Uppadan

This is a traditional Keralite recipe which has had a slow death over the years. Very few households continue to make this dish today.

Ingredients:

• Tamarind - 1 lemon sized ball
• Raw rice - 1 tbsp
• Fenugreek / Methi seeds - 1 tsp
• Red chillies - 4
• Ladysfinger - 1/4 kg
• Mustard seeds - 1 1/2 tsp
• Asafoetida - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
• Curry leaves - a few
• Green chillies - 3
• Oil - 2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Water as required

Method:

• Dry roast rice, methi seeds and red chillies until brown. Grind into powder (not very fine nor very coarse).
• Extract tamarind pulp.
• Wash and cut the ladysfinger into 2 cm thick pieces.
• Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan and add mustard seeds. When they splutter add ladysfinger and green chillies (slit in the middle). Fry well.
• Add turmeric powder, asafoetida and curry leaves.
• Add tamarind extract and salt.
• Add 3 cups water. When it boils, add the powder. Bring to a boil.
• Serve hot with rice and vadams or with mazhikkuvaratti.

Variation - Bitter gourd or fresh marathangalikkai can be used instead of ladysfinger in this recipe