Home cooking

Mince Green Masala


This is my favorite mince recipe, which is my mother’s recipe from the book “Mai’s Recipes”. When I was pregnant for my daughter, I was craving this dish made by my miother all the time. My mother managed to send it across to me and for the next couple of days, this mince was my only diet for breakfast, lunch, dinner and as a snack!! Goes without saying that my daughter also loves mince!

Mince (Green Masala) – Mai’s Recipes

Ingredients

½ Kg. Mince (Mutton or Beef)

1 large Onion

1 large Tomato

1 cup black peas

2 cloves

1” cinnamon

4 pepper corns

1 tbsp. Vinegar

1 tsp. Salt or to taste

2 tbsp. Oil

1 tsp. Sugar (optional)

Grind to a paste

4 green chillies

1 small onions

¼ tsp. black peppercorns

1 tsp. cumin seeds

1” pc. Cinnamon

2 cloves

8 flakes garlic

1” pc. Ginger

½ tsp. turmeric powder

Method

Wash the black peas and soak in water for approx. 6 hours. Wash mince and drain well.  Chop onion and tomato. Heat oil in a vessel.  Add the cloves, cinnamon and peppercorns and fry for a while, then add the chopped onion and fry till light brown.  Add the chopped tomato and fry till soft.  Add the masala paste and fry stirring all the time till oil separates.  Add the drained black peas and stir for a few minutes. Add the mince and salt and mix well, add 1 cup of hot water and cook till mince and peas are done.  Add vinegar, sugar and simmer for 5 minutes till oil surfaces.

Puran Poli Traditional Puran Poli Recipe


PURAN POLI is an Indian sweet flatbread that originates from South India and Maharashtra. The origins of Puran Poli can be traced back to ancient India, where it was first mentioned in ancient texts such as the Vedas and the Mahabharata. Puran Poli is believed to have originated in the region of Maharashtra, where it quickly became a favourite among the locals. This sweet dish was traditionally prepared during festivals and special occasions and was often shared with friends and family.

Puran Poli is one of the most famous and beloved sweet dishes in Maharashtra, India. This delicacy has captured the hearts of locals and tourists alike with its unique texture, flavour, and cultural significance.

Puran Poli is not just a dish, but a cultural symbol in Maharashtra. It is deeply ingrained in the state’s history and traditions and is often associated with festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi, and Diwali. Puran Poli is also a symbol of warmth and hospitality and is often served to guests as a sign of respect and affection.

While the basic recipe for Puran Poli remains the same, there are many variations of this dish that can be found throughout Maharashtra. Some regions add coconut or sesame seeds to the filling, while others use different types of lentils or sweeteners.

Whether enjoyed on a special occasion or as a simple treat, Puran Poli is a symbol of warmth, hospitality, and tradition.

The various names for the flatbread include puran puri or vedmi in Gujarati, bobbattlu or baksham or oliga in Telegu, Andhra Pradesh,  holige or obbattu in Kannada, puran poli in Marathi,  payasabolli or simply bolli in Malayalam, Boli in Tamil, bhakshalu or pole or polae in Telugu, Telangana and ubbatti or simply poli in Konkani.

PURANPOLI – Makes 12 Puranpolis
For Puran
1 cup Chana dal/Split chickpeas, soaked for 2 hours
½ cup Jaggery
2 tbsp. sugar (optional)
1/2 tsp Nutmeg powder
1/2 tsp Cardamom powder
¼ tsp. Saffron strands
½ tsp. Salt

For Dough
1 cup Maida
½ cup Wheat flour
½ cup Rice flour
½ tsp. Salt
10 tbsp. Oil
½ cup water

To make the dough:
In a large wide bowl or plate, add the maida, wheat flour, rice flour, salt, adding half the water and oil.  Knead well and repeat adding the water and oil little at a time till all the water and oil is used up. Knead well. Dough will be sticky.  Knead again adding 2 tbsp. water and 2 tbsp. oil.  Keep kneading for 10-15 minutes.  If the dough gets too sticky, take a little oil to make the dough soft and pliable. Dust a little flour if necessary. Kneading may be done using a stand mixer with dough hook.  Rub oil on the dough, cover with a wet cloth and rest for 2 hours.

