Soya Chunks (Nutrela) Curry

I like incorporating soya chunks, seitan, and other forms of packaged soya products in my cooking, for the protein they provide.

Nutrela is sold in most Indian stores in a pre-packaged box as dry round nuggets. Just need to soak them in really hot water for about 10-15 minutes till they soften and the soya chunks are ready to be added to any food.

Ingredients
4 medium tomatoes or 1 can of diced tomatoes
1 medium onion thinly sliced
1 yellow (or red) bell pepper
2 medium potatoes cooked and mashed
8 leaves of mint (optional)
2" piece of fresh ginger
6 cloves of garlic (more or less to your taste)
3-4 dry red chilies
1/2 package of Nutrela soya chunks
2-3 Tbsp Maggi Tikka paste (to suit your taste)
3 Tbsp canola oil
sliced green chilies and coriander for garnish
salt to taste



Preparation

1. Soak the Nutrela soya chunks in a bowl of very hot (almost boiling) water and set aside for 10-15 mins till it softens (leaving it soaking longer won't hurt the soya chunks)
2. Pound the ginger, garlic, dry red chilies and mint in a mortar and pestle; or just blend it coarsely in a blender or food processor
3. Heat the oil in a pan and add the sliced onion and sautee till translucent
4. Add the ginger,garlic,dry red chilies, mint mixture to the pan and sautee till fragrance is released
5. add the tomatoes and the tikka paste to the pan and sautee till the oil releases
6. squeeze out the water from the Nutrela soya chunks and add them to the pan
7. add about 1.5 cups of water (or more if you want a thinner curry), salt to taste, and the mashed potatoes and let it simmer for about 10 minutes
   
8. garnish with sliced green chilies and chopped fresh cilantro/coriander leaves
9. serve it warm with Naan or Green rice or just plain cooked basmati rice