Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Pickles, Chutneys & Raitas
AMLA MURABBA
INGREDIENTS :-
Fresh big firm amlas – 1kg
Sugar – 1 ¼ kg
Citric acid – 4 gms
Alum, for each usage – 4 gms
METHOD :-
Wash and prick amlas all over with a fork.
Dissolve alum in 2 litres water.
Soak amlas in this water for 24 hours.
Wash again with alum water.
Put amlas in boiling water and boil for 2 minutes.
Remove keep aside.
Prepare sugar syrup with ¾ litre water.
Syrup should be just stick enough when touch between
finger and thumb.
Put amlas in syrup for 24 hours.
Remove amlas from syrup.
Boil the syrup to original consistency.
Add citric acid and strain.
Put amlas back in syrup. Keep aide for 24 hours.
Repeat this process. Remove amla, boil syrup, add amla for 4 days.
By now amla will stop oozing water, and making liquid thinner.
Preserve cooled murabba in a clean tight jar.
Shelf life: 3 months
BITTER GOURD PICKLE
INGREDIENTS :-
Bitter gourd (small variety) – ½ kg
Aniseed – 2 tbsp
Red chili powder – 2 tbsp
Asafoetida – 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Dried mango powder (amchoor) – 2
tbsp
Turmeric powder – 1 tbsp
Citric acid – ¼ tsp
Garam masala – ¼ tsp
Coarsely crushed coriander seeds – 1
tbsp
Coarsely crushed mustard seeds – 2
tbsp
Oil – 250 gms
METHOD :-
Peel and apply turmeric and salt to bitter gourds. Keep aside for 1/2 hour.
Put them in boiling water with the citric acid. Boil for 5-7
minutes.
Remove from water and wipe dry. Heat half the oil, add
asafoetida, sauf, coriander seeds. Remove from fire.
Add all the masalas and mix well.
Cool and fill in the gourds. Tie them up securely with
string.
Arrange them in a glass or pickle jar. Heat remaining oil a
little. Add a few pinches citric acid and 1/3 tsp salt. Pour
over the gourds.
Allow to tenderize for 3-4 days more. Remove string before serving.
BOMBAY DUCK PICKLE
INGREDIENTS :-
Boil (Bombay Duck), soaked in water
for 5 minutes – 6 to 8 pieces
Vegetable oil – 4 tbsp
Fresh red chilies, chopped – 2
Granulated sugar – 1 tbsp
Cherry tomatoes, halved – 450 gm
Deep fried onion – 115 gm
Red onion rings – to garnish (optional)
METHOD :-
Pat the fish dry with kitchen paper.
Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the fish pieces for about 30-45 seconds on both sides until
crisp. Be careful not to burn them or they will taste bitter. When cool, break into small pieces.
Cook the remaining ingredients until the tomatoes become pulpy and the onions are blended
into a sauce.
Fold in the Bombay Duck and mix well.
Leave to cool, then garnish and serve or ladle into a hot sterilized jar, cover and leave to cool.
TIPS & VARIATIONS :-
As an alternative to boiling, try using skinned Mackerel fillets, but don’t fry them. You
will only need 2 tbsp vegetable oil to make the sauce.
CRUSHED LEMON PICKLE
INGREDIENTS :-
Lemons ripe and juicy - 6
Sugar – 1 cup
Salt - 1 tbsp
Fenugreek seeds – ½ tsp
Fennel seeds – ½ tsp
Nigella seeds (kalonji) – ½ tsp
Salt - 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder – ½ tbsp
Mustard seeds crushed coarsely – ½
tbsp
Chili powder red - 2 tbsp
Asafoetida - ½ tsp
Oil – ½ tbsp
METHOD :-
Wash lemons and wipe dry.
Quarter lemons, deseed them carefully.
Run them in a blender with sugar.
The lemons should turn to coarse crumb like bits.
Heat oil in a small pan, add seeds, allow to splutter, cool.
Add all other ingredients, including salt and lemons, mix well.
Sun this mixture for 4 days till matured.
