Neychoru, Kerala Egg Curry, Cucumber Raita and Pappadam

Ingredients

• 8 pc Egg (hard-boiled and peeled)
• 3 tbsp Coconut Oil
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 2 pc Dried Red Chili (broken into halves)
• 1 sprig Curry Leaves
• 2 medium Onion (thinly sliced)
• 2 pc Green Chili (slit lengthwise)
• 1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
• 2 medium Tomato (finely chopped)
• 0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1.5 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (adjust for heat)
• 2 tsp Coriander Powder
• 0.5 tsp Black Pepper Powder (freshly ground preferred)
• 1.5 cup Thin Coconut Milk (second extract)
• 1 cup Thick Coconut Milk (first extract)
• 0.75 tsp Garam Masala
• 1.25 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the eggs: Gently make 2-3 shallow slits on each hard-boiled egg with a knife. This helps them absorb the masala. Set aside.

2. 2

   Temper the spices: Heat coconut oil in a wide pan or kadai over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter completely. Then, add the dried red chilies and curry leaves, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. 3

   Sauté the aromatics: Add the sliced onions to the pan and sauté for 8-10 minutes until they are soft and golden brown. Add the ginger-garlic paste and slit green chilies, and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes until the raw smell disappears.

4. 4

   Cook the base: Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn soft and mushy, and oil starts to separate from the masala.

5. 5

   Add spice powders: Reduce the heat to low. Add the turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, coriander powder, and black pepper powder. Stir continuously for 1 minute until aromatic, ensuring they don't burn.

6. 6

   Build the gravy: Pour in the thin coconut milk and add salt. Mix well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes.

7. 7

   Simmer with eggs: Gently place the slit boiled eggs into the gravy. Cover the pan and let it simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes. This allows the eggs to absorb the flavors of the curry.

Ingredients

• 2 cup Curd (Thick, plain, and chilled. Greek yogurt or hung curd works well.)
• 1 medium Cucumber (Peeled and grated. English or Persian cucumbers are preferred.)
• 1 tsp Roasted Cumin Powder (Freshly ground for best aroma.)
• 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Finely chopped.)
• 1 tbsp Mint Leaves (Finely chopped.)
• 0.5 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste.)
• 0.25 tsp Black Salt (Also known as Kala Namak.)
• 1 pcs Green Chilli (Finely chopped, deseed for less heat.)
• 0.25 tsp Sugar (Optional, to balance the tang of the yogurt.)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Cucumber (4 minutes)

   • Wash, peel, and grate the medium cucumber using a box grater.
   • Place the grated cucumber in a fine-mesh sieve or a muslin cloth. Press down firmly or squeeze to remove as much water as possible. This is the most crucial step to prevent a watery raita.
   • Set the squeezed cucumber aside.
2. 2

   Prepare the Yogurt Base (2 minutes)

   • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the thick curd (yogurt).
   • Whisk the curd for about a minute until it is completely smooth and creamy, with no lumps.
   • Add the roasted cumin powder, salt, black salt, and optional sugar to the whisked yogurt. Mix well to combine the spices evenly.
3. 3

   Combine and Chill (4 minutes + chilling time)

   • Add the squeezed grated cucumber, finely chopped green chilli, coriander leaves, and mint leaves to the spiced yogurt base.
   • Gently fold all the ingredients together until everything is well incorporated.
   • Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You may need more salt or a pinch more sugar depending on the sourness of your yogurt.

Ingredients

• 8 pieces Urad Dal Pappadam (Plain or with peppercorns (kali mirch) are common choices.)
• 1 cup Vegetable Oil (For deep frying. Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like sunflower or canola oil.)

Instructions

1. 1

   Choose your preferred cooking method. Pappadam can be deep-fried, roasted over a gas flame, or cooked in a microwave. Each method yields a slightly different texture and flavor.

2. 2

   Method 1: Deep Frying (Classic Method)

   • Pour vegetable oil into a kadai or a small, deep pan to a depth of about 1 inch. Heat over medium-high flame for 2-3 minutes.
   • To test the oil temperature, drop a tiny piece of pappadam into it. If it sizzles and expands immediately, the oil is ready.
   • Using tongs, gently slide one pappadam into the hot oil. Lightly press the center with the tongs to ensure even cooking. It will puff up in 3-5 seconds.
   • Quickly flip it over and cook for another 2-3 seconds. It should be a pale cream color, not brown.
   • Remove the pappadam with tongs, allowing excess oil to drip back into the pan. Place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any remaining oil.
   • Repeat the process for all pappadams, frying one at a time.
3. 3

   Method 2: Roasting over Open Flame (Smoky Flavor)

   • Turn on a gas stove to a low-medium flame.
   • Using a pair of long metal tongs, hold one pappadam about 2-3 inches above the flame.
   • Continuously and quickly move the pappadam over the flame, flipping it every few seconds to cook it evenly and prevent burning.
   • The pappadam will start to bubble, change color, and become crisp in about 20-30 seconds.
   • Once it's cooked with a few characteristic charred spots, it's ready. Be vigilant as it can burn in an instant.
4. 4

   Method 3: Microwaving (Oil-Free Method)

   • Place one or two pappadams on a microwave-safe plate, ensuring they do not overlap.
   • For a more even cook, you can lightly brush both sides with a tiny amount of oil, but this is optional.
   • Microwave on high power for 30-45 seconds. The pappadam will cook and become crisp.
   • Keep a close watch as cooking times vary greatly between microwaves. If it's not fully cooked, microwave in 10-second intervals until done.
5. 5

   Serve the freshly prepared pappadams immediately. They are best enjoyed while warm and crispy alongside a main meal of rice and curry, or as a standalone snack.