Monday, June 2, 2008

Mixed Vegetable Mezhukkuvaratti (Simple And Quick Vegetable Stir Fry)

Mezhukkuvaratti literally means roasted with oil - this is a typical everyday veggie side dish ubiquitous all over Kerala served with fresh hot rice and some type of stew-like "kootan". Cooked this way the veggies don't really need any spices; they are simply cooked/steamed first until just tender and stir cooked until roasted a bit with a little turmeric and coconut oil.

It is a delicious and quick roast of whatever bits and pieces of veggies you have on hand that will enhance a simple meal of plain rice, a simple dal or other stew like curries. Add some fresh chopped salad or any type of raita if you like for a veritable feast. I love the leftover (if there is any left, that is) mezhukkuvaratti wrapped in a chapati (whole wheat tortilla) along with a bowl of plain yogurt for lunch.

These veggies are what I had left in the fridge at the end of the week. You can use your own favorites alone or in any combination. Eggplant, green beans, green bananas, potatoes, etc. are good cooked this way.

Ingredients:

1 Red Bell pepper
1 Red Onion
2 Zucchini
2 Carrots
1 small bunch Broccoli
1/2 lb Sugar Snap Peas or Green Beans
1 Tbsp oil
1/2 tsp Turmeric
1/2 tsp salt

Method:

Wash all the veggies and dry. Peel the Onions and cut into half, and slice thinly. Cut bell pepper in half, remove stem, seeds and membranes. Slice into thin pieces. Cut off the ends of zucchini and cut into juliennes on the diagonal. Cut the ends off the carrots and slice the same as the zucchinis. Peel the broccoli stems; cut the stems and separate the florets into small bite sized pieces. Trim the ends of sugar peas and remove the strings; cut in half diagonally.

Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok(kadai) and stir in the onions with the turmeric and salt. When the onions soften just a little, add the carrots and cook stirring for 5 minutes. Add all the other veggies and cover and cook stirring often until tender and lightly browned on the edges.

Serve with rice, simple dal , some fresh chopped salad, any type of raita or as you wish.

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