Shelf life: 2 months
FRESH COCONUT WITH CHILI ONION
INGREDIENTS :-
Fresh coconut (grated) – 200 gm
Fresh green chilies (seeded and
chopped) – 4
Fresh coriander (chopped) – 1 tbsp
Fresh coriander to garnish – 3 sprigs
Chopped fresh mint – 2 tbsp
Salt – ½ tsp
Castor (superfine) sugar – ½ tsp
Coconut milk – 2 tbsp (optional)
Oil – 2 tbsp
Nigella seeds – 1 tsp
Onion (very finely chopped) – 1 small
METHOD :-
Place the coconut, chilies, coriander and mint in a food
processor. Add 2 tbsp of the limejuice, then process until
thoroughly chopped.
Scrape the mixture into a bowl and add more limejuice to
taste. Add salt and sugar to taste.
If the mixture is dry, stir in 1 – 2 tbsp coconut milk.
Heat the oil in a small pan and fry the nigella seeds until
they begin to pop, then reduce heat and add the onion.
Fry, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes, until the onion is
soft.
Stir the onion mixture into the coconut mixture and leave to
cool.
Garnish with coriander before serving.
GOR (SWEET) KERI
INGREDIENTS :-
Raw firm mangoes (preferably
Rajapuri mangoes) – 3 kg
Crushed mustard seeds - 1 cup
Crushed fenugreek – ½ cup
Crushed dhana kari – ½ cup
Turmeric powder – 1 ½ tbsp
Salt as per taste
Pinch of asafoetida
Jaggery, crushed – 1 kg
Sugar - 1 kg
Red chili powder (as per taste) – ¼ cup
Mustard oil – 1 ½ cup
METHOD :-
Peel the mangoes and chop in to medium size chunks.
Wash the chunks. Place it in a jar.
Add 2 tbsp salt and 1 tbsp turmeric powder.
Shake the jar so the pieces are evenly coated.
Keep aside.
Shake jar in a pendulum motion every 7-8 hours, for a day.
Empty the mangoes into non-iron colander and allow the
water to drain for 15-20 minutes.
Dry the chunks and let it dry on towel for 4-5 hours.
Heat 1 cup mustard oil very well till smoky.
Add crushed coriander, and crushed fenugreek.
Remove from fire, and let it cool slightly.
Then add mustard, asafoetida and salt.
Let the oil cool completely. Then add turmeric and red chili powder.
Mix it well. Add sugar and jaggery.
Mix it well with hand, to make a smooth paste. Then add mango chunks.
Keep it in a container for 2-3 days, till sugar dissolves completely, stirring occasionally.
Put the pickle in an air-tight container and press down lightly.
Put more oil, if required, as oil should float on the pickle.
The main jar should always have a layer of oil floating on top.
Shelf-life: For a year
GREEN CHILI PICKLE
Serves : Makes 2 ½ cup
INGREDIENTS :-
Crushed yellow mustard seeds – 4 tbsp
Freshly ground cumin seeds – 4 tbsp
Garlic cloves, crushed – 50 gm
Small garlic cloves peeled but left
whole – 20 gm
Ground turmeric – ¼ cup
White vinegar – 2/3 cup
Granulated sugar – 1/3 cup
Salt – 2 tsp
Mustard oil – 2/3 cup
Small fresh green chilies, halved – 450
gm
METHOD :-
Mix the mustard and cumin seeds, the turmeric, crushed garlic, vinegar, salt and sugar together
in a sterilized glass bowl.
Cover with a cloth and leave to rest for 24 hours. This
enables the spices to infuse and the sugar and salt to melt.
Heat the mustard oil in a frying pan and gently fry the spice
mixture for about 5 minutes (keep a window open while
cooking with mustard oil as it is pungent and the smoke
may irritate the eyes).
Add the garlic cloves and fry for a further 5 minutes.
Add the chilies and cook gently until tender but still green
in color. This will take about 30 minutes on low heat.
Cool thoroughly, then pour into sterilized bottles, ensuring the oil is evenly distributed if you
are using more than one bottle.
Leave to rest for a week before serving.
HOT LIME PICKLE
INGREDIENTS :-
Limes – 25 large
Salt – 1 cup
Fenugreek powder – ½ cup
Mustard powder – ½ cup
Chili powder – 2/3 cup
Ground turmeric – 2 tbsp
Mustard oil – 2 ½ cups
Asafetida – 1 tsp
Yellow mustard seeds, crushed – 2 tbsp
METHOD :-
Cut each lime into 8 pieces and remove the seeds if you like.
