Cheru Payar Thoran
Kerala-style Cheru Payar Thoran is a common dish made from green gram (cherupayar), which is a type of lentil. Thoran is a stir-fry dish typically prepared with vegetables or lentils, mixed with grated coconut, and seasoned with spices. Cheru Payar Thoran is commonly served as a side dish with steamed rice in Kerala cuisine.
Cheru Payar Thoran
Ingredients
- 1 cup green gram cherupayar, washed and soaked in water for 3-4 hours
- Salt to taste
- Water for boiling
- 1/2 cup grated coconut
- 1-2 green chili
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1-2 clove garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp Coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 2 Nos dried red chilies
- 1/4 cup chopped onion or shallots
- 1 sprig of curry leaves
- 1/2 tsp black pepper powder (optional)
Instructions
- Drain the soaked green gram and transfer it to a pressure cooker. Add salt, and enough water to cover the green gram. Pressure cook until the gram is tender, then drain any excess water and set aside.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the grated coconut, green chili, cumin seeds, garlic, and turmeric powder. Blend until you have a coarse mixture.
- Heat a pan over medium heat and add a tablespoon of coconut oil. Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds. When they start to crackle, add the dried red chilies and sauté for about 30 seconds.
- Add the chopped onion or shallots along with the curry leaves to the pan. Sauté until the onions turn translucent but not browned.
- Next, add the blended coconut mixture to the pan. Stir continuously until the raw smell disappears, and the mixture is fragrant, 2-3 minutes.
- Add the boiled green gram to the pan and mix well with the coconut mixture. Sauté for another 4-5 minutes over low heat, allowing the flavors to meld together. Sprinkle black pepper powder and mix it all.
- Adjust seasoning if necessary and drizzle with a little more coconut oil before serving if desired.
- Serve hot as a side dish with rice or as a standalone snack. Enjoy your Kerala style green gram thoran!
Video
Mung Beans Thoran – Variation #1
Mung beans thoran is a kerala style dish made with mung beans, also known as green gram, cooked with coconut and spices. Similar to other thorans, it is essentially a stir-fry dish that combines the wholesome goodness of mung beans with the aromatic flavors of coconut, curry leaves, and other spices.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup green gram (cheru payar)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- A handful of curry leaves
- 2 dried red chilies
- 1/2 cup grated coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
- 2-3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Mustard seeds
- Salt to taste
- Coconut oil
Instructions:
- Drain the soaked green gram and transfer it to a pressure cooker. Add salt, and enough water to cover the green gram. Pressure cook until the gram is tender, then drain any excess water to a bowl and set aside.
- In a pan, heat a tablespoon of coconut oil over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then, add the dried red chilies and sauté for about 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and curry leaves to the pan. Sauté until the onions turn soft and translucent, making sure not to brown them.
- Lower the heat and add the turmeric powder and crushed red chili flakes to the pan. Stir well and sauté for a minute until the raw smell of the spices dissipates.
- Add the grated coconut to the pan and sauté for another minute, allowing it to toast slightly and release its aroma.
- Now, add the cooked cheru payar to the pan. Mix everything until well combined.
- Continue to sauté the mixture for 2-3 minutes over medium heat until the cheru payar is heated through and the coconut is cooked. If the thoran appears dry, sprinkle a little of reserved water or hot water and sauté for a few more minutes over low heat to ensure the flavors meld together.
- Once done, turn off the heat and adjust the seasoning with salt if necessary.
- Serve the Cheru Payar Thoran hot as a side dish with steamed rice or any South Indian meal of your choice.
So, that’s how you make Cheru Payar Thoran! It’s a tasty dish that brings Kerala’s flavors right to your table. With its mix of spices and the natural taste of cheru payar, it’s sure to be a hit. Enjoy it with some rice or just by itself for a delicious meal. Give it a try and get ready to experience the true taste of Kerala! Happy cooking!
