Carrot Fry | Spicy Carrot Curry | Masala Carrot Palya

I love carrots in any form raw,cooked,juice or in sweets/cakes.I like the slight natural hint of sweetness of carrots which imparts a nice taste to any recipe. TH eats only in the raw form or in sweets but he does not prefer them in curries/gravies/pulao.
This is one of my favorite quick stir fry recipe which goes well with either rice or roti,it is very simple yet delicious.As I am the only one, who eats this at home, I make it when I have to cook for myself .You can follow the same recipe for beetroot or a combination of beetroot and carrots.

Spicy Carrot Fry | Carrot Palya Recipe:
(Serves 3-4)

Ingredients:
2-3 big Carrot,finely chopped
1 onion,finely chopped
2 tsp Kurala podi
1/2 tsp Red chili powder
2 whole Red chillies
1 tbsp Chana dal
1 tsp Urad dal
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
8-10 Curry leaves
juice of 1/2 lemon(optional)
salt to taste
2 tsp Oil
Method:

• Steam chopped carrots with few pinches of salt either in pressure cooker(without whistle) or steamer for 8-10 mins.You can even microwave them on HIGH for 4-5 mins.Strain them and keep aside.
• Heat a spoon of oil in a pan/kadai and crackle mustard seeds and cumin seeds.
• Add asafoetida,chana dal,urad dal,red chillies and curry leaves and fry for a minute.
• Add finely chopped onions and fry well until they turn translucent.
  
• Add steamed chopped carrots and stir fry for 2 mins.
• Now add kurala podi,red chili powder and salt and fry for another minute or two.
• Switch off the flame and add lemon juice and give a stir.

Serve it with roti or rice,dal/rasam/sambar and papad.
Variations:

1. You can follow the same process for vegetables like carrots, beans-carrot, raw banana, cluster beans, yard long beans, cauliflower,beetroot etc.
2. You can skip the steaming part and can make with the vegetables like ladies finger, cabbage, tindora etc.You need to saute them well for 7-8 mins before adding kurala podi to the curry.
3. You can use Endu kobbari podi or spicy Pappula podi instead of kurala podi in the recipe for a different taste.