Put the limes in a large sterilized jar or glass bowl. Add the salt and toss with the limes.
Cover and leave in a warm place for 1-2 weeks until they become soft and dull brown in color.
Mix together the fenugreek, mustard powder, chili powder and turmeric and add it to the limes.
Cover and leave to rest in a warm place for a further 2-3 days.
Heat the mustard oil in a frying pan and fry the asafetida and mustard seeds.
When the oil reaches smoking point, pour it over the limes.
Mix well, cover with a clean cloth and leave in a warm place for about 1 week before serving.
METHIA KERI
INGREDIENTS :-
Raw firm mangoes, chopped in chunks
- 1 kg
Red chana (red gram) – 100 gms
Crushed mustard seeds – 200 gms
Fenugreek seeds - 200 gms
Salt as per taste (approx 150 gms)
Turmeric powder - 2tbsp
Red chili (as per taste) – ¼ cup
Mustard oil - 2 cup
METHOD :-
Place mango chunks in a jar.
Put some salt and 1/2 of turmeric in it.
Shake the jar so the pieces are evenly coated. Keep aside.
Shake jar in a pendulum motion every 7-8 hours, for 2 days.
On the second day, soak fenugreek seeds and red gram
separately; keep it overnight.
On third day, drain water from fenugreek seeds and red
gram.
Empty the mangoes into non-iron colander and allow the water to drain for 15-20 minutes,
keep the drain water.
Pat dry the mango chunks, and dry in sun for 4-5 hours on a towel.
Put fenugreek seeds and red gram in the drained sour water from mangoes for 2 hours.
Drain fenugreek seeds and red gram and dry them completely with the towel.
Mix all the ingredients except mango chunks.
Heat oil very well till smoky. Let it cool.
In half the oil, add the mixed ingredients and then add mango chunks.
Mix it well, so all chunks are coated with the masala.
Transfer to a clean jar and press down lightly.
Pour remaining oil on top, oil should cover the pickle.
Allow to marinate for 10 days before using.
Take out in small quantities for use in a small glass jar.
The main jar should always have a layer of oil floating on top. Add more oil (after heating and
then cooling it) if required.
Shelf-life: More than a year
PICKLED MIXED VEGETABLE
INGREDIENTS :-
Cauliflower – 200 gms
Cluster beans – 50 gms
French beans – 50 gms
Gherkins – 50 gms
Carrots – 50 gms
Ginger – 10 gms
Fresh turmeric – 10 gms
Fresh firm green chilies - 15
Spicy vinegar - 1
Sugar – 1 tbsp
Wet brine for soaking
METHOD :-
Wash, wipe, and slice cauliflower, carrots, gherkins into desired pieces.
Leave cluster beans , chilies whole, separated.
Slice ginger, turmeric into thin slivers.
Do not make pieces too small or they will get mushy on
pickling.
Soak them in wet brine for 10-12 hours or overnight.
Drain and wash thoroughly under cold running water.
Drain completely, dab with kitchen cloth if necessary.
Pack tight layers, vegetable by vegetable into sterile jar,
without leaving spaces.
Dissolve sugar into vinegar while still hot.
Pour vinegar to cover them.
PUNJABI KERI KA ACHAAR
INGREDIENTS :-
Mango pieces (cut and deseeded) – 1
kg
Nigella seeds (kalonji) – ½ tbsp
Aniseeds, crushed – ½ tbsp
Fenugreek seeds, crushed – ½ tbsp
Salt – ½ cup
Chili powder red – 2/3 cup
Turmeric powder – 2 tbsp
Mustard oil – 2 ½ cup
METHOD :-
Take mango pieces in large wide bowl or jar.
Pour all ingredients over them, except oil.
Mix very well with clean dry hands of wooden spatula.
Keep in sun for 4 days.
Stir once, check for taste.
Heat oil very well till smoky.
Cool to almost room temperature
Add to pickle and mix well.
Pour into clean, dry pickle jars.
Press down firmly with back of the spoon.
There should be enough oil to form a layer over surface of pickle.
Tie with a thin muslin, before placing lid.
