Kappa Puzhukku

Ingredients

• 1 kg tapioca (weighed as whole pieces)
• water as required ((to submerge the pieces))
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup grated coconut (you may add 1/2 cup more)
• 3 mini shallots (sliced thinly)
• 3 garlic cloves (diced finely)
• 2 green chillies (chopped finely)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds (or fennel seeds)
• curry leaves
• salt to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 2 to 3 dried red chillies
• curry leaves

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Boil ---

2. 2

   Peel the tapioca skin and discard any blackened portion.

3. 3

   Chop them into bite-size and wash thoroughly in a colander under running water to remove all dirt.

4. 4

   wash: Add the tapioca to a deep saucepot and fill it with water and salt to taste.

5. 5

   Boil: Bring this to boil and continue to cook until the tapioca pieces are tender but still hold the shape. You may cover and cook too.

6. 6

   Boil: Switch off and drain all the water and put back the boiled pieces into the pot.

7. 7

   --- Grind the coconut mixture ---

8. 8

   grind: Add the grated coconut, shallots, garlic, green chillies, cumin or fennel seeds, curry leaves and salt into a chutney maker and grind to a coarse paste.

9. 9

   mix: Add this ground mixture to the boiled tapioca along with the turmeric powder and mash it thoroughly using the back of the spoon or a potato masher.

10. 10

    --- Cook ---

11. 11

    Heat this on a low flame while mashing and stirring the mixture. Adjust the salt for taste and cook until the mixture thickens.

12. 12

    cook: Switch off and keep covered while you prepare the tempering.

13. 13

    --- temper (tadka) ---

14. 14

    tadka: Heat coconut oil in a small tadka pan.

15. 15

    tadka: Add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.

16. 16

    tadka: Reduce the flame and add the dried red chillies and curry leaves.

17. 17

    tadka: Fry until crisped and pour the tempering over the prepared kappa puzhukku.

18. 18

    --- Serve ---

19. 19

    serve: Mix thoroughly and serve warm as is or with any spicy fish or beef curry.