Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Squid sauteed in spicy grated coconut (Kanava thoran)


Pondering over what to make for dinner, I was in Whole Foods looking for some inspiration from the seafood section and spotted some fresh Squid/Calamari, one of my favorites among seafood. It is called "Kanava" in Malayalam.  Suddenly, I had this idea of putting together a simple home cooked meal with hot rice, dal, pappad, and squid thoran. "Thoran" in Keralite cooking is basically any vegetable or seafood mixed with coarsely blended grated coconut  and spices. 
 
INGREDIENTS:

Cleaned squid with tentacles - 2 pounds
Onion - 1 big (finely chopped)
Grated coconut - 1 cup
Turmeric powder - 1-2 tsp
Coriander powder- 2 tbsp
Chilli powder - 1 tbsp
Pepper powder - 1/2 tbsp
Coconut oil - 2-3 tsp

For Tempering:

Mustard seeds - 1-2 tsp
Pearl onions - 5-10 (finely chopped)
Dried red chillies - 4-5
Curry leaves - 1-2 sprigs
Grated coconut - 1-2 tsp
Vegetable oil
Salt to taste

PREPARATION:

1.  Cut the squid into small bite size pieces and wash them well. Boil them in a covered pan with a little water, turmeric powder, and some salt. Cook for about 5minutes. 

2. On a medium flame, heat a pan and dry roast the spice powders (coriander, chilli, and pepper). Grind this  roasted spice powder coarsely with the grated coconut. Use some water for grinding.

3. Heat 2-3tsp of vegetable oil in a shallow pan or clay pot on medium flame. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onions  and fry them till they are translucent. Drain away the squid water and add all the boiled squid to the onion mixture.

4.Add the coarsely ground masala to this and mix well. Add 1 sprig of curry leaves and cook this mixture with a lid for 5 minutes.

5. Open the lid and stir well, check for salt and see if the masala has incorporated well with the squid and the oil has separated on the sides. 

6. In a different pan add 1-2tsp of coconut oil. Once it is hot, add the mustard seeds and let it splutter. Now add the red chillies, chopped pearl onions, 1-2 tsp of grated coconut and fry till the onions and the coconut turn golden brown. Now add the curry leaves. 

7. Add this seasoning to the squid curry.

 Enjoy this dish with steamed rice!




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