Stir-Fried Carrots with Coconut

stir fried carrots with coconut
Photo: Jake Stangel
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Yield:
3 to 4 Serves

This simple dish, also known as carrot poriyal, complements most Indian meals. Leftovers can be added to salads. Urad dal are small lentils that have been skinned and split; they can be found at Indian markets or kalustyans.com. This recipe is courtesy of Madhur Jaffrey.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive or peanut oil

  • ½ teaspoon urad dal

  • ½ teaspoon brown mustard seeds

  • 2 dried hot red chiles, broken in half

  • 5 medium carrots (about 12 ounces), peeled and cut into ⅓-inch rounds (rounds halved, if large)

  • 1 teaspoon peeled and finely grated fresh ginger (from a ½-inch piece)

  • Kosher salt

  • 3 tablespoons finely grated fresh or thawed frozen coconut

  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro

Directions

  1. Place oil in a large frying pan, wok, or karhai over medium heat. When hot, add urad dal. As soon as it begins to change color, add mustard seeds and red chiles. When the mustard seeds pop and the chiles darken -- a matter of seconds -- add carrots, ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well, then add 4 tablespoons water. Cover and cook over low heat until carrots are tender, 3 to 6 minutes. Add coconut and cilantro; mix well. Serve immediately.

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