To make the Puran::

Cook the soaked chana dal and about 3 cups water and and pressure cook it for 3 whistles. Drain and cool.
In a pan, add the dal, jaggery and sugar and cook on medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring constantly while mashing the dal with a spatula.  You may use the potato masher, or stand mixer to mash the dal. Add nutmeg powder, cardamom powder, saffron stands, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and cook till fairly dry.  Leave to cool.

To make the puranpolis:

Knead the dough for a minute and divide into 12 equal portions.  Divide the puran mixture into 12 portions.  Flatten the dough ball on your palm and stuff one portion of the puran and close bringing the edges together.

Sprinkle some flour on a rolling board and gently roll out the puranpoli into as thin a circle as possible.

Transfer the puranpoli to a tawa or non-stick pan, flipping to cook evenly till brown on both side.  Smear a little ghee if desired. Serve hot and enjoy with a tablespoon or two of melted tup/ghee.  Absolutely delicious and scrumptious.

Whole Masoor Green Curry Akkha Masoor


Masoor Dal, like all the pulses has numerous health benefits making it essential to be added to the diet. It helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels making it good for the heart. It contains dietary fibres and protein helping to keep the blood pressure normal and also assures the heart to be free from any disease providing a good source of folate. It is beneficial for diabetics to have masoor because it has a low glycemic index. It has Vitamin E and lutein which are good for the eyes. It also helps improve digestion because of the prebiotic carbohydrates present in it and the laxative property helps to prevent constipation. As these pulses are a good source of iron, it helps the pregnant ladies providing that extra energy required for their babies. All the above mentioned benefits make this dal a super hero of every kitchen.

This is my mother’s recipe form the book “Mai’s Recipes”.

To obtain a copy of the book, please check out the following link,

or Watsapp me (Cecilia Pinto) on +91 98 33 45 71 88.

Mai’s Recipes Contact details

Prawn Dangar


Prawn Dangar, typically prawn cutlets is a popular and much loved dish in Goa. It can be served as an accompaniment to any main meal or as a snack or appetizer.

Ingredients

1 Cup Prawns, preferable small prawns

2 medium Onions, chopped finely

2 green chillies, chopped

½ cup coriander leaves, chopped

½ tsp. ginger garlic paste3

½ tsp. turmeric powder

½ tsp. chilli powder

½ tsp. coriander powder

1 tsp. salt or to taste

1 tsp. tamarind paste or lemon juice

1 tsp. sugar (optional)

2 tbsp. gram flour (Besan)

1 tbsp. rice flour

2 tbsp. grated coconut

Rawa (semolina) for coating

Oil for shallow frying

Clean, wash and drain prawns.  If using large prawns, chop them into small pieces.  Squeeze out all the excess water and transfer to a mixing bowl.  Add all the ingredients from Onions to coconut.  Mix well, squeezing the mixture so that it binds well.  Cover and keep the mixture aside for 15 minutes.  Form the mixture into golf sized balls, flatten a bit and coat with rawa.  Shallow fry for 5 minutes on each side, till golden brown and crisp. Serve as an accompaniment to a main meal or as a snack or appetizer with ketchup or green chutney.

Bhindi Kadhi and Khichidi Combo


Bhindi Kadhi

Ingredients

100 to 250 gms. Lady’s fingers (as desired)

1” Ginger

4 medium green chillies or to taste

2 tbsp. coriander leaves

2 tbsp. ghee

2 cups buttermilk, undiluted
1 tsp. Turmeric powder

1 tbsp. gram flour

½ tsp salt or to taste

Wash lady fingers and slit each in half.  Deseed if desired. Chop ginger, green chillies and coriander leaves.  Heat ghee in a vessel and fry the lady’s fingers on very gently heat till tender. Add all the remaining ingredients, mix well, and bring to a boil.  Reduce flame and simmer for about five minutes. Serve hot with plain rice or khichdi.

