Chena Mezhukkupuratti - Yam Stir Fry

Hello Every one, How are you all doing? Winter has started here, Sun is setting earlier and earlier these days. Its becoming dark here at 4 pm now. Used to go for walks with my friends in the evenings during Summer. Now that has been put on hold due to the cold weather. Its difficult to enjoy a good walk when its dark and cold!! Initially when my outdoor activities reduced, I thought I was getting more time for blogging. But then realized that though I can cook more, I cant post any of them due to lack of proper lighting for photos. I tried enhancing photos, but may be I am not using a good software for that perhaps. But I like the photos taken in proper sunlight rather than the enhanced ones. So now, I can post mostly what ever food I cook during the morning and afternoon. But some how my mornings are so hectic, in the hurry to call home before every one sleeps in India and preparing break fast and then lunch before hubby comes home at noon, I hardly find time to take pics. And when lunch is over, nothing is left to take pics. 

A preview of today's recipe before we go further :)

Slowly I am drifting into some new hobbies as well. You can see a few of them in today's pics. Used them as props :)

Trying to learn something new for a change. Just remembered now that its an year since I left job. A big decision and a big change. I have coped well I think. But its all due to God's grace sending friends where ever I am and keeping me happy. 

Even though I have drifted into some new hobbies, I still miss blogging, Some how I like writing (Oh, I know, I may not be that good. But still writing makes me happy).  We are having a long week end beginning from tomorrow. Thanksgiving, Black Friday and the week end. Hubby's having holidays, we should have planned for some trip somewhere.. but we left it a bit too late.. Planning to go for Black Friday shopping this time. Let us see how it goes. I am not that interested in sacrificing my sleep and queuing up outside stores to shop.. But would love to watch others doing so. We do not have much in mind to purchase this time. Not sure whether we are wasting a big opportunity. But would to browse and see if we like something and purchase something cheap. I guess its not the real attitude for shopping :)  

Okay, I guess I have compensated for not blogging for a long time by rumbling long, now coming to today's recipe, its a simple side dish for lunch - Chena Mezhukkupuratti or Yam fry. Typically our lunch at home consists of rice, one curry, one thoran and one mezhukkupuratti and  lastly curd. Now, if I prepare all these things for lunch, it becomes a feast for us :) My lunch has been reduced to rice, curry and either thoran or mezhukkupuratti. Amongst the mezhukkupurattis, Chena is my favorite. I love its roasted flavor. Recipe is as follows.

Chena Mezhupuratti: Serves 2

Prep Time: 10 - 15 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Total Time: 25 - 30 min  

1 cup cubed Yam/ Chena
4 - 5 Shallots
1 garlic
1/2 Tbsp Turmeric
1/2 Tbsp Chilly Powder
1/2 Tbsp Fennel Powder
5 - 6 Curry Leaves
1 Tbsp Mustard seeds
2 - 3 Tbsp Oil
Salt
Water

Prepping:

Step 1: Peel and cut yum into cubes. Better to apply oil on hand while handling yam as it may itch. We get frozen and cubed yam. So its easy for me now. 

Step 2: Cut shallots and garlic into small pieces.

Step 3: In a saucepan, add yam, turmeric, salt and water and boil yam till cooked. Once done, drain excess water if any. 

Method of Preparing:

Step 1: 

Heat oil in a non stick pan. Once hot, add mustard seeds and let it crackle. Then add shallots, garlic and curry leaves. Saute till brown. 

Step 2:

Add a pinch of turmeric, chilly powder and fennel powder. Mix well. 

Step 3:

After 2 min, add the cubed and boiled yam and mix. Roast uncovered for around 10 - 15 min till the yam gets coated well with the masalas. Do a taste test and add salt if needed. Switch off. 

Serve hot along with rice.