Ishtoo/ Mushroom and Potato White Stew...

Idiappam or rice noodles with a potato stew is the perfect light breakfast for a summer weekend, especially if the idiappam is already made. This white stew or ishtoo as we call it, is made with potatoes cooked in coconut milk, flavored with just whole spices, onions and green chilies...no heavy hand with the colored spices. Here I added some sauted mushrooms, and there was no adverse change in taste... the mushroom blended in well.

Another version of this curry is the Kurma where all the spices are added generously and there too mushrooms can be added, though it has to sauteed first separately.  A lot of curries can be made with mushrooms, but  simple is best.. sometimes, a bit of butter and garlic is all it needs. If you are making a mix veg dish,  It needs to be sauteed separately before mixing with other veggies as it gives out its liquid and makes everything else  soggy.

You will need: For 4 servings

Onions- 1 small one

Green chilies – 4-6 (use with discretion)

Mushrooms(White)- 2 cups

White/Idaho Potato-2 cups 

Whole Black Pepper (or Powder)- 1/2 tsp

Whole spices: 1 inch long Cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, 2 cardamom

Thick Coconut milk- 1 cup

Thin Coconut milk - 2 cups

Curry leaves- a small sprig

Salt to taste

Oil-2 tbsp

Preparation

1. Wash and cut the potatoes and mushrooms into slices. Slice the onions and green chilies.

 Grind the coconut and extract the second and first milk or use the coconut milk powder and prepare 1 ½ cup of coconut milk.

2.  Boil the potatoes in a salted water till they are half cooked. Drain and keep aside. Heat the oil in a large shallow pan, add the whole spices and curry leaves. Saute till the fragrance fills the air and then add onions, whole peppercorns and chilies.

3. Saute till onions turn slightly transparent and the add the mushrooms. Saute till it gives out all the water.  It should start browning at the edges. Add the half boiled potatoes and 2 cups of second milk of coconut( or a diluted coconut milk) and salt. Simmer covered for about 5-8 minutes till the potato is fully cooked. 

4. Add the thick coconut milk. Allow it to simmer (but not boil) just for a couple more minutes and then switch of the flame. Adjust salt and seasoning. 

 The curry changes in taste the next day for the worse as the mushroom ages.. Better to make this in small quantities.

Serve hot with pathiri, idiappam, appam, puttu or just paratha.

A quick ode to mushrooms

In a damp room it looms,

Ew!! my son says, its gross to eat fungi!

But it may very well be everyone's "fun guy"

Takes well to all soups and stews

On its own, its a perfect muse.

Absorbing all flavors and spices amply

Blending in as a meat in a meatless curry.

Grill it stuff it , top with cheese

If u like it, say more please.:)