Monday

Chanterelle Mushroom Masala curry




This pleasantly aromatic fleshy wild mushroom shines like an exotic golden flower when seen from a distance. When we bought them, we were highly impressed with the good things written about this variety and wanted to try it out once. I was little skeptical about how it might taste combined with Indian spices but the curry came out really really well.
Ingredients:
Chanterelle Mushrooms - 1 cup
Onions pieces - 2 tbsp
Red chilli powder - 1 tbsp
Salt as per taste
A pinch of Turmeric
2 cups of water

For Masala:
1 tbsp uncooked rice grains
1 tbsp dry coconut powder/flakes
2 Garlic pods
1/2 tbsp Dhaniya/Coriander seeds

For Seasoning:
1 tbsp oil
1/4 tbsp mustard seeds
2 Red chillies, cut into 1 inch pieces
5-6 Curry Leaves

Method:
Wash mushoom pieces thoroughly and strain.
In a heavy bottomed pan, add mushroom pieces, onion pieces, red chilli powder, turmeric and salt
 

Add 2 cups of water and cook till mushrooms are mix well
Cover with lid and cook till mushroom are soft. It takes about 10min
In a coffee grinder or small mixie, add all masala ingredients and grind coarsely
Add this masala to the curry and cook for 3  more min and switch off the heat
In a pan, add 1 tbsp oil and when it is hot, add red chilli flakes, mustard seeds and curry leaves and fry till mustard seeds splutter
Add this tempering to the curry and mix well. Very tasty mushroom masala is ready to be served
Goes well with hot white rice!

Broccoli Poriyal

I was not a great fan of Broccoli and really used to force myself to have it once in a while as it is supposedly very healthy, specially for women. But below recipe eased my distaste for broccoli and am actually ready to try other recipes with it as main ingredient. If any of you out there dislike it too, you should try this recipe once.


Ingredients:
Broccoli florets - 1 cup, wash and drain
Onion pieces - 2 tbsp
Red chillies - 2
Urad dal - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Grated coconut (Fresh or dry) - 2 tbsp
Salt as per taste
1/2 tbsp oil
 1/2 tbsp butter
Turmeric - a pinch

Method:
In a pan,  add oil and butter and let it melt

When it is hot, add urad dal, red chillies, mustard seeds,cumin seeds and onion and saute for a min

Now add salt and turmeric and fry till onion pieces are translucent
Now add broccoli florets, mix well and let it cook for just 5min. Broccoli tastes good when crisp, hence ensure not to overcook. Broccoli turning deep green is the indication that it is cooked enough
Sprinkle coconut powder on the top of the curry and mix well and cook for just 2min and switch off the heat
 Tasty Broccoli poriyal is ready to be served. I tried it with hot white rice and it was very very tasty.

Nellore Style Mamidikaya Roti Pacchadi - Nellore Style Mango Instant Pickle

Ingredients:
Raw Mango - 1
Red chillies - 10
Cumin - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tbsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Salt as per taste
1 tbsp oil

For seasoning:
Red chillies - 1
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Urad dal - 1/2 tbsp
Curry Leaves - few
Oil - 1/2 tbsp

Method:
Wash and dry the mango and remove the peel. Cut the mango into 1/4th inch pieces
In a pan, add oil and when it is hot, add red chillies, cumin, mustard and fenugreek and fry for 2min. Set aside to cool off.
In a stone mortar, add the fried ingredients and grind them coarsely
Now add enough salt and the mango pieces to the mortar and grind coarsely and take out into a bowl
In another pan, add oil and when it is hot, add red chilli, urad dal, mustard seeds and cumin seeds and fry for 2min. Finally add curry leaves and switch off the heat
Add the pickle to the pan and mix well
Very tasty pickle is ready to be served. This pickle stays fresh for a week if kept outside and stays fresh for a fortnight if stored in refrigerator
Goes well with hot white rice and muddapappu (plain lentil).