Koonthal Pothi ( Squid Steam Cooked in Banana Leaves )

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup squid/ koonthal, cleaned
1 onion, chopped
5 shallots, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
3 green chillies, slit
6 garlic cloves
1 piece ginger
2 tsp chilli powder
1 1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 sprig curry leaves
salt to taste
1 tsp mustard seeds
3 tbsp oil

Preparation:

1. Clean and cut squid into round pieces. Grind ginger, garlic, chilli powder, coriander powder and turmeric powder together and keep it aside.
2. Heat oil in a manchatti/ pan and splutter mustard seeds.
3. Add chopped onion and shallots and saute well till transparent.
4. Add chopped tomatoes and slit green chillies and saute well till soft.
5. Add ground masala paste to this and mix well. Then add coconut milk and mix well.
6. When it starts to boil, add the cleaned squid, curry leaves and salt and cook it covered, stirring in between till cooked and the gravy thickens.
7. Wilt the banana leaf and place some prepared squid masala in the centre. Fold the banana leaf and make a packet and tie with a twine or banana leaf stem fiber. Do the same with the remaining squid masala.
8. Place this packets in the steamer and steam cook for 5-10 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate, garnish with curry leaves and serve…