Appyayan : peper dalna (bengali green papaya curry)

Ingredients

• Green papaya(small) : 1
• Potato: 2 (medium)
• fresh coconut flesh : few pieces
• Tomato(small) : 1 (chopped)
• Ginger(grated) : 1 tablespoon.
• Green chilli : 1 or 2(slitted)
• Bay leaf : 1
• Cumin seeds : 1 teaspoon.
• Turmeric powder : 2 teaspoons.
• Red chilli powder : 1 to 2 teaspoons.(accr. to your test level)
• Cumin seed powder : 2 teaspoons.
• Coriander powder : 1 teaspoon.
• Garam Masala powder(bengali) : 1 teaspoon.(grind into powder of 2 cardamoms, 4 cloves and 1 small piece of cinnamon stick)
• Ghee(clarified butter) : 1 tablespoon. (for garnishing)
• Oil : 2-3 tablespoons .
• Sugar : 1 teaspoon.
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing(optional)

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Preparation

• Peel the potatoes and cut into small cube like pieces. Peel papaya and cut into thin slices. Add a pinch of salt to both potato and papaya pieces. Keep aside.
• Take fresh coconut flesh, peel the hard brown skin, then cut into small pieces. Keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan, fry coconut pieces until they are very lightly browned. In the same oil, fry potato and papaya pieces together until brown.
• Take out o and keep aside. In the same oil, add bay leaves and cumin seeds. When seeds start to crackle and change colour, add grated ginger, slitted green chillies and tomatoes.
• Stir for 1 to 2 minutes until tomatoes get pulpy. Then add turmeric, cumin, coriander and red chilli powder, mixed with 2 tablespoons . of water.
• In medium flame, stir to mix the spices well until oil seperates. Then add fried potato and papaya pieces. Add salt and sugar.
• Coat veggies well with spices. Add 1 cup or enough water to cook the veggies. It is a semi dry gravy dishes, so add water accordingly, if needed add more. Add fried coconut pieces now.
• When veggies are cooked, check the seasoning. When you have desired amount of gravy, sprinkle ghee and garam masala powder over the gravy.
• Mix well and remove from heat. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves if you want. Serve hot with plain rice.