Mar 20, 2009

Mochai kuzhambu

This is the first time I tried my hand in using mochai payiru in my cooking. I happened to have this in India and liked it very much. So I carried back a small pouch of these dried beans back. I followed my mom's method to make the kuzhambu. It is delicious with all the spices and the creamy beans. The beans can be soaked overnight or they can be dry roasted before cooking. I roasted the beans and I feel it gives more flavor to the beans. It is simple to make and a variation from the normal curries we make.

Ingredients

Dry mochai - 1/2 cup
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Tamarind extract - 1/ teaspoon
Coconut paste - 3 tablespoons
Garlic cloves - 2
Onion - 1/2 
Tomato - 1
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Mustard seeds -1 teaspoon
Urad dhall -1 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Oil

Directions

Dry roast the mochai for about two minutes until it gives out a nice aroma. Instead of the roasting process you can also soak the beans overnight.

Pressure cook the mochai for about 3 whistles until they turn tender. Chop the onions, garlic and tomatoes.

Meanwhile in a kadai, do the tempering with oil, mustard seeds, urad dhall and curry leaves. Add the garlic and onions and saute until they turn translucent. At this point you can add drumsticks if needed. this is optional. I did not use them since I did not have them at hand.

Add the tamarind extract, chilli powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder and salt. Add one cup of water and bring it to a boil.

Add the pressure cooked mochai along with the coconut paste. Cover the vessel with a lid and allow it to simmer for about ten minutes until the mochai absorbs all the flavor.

Serve hot with rice!

Sending this to My Legume love Affair:Nineth helping hosted by Laurie of Meditteranean cooking in Alaska and brainchild of Susan

Here are a few snaps of the Grand Canyon we visited last week!

  

  

33 comments:

  1. Amazing recipe..I dont like mochaikottai though I used to love the gravy..I used to have the kuzhambu without it..but the smell from the mochai in the kuzhambu is lovely..Yours came out just like my granny makes..lovely color yummy

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  2. I adore mochai kuzhambu - and have a recipe for it on my blog too, a bit different though. Yours is making me want to make it soon. I've run out of mochai that I got from India though...

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  3. I make pretty much the same way, try to add brinjal,drumstick and some dry fish ( Nettilee karuvaddu)!
    Absolute favorite gravy! Very delicous looking Div!

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  4. looks delicious... what is mochai called in english?

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  5. nice kozhambu recipe.. i would love to try this. i am sure i will like it.. the beans has a buttery texture which is what i like about it :)

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  6. Never heard about that beans but dish is looking nice divya...

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  7. My favorite kuzhmabu. As Cham said, I add brinjal or drumstick.
    BTW- We get the dried Mochai in Vietnamese stores here. Sometimes in Indian grocery too.

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  8. Mochais are just lovely..The gravy looks unique n yum Divya..n those pics are great..:)
    Btw,My feed not updating in reader's page,so pls chck my new post n pick the award ..:)
    happy weekend dear..:)

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  9. Hi Divya,
    This recipe is new to me.I like sambhars of any kind...especially if they are creamy and thick. Thanks for the recipe.Great pics!
    Grand canyon snaps are awesome :)

    Happy weekend!
    TC

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  10. Divya, with Coconut Paste, it should have tasted yummy! Mochai is my Fav...

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  11. I love mochai. I too roast the beans and use them. Now i have another recipe for mochai. Yours looks delicious.

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  12. divya..this is one of my most favourite curry........lovely

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  13. Beautiful pic from your trip.
    I have never had or cooked this beans, looks creamy and yummy.

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  14. Its looking soo delicious..We had mochai kulzhambu for lunch today..But i like your version of adding coconut paste :)

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  15. This looks really tasty and healthy too yum!

    I love the new look by the way its really lovely. :-)

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  16. Thanks for visiting my blog and supporting me. I'm a regular visitor of your blog but (he he) I never wrote a comment. I love your adhirasam, and the presentation of fruit cake. Template looks cool! Mochai kuzhambu look so yummy with gravy!

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  17. I love mochai kuzhambu so much...sounds very authentic to me.

    Love the new layout...

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  18. Is this the same as black eyed peas? they kind of look like

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  19. This is looking great & I do have a can of butter beans with me...:)

    BTW I have sent you my entry for the Think Spice event, I hope you have received it.

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  20. I love love love mocha kozhambu. A does not like it :( so hardly make it. This reminds me of my granny's cooking :)

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  21. Nice pics of the Grand Canyon.

    I like the idea of toasting the beans.

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  22. Whats the bean called in english?looks delicious. love the canyon pics.

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  23. never heard of this recipe. Looks so delicious Divya! Nice grand canyon pics.

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  24. Mochai kulambu is one of my favorite "learnt from mom" kind of recipes.. I usually make it with drumsticks and mochai together and have posted it in my blog too..

    Looks like you had a great vacation Divya!

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  25. I have never tried mochai.. looks delicious.. Not sure if this is available here.. got to look out..

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  26. What is Mochai? Do we get it here? I'd love to try this!

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  27. My favourite recipe..! The Grand canyon snaps are breathtaking... first time here, do check mine :)

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  28. oh..reminds me of my mom's mocha payiru theeyal.YUM.

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  29. I don't think I've tasted mochai bean before. Kulambu sounds great! The first time I saw the Grand Canyon, it took my breath away! It's so beautiful, isn't it? Esp at sunrise and sunset - so surreal and just amazing. Loved your pix, Divya!

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  30. DV, looks like u missed to add Tomatoes in the recipe dear...chkout...also u need nt publish tis comment da..chumma to inform u thaan i used tis comment box rite nw...

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  31. Thanks for the Mochai kuzhambu recipe. Last summer I ate them at a party and has been looking for an authentic recipe ever since. Now I will be able to make them myself. Thanks again.

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  32. Wow !! My favorite Dish. Happy to follow u :)

    htp://recipe-excavator.blogspot.com

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Hi..
Thanks for dropping by my blog and rendering your valuable comments..Hope you had a nice time reading my recipes..Thanks for your encouragement..

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