Going to the Movies - Naral ka Char (Coconut Egg Curry)

It was a big green monster. Or was it? On closer look, it wasn't a monster at all. It was a frog. It was a cute, cuddly green frog that talked. The Great Muppet Caper was the first movie I went to as a kid. I remember going to the movies for the first time. We sat in what seemed to be a giant room with lots of seats and large life-like Muppets on the screen. They talked, they sang, and they danced. And so began a lifelong love of movies.

I was a child of the eighties. When action movies and summer blockbusters were big. I grew up with Indiana Jones and Superman. I was just a little too little for Star Wars, but remember Return of the Jedi in big black letters in front of the theater. But I grew up to the sequels (however you may feel about them). Movies have certainly changed. Gone are the days of finding movies only at the theater. Poet and Flower now watch YouTube with G and stream movie clips. They have never seen ads on television and one day found themselves perplexed by ads and asked us to fast forward them. We answered that that was part of watching television.

The way we experience movies may have changed, but they are powerful nonetheless. Every year G is involved in The Bigger Picture Show here in Indy. It's a night showcasing movie posters designed by artists and graphic designers—artistic interpretations of our favorite movies. G and I have realized something over the last few years. The poster may be beautiful, abstract, or colorful, but it is the movie that resonates.

G's favorite poster is one he made for Thelma and Louse a few years ago. It was an Indian Bollywood-style poster with bright, bold colors. He loves it because of the style and the artistic style. My favorite was his interpretation of Ferris Buellers Day Off. A classic 80s movie about a high school kid, Ferris, was playing hooky from school. He gets to do all sorts of things a kid dreams about - going to a fancy restaurant, a Cubs game, and speed away in his friend's red convertible. The poster is beautiful with a classic line from the movie, its iconic glass house, and the sports car. As a kid, I loved this movie, perhaps for what an immigrant kid could really only dream about. So it's my favorite poster - because of the film (and the art).

This week's recipe is Naral ka Char. It's a little bit of a throwback as well. Naral, or coconut in Urdu, makes a delicious curry. Simmer coconut with fresh cilantro, coriander, and tamarind. It's spicy and bright. Coconut gives it depth and creaminess. The tamarind adds tartness and balances the creaminess of the coconut. Eggs are then slowly simmered in the curry, giving them extra flavor. It all comes together for a delicious vegetarian and vegan curry.

Poet and Flower will grow up in a different world than G and I. They will experience new and different things. And perhaps see the world differently than us. But the joy of movies will always be something we will all enjoy.

Naral ka Char (Coconut and Egg Curry)

A vegetarian "curry" with coconut, tamarind, fresh cilantro and coriander. It's spicy and bright. Coconut gives it depth and creaminess. The eggs slowly simmer in the curry giving them extra flavor.

Serves 4

• 4 eggs
• 4 tablespoons neutral oil
• 3/4 cup coconut (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup tamarind pulp
• 1 medium onion (3/4 ground and 1/4 sliced)
• 2 tomatoes (finely chopped)
• 2 green chilis
• 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground fenugreek powder
• 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon salt

1. In the blender, puree the coconut and onion with 1/4 cup water until smooth. Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, heat oil. Saute onions and green chilis until the onions are soft and translucent about 5 minutes.
3. Add the coconut puree, coriander powder, chili powder, turmeric and fenugreek powder. Cook over medium low heat for 10 minutes until thick.
4. Add the tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes are soft, about 5 minutes.
5. Add the tamarind, cilantro and salt. Bring to a boil then simmer 5 minutes. pulp and coriander leaves and bring to boil.
6. Gently break the eggs into the curry. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, and then simmer for another 5 minutes until eggs are set. Be careful to not stir too much as the eggs will break.
7. Serve warm with rice or roti.