Friday, July 15, 2011

North Arcot Serva - A Guest Post for Friendship Chain

Few days back, many of you would have crossed my guest post for Friendship Chain event, a fabulous event started by Anamika of Taste Junction, here comes my turn to share with you all a incredible dish from a fantastic blogger briefly called as CL aka Cool Lassi(e) of Pan Gravy Kadai Curry,her space speaks a lot her love for cooking,with her stepwise pictures,none will go wrong to recreate her dishes at home..Its quite a fabulous chance for me to ask her to write a guest post specially for this incredible event, i was really happy for her immediate reply..A very big thanks to Cool Lassi(e) for sharing her regional cuisine with us..



Here comes the wonderful and authentic dish for North Arcot serva as per Cool Lassi(e)'s words..

When Priya asked me to do a guest post for the "Friendship Chain - Spread the Speciality", started by Anamika of Taste Junction, I was immensely happy that she thought of me to carry forth the torch/link of friendship. And I simply couldn't say No. Priya is a blogger that I look up to. Her creativity knows no bounds and her consistency astonishes me. I simply want to be a fly on the wall in her house and observe how she manages time for family, creative cooking,blogging and blog-hopping. I strongly believe that her talent to juggle everything with such ease has earned her a loyal readership from all over the world. Hats off to Priya. And plenty thanks to her for giving me a chance to do a guest post in her super-cool blog.



 While it was very easy to say yes to do a guest post it was equally difficult for me to narrow down to just one traditional recipe. And that too one that Priya hadn't already thought of and blogged about.See my dilemma? I mean, Priya pretty much has covered most of the South Indian "Regional Specialties" with her enormous efforts, a true labor of love if you ask me. So it took me days to decide on a recipe indigenous to the region I hail from. You see, I am from North Arcot Region of TamilNadu, a place well known for its unique dishes, like Makkan Peda, Arcot Biryani,  Kuska Biryani, Arcot Serva to name a few. All of these dishes are tongue ticklers. Being raised a vegetarian, I can't vouch for the Arcot Meat Biryani as I never had the opportunity or inclination to taste it while growing up. But now, after having converted to an occasional meat eater, I wonder what's so special about the much-hyped biryani. But I have a feeling that all Biryani lovers would have a Biryani Blast!

Anyways, today's featured menu is North Arcot Serva which tastes best with Kuska Biryani  or Arcot Meat Biryani. It equally tastes good with any Vegetable Pulav of choice.


Ingredients (for 6-8people)
16#s Medium Purple Eggplants
2 Medium Yellow Onion, finely chopped
3 Medium Ripe Tomatoes, finely chopped
2 Stalk Curry Leaves, finely chopped
1-1/2 Tbsp Ginger-Garlic paste
1 Tbsp Whole Black Peppercorns
2 Tbsp Coriander Powder
1/2 Tsp Cumin Seeds
1/2 Tsp Fenugreek Seeds
1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder
5-6 Green Chili, vertically slit with crown intact
Chili Powder, as/if needed
Salt, as needed
Golf Ball sized Tamarind, de-seeded and soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
3 Tbsp + 2 Tsp Canola Oil
2 Tbsp Black Sesame seeds (Optional)
2 Tbsp Peanuts (Optional)

For Masala Paste:
1 Tsp fine Pepper powder
1 Tsp Chili Powder
1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder
1/4 Tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Canola Oil

For Tempering:
2 Red Chili
2 Green Chili
1 Stalk Curry Leaf
1/2 Tsp Mustard
1 Tsp Canola Oil

Procedure:
Add all the ingredients under "Masala Paste" in a small shallow plate. Combine the ingredients until a paste is formed. Quarter the eggplants with the crown intact.Smear a little paste on the insides of the quartered eggplants. Gently fry them in 2 Tsp of Canola Oil until they are browned on all sides. Move them to a plate.



In the same pan, heat 3 Tbsp of oil and add the cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and whole peppercorns. Fry them on medium flame for a minute or so.


