Bethica's Kitchen Flavours: Soya Nuggets Ka Salan

A great substitute to any non-veg. dish is this very healthy and nutritious soya nuggets curry - Hyderabadi style. It is a great way to incorporate some protein in your everyday diet. It makes for a perfect side dish with either chapattis / parathas, jeera rice, plain steamed rice, plain biryani or pulao. Many variety of dishes can be made out of it. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

1 cup of soya nuggets
3 tbsp. fresh grated coconut
1 tbsp. sesame seeds
2 tbsp. roasted peanuts
2-3 tbsp. oil
1 large onion, chopped
1-2 sprig curry leaves
1 tbsp. ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp. turmeric powder
1 tbsp. roasted coriander powder
1 tsp. roasted cumin powder
2 tbsp. red chili powder
salt to taste
1 tsp. tamarind paste
2 tbsp. mint leaves, chopped
1-2 fresh chilies, chopped
2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

Dry roast the coconut and sesame seeds till golden in colour. Set aside to cool. Then grind along with the peanuts into a fine powder.

Soak the soya nuggets in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Then squeeze out the water and keep aside. Make a paste with ginger-garlic paste, all the remaining powdered spices and some water. Keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan and sauté the onion and curry leaves till light brown. Now add the prepared spice paste and fry till the oil separates.

Add the ground coconut powder and sauté on a low flame till well combined. Add some water, tamarind paste, the drained soya nuggets, mint leaves and the fresh chilies.

Cover and simmer for 2-3 minutes or till the gravy slightly thickens. When done, switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves. Give it a stir and serve with any form of rice preparation or Indian bread.