Julie Sahni'S Curried Avocado With Garlic And Green Chiles

1. 1

   Cut the avocado in half. Remove the seed and scoop out the pulp with a spoon. Chop the pulp roughly. Blend in the lime juice, cilantro, curry leaves, and salt (we did this with the same knife, on the same board). Set aside.

2. 2

   Heat the oil in a small frying pan over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add the mustard seeds. Keep a pot lid handy, as the seeds may spatter and fly all over. When the spattering stops, add the garlic and let sizzle for 5 seconds. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until limp (about 3 minutes). Add the curry powder and chiles, mix, and continue cooking for 1 more minute. Add the avocado mixture and turn off the heat. Stir to mix all the ingredients. Serve at room temperature.

3. 3

   Mix coriander, chili pods, cumin, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and peppercorns in the container of an electric blender or spice mill and grind the spices to a fine powder in several batches. Pour into a bowl and combine well.

4. 4

   If you are using fresh curry leaves, dry them in an ungreased frying pan over low heat until they have curled and gone stiff (about 5 to 10 minutes) -- this will make them easier to grind to a powder. Grind them in the blender and then add them to the spice powder in the bowl.

5. 5

   Stir in the turmeric.

6. 6

   Transfer the curry powder to an airtight jar, cover tightly, and store in a cool place for up to three months.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.