Thenga Pal Kurma / Vegetable Stew

All of us have some specific item that kindles our memory. Nostalgic, in other words! It might be one of your mom's speciality or your grandmom prepares it for you specially, saying "என் பேத்திக்கு ரொம்ப பிடிக்கும்" (My grand-daughter loves it) or something your loved hubby prepared for you for the first time or something your kiddies love from you! Yes, all of us have such special item that lingers in our memory as well as the palates!

To me, it is this kurma. It is my grandmom's speciality. Every time I make this, I realize that her kaimanam can never be matched! So I am dedicating this post specially for her!! Love you patti..!! :)

Thengal Pal Kurma / Vegetable Stew
Vegetables cooked in Coconut milk gravy
Serves 2

What we need:
Potatoes, medium sized - 2
Cauliflower - 1 cup, picked into bite size florets
Peas - 1 cup
Onion, medium sized - 1, cut lengthwise
Green Chilli - 2 or 3, slit vertically
Garlic - 5 to 6 pods
Cinnamon stick - 1" inch piece
Cardamom - 2 to 3 pods
Bay leaf - 1
Cloves - 2 or 3
Salt - as needed
Water - as needed
Thick Coconut milk - 1/2 cup
Ghee - 1 tbsp.

How to do:
1. Boil and cube the potatoes. Cut the cauliflower into bite size flowers and boil it with a pinch of salt. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat Ghee or oil, and add Cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaf and cloves. When they emit a nice aroma, add the onion, green chilli and garlic. Fry till the onions turn soft.
3. Add the boiled potatoes, cauliflower, peas, salt and half a cup of water. When it comes to a boil, add the coconut milk. Mix well and remove from the flame.

Serve with rice and papad.

Note: To make it a stew for Appam, add about half a cup of water to dilute the gravy.
As coconut milk is the only thickening agent, make sure it is thick. You can also mash a piece of potato to bring the thickness.
If you need more richness, soak and grind a few cashew pieces and add before the coconut milk.

Now to the cheering time, my lovely buddy Sree has passed on to me this award.
And my another lovely buddy Sandhya has given me a "Giant Bear Hug". Thanks dearies; I am glad to know that you have found my blog worth it!!

With this "Over the top" award goes a fun meme that has to be passed on to 6 people. So here goes my answers:

1. Where is your cell phone? Charging
2. Your hair? Brown
3. Your mother? Loving
4. Your father? Caring
5. Your favorite food? Rasam
6. Your dream last night? I am a Blond!
7. Your favorite drink? Tea
8. Your dream/goal? Entrepreneur
9. What room are you in? Living
10. Your hobby? Books
11. Your fear? Accidents
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? India
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something you aren’t? Hypocrite
15. Muffins? None
16. Wish list item? Nikon SLR
17. Where did you grow up? Chennai
18. Last thing you did? Chat with MIL
19. What are you wearing? Tee and Half-Pants
20. Your TV? None
21. Your pets? None
22. Your friends? LOTS
23. Your life? BLISSFUL
24. Your mood? Joyous
25. Missing someone? Yes
26. Vehicle? No
27. Something you’re not wearing? Shorts
28. Your favorite store? Globus, Chennai
29. Your favorite color? Black
30. When was the last time you laughed? Afternoon
31. Last time you cried? Don't remember
32. Your best friend? Kalpana
33. One place that I go over and over? Interlaken
34. One person who emails me regularly? Father-in-law
35. Favorite place to eat? Dining room

And I'd like to pass it on to:

Sanghi
Nithya
Ambika
Pavithra
Chithra
Kanchan

I wish to include as many buddies as I can but the rule says it should be passed only to 6 people. So, I am sorry to have missed out some of you!!

Update for the event: Sending this entry to 'Cooking with love' series hosted by Sara's Corner, guest hosted at Ruchika Cooks this month.

Happy Blogging and Happy cooking!