Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Puzhi Nellikkaai (Amla Pickle)

Recipe Credits:
Mrs. Mallika Badrinath (Pickle Varieties)

Ingredients:

Big Nellikkaai (Amla/Gooseberry) - 1/2 kg
Tamarind - 1/4 kg
Salt - 1/2 cup
Chilli Powder - 3/4 cup
Fenugreek Powder - 25 gm
Mustard Powder - 25 gm
Garlic Pods - 4 or 5 (crush coarsely)
Gingelly Oil - 1/4 kg

For Tempering:

Mustard - 1 tsp
Fenugreek - 1 tsp
Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp

Method:

Clean tamarind and soak in hot water until just immersed.

Wash and wipe the gooseberries and allow to dry on a clean, dry towel.

Make small cuts/slits here and there on the gooseberries with the help of a knife.

In a heavy bottomed pan, pour half of the oil and heat.  When hot enough, add the gooseberries and close with a lid and cook on a low flame.

Turn them with a ladle now and then.

When the gooseberries are slightly soft, remove the lid and fry them for a few more minutes and switch off the flame.

Transfer the gooseberries alone to a plate.

Grind the tamarind to a thick paste along with salt and chilli powder.

Transfer the tamarind mixture to a dry, clean bowl and add mustard powder, fenugreek powder, crushed garlic, and the gooseberries and mix well.

Add the remaining oil in the same kadai and heat.  Splutter mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and asafoetida and pour on the mixed gooseberries to form the pickle.

When completely cool, transfer to a dry jar or bottle.



Notes:

This pickle stays good for at least 1 year if stored carefully.

Whenever using pickles, transfer a small quantity to another jar and use from out of this jar and also make sure to use clean, dry spoons to serve them.

Monday, June 13, 2016

Red Onion Chutney

Adapted From
Mrs. Mallika Badrinath (Tiffin Varieties)

Ingredients:

Onions - 2 (big)
Red Chillies - 12
Tamarind Extract - 1 tbsp
Rock Salt - 3/4 tsp
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Oil - 1 tbsp (for tampering)
Mustard Seeds - 1/4 tsp

Method:

Chop onions into bigger pieces (say 1 inch square pieces).
Soak red chillies in water for 10 to 15 minutes.
Squeeze out the chillies alone and grind them along with salt and sugar.
Add onions and tamarind extract and grind coarsely.
Heat oil and tamper the mustard seeds in it and pour on top of the chutney.

This chutney goes well with any tiffin variety, viz., idli, dosa, kozhukattais, paniyarams, adai, etc.  Store this in an airtight container in the fridge for a longer shelf life.