Ponsache Gariyo Jackfruit Fritters


Ponsache Gariyo – Jackfruit Fritters

Halasina Hannina Mulka

½ cup boiled rice

½ cup basmati rice

2.5 cups jackfruit

¼ cup jaggery or to taste

1/2 cup fresh coconut

¼ tsp. Black pepper

Salt to taste

1 tsp. cardamom seeds

Oil as required for frying

Method

Soak rice for minimum 4 hours.  Grind Alongwith all ingredients to a smooth thick paste.  Drop spoonful of batter in hot oil or use your fingers to scoop up the batter and drop into the oil.  Fry on medium heat to golden brown.  Enjoy as tea-time snack or for breakfast.

How to clean and cook Kandi Pith of Banana Stem


Banana Stem, Plantain “Kandi” Vegetable

How to clean and cook Kandi

Banana stem has a wide range of health benefits and it is advisable to consume this vegetable periodically, where available.  Some of the health benefits include helps prevent constipation, acts a detoxifier, helps with kidney issues, regulates blood pressure, prevents urinary tract infection, prevents diabetes, etc. It is highly beneficial to health especially in summers and is full of fibre.

Ingredients

1 Kg. Kandi

1 Onion sliced

1 tsp. urad dal

1 tbsp. Bafat or any mixed masala to taste

1 tsp. Mustard seeds

1 sprig curry leaves

2 tbsp. tamarind pulp

1 tbsp. jaggery

½ cup fresh grated coconut

Salt to taste

2 tbsp. oil

Method

Kandi is the pith, the innermost tender portion of the banana tree trunk which is used after the tree bears its fruit to full term.  Try to get a very tender kandi. Remove the top and bottom of the trunk, and slice vertically to remove the outer layers to reveal the inner most pith the cylindrical white part which is called the “Kandi”.  Slice the Kandi into thin circles and remove all the fibers and cut the vegetable into small cubes and immediately immerse in water to prevent oxidation.

Rinse the chopped Kandi and boil with 1 tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. turmeric powder  till tender.  In a pan add oil  And when hot add the mustard seeds and allow to splutter.  Then add the curry leaves and sliced onion and fry till soft and translucent.  Add the bafat masala powder, toss and add the boiled kandi and mix well.  Cook 5 to 7 minutes then add the jaggery and tamarind pulp.  Stir well and simmer 5 minutes, then add the grated coconut, mix and let it heat through and simmer 5 minutes.  Serve hot as an accompaniment with any main meal.

Salted Raw Jackfruit Vegetable Stir Fry


Salted raw jackfruit vegetable / Brined raw jackfruit stir fry / Uppad Pachir Aajadina / Salla Upkari / Ghare Sukhe

Ingredients

2 Cups Brined raw jackfruit

1 Onion, sliced

1 tsp. mustard seeds

1 sprig curry leaves

4 flakes garlic, crushed

1 tbsp. bafat masala powder, or to taste

(Alternately use 1 tsp. chilli powder, ½ tsp. coriander powder, ¼ tsp. turmeric powder & ¼ tsp. cumin powder)

¼ cup fresh grated coconut

2 tbsp. Oil

Remove the jackfruit petals from the brine and soak in plain water for an hour or two and rinse in 2 to 3 changes of water to remove excess salt.  Then shred the petals by hand and set aside.

Heat a pan, add oil and when hot add the mustard seeds.  When they splutter add the crushed garlic and curry leave and toss.  Then add the sliced onion and fry till light brown.  Add the chilli, turmeric, coriander & cumin powder and mix well.  Then add the shredded jackfruit and mix well.  Add ¼ cup water, mix and let cook for 5 to 7 minutes.  Then add the grated coconut, mix well and cook 1 minute.  Remove from heat and serve hot as an accompaniment with any meal.  Tastes delicious.