Add the coriander powder, turmeric powder,green chilies along with ginger-garlic paste and fry them for a minute or so.


Add the finely chopped onions and saute till they are translucent. Follow up with chopped tomatoes and cook for a couple of minutes. Add little water and lid the pan. Cook till a gravy forms, approximately for 4-5 minutes.


Add the browned eggplants and cook for 7-8 minutes.


Extract a thick juice from the soaking tamarind pulp and add that to the pan. Add salt and check for taste. Now would be the time to add more chili powder or salt. Lid the pan and cook a further 5-6 minutes. 


Optional Step: Toast the sesame seeds and peanuts. Powder them together and add towards the end of cooking.

For tempering: Warm the Tsp of oil in a small skillet and add the other ingredients under "tempering" to the pan. Once the mustard seeds start sputtering,pour it over the Serva. Serva is now ready to be served with Kuska Biryani, Arcot Biryani or any Pulav with a side-serving of cooling "plain" Yogurt. Yes, plain Yogurt is better since the Serva packs quite a punch.



 Notes:
As with any tangy dish, this side-dish tastes super good the following day.
For a thick smooth gravy, its better to coarsely grind the onions and tomato prior to adding to the pan


56 comments:

Nandita SS said... Reply To This Comment

This eggplant curry looks so classy!! Loved the recipe. Thank you priya and cool LAssie :)

Santosh Bangar said... Reply To This Comment

i love this curry and it looks delicious

Taste Melanger said... Reply To This Comment

I'm so happy to see such novelties shared in this guest series. Great post!!

Fathima said... Reply To This Comment

This is a must for Biriyani in my house also. I always make extra because it goes well with Khubz or parottas for Dinner after a Friday afternoon feast of Biriyani.

Sangeetha Nambi said... Reply To This Comment

Me too love it.. By the way, howz ur trip going on ? :)

Unknown said... Reply To This Comment

Eggplant curry looks yummyyy.

Suman Singh said... Reply To This Comment

Lovely guest post and the egg curry looks so yummy!

Prathima Rao said... Reply To This Comment

This is a yummy, delicious curry!!! And i loved ur new style of photography too :)
Prathima Rao
Prats Corner

Cool Lassi(e) said... Reply To This Comment

I am so happy to see my guest post. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to do this post for your wonderful blog, Priya!Hope you are enjoying your vacation!

And I have already asked someone to do a post on my blog on July 30th. :))

Ms.Chitchat said... Reply To This Comment

Delicious looking North Arcot Serva,new to me. The click is so tempting and had to bookmark :):)Thanks Cool Lassie and Priya.

Vardhini said... Reply To This Comment

Yummy and tasty. Love the pictures too.

Vardhini
Event: Fast food not Fat food

Shobha said... Reply To This Comment

Very nice and chatpati dish....nice pictorial presentation.

Archana said... Reply To This Comment

Very nice and tasty. Lovely pictures. Thanks Priya and Cool Lassi(e)!

Unknown said... Reply To This Comment

very nice recipe...awesome

Deepthi KR said... Reply To This Comment

lovely pics and lovely guest post

Food Blog News
Event-Healthy Snacks

SavithaRaj's Spice Land said... Reply To This Comment

Lovely guest post and loved the Hydrangea flowers too...
www.savitharajsspiceland.blogspot.com

Radhika@foodfor7stages said... Reply To This Comment

This looks fab. I love north arcot food especially their biryani's and curries. I have to make this one.

Sangeetha M said... Reply To This Comment

this recipe is new to me n really
. very useful pictorials..easy to follow...pictures were too good...lovely guest post Priya..Thanx to you both for sharing such a delicious recipe..

Mélange said... Reply To This Comment

Nice recipe...Authentic and cool !

Sobha Shyam said... Reply To This Comment

very lovely recipe, wonderful guest post Priya..

Shanavi said... Reply To This Comment

Looks classy and a good one Priya..

Vidhya said... Reply To This Comment

Lovely guest post and the curry looks delicious.

