Archive for February 2012

Green Peas and Mushroom Curry

Ingredients:

Green Peas – 1 cup (frozen/fresh)

Mushrooms – 2-3 (sliced)

Onion – 1 (finely chopped)

Tomato – 1 (finely chopped)

Green Chilies – 2 (chopped)

Ginger – 1 teaspoon (finely chopped)

Garlic – 1 teaspoon (finely chopped)

Curry  leaves – 1 sprig

Coriander leaves -  2 tablespoons

Whole Spices – 1 inch piece cinnamon,  3 cloves, 3 cardamom

Coriander powder – 2 teaspoons

Chili powder – 1 teaspoon

Turmeric – 1/2 teaspoon

Fennel powder – 1 teaspoon

Garam masala – 1/2 teaspoon

Freshly ground cardamom – 1 pinch

Coconut milk – 1 cup

Oil – 2 tablespoons

Salt – to taste

How to:

Cook the green peas with 1 cup water and a little salt and keep aside. If you are using the frozen peas , you don’t have to pre cook it.

In a pan add oil , when its hot add the whole spices, after the spices crackle add the chopped onions and a pinch of salt and cook till onions are transparent. Add the chopped ginger and garlic and sauté till the raw smell goes away. Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and sauté till the mushrooms are cooked. Next  add the masala and the chopped tomato, cover and cook for a while, till the tomatoes are soft and oil starts to separate from the masala. Add the chopped green Chilies to the pan.

Add the cooked peas. If using frozen peas, add1/4 cup water and enough salt to the pan and cook covered for about 10 minutes. Lower the flame and add the coconut milk, mix well and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Check the seasoning and add more salt if necessary. Transfer the contents to a bowl and add the freshly chopped coriander leaves. Serve with Chapatti or Appam.

Lamb Kofta (Lamb Meatballs in Almond Sauce)

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

Lamb – 1/2 kg (boneless shoulder –cubed) or 1/2 kg minced lamb

Ginger – 1 tablespoon (finely chopped)

Coriander leaves – 1 tablespoon

Black cardamom powder – 1 teaspoon

Green cardamom powder – 1 1/2 teaspoon

Clove powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Cinnamon powder – 1 teaspoon

For the gravy:

Onions – 2 (pureed)

Tomato – 2 medium sized (pureed)

Ginger paste – 1 tablespoon

Garlic paste – 1 tablespoon

Green chilly paste – 1 tablespoon

Green cardamom – 4

Black cardamom – 2

Cinnamon – 2 inch sticks

Almonds – 1/4 cup (toasted and pureed)

Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Red chilly powder – 1 teaspoon

Sugar – 1 tablespoon

Cream – 4 tablespoons (optional)

Coriander – 1 small bunch (chopped)

Ghee – 4 tablespoons

How to:

Mince the meat with all the ingredients for the meatballs. You can also buy minced lamb and add the powdered spices to it.

Shape the mixture into lime sized balls, place them in a plate, and let it set in the refrigerator for a while.(this will prevent it from breaking apart)

Heat the ghee in a pan, add the whole spices and let it splutter. Add the pureed onions and fry till golden brown. Next add the pureed tomatoes, turmeric powder, chilly powder, ginger, garlic and green chilly paste, and some salt and cook stirring for about 15 minutes, until the oil separates.

Add 2 cups water, the almond paste and sugar and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.

Take the meat balls from the refrigerator, and put it into the sauce. Cover and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes.

Drizzle over cream and chopped coriander. Remove from flame and serve.