P.S.: How to salt raw jackfruit

500 gms. Jackfruit bulb

3 to 4 tbsp. salt

½ cup boiled and cooled water

Slit the jackfruit bulb and remove the seed and pith.  Wash the jackfruit petals and place a layer of the jackfruit in a glass dish.  Sprinkle a tablespoon of sea salt over the layer.  Cover with another jackfruit layer and add salt.  Repeat till all the jackfruit is used.  Pour the water over the jackfruit, cover the dish and set aside for 2 to 3 month to marinate.  However, after one month, the jackfruit is ready for use.

Chicken Sukka, Traditional Manglorean Chicken Sukka


Recipe from the book “Mai’s Recipes” – Contact us for your copy!

Chicken Sukka, Manglorean Chicken Sukka

Ingredients

1kg. chicken

1 coconut (preferably fresh)

1 onion, sliced

2 tomatoes, chopped

2 tbsp. oil

Salt to taste

Roast (each separately) & grind

to a coarse paste

7 kashmiri chillies

1 tbsp. coriander seeds

1 tsp. cumin seeds

1tsp. mustard seeds

½ tsp. black pepper

¼ tsp. turmeric powder

¼ tsp. methi seeds

Method

Clean, remove skin and cut chicken into small pieces.

Heat oil, fry the sliced onion, when light brown add tomatoes and fry for 5 minutes.  Then add the chicken and cook till almost done.  Add the masala paste, salt and little water (if required) and simmer till done.  Adjust seasoning.

Tip: To improve taste, avoid adding water

        as far as possible.

Carrot Pickle


An ideal time to make and preserve pickles for use throughout the year!

Carrot Pickle

Ingredients

1 kg. Carrots

5 green chillis

1” pc. Ginger

1 pod Garlic

1/2 litre Vinegar

½ cup sugar

¼ kg. Oil

1 sprig curry leaves

1/2 tsp. mustard seeds

4 tsp. Salt

Roast & grind to a paste in vinegar

50 gms. red chillis

1 tsp. mustard seeds

½ tsp. cumin seeds

1 tsp. turmeric powder

½ tsp. black pepper

½ tsp. fenugreek seeds

½ tsp. asafoetida (hing)

Wash vegetables, drain and cut into thin strips.  Do not wash after cutting.  Add the salt and dry in the sun for minimum 2 days.  Chop green chillis, ginger and garlic finely.  Boil oil in a vessel, add mustard seeds and curry leaves.  Then add the chopped chillis, ginger and garlic and fry till light brown.  Add the ground masala paste, remaining vinegar and sugar and cook 10 minutes.  Then add the dried carrots and mix well.  Bottle when cool.

Check out the delicious and tantalising Mixed Vegetable Pickle

Lemon Pickle without Oil


Sweet & Sour Lemon Pickle Without Oil 2 methods of preparation with same ingredients One is an instant method and the other is over two days as the lemons need to be kept under weight overnight. Check out both methods and use the one that suits you. The end result is almost same though the 2nd method gives the pickle an improved texture.

Method 1
LEMON PICKLE with Jaggery without Oil

Sweet and Sour Lemon Pickle

Ingredients

12 lemons

3 tsp. Salt

3” pc ginger

10 flakes garlic

1/2 cup vinegar

2 cups Jaggery, powdered

4 tsp. Chilli powder

2 tsp. turmeric powder

Method

Wash lemons and wipe dry. Cut the lemons into fours, or eight pieces if lemons are large in size. Remove the pith and seeds. Apply salt liberally about 4 tbsp. Mix well and keep under weight overnight or for 24 hours minimum.  If possible you may keep in the sun in a glass jar.  Mix in between couple of times. Chop the ginger and garlic.  Take a vessel, add the lemon pieces with the liquer, chilli powder, chopped ginger and garlic, jaggery and mix well.

