Erisseri-Pumpkin and Red beans in Coconut Paste

“Erisseri”, The name itself is really interesting, right?. It is a special Kerala dish, made with Red bean and Pumpkin (or Yam) in coconut paste. The main ingredient for any type of erisseri is the Red bean(van payar).About the red bean-this bean is known as  azuki bean .They have a uniform red color, but white, black, gray and variously mottled varieties are also known.You can even use black-bean or white bean. But red-bean gives more color and taste to the dish.Here i am using the red bean only(see the Picture)
Erisseri always reminds me about the Kerala feast,One of the must see dish in kerala sadhya..I used to prepare the same whenever I get a chance to buy pumpkin. When I found the pumkin in Jungle Jims( i have talked a lot about this store in my previous posts) during my last week shopping, I thought of making this kerala delicacy. So i thought today i can share with you guys this   Erisseri(With Pumpkin) Recipe.(there are two kinds of erisseri one with Pumpkin(today's Special) and other one with Yam and Plantain).Sure will post the Yam Erisseri soon
One of the important step in this recipe is that we have to add the fried coconut while seasoning, this increase the aroma and taste of the dish.My mil used to say without dried coconut we can’t call it as erisseri .You have to use the nicely grated coconut otherwise it spoil the entire taste  of the erisseri (amma used to say the same)

One thing i like to mention (anyway Onam is in our door steps with in days)is that if you are trying to make a Kerala feast, you will come to know that in almost all the dishes (Aviyal, Thoran, Erisseri and Pulisseri), we are using a mixture of coconut and cumin seed. Some dishes need some extra ingredients such as pearl onion/chili or pepper. So prepare a large amount of coconut-cumin seed mixture and use it for all these dishes. Those dishes which need additional ingredient, just add those additionals.That way u can save a lot of ur valuable time.

OK, Let me share the Kerala special erisseri..
Ingredients

Pumpkin: small portion(as seen in picture)
Red bean: 1 cup
Green Chili: 2 nos
Turmeric Powder: 1/2 tsp
Salt : to taste
For grinding
Coconut: 1/2 cup
Cumin seed: 1 tsp
Pearl Onion: 1 no
Water : as required


For seasoning
Coconut: 3 tbsp
Oil: 2 tbsp
Mustard seed : 1 tsp
Red chili: 2 no
Curry leaves: 1 sprig

Preparation

• Soak the red beans/perumpayar overnight.
• Cut the pumpkin into medium sized pieces
• Slit the green chili
• Make a very  nice paste of coconut ,cumin seed ,pearl onion.Add some water and salt  while grinding

Procedure

• In  a pressure cooker cook the red beans with salt and turmeric powder until the beans are completely cooked.
• Add the Green chili and pumpkin pieces to the cooked beans and then cook the same for one whistle..
• Mash the cooked beans and pumpkin,then add the coconut mixture.Mix well and cook the same for 3- 5 minutes in medium heat..
• Heat oil in another pan.Add the mustard seed once it started spluttering add the red chili and curry leaves and some grated coconut and fry until the coconut get nice brown color..
• Add the seasoning to the cooked pumpkin beans mixture.Heat for 1 minute..

The delicious Erisseri is ready to have.. Have it with rice and some stir fry.

Cook’s Tip

• Soak the beans overnight otherwise it won’t get completely cooked.
• Make a very nice paste of coocnut and cumin. if u like u can add the green chili with that.
• If u want to make more gravy add more water while cooking the beans.Usually the erisseri is in semi gravy form.