Allow to mature for 10-12 days before using.
Store carefully as shown above to keep pickle from going bad.
SPICY MANGO PICKLE
INGREDIENTS :-
Medium raw firm mangoes-chopped in
chunks – 3
Crushed mustard seeds - 1 tbsp
Crushed fenugreek seeds - ½ tbsp
Aniseed - 1/4 tbsp
Red chili powder - ½ cup
Salt - ½ cup
Turmeric powder - 1/5 cup
Oil (any refined oil) – 1 cup
Glass, china or earthen pickle jar
METHOD :-
Place chunks in jar. Sprinkle rock salt & ½ the turmeric.
Shake the jar so the pieces are evenly coated. Keep aside
shake jar in a pendulum motion every 10-12 hours, for 2
days.
On the third day empty the contents into a non-iron colander
and allow the water to drain for 15-20 minutes.
Spread out on an old kitchen towel for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Do
not use white cloth, since turmeric will stain the fabric or
use disposable.
In a large plastic or glass bowl, mix all the dry ingredients
left.
Add the mangoes; add half the oil, mix very well with clean dry hands or a spatula.
Transfer to a clean jar and press down lightly. Pour remaining oil on top.
Allow to marinate for 10 days before using. Take out in small quantities for use in a small glass
jar. The main jar should always have a layer of oil floating on top.
Press down the pieces and masala firmly. This pickle will not go bad for over a year even at
room temperature.
SUN-COOKED MANGO KATKI
INGREDIENTS :-
Mangoes very raw and firm – 2
Sugar – 1 cup
Salt – 2tbsp
Turmeric powder- 1 tsp
Cloves - 5
Cinnamon - 1" stick
Cardamoms - 3
Chili powder (optional) - 1 tbsp
Saffron – ¼ tsp
METHOD :-
Peel and chop mangoes into very fine pieces.
Place in a jar (earthen, glass, or china). Sprinkle salt and turmeric. Shake the jar to coat
mangoes evenly. After 2 hours add sugar. Shake again.
Keep aside for 24 hours. Shake again and transfer to a wide bowl. Cover with a thin mesh or
muslin.
Place in the sun. If the sun is very hot (summer of India averaging 38-40 degree Celsius), then
3-4 days will suffice. But if the intensity is lower then the number of days will vary between 4-
8 days.
The pickle is done when all the sugar has melted to a sticky thin syrup.
Remember to take the bowl inside every evening. To stir and place outside every morning.
When done, add the chili powder. Crush the other spices coarsely and add to pickle. Be careful
not to touch a wet spoon to the pickle.
If taken care, the pickle is kept for a year without refrigeration.
APRICOT CHUTNEY
INGREDIENTS :-
Dried apricots (finely diced) – 3 cups
Garam masala – 1 tsp
Soft light brown sugar – 1 ¼ cups
Malt vinegar – 2 cups
Grated ginger – 1 tsp
Salt – 1 tsp
Golden raisins – ½ cup
Water – 2 cups
METHOD :-
Put all the ingredients into a medium pan and mix
thoroughly with a spoon on high flame.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30-35
minutes, stirring occasionally.
When the chutney has thickened to a fairly stiff consistency,
spoon it into 2-3 clean jars and leave to cool. This chutney
should be stored in the refrigerator.
It takes around 20 minutes to prepare.
DATE CHUTNEY
INGREDIENTS :-
Dates – 100 gm
Tamarind – 25 gm
Chili powder – 20 gm
Jaggery – 25 gm
Salt to taste
METHOD :-
Soak all the ingredients for 1-2 hours.
Grind all the above mixture in a blender into a fine paste.
Strain it with a strainer.
Add water as per the consistency desired.
This chutney adds taste to cocktail snacks.
FRESH TOMATO ONION CHUTNEY
INGREDIENTS :-
Tomatoes – 8
Chopped onion – 1 medium
Brown sugar – 3 tbsp
Garam masala – 1 tsp
Ground ginger – 1 tsp
Malt vinegar – ¾ cup
Salt – 1 tsp
Honey – 1 tbsp
Yoghurt, sliced green chili and fresh
mint leaves to garnish
METHOD :-
Wash the tomatoes and cut them into quarters.
