This Kerala style vegetable stew is easy to make lightly spiced, delicate and aromatic stew made with mixed vegetables, coconut milk and spices. A popular stew from the Kerala cuisine.
Heat coconut oil. Add the whole & crushed spices - cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves, black pepper. On low heat fry them till fragrant.
Then add the ginger, garlic, green chilies, sliced onions and curry leaves. Sauté till the onions become translucent on low to medium-low heat. Don't brown the onions.
Add the chopped veggies and stir to mix.
Add thin coconut milk or water. Season with salt according to taste. Cover the pan with a lid and cook the veggies.
The veggies should be cooked till they are fork tender.
Lastly add the thick coconut milk. Stir well and simmer on low heat for just half a minute.For a bit of sweet taste, opt to add sugar if you prefer.
If you want, you can also heat a few teaspoons of oil and fry curry leaves in it till crisp. Then add this curry leaves tempering from the top before serving the veg stew.
Serve Kerala style vegetable stew with appam or steamed rice.
Notes
* If using water instead of thin coconut milk, you can use the pressure cooker for cooking the veggies. Just add 2 cups water and pressure cook for 1 whistle on medium heat.
Reduce the green chillies if you prefer. You can also reduce the amount of crushed black pepper.
Feel free to add your choice of vegetables. But ensure not to add vegetables that become mushy or pasty after cooking.