Coconut-Cashew Mixed vegetables or fruit of the refrigerator

Coconut-Cashew Mixed vegetables
Originally uploaded by brinku11

I cannot even believe this is something I am writing about, but there you have it, sometime the strangest of things thrown together work just fine. This was last friday, I was trying to make something to complement the fish, I had one zucchini, a quarter head of cauliflower, 1-2 carrots and a few pods of okra. This is how I through them together.

Cashew Coconut Vegetables

Serves 4 people

Ingredients

2 tbsp oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
8 -10 curry leaves
1 tsp urad dal
1 tsp channa dal
1-2 dried red chillies
1 tsp crushed peppercorns
1 small onion thinly sliced
1 tsp salt
1.5 cups mixed vegetables (I used the ones mentioned above)
2 tbsp coconut powder
2 tbsp broken cashews

Method of Preparation

1. Heat the oil and add the cumin and mustard seeds.
2. When they crackle, add the curry leaves and the lentils and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add the chillies, peppercorns and the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the vegetables, mix well and cover and cook on low heat for 5 minutes.
5. In the meantime dry roast the coconut and cashews till aromatic and add this to the vegetables.
6. Check for seasonings and serve with any other accompanyments of your choice.

While there are lots of interesting flavors in this dish, the ingredient I would like to highlight is curry leaves, these are incredible flavorful and used extensively in north and south indian cuisine. The freeze wonderfully and adds elegance and flavor to anything it is added to.

This goes out to WHB, being hosted by Ann at Food Lovers Journey.