Place them with the onion in a heavy pan.
Add the sugar, garam masala, ginger, honey, vinegar and
salt. Half cover the pan with a lid and cook over low heat
for 20 minutes.
Mash the tomatoes with a fork to break them up, then
continue to cook on a slightly higher heat until the chutney
thickens.
Spoon the chutney into a bowl and leave to cool, then cover
and place in a refrigerator until needed.
Serve chilled garnished with yoghurt, sliced chili and mint
leaves.
This chutney can be kept for about 2 weeks in a covered jar in the refrigerator.
FRIED SESAME SEED CHUTNEY
INGREDIENTS :-
Sesame seeds – ¾ cup
Salt – 1 tsp
Water – 2/3 cup
Fresh green chili (seeded and diced) –
2
Fresh coriander (chopped) – 4 tbsp
Fresh mint (chopped) – 1 tbsp
Tamarind paste – 1 tbsp
Granulated sugar – 2 tbsp
Oil – 1 tsp
Onion seeds – ¼ tsp
Curry leaves – 4
Onion rings, sliced chilies, and fresh
coriander leaves to garnish
METHOD :-
Dry roast the sesame seeds and leave to cool.
Grind them into a grainy powder.
Transfer the sesame powder into a bowl. Add salt, water,
diced chilies, coriander, mint, tamarind paste and sugar and
use a fork to mix everything together.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary; the mixture
should have a sweet and sour flavor.
Heat the oil in a heavy pan and fry the onion seeds and
curry leaves.
Tip the sesame seed paste into the pan and stir fry for about 45 seconds.
Transfer the chutney to a serving dish and leave to cool.
Garnish with onion rings, sliced green and red chilies and fresh coriander leaves and serve with
your chosen curry.
MANGO CHUTNEY
INGREDIENTS :-
Malt vinegar – 4 tbsp
Crushed dried chilies – ½ tsp
Cloves – 6
Peppercorns – 6
Roasted cumin seeds – 1 tsp
Onion seeds – ½ tsp
Salt to taste
Granulated sugar – ¾ cup
Green (unripe) mangoes, peeled and
cubed – 450 gm
Ginger (thinly sliced) – 2 inch piece
Crushed garlic – 2 cloves
Thin peel of orange or lemon – 1
(optional)
METHOD :-
Pour the vinegar into a pan and add the chilies, cloves, peppercorns, cumin and onion seeds,
salt and sugar.
Place over a low heat and simmer until the spices infuse the
vinegar – about 15 minutes.
Add the mango, ginger, garlic and peel (if using). Simmer
until the mango is mushy and most of the vinegar has
evaporated.
When cool, pour into sterilized bottles.
Cover and leave for a few days (7-10) before serving.
SPICY TOMATO CHUTNEY
INGREDIENTS :-
Vegetable oil – 6 tbsp
Cinnamon stick – 2 inch pieces
Cloves – 4
Freshly roasted cumin seeds – 1 tsp
Nigella seeds – 1 tsp
Bay leaves – 4
Mustard seeds (crushed) – 1 tsp
Chopped tomatoes – 800 gm
Garlic (crushed) – 4 cloves
Ginger – 2 inch piece
Chili powder – 1 tsp
Ground turmeric powder – 1 tsp
Brown sugar – 4 tbsp
METHOD :-
Pour the oil into a frying pan and place over a medium heat.
When the oil is hot , fry the cinnamon, cloves, cumin and nigella seeds, bay leaves and mustard
seeds for about 5 minutes.
Crush the garlic cloves and add them to the spice mixture. Fry until golden. Meanwhile wash
and chop the tomatoes finely.
Add the ginger, chili powder, turmeric, sugar. Add ¼ cup water. Simmer until reduced, add the
tomatoes and cook for 15-20 minutes.
Cool and serve.
TOK
INGREDIENTS :-
Pineapple – 800 gm
Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp
Black mustard seeds – ½ tsp
Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
Onion seeds – ½ tsp
Grated fresh ginger – 2 tsp
Dried chilies, crushed – 1 tsp
Seedless raisins – 1/3 cup
Granulated sugar – ½ cup
Salt – 1 ½ tsp
METHOD :-
Peel and chop the pineapple finely (you should have approx. 500 gm). Reserve the juice
obtained while peeling and chopping.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat and
immediately add the mustard seeds. As soon as they pop,
add the cumin seeds, then the onion seeds.
