Mushroom Salna

🔥 Prep

• Clean the 200 g Button Mushrooms by wiping with a damp cloth or rinsing quickly under running water; slice them into halves or quarters depending on size.
• Finely chop the 1 pc Onion.
• Puree or finely chop the 1 pc Tomato.
• Measure out 1 tsp Fennel Seeds, 1 tsp Poppy Seeds, and 3 tbsp Grated Coconut; grind them together with a little water into a smooth paste.
• Measure out 1 tsp Chilli Powder, 2 tbsp Oil, 1 tsp Salt, and 300 ml Water for the gravy.

🔥 Cook

• 1. Heat 2 tbsp Oil in a wide pan or kadai over medium heat until shimmering.
• 2. Add the 1 tsp Fennel Seeds (from the whole spices if not ground, but here ground paste is used; assume tempering fennel is separate or part of paste — *correction: standard salna uses whole fennel tempering then paste. Adjusting step to reflect ingredients list which has fennel seeds and poppy seeds/coconut for paste*). Temper 1 tsp Fennel Seeds in the hot oil for 30 seconds until they splutter and turn aromatic.
• 3. Add the chopped 1 pc Onion and sauté for 5–7 minutes until golden brown and translucent.
• 4. Add the pureed 1 pc Tomato and 1 tsp Chilli Powder; cook for 3–4 minutes on medium heat until the raw smell disappears and oil begins to separate at the edges.
• 5. Stir in the ground paste (Poppy Seeds, Coconut, Fennel Seeds) and fry for 2 minutes on low heat until fragrant and the paste loses its raw aroma.
• 6. Pour in 300 ml Water and 1 tsp Salt; stir well to combine and bring the gravy to a rolling boil.
• 7. Add the 200 g sliced Button Mushrooms; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 8–10 minutes until the mushrooms are cooked through and the gravy reaches a thin, roadside-style consistency.
• 8. Check for seasoning, adjust salt if needed, and turn off the heat. Let it rest for 2 minutes before serving.

🔥 Serve

• Serve hot in a steel tumbler or shallow bowl, typical of roadside eateries.
• Pair with Idiyappam (String Hoppers), Appam, Parotta, or Steamed Rice.
• Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves and a squeeze of lime for extra brightness.