Kai/Kayi Huli (Veggies in Coconut-Chili gravy)

What good is a mangalorean meal without different varieties of coconut based gravies?!?!!! A traditional festive meal in Mangalore usually starts with a coconut based gravy called Thambuli or Thambli, followed by Rasam, couple of varieties of Sambhar/Huli , Menaskai or Gojju, Majjige Huli or Kayi Huli - most of which are again coconut based....and ends with the humble curd rice and pickle. Not to forget the 4-5 varieties of sweets 'n desserts and also some yummy fritters!!!! I have for you the recipe of Mangalorean Kayi Huli today. Kayi, means 'coconut' and huli means 'tamarind' in Kannada. As the name suggests, it is a coconut based gravy, spiced mildly with green chilies. I have used green beans in my recipe this time. However, you could also use tindora/thondekai, potatoes, cucumbers, spinach and many other veggies. Here is the recipe.... Enjoi!

Note: Jeera is NOT usually used in the traditional version of Kayi huli, but Naveen and I relish the mild flavor of jeera... So, I went ahead and added it. It tasted pretty good!!

Ingredients:

2 cups, Green Beans - chopped to pieces of 1 inch length

2 tbsp Grated Coconut - Fresh/Frozen

2-3 Green chilies - low to medium spiced

1-2 tsp Jeera (optional)

1/4 tsp Tamarind paste

1 tsp Ghee/Oil

1/2tsp Mustard seeds

4-5 Curry leaves

A pinch of Hing

Method:

1. Cook green beans with some salt and water; Keep aside.
2. Grind coconut, green chilies and jeera to a smooth paste with some water.Add the paste to the cooked veggies and boil well.
3. Add tamarind paste and some salt if required. Mix well and boil for a couple of more minutes.
4. Temper with mustard seeds, hing and curry leaves; Serve hot with rice and enjoi!

Asha from Foodie's Hope has passed on the "Yum Blog" Award to me.... Thanx sooo much, Ashakka!!! Glad that you find my blog yumm!! :) As per the rules, I am listing out 4 of my favorite desserts that I have tasted...

1. Gulab Jamun - My all time fav!! I could gobble up any number of them.
2. Pineapple Pastry - Mmmmmm!!! That's what I usually order at restaurants
3. Cashew Kheer - The first dessert I made, all by myself!!!!
4. Carrot Halwa - Who wouldn't love this one?!?! :)

I'd like to pass on the "Yum Blog" award to the following lovely bloggers...

Sig's Live to Eat

Archy's Recipe Book

Bee & Jai's Jugalbandi

EC's Simple Indian Food