Place on heat, cover and cook till the lemons turn soft. Stir in between.  Cook till lemons are soft and gravy is thick. Then add the vinegar, mix and simmer 10 minutes.  Cool and bottle.  Store in a cool dry place for 2 to 3 weeks to mature

Method 2

LEMON PICKLE with Sugar without Oil

Sweet and Sour Lemon Pickle

A variation in preparation

Ingredients

1 dozen lemons

3” pc ginger

10 flakes garlic

½ cup vinegar

2 cups Sugar

4 tsp. Chilli powder

2 tsp. Turmeric powder

Method

Cut the lemons into four or eight pieces depending on the size of the lemons, remove the pith and seeds, apply salt liberally about 3 to 4 tsp. and keep aside.  Place a heavy weight over the lemon pieces and leave overnight. Chop the ginger and garlic.  Take a vessel, add the marinated lemon pieces, chopped ginger, garlic, chilli and turmeric powder, sugar and mix well.  Place on heat, stirring frequently till sugar dissolves.  Bring to a boil and simmer till lemons are cooked.  Don’t overcook or the lemon skins may tend to harden.  When cooked add the vinegar and mix well.  Check seasoning.  Take off heat and bottle when cool.  Store in a cool dry place for 2 to 3 weeks to mature.

Pork Chops


Pork Chops

This recipe is dedicated to all Pork lovers!! Turns out simply delicious and awesome. Those who do not enjoy pork can enjoy the masala gravy, it’s lip-smacking….

Ingredients

1 kg. Pork Chops

1 large Onion, chopped

2 tbsp. tomato paste

1 tbsp. Oil or ghee

Grind to a smooth paste

10 red chillies

1“ pc. Ginger

10 cloves garlic

10 cloves

1” cinnamon

1 tsp. cumin seeds

½ tsp. peppercorns

½ tsp. turmeric

4 tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. salt

Method

Wash, drain the chops.  This recipe may be used for pork chops, ribs etc. Apply the masala paste to the chops and marinate for 15 to 30 minutes.  At this stage you may pre-prepare and marinate overnight.

Heat a wide pan, add the oil/ghee and fry the chopped onion, when they soften and are translucent, add the tomato paste and saute 2 to 3 minutes.  Place the pork chops/ribs s in a single layer (reserve the excess marinade) and fry 2 minutes on each side.  Add the reserved marinade alongwith  the masala water from the rinsed jar and add to the chops.  Stir to mix well.  Cover and bring to a boil, reduce flame to medium and cook 30 minutes.  If gravy dries up add some more water, l1/4 cup or so, to avoid the masala burning and cook till meat is tender and gravy is thick and oil surfaces.   Check and adjust seasoning.  Serve hot with rice or bread or just as is for an appetiser!

Stuffed Prawns, Extra Colossal Stuffed Prawns


Shrimp have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and low levels of mercury. As with other seafood, shrimp is high in calcium, iodine and protein but low in food energy. A shrimp-based meal is also a significant source of cholesterol, from 122 mg to 251 mg per 100 g of shrimp, depending on the method of preparation.  Shrimp consumption, however, is considered healthy for the circulatory system because the lack of significant levels of saturated fat in shrimp means that the high cholesterol content in shrimp actually improves the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol and lowers triglycerides

Many shrimp species are small as the term shrimp suggests, about 2 cm (0.79 in) long, but some shrimp exceed 25 cm (9.8 in). Larger shrimp are more likely to be targeted commercially and are often referred to as prawns.

When buying prawns there are several considerations. Firstly, see that they have all of their legs, feelers and eyes in tact and that the tail has a firm spring when curled. It should feel firm in texture and when you taste the meat it should be immediately sweet, with a long clean finish, no strong after taste.

Prawn sizing is based not only on form (HOSO or PDTO) but also on the actual number of prawns per pound or kilogram. The charts below will give you a quick and easy guide on sizing of the two forms. 

HOSO Head on Tail On

PDTO Peeled Deviened Tail On

Stuffed Prawns, Extra Colossal Stuffed Prawns

This recipe may be used for any large sized prawns

Ingredients

4 Nos. Extra Colossal Prawns

4 red chillies

4 cloves

1” cinnamon

8 peppercorns

½ tsp. turmeric powder

1 tsp. ginger garlic paste

1 small onion, chopped

1 tbsp. garlic

½ tsp. cumin seeds

1 tbsp.vinegar

½ tsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt or to taste

1 egg and rava for coating

Oil for shallow frying

Method

Clean prawns by chopping off the tip of the head and then slitting the back including the shell to devein, but not cutting through. Wash well and apply salt, turmeric and ginger garlic paste.  Set aside to marinate.

