Thursday 15 July 2010

A bowl of green goodness

Two posts in a day..how awesome is that? Well pretty awesome, considering that I was busy the last three days and didn't have time to even check facebook leave alone write a post :)
But I thoroughly had a nice time taking some of our cousins around London and visiting a few museums and places, I actually hadn't been to. They were getting back from a 10 day Euro trip and since I thought they would be sick of eating bland food, I made some Indian grub. Went to pick up stuff for the meal and saw these green and luscious asparagus spears which I couldn't resist. I have only baked with asparagus and wasn't really sure how good it would be adapted into an Indian dish. Well..that's what experimenting is all about right? So I decided to try out the usual thoran recipe (vegetables sauteed with coconut and spices), you know the authentic side dish to every  mallu meal, and it turned out so darn good, its definitely making its way back into our lives. Being in a place where Indian vegetables are scarce, I don't have a choice but to use veggies like brussels sprouts and broccoli and asparagus for Indian cooking. Needless to mention, I'm totally loving it. I hope you do too.
Green asparagus spears- 500 gms, cleaned
Shredded coconut- 3 tbsp or more
Green chillies- 3, slit lengthwise
Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds- 2 tsp
Salt- to taste
Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
Oil- 1 tbsp
Curry leaves- a sprig (optional)

Cut and discard the woody base and chop the asparagus heads into small pieces.
Crush the coconut, green chillies, turmeric powder and cumin seeds together to a coarse mix, either with your hands or with a pestle and mortar.
In a heavy bottomed pan, heat the oil and splutter mustard seeds. 
Add the coarse coconut mix and the curry leaves (if any) at this stage. Sauté for a few seconds on medium heat, but make sure you don't burn them.
Add the chopped asparagus heads and salt. Stir well, making sure the coconut mix and the asparagus is combined evenly.
Close the lid and cook on medium heat, stirring in between and if it sticks to the bottom, pour about a tsp water.
The thoran should be ready in about 12 to 15 minutes.
Notes: If you want the asparagus a bit crunchy...under cook it a bit and it would taste just as good.
You can replace cumin seeds with a 1/4 to 1/2 tsp cumin powder.

Sending this to Side dishes from India hosted by Suma of Veggie Platter.

29 comments:

aipi said...

definitely an awesome and new way to use asparagus.. looks so good. superb picture!

Unknown said...

That is seriously green goodness, beautiful !!!

Umm Mymoonah said...

Looks delightful, after a long day out you managed to cook and blog, that's really good :-)

Satya said...

excellent use of asparagus ...looks delicious ,a bundle of asparagus is lying in my fridge so i am going try this sure...thanks for sharing

satya
http://superyummyrecipes.com

AdukalaVishesham said...

looks great... asparagus got nice transformation to mallu thoran.. adipoli..

Nitha said...

I ve never had asparagus... Looks like beans thoran..

Suma Gandlur said...

Love the way you have adapted asapragus into Indian style cooking. This may sound like a reiteration but thoran looks really great!

turmericnspice said...

that is inovative...shld try this out

Suji said...

Nisha,,super click girl..I love asparagus thoran..cannot resist my cravings now, i am def gonna shop asparagum tomorrow..

Love
Suji

Pavithra Srihari said...

it looks too good da .. need some guts to experiment at the time of guest's arrival .. Oh man .. u do this all the time and almost everytime u r getting it right .. hmmm looks like u have learnt a lot from ur DH ;)

Priya Suresh said...

Wat a beautiful thoran with asparagus, looks superb and awesome..

Sushma Mallya said...

Simple but very delicious, have never used asparagus this way.. surely must be nice..

Sanjeeta kk said...

Wow! What colors, and healthy treat too.Love it.

Padmajha said...

This green is really goooood!!!!!

Vrinda said...

Thats a nice recipe with asparagus,healthy n yummy...

Sweet Artichoke said...

This is a very innovative way to prepare asparagus! It looks very tasty and yummy!

Prema said...

very unique recipe,luks fantastic...

Deepthi Shankar said...

this definitely is a bowl of goodness

Suja Manoj said...

Awesome..unique thoran..will surely try this soon...thanks for sharing.

Sayantani Mahapatra Mudi said...

thoran is very common in our house as both of us love to have rice with dal and thoran. you have given a nice twist to the south indian staple dish. very unique and good for all who live outside of India and often wonder what to make with some videshi veggies like this.

Namitha said...

Simply yumm...I love asparagus

Unknown said...

Thats an interesting thoran with asparagus. I have only tried asparagus mezhukkupuratti before..Will give this a try soon..

the blogger formerly known as sansmerci said...

asparagus? does it taste good the indian way? m so gonna try this!

abraham said...

always wondered what to make of it.... here's the answer... thanks nisha

PranisKitchen said...

really delicious stir fry. nowadays i srated making thoran with this healthy veg.. i add more coconut.. ur version looks so yummm

Shanthi Krishnakumar said...

Wonderful and healthy way to use asparagus

Unknown said...

Very innovative, mallu thoran recipe is something i am missing for ages, high time i try with asparagus :)

Indian Cuisine Blogroll said...

Hi,
I tried the asparagus thoran and loved it..i've put a picture in my blog.
Deepa

Tina´s PicStory said...

that sounds very good :)