Active Time

　　10 minutes

　　Total Time

　　30 minutes

　　Erisheris are thick curries traditionally made with yams or pumpkin, toasted coconut, and whole kidney beans. They are hearty and earthy, with a tropical twist of coconut and curry leaves. My variation, made with sweet potatoes, crosses over beautifully to a fall or winter menu; I've even served it for Thanksgiving. This recipe is part of our menu for Sadhya, a South Indian feast.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings (as part of a large meal)

　　3 medium sweet potatoes (1 3/4 pound total), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 5 cups)

　　2 cups water, divided

　　1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

　　1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

　　Salt

　　1/2 cup grated dried unsweetened coconut

　　1/2 cup canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained

　　1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

　　1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

　　1 small fresh green chile, such as serrano, Thai, or jalapeño, slit lengthwise with stem end intact

　　2 tablespoons vegetable oil

　　1/2 teaspoon brown mustard seeds

　　1/8 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes

　　10 fresh curry leaves (optional)

　　

Step 1

Bring sweet potatoes and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil with turmeric, cayenne, and 1 teaspoon salt in a 3-quart saucepan, then simmer, covered, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

　　

Step 2

Meanwhile, toast coconut in a small heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until very toasted (pale reddish-brown all over; be careful not to burn). Transfer to a plate.

　　

Step 3

Break sweet potatoes up with the back of a spoon so that some chunks remain. Add toasted coconut, beans, garlic, cumin, chile, and remaining 1/2 cup water and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. If mixture becomes too thick and begins to stick to bottom of saucepan, add more water.

　　

Step 4

Heat oil in cleaned small heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add mustard seeds, and cook until seeds begin to pop and/or turn gray. Add red pepper flakes and curry leaves (if using), covering skillet immediately and cooking just long enough for leaves to crackle. Stir spice mixture into sweet potato mixture (it will be very thick and chunky). Season with salt.

　　Cooks' Notes:

　　•Indian ingredients can be mail-ordered from Kalustyans.com.

　　•Chile can be removed during cooking when erisheri is spicy enough for your taste.

　　•Erisheri, without spiced oil, can be made 1 day ahead and chilled. Reheat before proceeding with recipe.