Kerala Kappa Masala: learn how to make this Kerala-Style Tapioca Masala or Kappa Masala which is different from the usual Kappaย or tapioca recipes that are preparedย in Kerala homes.
I am fortunate enough to live in a place where fresh tapioca (kappa in Malayalam, maravalli kizhangu in Tamil) is always available. While in most Kerala homes Kappa Puzhukku is the common dish made with tapioca, this Kappa Masala has been a regular in my home ever since I can remember. It’s not mushy like Kappa Puzhukku, but the tapioca pieces are boiled until soft and spiced mildly with red chillies and a good amount of garlic. It’s delicious on its own as a quick snack in the evenings with tea or an accompaniment to your breakfast.
I hope you have fun cooking up this Kappa Masala Recipe.
Love Kerala recipes? Check out some of my favourites:
Ulli vada
Kerala egg roast recipe
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Kerala Kappa Masala
Ingredients
- 5 cups of kappa or tapicoa cubed (about 500 gm)
- 5 cloves of garlic crushed
- 5 dry red chillies adjust to taste
- 2 tbsp of coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp of black mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp of split urad dal
- 1 strand of curry leaves torn into pieces
- 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Peel the tapioca and wash it thoroughly to remove any dirt and sand.
- Cut into rough cubes by driving the knife in and splitting it off the centre of the tapioca.
- Cook the tapioca in a pan with enough water to cover it by an inch, until the pieces are soft (about 10-15 mins).
- Crush or coarsely grind 5 cloves of garlic and 5 red chillies together in a pestle and mortar.
- Heat 2 tbsp coconut oil and add 1/2 tsp mustard seeds.
- When they pop, add the garlic-chilli paste along with 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and fry for 10 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add the cooked tapioca, salt, and the curry leaves.
- Mix well and continue to stir until the spices coat the tapioca.
- Taste to ensure all spices are to your taste and remove from heat
- Serve hot with tea
Step by Step Kerala Kappa Masala Recipe:
Peel the tapioca and wash it thoroughly. Cut into rough cubes by driving the knife in and splitting it off the centre of the tapioca.
Cook the tapioca in a pan with enough water to cover it by an inch, until the pieces are soft (about 10-15 mins).
Drain the remaining water and discard.
Crush or coarsely grind the garlic and red chillies together in a pestle and Mortar.
Heat oil and add the mustard seeds following by the split urad dal.
When the mustard seeds pop, add the garlic-chilli paste along with the turmeric powder and fry for 10 seconds so that the paste turns fragrant.
Add the cooked tapioca, salt, and the curry leaves.
Mix well and continue to stir until the spices coat the tapioca.
That’s it! Hot and delicious Kappa Masala is ready. Wasn’t that easy?
Love the serving dish? Check out more details of where I buy my food photo props from!
Notes:
– Use fresh garlic please. None of that minced bottled stuff.
– You can use red chilli powder if you don’t have whole chillies.
– The kappa must be cooked soft before you proceed with the rest of the cooking process.
For Kerala kappa masala recipe in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Urdu, etc please use the Google translate button in the sidebar.
M D
Your Tapioca Masala looks absolutely stunning!
Shema George
Wow..you got fresh kappa???…your dish looks amazing Nags…
I will try to join but have to find kappa first!!!
dassana
i want to have this right now. got to go to the kerala shop in my neighborhood vicinity and buy tapioca soon. my mom make in a similar way and i am reminded of her at this moment.
Kalpana Behra
I am so tempted to make this right now. Wish it was easy to find tapioca in Hyd.
Sarah
nice pics… this is one of the common dishes at mom's place ๐ But we call it kappa mulagittathu ๐ though we also fry a little bit of coconut and add it to the dish ๐ will try it your way this time ๐
Pepper Tadka
Love kappa, and garlic. The combination will be yummy…
While reading through the post it crossed my mind : Amma always warns me to boil tapioca in excess water and drain the water . She says there is some residual cyanide in some varieties which has to be drained off..
Veena Theagarajan
yummy stir fry
Reshmi Mahesh
Simple and delicious kappa preparation…Lovely captures..
prathibha Garre
Thats a very beautiful serving bowl…nice kappa masala,though never tasted it..
Rose /Magpie
Love Kappa! have to go find some so I can join in the fun ๐