Add the ginger and chilies and stir fry the spices briskly for
30 seconds until they release their flavors.
Add the pineapple, raisins, sugar and salt.
Add 300 ml of the juice (made up with cold water if
necessary) and stir into the pineapple mixture.
Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and
cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes.
BANANA GRAPE RAITA
INGREDIENTS :-
Yoghurt – 1 ½ cups
Seedless grapes – 75 gm
Shelled walnut – ½ cup
Bananas (firm) – 2
Granulated sugar – 1 tsp
Freshly ground cumin seeds – 1 tsp
Freshly roasted cumin seeds, chili
powder or paprika to garnish
Salt to taste
METHOD :-
Place the yoghurt in a chilled bowl and add the grapes and walnuts.
Slice the bananas directly into the bowl and fold in gently
before the bananas turn brown.
Add the sugar, salt and ground cumin and gently mix
together.
Chill, and just before serving, sprinkle on the cumin seeds,
chili powder or paprika.
TIPS & VARIATIONS :-
Instead of grapes try kiwi fruit, peaches or nectarines. Almonds or hazelnuts can be used
instead of or as well as the walnuts.
CUCUMBER RAITA
INGREDIENTS :-
Yoghurt – 2 cups
Grated cucumber – 250 gm
Salt to taste
Crushed mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Sugar – 2 tsp
Coriander leaves to garnish
METHOD :-
Whisk the yoghurt.
Mix all the ingredients properly.
Chill the raita.
Serve garnished with coriander leaves.
MIXED FRUIT RAITA
INGREDIENTS :-
Yoghurt – 2 cups
Chopped banana – 1
Apple (peeled and chopped) – 1 large
Pomegranate seeds – 1 ½ tbsp
Salt – 1 tsp
Sugar – 1 tsp
Roasted cumin seed powder – 2 tsp
Chili powder – a pinch
METHOD :-
Whisk the yoghurt.
Add all the ingredients except chili powder.
Reserve 1 tsp cumin powder for garnishing.
Chill the raita.
Just before serving garnish with chili powder and cumin powder.
SPINACH DATE RAITA
INGREDIENTS :-
Yoghurt – 2 cups
Spinach (finely chopped) – 2 tbsp
Dates (deseeded and cubed) – 1 tbsp
Salt – 1 tsp
Sugar – 2 tsp
Roasted cumin powder – 2 tsp
Bananas (chopped) – ½ tbsp
METHOD :-
Whisk the yoghurt.
Mix salt and sugar properly.
Add the washed and finely chopped spinach leaves.
Add the cubed dates and bananas.
Add 1 tsp cumin powder and mix well.
Chill the raita.
Just before serving, garnish with 1 tsp of cumin powder.
SWEET SOUR RAITA
INGREDIENTS :-
Yoghurt – 2 cups
Salt – 1 tsp
Granulated sugar – 1 tsp
Clear honey – 2 tbsp
Roughly chopped fresh coriander – 2
tbsp
Mint sauce – 1 ½ tsp
Green chili, seeded and finely chopped
– 1
Diced onion – 1 medium
Water – ¼ cup
METHOD :-
Pour the yoghurt into a bowl and whisk it well. Add the salt,
sugar, honey and mint sauce.
Taste to check the sweetness and add more honey if desired.
Reserve a little chopped coriander for garnishing and add
the rest to the yoghurt mixture with the chili, onion and
water.
Whisk once again and pour into a serving bowl.
Garnish with the reserved coriander and place in the
refrigerator ready to serve.
TOMATO ONION RAITA
INGREDIENTS :-
Tomato (finely chopped) – 1 large
Onion (finely chopped) – 1 large
Yoghurt – 2 cups
Salt – 1 tsp
Chili powder – ½ tsp
Roasted cumin seed powder – ½ tsp
Coriander leaves to garnish
Sugar – 1 tsp
METHOD :-
Whisk the yoghurt.
Add all the ingredients and mix well.
Chill the raita.
Just before serving take it out of the refrigerator.
Serve garnished with coriander leaves.
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