Grind together the chillis, cloves, peppercorns, cumin seeds, garlic, onion, vinegar, salt and sugar, with a little water to a smooth paste.

Heat ½ tsp. oil in a pan and fry the ground masala on low heat till the raw smell disappears, about 1 or 2 minutes. Take off heat and cool.

Stuff the prawns with the masala paste.  Then tie with thread, roll in beaten egg and rava and shallow fry 3 to 5 minutes on each side. 

Remove the thread if you wish and serve immediately with lemon wedges and sliced onion.

Aam Panna


Aam panna or Aam Jhora is an Indian drink renowned for its cooling properties. It is made from unripe mangoes and is yellow to light green in color, and is consumed to fight against the intense Indian summer heat. Mint leaves are often added to the drink, enhancing its green color. Raw mango is a rich source of pectin, which gradually diminishes after the formation of the stone. Unripe mango is sour in taste because of the presence of oxalic, citric and malic acids. Aam panna or Aam Jhora, which is prepared using raw mangoes, cumin, and an assortment of other spices, quenches thirst and prevents the excessive loss of sodium chloride and iron during summer due to excessive sweating. The drink is considered beneficial in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. It is also a good source of vitamin B1 and B2, niacin, and vitamin C. In Indian culture, it is regarded as a tonic believed to increase resistance against tuberculosis, anemia, cholera and dysentery.

Recipe: Aam Panna

Ingredients 2 green Mangoes

Sugar or Jaggery equal proportion to mango pulp

1 tsp cardamom powder

1 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp. Pepper powder

1 tsp. Salt

Mix well and store the concentrate in the refrigerator in a glass bottle. Method Wash the mangoes. Boil (with the peel). When cooked, and cool enough to handle, peel and deseed the mangoes and extract the pulp. Measure the pulp and add equal quantity of sugar or jaggery. Place in a blender and add the cardamom, cumin, pepper and salt. Blend till smooth. Transfer to a glass jar or bottle. To prepare Aam Panna Take 2 tbsp. Aam panna concentrate and add to a glass or goblet and top with chilled water. Stir to mix well, garnish with mint leaves and enjoy chilled.

Raw Jackfruit Vegetable


Raw Jackfruit Vegetable

Raw Jackfruit blooming time is from December until February, March and the fruit matures during the rainy season in India i.e. from July to August.  Raw Jackfruit is fibre rich and excellent for gut health in addition to containing moderate levels of Vitamin C and Potassium.  For optimum health benefits, it is always advisable to consume local and seasonal produce.

Ingredients

1 Small Raw Jackfruit

½ cup fresh coconut

2 tbsp. Tamarind pulp

2 tsp. Jaggery or to taste

Salt to taste

2 tbsp. oil

Roast, each separately and grind coarsely with the coconut

1 tbsp. coriander seeds

2 to 3 red chillis

½ tsp. cumin seeds

½ tsp. mustard seeds

½ tsp. peppercorns

½ tsp. fenugreek seeds (methi)

Tempering

1 medium onion

4 to 5 garlic crushed

1 sprig curry leaves

½ tsp. mustard seeds.

Method

Cut the Jackfruit and peel it.  Cutting the jackfruit is the difficult part as skin is very hard and the sap is sticky and will also make the knife sticky.  This can be controlled by oiling your fingers and palm and the knife.  Alternately, the sticky sap can be washed off later by first rubbing some oil all over your hands and the knife.

Cut the jackfruit into wedges and discard the pith.  Then cut into small slices and immediately immerse in plenty of water.  Once cut, wash well and place in a vessel, add some water and bring to a boil and cook 10 minutes.  Add a tsp. of salt.

Email: Cecilia65@gmail.com

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