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8 Oct 2011

Mushroom Curry Leaf Masala

Kaalaan Karivaepillai Masala

Personally I love curry leaves. It is a wonderful herb and grows abundantly in hot climatic conditions. There is no need for me to give you an introduction about this leaf. 


Not only used in cooking , it is also used for herbal beauty and medicinal purposes. Some of the properties of curry leaves:
1.Anti diabetic and anti cancerous.
2.Reduces blood cholesterol.
3.Extremely rich in iron and Vit A , so helps combat anaemia. 
4.Anti oxidant properties.
5.Helps growth of strong black hair and nails. 
Curry Leaf tree in our residence in Coimbatore
The usual scenario when eating a South Indian Curry which has curry leaves is that, it ends up by the side of the plate only to be discarded. Some say that the nutrients from the curry leaves are absorbed into the dhal liquid. 

Hhhmm..that is quite debatable..!!


This leaf has a wide range of preparation methods. It is usually used as tadka for the watery rice accompaniments like sambhar, rasam, kaara kuzhambhu and chutneys. It can also be roasted, ground and served as thuvaiyal, thokku, chutney  and podi [spicy powder blend] as accompaniments for rice, idlis, dosas and rotis. 

This recipe combines curry leaves and mushrooms simply because mushrooms are quite bland and they are capable of absorbing the woody flavour of curry leaves. The only thing that should be remembered is that the leaves should be young and fresh [ilam thalir]. Please don't use leaves that have spots or ridges . 
 

I made this recipe in India using the curry leaves from the tree in our garden. It had just rained suddenly in the morning and the leaves were washed by the soft rain drops. When the sun came out , it was the most fanatastic scene - drops of water rolling down the young green leaves and sparkling in the morning sunshine. All I did was take a few shots before the beauty of the second fades. Then with a big smile I made my way to the kitchen to make the recipe.... 

Curry leaves freshly washed by rain
It is a perfect side for a simple lunch with roti or rice and can also be transformed into a delicious filling for a wrap. Mushroom can be replaced with any other meaty vegetable like aubergine, potatoes, cauliflower etc.

Serves: 2-3
Preparation time: 15 minutes.
Cooking time: 20 minutes 


Mushrooms [button/closed cup]: 300gms
Onion [medium]:1
Curry leaves [washed]: a good handful.
Ginger paste: 1 tsp
Cumin powder: 1 tsp.
Garam masala: ½ tsp.
Chilli powder: ½ tsp.
Salt: to taste.
Fennel seeds: 1 tsp.
Oil: 2 tsp.

To Garnish:
A pinch of white sesame seeds and fresh coriander leaves.


Procedure:
1.Wash the mushrooms and drain well. Chop them into quarters. Keep aside.
2.Chop onion lengthwise.  Heat oil. Splutter fennel seeds.
3.Add the onions and curry leaves. Saute until the onions are golden brown in colour.
4.Add the ginger paste, all the powders and salt. Mix well and saute for a minute.
5.Add the mushrooms, mix well until all the mushrooms are well coated with the masala.


6.Lower the flame, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.No need to add water as the mushrooms lets off liquid when cooked.
7.Stir well and cook the vegetable without the lid so that the excess water evaporates.
8.Remove from flame when the masala attains an "almost dry" consistency.

Serve hot garnished with fresh coriander leaf and a sprinkle of white sesame seeds.

Note: You can substitute curry leaves with mint or coriander or a mix of both. If using these leaves use them at the end and don't overcook them. The freshness adds a lovely flavour to the dish. Adjust the amount of chilli powder according to your taste.

Sending this to "Herbs and Flowers: Curry Leaves", an event by PJ , guest hosted by my dear friend Anamika.



Enjoy...



Scribbled by Reva.

33 comments:

  1. I can't imagine a day without curry leaves.It's an essential part of my cooking.The special flavour it releases,nothing can replace that.

    Your mushroom curry leaf masala is a classic recipe I think.I would love to try and see.

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  2. Loved your style of preparation, looks very delicious.

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  3. Very healthy and innovative try Reva.The ingredients luks so good.Lipsmackingly delicious click as well.Luv it dear.

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  4. Wow. I'm feeling little happy after seeing you curry leaf tree picture. We also used to grow at our home and use it fresh for cooking direct from tree. The picture of ree curry leaf tree with droplets is wonderful So nostalgia. BTW, recipe is very good. with curry leaves it must be flavorful.

    Cheers,
    Uma

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  5. Nice Curry with delicious flavors !!

    Ongoing Event - CC-What's For Friday Dinner??

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  6. I am just gazing at the tree :)

    Nice masala with mushrooms Reva.

    Vardhini
    Event: Halloween Fiesta

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  7. Sedap masakan anda sungguh mengkagumkan...


    *jgn lupa saksikan Masterchef Malaysia 22 okt 2011 di Astro Ria...

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  8. A flavorful mushroom preparation dear Reva :))
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

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  9. wow.....beautiful pics. Curry leaf is a must have in the pantry. Mushroom sprinkled with sesame seeds....hmm sounds interesting!

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  10. Oh wow never put mushrooms & curry leaves in the same pot, but can imagine the flavours enhanced by it to the plain mushrooms!! Thanks for linking!!

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  11. very nice and flavorful recipe...nice clicks too...

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  12. Very healthy & Interesting recipe ... Delicious and nice clicks ...

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  13. hi Reva
    You have been tagged in a 7 – links game. Check this link on my blog for more details.
    Thanks,
    Kalyani
    Join me in a 100-day Global Food Festival here
    New event: Strawberry desserts all this October

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  14. Sounds and looks so flavourful

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  15. i like your pictures and would like to invite you to share them on tastingspot.com

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  16. Thats a flavourful masala, cant wait to try..

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  17. loved the combination..sounds different n yumm

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  18. nice to read about the goodness of curryleaves...nice recipe too...

    do check out the Sunday Special event at my blog..

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  19. How I wish Curry leaves could grow that well in places like here...Mine just stops growth once winter starts...Thanks for such a wonderful recipe
    http://www.panchamrutham.blogspot.com/

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  20. Mushroom looks flavorful and delicious.

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  21. a delicious preparation...why dnt u send it to the event
    Event: Kerala Kitchen

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  22. கருவேப்ப்பிலை மரமே இருககா.
    அப்ப உங்க எல்லோரின் தலை முடியும் கரு கருன்னு இருக்கும் இல்லையா ரேவா

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  23. romba sariya soneenga Jaleela akka..:) Collegula padikum pothu en thalai mudiyin neelam 2 - adi... :)
    Reva

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  24. Hello Reva, Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I do hope you can join our event :)

    I can just imagine the smell of those curry leaves, it's one of my favourite cooking smells in the world. Lovely looking dish.

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  25. I wish i had at least a smaller one of that plant :)...Nothing can beat the flavor!
    nice recipe..luks yumm!

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  26. I love your dish. They have two of my favorite ingredients - mushrooms and curry leaves. And the dish looks wonderful.

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  27. My recipes are almost always incomplete without this magic herb,and I wish I could have a tree like this in my house....:( Mushrooms in curry leaf masala looks and sounds so delicious:)!

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  28. wonderful mushroom dish, sure curry leaves are always neglected though it has so many medicinal values..

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For your precious words....