Tag: kalonji

Indian Fish Curry

This recipe is inspired by a bengali fish curry. It doesn’t have any tomatoes or yogurt as a base for the gravy. It is mostly flavored with spices including mustard seeds and onion seeds- which is one of my favorite combinations. It is quite simple and quick to make…

2 pounds fish fillets, (any white fish will do)
Juice of one lemon
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons salt

Marinate the fish fillets with the lemon juice, turmeric and salt.

4 tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
2 teaspoons kalonji (onion seeds)
2 tablespoons garlic, grated
2 tablespoons ginger, grated
2 medium yellow onions, chopped fine
2 teaspoons coriander powder
1 bay leaf
2 cups water, fish or chicken broth
Salt

Heat a non stick pan with the 2 tablespoons coconut oil. Saute the fish pieces briefly on high heat. Keep aside. Add the leftover oil from the non-stick pan to a saucepan and add the remaining coconut oil. Heat the pan and add the mustard and onion seeds on medium heat. Saute for a minute. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the onions, coriander powder and bay leaf. Saute for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the liquid and salt and bring to a boil. Add the fish pieces and simmer for a few minutes till the fish is cooked through but not over done. Check for seasonings and serve with rice.

Achari Gosht- Pickled Goat Meat

Achari Gosht- Pickled Mutton My Mom has been making this dish as long as I can remember. I particularly remember eating this goat dish when we went for picnics or a train ride to visit my cousins. It was cooked for those occasions since it was essentially ‘pickled’. It doesn’t go bad and can be kept outside for a long time. We would eat it room temperature and it was delicious.

It has a strong flavor of cooked onions with the tomato paste and is cooked for a while to cook off any water coming out of the vegetables. It is a concentrated flavor and so a little goes a long way. Typically Indian pickles consist of onion seeds, fennel seeds, etc. This dish has those flavors. Vinegar is added to finish the dish.

This dish can be made with any kind of stew meat. You can make it with dark meat chicken as well. To me, the goat tastes the best- I guess since I grew up eating it- that is what I like.

Looking at the list of ingredients, it may seem like a complicated dish- it isn’t. It does take a while to make it but it is totally worth it. It keeps for a while in the fridge so it is great to make a big batch and eat it once in a while. It is perfect for when there is nothing to eat and you don’t have time to cook anything. Take some pickled mutton out and eat it with a naan- yum!!!
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Achari Gobi Aaloo- Cauliflower and Potatoes Sauteed in Pickling Spices

Acari Gobi As I have mentioned many times before, my darling husband loves cauliflower. To say he loves it, is an understatement. I like it as well but don’t make it often enough for him. I keep trying to explain to him that I need new ways of cooking the same vegetable if I want to post the recipe on the blog.

I found a fabulous looking head of cauliflower at the supermarket and picked it up immediately. I wasn’t sure how I was going to cook it. As I was going through my pantry, I came across some Indian condiments including spicy pickles. Most Indian pickles consist of fennel, cumin and onion seeds, etc.

I decided to use these spices in the cauliflower dish and make it with potatoes- which is the classic combination most people are familiar with.

I also used mustard and fenugreek seeds with a combination of onion, ginger, garlic and tomatoes. This is the type of dish you will find at Indian weddings in India. It’s rich, vibrant and full of flavor. It is also very appealing to the eye and did I mention delicious! The sweet cauliflower is a great complement to the flavorful spices in there.

I cannot tell you how my husband devoured this dish. He didn’t want me to share it with anyone- which I normally do since I churn so much food out of my kitchen- I like to give some away. He wanted to have it all to himself and asked me to make this dish again.

I guess its back to drawing board for me- trying to come up with new cauliflower recipes…. Enjoy- this one is a keeper.

1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
3-4 white potatoes, cut into wedges

3 tablespoons extra light olive oil
1 teaspoon onion seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
2 medium white onions, sliced
3 garlic cloves, sliced
3 inch ginger, sliced thin
3 serrano chilies, deseeded and sliced
1 cup crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons coriander powder
2 teaspoons garam masala
½ cup cilantro, chopped

In a large wok like pan, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, cumin, fennel, mustard and fenugreek seeds. Saute for a minute on high heat, or till the seeds begin to sizzle. Add the onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes on medium high heat. Add the garlic, ginger and Serrano chilies. Saute for 5-7 minutes on medium heat, stirring constantly. Add the crushed tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the cauliflower and potatoes. Mix well and add the salt, turmeric, cayenne pepper, coriander powder and garam masala. Mix well, turn the heat to low and cover and cook for 15 minutes. Take the lid off to check if the potatoes are tender. Turn the heat up and cook the excess moisture accumulated at the bottom of the pan. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes on high. Check for seasonings and add the cilantro before serving.