Soya Meal Maker Kuzhambu

Soya chunks or meal maker makes a healthy substitute for non - veg. A wonderful option for people who are on vegetarian diet.! High on protein and fiber, B vitamins and Omega -3 fatty acids, calcium and iron. It is said to reduce the bad cholesterol in our body and by adding soya to our diet we can lower our cholesterol indirectly by replacing fatty animal proteins which is present in meat.

 This is a Chettinad style dish inspired and taken from Solai Achi. :) I love her cooking and she plays a big role in my Chettinad cooking experiments all of which turns out successful.! Thanks to her for keeping one of the best authentic traditional south Indian cuisine alive. :)

Moving on to the dish..

Meal Maker Kuzambu

Ingredients

• Soya chunk (meal maker, nutrela) - 100 gms
• Shallots - 2 handful (around 10 -15)
• Garlic pods - 10
• Ginger - one piece (an inch) 
• Tomato - 1
• Salt - As required

To grind

• Coconut - 1/4 cup
• Cumin seeds ( jeeragam)- one teaspoon
• Fennel seeds (perumjeeragam) - one teaspoon  
• Cashew - 7-10 ( or pottukadalai 2 teaspoon)

Seasoning

• Cooking oil - 3 teaspoon ( I used Olive oil)
• Cinnamon stick - 1
• Cloves - 2
• Anistar - half piece
• Cardamom - 2
• Fennel seeds - 2 pinch
• Curry leaves - one sprig 

Powders

• Chilli powder - 1 full teaspoon
• Coriander powder - One and half teaspoon
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon 

Preparation

1. Soak the Soya chunks in water for ten minutes. When it turns soft, squeeze the water out and cut into edible pieces. Grind all the items under "to grind" and keep it aside.
2. Now take a pressure cooker, add oil and when it is hot season it with items under "Seasoning" i.e, cinnamon stick, cloves, anistar, cardamom, fennel seeds and curry leaves. Fry for 30 seconds. Then add the chopped onions, garlic pods, ginger and fry for another 3 - 4 minutes. When it is half cooked, add the tomato and fry for another minute. 
3. Now lower the heat and add all powders and keep frying for 30seconds. Add the Soya chunks at this stage and mix it well. Pour 3 cups of water. Add salt, close the cooker and let it cook for 5 minutes after the whistle.  
4. Once the Soya is done, turn it off and wait until the pressure releases by itself. You need not necessarily wait until all the pressure is gone completely but wait until a considerable pressure is released.  
5. Now open the cooker and add the ground coconut paste and cook for another 7-8 minutes. You may make necessary adjustments like salt and spice level (chilli) at this stage. Add water if it is too thick. Cook until desired consistency.

A healthy meal maker kuzhambu is ready.! :)