Aava Kuralu - 1 (Vegetables with mustard)

Any of the following vegetables:

Anapa Kaya, Cabbage, Green Banana, Green Jack fruit (Panasa Kaya)

Note: Jackfruit can be chopped finely in food processor or with a fine knife. After chopping, add 1 tsp oil and ¼ tsp turmeric. Otherwise it will turn bitter.

Estimate about 3 cups of cooked vegetables for the paste mentioned below.

Paste:

Soak 1 Tsp water: 1 tsp mustard seeds and 1 tsp raw rice (OR 2 red chilies)
1 Tsp grated coconut
½ inch piece of ginger (optional)
Grind all of the above in 1-2 Tsp water to a fine paste, add 1 tsp sesame seed oil and set aside. Otherwise it will turn bitter.

Garnish
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp chana dal
1 tsp urad dal
2-3 red chilies
1-3 cut green chilies
1 sprig curry leaves

Salt to taste

Cook cut vegetables and ¼ tsp turmeric in ½ a cup of salted water till soft but firm and in tact. Drain excess water.
Heat 1 tsp oil. When the oil is hot, add the spices in the following order, 10-15 seconds apart:
mustard seeds
chana dal
urad dal
red chilies
cut green chilies
1 sprig curry leaves

Add cooked vegetables and toss.
Add 1 Tsp thick tamarind juice. Let it cook for a couple of minutes.
Add mustard paste and turn off heat. If electric stove, remove pot from heat.