjoys a lot.

What you need:
Potato - 3 large, cooked, peeled and mashed well
Coconut milk - extracted thrice from 1/2 a coconut (See note)
Ginger - 1 inch piece
Green chilli - 2 or 3
Coconut oil - 2 tsp
Salt

Heat oil in a pan. Grind the ginger and green chillies to a coarse paste. Fry this paste in the oil until aromatic. Add the mashed potatoes, salt and the third extract of coconut milk. Let this boil for a few minutes on a low flame. Add the second extract and boil again for 2-3 minutes. Add the first extract, stir well and switch off heat. Garnish with fresh curry leaves.
This tastes great with rice, aapam or idiyappam.
Note :
To extract coconut milk - Take the grated coconut in a blender. Add a cup of water and blend for a minute. Strain to remove the liquid. This extract is thick and is called the first extract. Take the solids that are left behind after straining and repeat the process to get second and third extracts.





Check out the bloggers doing the Blogging Marathon, along with me..30 Minutes Meals:Priya Mahadavan, Pavani,Seven Days of Salad: lla, Divya Vikram,For Ongoing 7 Events: Priya Suresh, Suma Gandlur,Harini,Kids Friendly: Vatsala, Jay,Kamalika

20 comments:

Harini said...

sounds awesome!! I am sure my husband who is an Alu fan will be happy !!

Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen said...

Oh Jay!! u have really triggered my Gastronomical Juices with your first para!!!! g
"great taste of potatoes, coconut milk and aroma of ginger" Ohh Really mouth-watering Stew!!! Me and My sis used to have it as such from the Pot, hot Hot!!!!

KrithisKitchen said...

Simple and comforting stew... Can smell the aroma..

http://krithiskitchen.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I have tried once ,but i was not satisfied with the taste.Bookmarking it,let me try and le u know.

Divya said...

nice stew....nice pic...

Unknown said...

Hey, that sounds super, easy and delicious :)

Priya Suresh said...

Had isthu long back, love this coconut flavoured potato stew, beautiful dish..

Ila said...

ho my fav..... yummy and creamy.. My mom used to add turmeric :)

Srivalli said...

Oh so wonderful that your lil one loves this..

Unknown said...

looks yumm..potato and coconut milk...nice one!

Smitha
Smitha's Spicy Flavors

Unknown said...

That sounds like a healthy and authentic kerala recipe.

Indian Khana said...

Looks yum n easy...gud one

Unknown said...

Yummmmmy love to have this with Apam mouthwatering here.

Moi. said...

Wow thats loads of calories isnt it not? But I guess thats where the great taste is. I have heard so much about "ishtu" but never tasted it...shall try it soon..

Shobha
www.anubhavati.wordpress.com

jayasree said...

You have a different recipe. Shall try to incorporate that next time I make. No onions? I just add sliced ginger and chillies and you have roasted it.

notyet100 said...

stew looks so comforting,..

Bharathy said...

I had no guts to come in to see the post of ishtoo from FB updates as you will eventually have a bad tummy ache (as me would drool ;) ;))...

Ishtoo is somthing I LOVE and never make here as hubby and kids dislike heartily :(

Suma Gandlur said...

Interesting. It sounds something like a south Indian raita except that it is made with coconut milk.
Bookmarked.

Unknown said...

Hi dear,thank u for stopping by.
The biscuits has to be baked at 325 degrees and make sure that the oven is pre heated well.

sra said...

I meant to comment on this, not sure why I didn't - love how mild it looks, as well as the little green flecks in it!