Kappayum Ayala Curryum

Kappayum Ayala curryum
By : Shiny Blesson
Pure nostalgia.....This food takes us back to our mothers' and grandmothers' kitchen. 
Many of you know how to make it but for those who don't , here is the recipe.

Kappa Vevichathu /Mashed Tapioca.
Cook the Tapioca / kappa ( cut into chunks) in boiling water until it is soft.Strain , add salt and mix well.Mash the kappa well and add the coconut mixture/ arappu( given below).On low heat mix it very well and add the tempering.Switch off the flame.
For Arappu
Add 2/3 green chillies/kanthari, 3 garlic cloves ,1/2 tsp turmeric powder,1/2 tsp jeera and 1/2 coconut grated and pound/ grind coarsely.
Most of you may not add tempering but I like to see specks of toasted coconut and mustard in the kappa.It takes it to another level
Tempering
To hot coconut oil add mustard,1 tbsp grated coconut, 2 chopped sambar onions and some curry leaves. Stir till brown and add to the kappa.

Ayala/mackerel curry.
This is made in a slightly different way from the traditional method.
Ayala - 1 kg
Kudampulli - 3 pieces soaked in water
Kochulli/ sambar onions chopped- 2 tbsp
Ginger chopped - 2 tbsp
Garlic chopped - 3 tbsp
Curry leaves - 6 sprigs
Kashmiri red chilli powder - 4 or 5 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 3/4 tsp
Uluva podi - 1/2 tsp
Salt - as needed.
Coconut oil - 1or 2 tbsp
Mustard - 1 tsp

In a chatti , start to cook the fish pieces with tamarind + the water, 2 tsp ginger , 2 tsp of the garlic , some salt , 2 sprigs of curry leaves and 1/4 tsp turmeric powder.
Meanwhile make the masala.....
In another pan ,add mustard to hot oil, add the remaining kochulli ,ginger,garlic and curry leaves. Stir until light brown and add the chilli+ turmeric mixed in little water. When the chilli powder changes colour, add salt and some more water and mix well .When it begins to boil,add fenugreek powder. Switch off the flame and pour this masala into the fish that is cooking in the chatti. Swirl to mix everything well and cook on medium low flame.Off the flame and add little coconut oil to the fish curry.