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February 15, 2009

Rainbow on my Plate (Mixed Vegetable Upkari)



Traditions. Sometimes broken, sometimes followed. I don't know which better applies to my cooking. I think I fall somewhere in the middle. Neither here, nor there. There are times when I break every tradition I know and cook something that, quite frankly, doesn't even have a name. And there are times when I follow my mother's (or grandmothers') recipes to a T.


This recipe is one that follows the middle path. One foot in the known, one in the unknown. The desire to make my lunch as colourful as possible is always overwhelming. The desire to experiment cannot be ignored. The desire to use new vegetables in my cooking eggs me on.


I had decided to cook a traditional meal for my parents and S. Yet, I felt the need to show off. So, I made some brinjal menthi kuzhambu (Appa's favourite), paruppu thogayal/thuvayal and this mixed vegetable upkari. The colours of this simple dish were too beautiful to be ignored.


100g Beans, strung and cut into 1/2 inch pieces

100g Carrots, diced

100g Purple Cabbage, chopped
1 tsp Oil
1/4 tsp Urad Dal
1/4 tsp Mustard Seeds
2 Red Chillies
1/4 tsp Asafoetida (optional)
1 tbsp Coconut, scraped
7-8 Curry Leaves
Salt to taste


Heat oil in a pressure pan. Add the urad dal, mustard seeds and asafoetida(if using). When the mustard splutters, add the curry leaves and the red chillies. Fry for a minute. Add the chopped beans, carrots and cabbage. Add some salt along with a little water. Cover and cook for one whistle.



When done, open and cook without the lid to let the excess water evaporate. Add the coconut and mix well.

13 comments:

Poonam said...

I prepare this upkari when I have very little of many veggies begging to be used in my fridge;;))

Divya Kudua said...

I make a similar mixed veg thoran(kerala style) adding beans carrot and cabbage.Lovely and colourful upkari!!

Cynthia said...

Like you, I think I find myself in the middle often :)

Vikis Kitchen said...

I m new to blogosphere. First time here. Love the way you describe all the recipes. You have a yummy blog dear.
Your upkari is definitely a feast to the eyes also. so colorful and looks delicious. yummy.

Cham said...

Quiet a load of veggies, simple but delicous one!

sra said...

Most of the time, I'm looking at new stuff to cook so the traditional often gets ignored. But I'm learning not to do that.

Your rainbow looks good. I too love rainbows. :-)

Finla said...

This is indeed rainbow in your plate.
Delicious.

Ranjani said...

Looks very easy to make, love the colors!! Do you use frozen coconut when you make this?

Swapna said...

Colorful & quite interesting. Healthy tooo...

Anonymous said...

I don't think u are alone in this sort of delima,we all sail in same boat when it comes to This way or That way...and most of times we end up doing in OUR way
The recipe is as healthy and colourful as it can be .Thnks for sharing with us:-)

Gayathri said...

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Aarti said...

I've been making this often at home!![just created it one day and all fell in love it!!:)

Laavanya said...

I'm posting something very similar today... :)