Chow Chow Poriyal | Chayote Stir Fry
Simple and healthy with chow chow (chayote) stir-fry with freshly ground spices and coconut.
Ingredients
- 2 medium-size chayote / chow chow
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 3 tbsp grated coconut
- Salt to taste
For the spice blend
- 4 dried red chillies
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 2 tsp roasted gram / pottukadalai
To temper
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 2 dried red chillies
- 1 tsp split white urad dal
- ¼ tsp asafoetida / hing / perungayam
- Few curry leaves
Instructions
- Peel the skin of chow chow and cut into half. Remove the seed and chop into small cubes.
- In a pan add the chow chow, turmeric powder, salt and 1/4 cup water. Cover with a lid and cook in low heat until the vegetable is soft.
- In a small pan, fry the dried red chillies, coriander seeds and roasted gram for about 2 minutes. Cool and grind to a coarse powder.
- Heat a pan with coconut oil and add the mustard seeds. When it pops add the dried red chillies urad dal, asafoetida, curry leaves and fry till dal turns golden.
- Add the chow chow, coconut, ground spice powder, salt if required and mix well to combine. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of dry red chillies according to your spice preference.
- Make sure the chow chow is not over cooked, otherwise it will turn into a mush.
- The spices should be roasted just enough to warm them and you start getting the nice aroma.
- If you want to add garlic, add 2 minced garlic after the tempering.
- You can add 1 tsp urad dal instead of roasted gram.