Kadala curry-Thattukada style!

I have mentioned about a thattu kada turned restaurant - Pai's thattu kada in one of my earlier posts.Thattu kada is a roadside eatery which usually serves ready to eat food like idlis,dosas,porottas,idiyappams etc etc.Thattukadas in Kerala are especially famous because of the type of food they serve-the famous one being Porotta and Beef fry.You can find these shops on almost every nook and corner.They usually start preparing by early evening and by nightfall,everything is ready to be served.They continue their business till wee hours of the morning.It is a pleasure to see them serving the food onto the plate with such fervor and enthusiasm.People start flocking these shops immediately after they start the business.

As kids,we never had outside food on a regular basis.Once in a fortnight appa would take us all out for an evening in the park,dinner in a restaurant and ice-cream.And we loved it!!But then,we grew up..hmm...!!We got introduced to Hotel food(as my dad puts it) and came the days of ordering out.It was during that time that Pai's started their shop.It was very close to where we lived and was quite tempting.Their speciality was 36 varieties of dosas with various accompaniments.But...thattu kada food was taboo in our house.Appa felt that they cooked veg and non-veg food in the same kitchen and used same dishes.For quite sometime he believed that,but we persisted and then he gave silent approval.But till date,when we order food from Pai's,he has a frown on his face!!Amma also had similar misconceptions,till she tasted this-or rather,was forced to taste this.Usually,kadala curry is served with Puttu or Idiyappam.But in Pai's it is served with the famous thattu dosa.Here it is...

Kadala curry - Thattukada style!

Ingredients

Black channa/Bengal gram/Chickpeas - 200 gms(soaked overnight)
Salt to taste

For the masala

Grated coconut - 3/4 cup
Coriander seeds - 2 tbsp
Jeera - 1/2 tsp
Red chillies - 4 or 5
Tamarind - 1 small channa size
Clove - 2
Cinnamon - 1 small piece
Cardamom/Elaichi - 1 small

For seasoning

Coconut oil - 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 2 sprig
Onions - 2,sliced thinly lengthwise
Tomatoes - 1/2 of one tomato,sliced thinly lengthwise

Method

Cook the channa in a pressure cooker with salt till done.
Roast the ingredients for the masala adding the ingredients one after the other starting with coconut and ending with elaichi till well browned.
Let it cool and grind it to a smooth paste adding half of the tomato.
Prepare seasoning in a frying pan,add oil-splutter mustard seeds.
Add curry leaves,onions and fry till it starts browning.
Add tomatoes and the grounded masala.
Let it boil,add the cooked channa with the water.
Mix well,check the salt.
Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Serve hot with Puttu,idiyappam or dosa..!!