Thoughtful Foods

From Edwina

I had delicious Thoran when I was in Kerala (in the south west of India). I haven't tested this recipe but it looks similar to one that I have made. As with all cooking (and especially Indian cooking), you can alter the spices to suit your taste (or, as my Indian 'mother' told me, the taste of your husband and sons!!).

• vegetable of your choice (eg, thinly sliced cabbage, sliced green beans, cubed carrots)
• chilli powder - 1/2 spoon.
• turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon.
• desiccated/shredded coconut (unsweetened) - 1/2 cup.
• onion - 1/3, cut into small pieces.
• coconut oil (or other oil), salt, mustard seeds, cumin seeds (optional) and curry leaves (optional).

Heat oil, briefly fry mustard seeds, cumin seeds and then curry leaves, and then onion, until slightly browned.

Add salt, chilli and turmeric, and stir well. Add coconut, cook and stir for a few minutes, then add vegetables.

Cover and cook over a low flame, stirring occasionally, until cooked.

From Alice

1 fresh coconut- pierce the eyes and drain liquid into a bowl.  break open, grate ~1/2 the flesh into a bowl (discarding outer bark and tough brown skin).  Ad 12 medjool dates (pitted and roughly chopped), 1bunch coriander roughly chopped, juice and grated zest of 2 limes, 1.5tbsp tamarind paste, 2 v. finely chopped garlic cloves, 0.5 long red chilli v finely chopped and 0.5 tsp sea salt.  Ad enough coconut liquid to loosen.  Serve with pappadums.