Unknown said... Reply To This Comment

That sounds like a wonderfully rich yet healthy curry!

Saji said... Reply To This Comment

love this recipe!!!
First tym at your place...happy 2 follow u
thesaji.blogspot.com

Swati Sapna said... Reply To This Comment

Beautiful guest post... and the brinjals look delectable!

Priyanka said... Reply To This Comment

Nice dish

Sravs said... Reply To This Comment

Nice and superb curry !!

Ongoing Event - CC-Roti Pachadi/Chutney

schmetterlingwords said... Reply To This Comment

Even I have tasted this with Biryani, of course it is a wonderful combination. Thanks for sharing the recipe with stepwise pictures, how to make it in a traditional way.

Lorraine said... Reply To This Comment

This looks like a beautiful and flavorful dish:)

Menaga Sathia said... Reply To This Comment

love this wonderful recipe!!

Sowmya said... Reply To This Comment

Wow...excellent post and great recipe! It sure is an immense challenge to come up with a recipe that Priya has not already blogged about!

Vegetarian Cultural Creatives

SpicyTasty said... Reply To This Comment

awesome recipe..looks delicious..

Pushpa said... Reply To This Comment

Spicy and delicious curry.

Sensible Vegetarian said... Reply To This Comment

Priya that was a lovely post. I surely second CL about you. Still in Chennai and missing all my blogger buddies post, will try to catch up soon.

Vikis Kitchen said... Reply To This Comment

Very nice post dear. The serva too looks delicious. All the snaps are wonderful.

Jiboombaa said... Reply To This Comment

Loved the recipe, pictures and post..Hope you are having a great vacation Priya.

Dibs said... Reply To This Comment

The name is new to me, but the good old eggplant curry looks gorgeous and delicious.

JensLifestyle said... Reply To This Comment

Love the food! Makes my mouth watery already! That means its time to make lunch for myself! hehehe

Have a Fabulous day!
Jen www.passion4food.ca

Urmi said... Reply To This Comment

Wonderful preparation of eggplant curry. Looks delicious and yummy.

Vegetarian Zest said... Reply To This Comment

Yummy eggplant dish!

indosungod said... Reply To This Comment

Anamika, Thanks for this wonderful recipe which is one of absolute favorites. Will give it a try and let you know.

Priya, have a great time in India.

Mehjabeen Arif said... Reply To This Comment

Yum Yum.. This looks so saucy and tangy.. love it..

Elisabeth said... Reply To This Comment

I love eggplant any way it's prepared...this dish is awesome!
So colorful, and packed with all the goodnes from the tomatoes, and the lovely spices...done to perfection!
Thanks for sharing:D

Usha said... Reply To This Comment

Yummy curry, looks awesome !

Mrs.Mano Saminathan said... Reply To This Comment

brinjal curry looks devine! All the snaps are fantastic!

Anonymous said... Reply To This Comment

This is a nice recipe.. Would love to try these soon.. :)

Pavithra Elangovan said... Reply To This Comment

Looks absolutely yummy.. awesome recipe.

Unknown said... Reply To This Comment

I am partly north arcot too :) nice one!

Anonymous said... Reply To This Comment

Woww.. this looks so delicious. I love baingan :D

SpicyTasty said... Reply To This Comment

Nice post with a wonderful recipe.

Torviewtoronto said... Reply To This Comment

lovely guest post this looks wonderful

Rumana Rawat said... Reply To This Comment

Great post:)

Priyanka Agrawal said... Reply To This Comment

love the flowers and as for the curry its looks beautiful. i happened to make smthing similar a few weeks back and it was well worth it :)

Shri said... Reply To This Comment

Delicious Baingan!!Love the look of your new blog..Has been a while since I blogged. So a little out of touch:D...

Shylaja said... Reply To This Comment

Curry looks delicious and inviting Priya
South Indian Recipes

fimere said... Reply To This Comment

un plat appétissant plein de saveurs et parfumé quel régal
bonne soirée