Asthram is a Pathanamthitta special dish that is served as part of an offering, along with kanji (rice gruel), muthira puzhukku (horse gram stir-fry) and mango pickle, during kumbha bharani festival in Chettikulangara, Kerala. It is so easy to prepare and makes a great accompaniment with kanji/rice. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients (Serves 5 – 6)
1. Chembu / taro root / colocasia – 6 – 7, small
2. Green chilies – 2 – 3, slit
Turmeric powder – 1/2 – 3/4 tsp
Chilly powder – 1 tsp
Salt – To taste
Curry leaves – 1 sprig
Water – 1 – 1.5 cup or as required
3. Grated coconut – 1.5 cup
Shallots – 3, small
Cumin seeds – 1/4 – 1/2 tsp
4. Yoghurt – 1/2 cup
5. Shallots – 4 – 5
Curry leaves – 1 sprig
6. Oil, preferably coconut oil – 2 – 3 tsp
7. Salt – To taste
Method
1. Grind the grated coconut along with shallots and cumin seeds to a very fine paste.
2. Peel the taro roots and wash them. Cut them into slightly large cubes. Cook them covered, over medium heat, along with ingredients numbered 2, adding enough water.
3. When the taro root pieces are done (do not overcook them), add the ground coconut paste. Mix well. Cook for a few minutes over low heat until the raw taste of coconut is gone. Switch off. Set aside to cool a bit. Add 1/2 cup yoghurt and mix well. Taste-check for salt.
4. Heat 2-3 tsp coconut oil in a small pan. Fry shallots until light brown. Now add curry leaves. Fry until the shallots turn golden. Pour on top of the curry. Close with a lid and keep aside for 15 mts. Serve with kanji / rice.
(You can use tamarind juice instead of yoghurt. Add it once the taro root pieces are cooked (before adding coconut).
Boo…hooo… I want kanji and asthram….
and maya, pls visit my blog and collect ur award….
This dish is new to me. Sounds nice with rice combination
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
I have never cooked with taro root before. I guess it is alittle bit like yucca?? Curry looks rich and creamy.
i love chembu….but i used to fry…this looks yummy curry!!
Taro roots are my fav looks delicious!
This recipe/Name is new to me..
I just know one recipe with Chembu…Chembu Puzhukku!!Now I know two:-)
The laddle is sooo nostalgic…
wow yummy version,will try it…Thanks for sharing.
Looks so delicious curry..
The gravy looks so creamy n appetizing..great recipe!
US Masala
OMG,it looks gorgeous and creamy…
Your recipes is different .I am going to try and let u know
Yummy recipe:)
ആഹാ ചെമ്പ് അസ്ത്രം എത്തിയോ!!! അടിപൊളി !!! കല്യാണിക്കുട്ടിക്ക് ചെമ്പ് അസ്ത്രവും കഞ്ഞിയും ഉണ്ടേല് പിന്നെ കുശാലാ …
Ah! what a coincidence, even I have posted a recipe with taro today at my blog..Your recipe sounds new to me, must try your way sometime….thanks for sharing!
Adipoli, enikum epol kanji kudikan thoanu, Beautiful pictures maya..
chembu asthram looks delicious. adipoli try cheyanam
Adipoli,looks so tempting,ethu kandittu kothiyavunnu,must try this
Woww taro root curry looks absolutely inviting..
Quite new to me. Looks absolutely delicious.
Cheers,
Satrupa
http://satrupa-foodforthought.blogspot.com
Hadn’t had this in a long time and had completely
forgotten how to make this.Thanks to you people now I can make this without calling Amma in the middle of the night.
looks delicious…my mom’s and MIl’s version has yogurt in it
Tried the asthram for lunch today. Both me & my hubby loved it…
aha adipoli ithu kittiyirunnenkil njan otta irippinu teerthene sueprb click also superb as usual
Thank you all for your lovely comments 🙂
@ Rusheeda,
Thanks for trying it out dear, am really happy that you both loved it :).
ah………… y’day i made this,my lil boy drank kanji twice with chembu asthram.my mom used 2 make this back home.
Thanks for your feedback, Raj 🙂
Tempting click maya!kurenalai kazhichittu.evide kittarilla…
Delicious and wonderful. You have a nice blog
http://shanthisthaligai.blogspot.com/
my mom used to make it..feeling nostalgic. looks so perfectly made…nice clicks too.
How much time does it take to cook
Around 8 – 10 minutes
My first time making it. Loved it. I will be making it a lot more now knowing how easy it is