Andhra vepudu (dry stir-fry) with yogurt-marinated vegetables — spiced with sesame oil and aromatic tempering.
Ingredients
- 300g yogurt-marinated vegetables
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 dried red chillies
- 1 onion sliced
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 2 tbsp grated coconut
- Salt to taste
Method
Prepare vegetables: Choose 2 cups mixed vegetables — potato, carrot, beans and peas. Dice uniformly into small pieces. Parboil in salted water 5 minutes. Drain.
Whisk yogurt: Beat 1 cup thick fresh yogurt until smooth.
Make tempering: Heat 3 tbsp oil. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds. When they pop add 1 tsp urad dal and fry golden.
Add aromatics: Add 2 dried red chillies, 1 sprig curry leaves, a pinch of asafoetida and 4 sliced garlic cloves.
Add onion and green chilli: Add 1 finely chopped onion and 2 green chillies. Cook 6 minutes until golden.
Add parboiled vegetables: Add the drained vegetables. Toss to coat in the tempered oil. Cook on medium heat 5-6 minutes.
Add spice powders: Add half tsp turmeric, 1 tsp red chilli powder and salt. Toss and cook 2-3 minutes.
Reduce heat to minimum: Lower heat completely before adding yogurt.
Add whisked yogurt: Add yogurt to the vegetable mixture. Stir continuously on very low heat for 3-4 minutes until the yogurt is heated through and coats everything. Do not boil.
Serve: Adjust salt. Perugu vepudu is a creamy yogurt-coated vegetable stir fry unique to Andhra. Serve with steamed rice.