Saagu Masala – Chayagraha

Saagu or Kurma is a unique side dish on its own. Its a beautiful combination of spices, vegetables and coconut. Saagu tastes best with poori, chapathi or dosa too. I personally like is as a combination with poori.

This is an age old recipe my mother is using ever since I can remember. She got this recipe from her friend.

Ingredients:

Vegetables:
Potatoes – 2

Beans – 15

Carrots – 2

Green Peas – 1/2 cup

Ginger – 1 inch

Garlic – 5 pods

Pudina leaves – 1 bunch

Coriander leaves- 1 bunch

Tomatoes – 2

Onion – 3 (2.5 for frying+0.5 for masala)

Green chillies – 4

Lemon- 1

Spices:
Cloves – 3

Elachi- 1

Cinnamon- 1 inch

Pepper- 6-8

Turmeric- 1 tsp

Bengal Gram (hurigadale)– 1.5 tbsp
Coconut- 2 tbsp
Salt – as per taste

Method:
Masala Prep:
Ingredients needed for masala:
Coriander- 1 small bunch ( 1 cup)
Pudina – 1 small bunch ( 1 cup)
Bengal gram(hurigadale)- 1.5 tbsp
Onion- 0.5
Ginger- 0.5 inch
Garlic-4 cloves
Cinnamon- 1 inch
Cloves-3
Elachi-1
Pepper- 10
Coconut- 1/4 cup
Green chillies- 4

Grind all the ingredients in a blender.

Saagu Prep:
>Pressure cook diced vegetables of your choice. (I have used potatoes, carrots, beans and peas)
>Take oil in a pan. Fry onions to golden brown.
>Saute tomatoes to mushy.
>Add turmeric.
>Add ground masala and fry till the raw taste disappers.
>Add boiled vegetables.
>Add salt.
>Simmer for 5 minutes.
>Add lemon in the end after flame is turned off.

Step by Step Photo Recipe:

1) Cut the vegetables into small cubes. I have used potatoes, carrots, beans and soaked green peas(not in pic).

2) Ingredients needed for masala- coriander- 1 small bunch, bengal gram- 1.5 tbsp, onion- 0.5, ginger- 0.5 inch, garlic-4 pods, cinnamon- 1 inch, cloves-3, elachi-1 , pepper- 10, coconut- 1/4 cup, green chillies- 4.