Mirchi Ka Salan - Chili Pepper Curry

A popular recipe from Hyderabad, India. I use smooth peanut butter in place of whole peanuts that have to be ground.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 250  g green chilies
• 50  ml  cooking oil
• 30  g tamarind pulp
• 100  g  beaten yoghurt
• 2  tablespoons lemon juice
•  salt

• For salan paste

• 250  g  roasted onions
• 35  g roasted peanuts
• 35  g  desiccated coconut
• 20  g  ginger-garlic paste
• 5  g sesame seeds
• 1  sprig coriander leaves

Directions

1. Deep fry green chilies in hot oil. Remove and keep aside.
2. Grind together dessicated coconut, garlic, ginger, sesame seeds and roasted onions and peanuts to make a fine paste.
3. Reheat oil already used for frying chillies. Ensure that the paste does not stick to the pan. Fry the salan paste for 20 minutes, keep stirring it. Pour 15 ml of water at regular intervals.
4. Add yoghurt and salt and stir for 3-4 minutes.
5. Now add the tamarind pulp and 15 ml of water. Stir for 5 minutes until the gravy is of sauce consistency and ensure that it does not stick to the pan.
6. Add the fried chilies to the hot gravy. Let the gravy come to a boil.
7. Remove from heat and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.
8. Serve hot with biryani/pulao/paratha.