Mango Curry – Manga Kalan
Mango curries are a Kerala treat. This one may be served with all Indian meals. Serve it in
individual bowls, to be eaten with a teaspoon. If you wish to use unsweetened, desiccated coconut
instead of fresh coconut use 150g/5oz/ 1 1/2 cups. Barely cover with warm water and leave for 1
hour, then proceed with the recipe.
Ingredients 3 medium-sized ripe mangoes, peeled, pit removed and flesh cut into 1cm/ ½ inch pieces 1
tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp salt 50g/2oz jaggery or brown sugar, if needed
300g/11oz/2 3/4 cups freshly grated coconut 3-4 fresh hot green chillies, coarsely chopped ½ tbsp
cumin seeds 300ml/10floz/1 1/4 cups plain soya yoghurt lightly beaten 2 tablespoons coconut oil or
any other vegetable oil
1/4 tsp brown mustard seeds 3-4 dried hot red chillies broken into halves
2/4 tsp fenugreek seeds 10-12 fresh curry leaves, if available
Method Put the mangos in a medium-sized pan. Add 250ml/8fl oz/1 cup water. Cover and stew for
8-10 minutes over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally. Add the turmeric, cayenne pepper and
salt. Stir well. (if the mangoes are not sweet enough, add the jaggery or brown sugar to make
the dish sweeter).
Meanwhile, put the coconut, green chillies and cumin seeds into the container of an electric
blender. Add 250ml/8fl oz/ 1 cup water and blend to a fine paste.
When the mangoes are cooked, mash them to a pulp. Add the coconut paste. Mix. Cover and simmer over
medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes thick.
This should take about 10-15 minutes. Add the soya yoghurt and heat, stirring, until just warmed
through. Do not let the mixture come to the boil. Remove from the heat and put to one side.
Check for salt.
Heat the oil in a small pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the mustard seeds. When the mustard
seeds being to pop, a matter of a few seconds, add the chillies, fenugreek seeds and the curry
leaves. Stir and fry for a few seconds until the chillies darken. Quickly add the contents of the
small pan to the mangoes. Stir to mix.