VEGETABLE PALA0 WITH ONION, TOMATO AND CURD SALAD

VEGETABLE PALA0

Serves 6  Preparation time  45 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups basmati rice or any other raw rice,
3 onions sliced finely,
1 cup ground coconut,
½ teaspoon turmeric powder,
2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste,
½ cup oil or ghee, salt to taste,
3 green chilies chopped,
2 teaspoons chillie powder,
1 teaspoon garam masala powder / all spice powder,
2 cups assorted vegetables such as carrots, beans, peas, cauliflower etc cut into medium size bits
A few cashewnuts

 

Heat oil in a suitable vessel or cooker and fry the onions till brown. Add the ginger garlic paste and green chilies and sauté for a few minutes. Add the chopped vegetables, chillie powder, turmeric powder, spice powder and salt and stir-fry for a few minutes. Add the coconut and fry till the oil separates from the mixture. Add 4 cups of water and bring to boil. Add the rice and mix well. Cook on medium heat till the rice is cooked and each grain is separate. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

ONION, TOMATO AND CURD SALAD   /   PALAU CHUTNEY

Ingredients

2 tablespoons roughly ground coconut paste
2 green chilies
2   medium size onions chopped finely
1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lime juice
½ teaspoon sugar
½ cup curds or yogurt

Mix all the ingredients together and serve as an accompaniment for Biryani or Palau.

Anglo-Indian Cuisine - A Legacy of Flavours from the Past

ANGLO-INDIAN CUISINE – A LEGACY OF FLAVOURS FROM THE PAST has been selected as WINNER FROM INDIA under the category BEST CULINARY HISTORY BOOK by GOURMAND INTERNATIONAL COOK BOOK AWARDS 2012

ANGLO-INDIAN CUISINE – A LEGACY OF FLAVOURS FROM THE PAST is a comprehensive and unique collection of easy- to- follow Recipes of popular and well loved Anglo-Indian dishes. The repertoire is rich and vast, ranging from the outright European Cutlets, Croquettes, pasties, roasts, etc, to mouth watering Curries, Side dishes, Spicy Fries, Foogaths, Biryani and Palaus, Pickles, Chutneys etc, picking up plenty of hybrids along the way. The very names of old time favorite dishes such as Yellow Coconut Rice and Mince Ball (Kofta) Curry, Pepper water, Mulligatawny Soup, Grandma’s Country Captain Chicken, Railway Mutton Curry, Dak Bungalow Curry, Crumb Chops, Ding Ding, Stews, Duck Buffat, Almorth, etc, which were so popular during the Raj Era are sure to bring back nostalgic and happy memories. These popular Anglo-Indian dishes will take you on an exotic nostalgic journey to Culinary Paradise.

It is a practical and easy guide to delectable cooking. The book with its clear step-by-step instructions, describes the preparation of a variety of Anglo-Indian Dishes. The easy-to-follow directions make cooking simple and problem- free.

Price per book : India : Rs175..00, Australia: A$15.00, UAE: Rs.350.00, Canada C$15.00, UK: GBP 8.00, USA: $15.00

CONTACT: bridgetkumar@yahoo.com

Also available online from AMAZON.COM Anglo-Indian Cuisine - A Legacy of Flavours from the Past

AND AUTHOR HOUSE UK LTD. Anglo-Indian Cuisine - A legacy of Flavours from the Past

ISBN 9781477251638   6 x 9 perfect Bound Soft Cover   US$ 18.24 /  £11.95

ISBN 9781477251645  E-Book    US $3.99

 

DEVIL PORK FRY

The Devil Curry as its name suggests, is a rich and fiery hot dish, prepared with either Beef, Mutton, lamb, Chicken, Pork or Eggs and lots of chilies. In the earlier days, Wild Boar, Venison and Rabbit were also made into the Devil Curry. The Devil Curry is a modified version of the Jal Frazie that originated during the Colonial Era, where the left over Turkey and Chicken Roasts were converted into Devil Curries or Fries by giving them a makeover the next day with the addition of a few spices. 

Here is an easy recipe for DEVIL PORK FRY

Serves 6      Preparation Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 kg Pork (less fat) cut into medium size pieces

2 tablespoons vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcester sauce or Soya Sauce

2 tablespoons Tomato sauce

3 tablespoons oil

3 large onions sliced

2 tablespoons chopped garlic

2 tablespoons chopped ginger

8 to 10 Curry Leaves

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds powdered (Methi)

1 teaspoon mustard powder or paste

2 pieces cinnamon

3 cloves

3 teaspoons chillie powder

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

Salt to taste

2 tablespoons oil

Marinate the pork with the Vinegar, Worcester / Soya Sauce, Tomato Sauce, sugar and salt for about 1 hour. Heat oil in a pressure Cooker or pan and sauté the onions, curry leaves, chopped ginger, chopped garlic, cinnamon and cloves till light brown. Add the marinated pork, chillie powder, turmeric powder, fenugreek powder, mustard and mix well. Simmer for a few minutes till the meat becomes firm. Add sufficient water and pressure cook for about 15 to 20 minutes till the pork is cooked. Open the pressure cooker and fry till all the gravy dries up. Serve with fried potatoes, Rice, Bread or Chappatis.

 

MINTY CHICKEN CASSEROLE

 

 

 

MINTY CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Serves: 6

Preparation and cooking time: 1 hour

Ingredients

1 chicken cut into 8 to 10 large pieces

1 cup finely chopped mint leaves

2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 teaspoon cumin powder

1 teaspoon all spice powder or garam masala powder

1 teaspoon tomato-chilly sauce

1 teaspoon chilly powder

Salt to taste

2 tablespoons oil

2 tablespoons grated cheese

Method

1. Wash the chicken and prick all over with a fork.

2. Mix together the chopped mint, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, vinegar, cumin powder, salt, all spice powder, tomato-chilly sauce and chilly powder and apply this mixture to the chicken pieces.

3. Leave to marinate for 30 minutes.

4. Transfer to a buttered baking dish. Drizzle oil over the chicken. Sprinkle grated cheese on top.

5. Bake in a moderate oven (355 degrees) for 45 minutes.

Serve with mash potato and salad.

SEASONS GREETINGS - ANGLO-INDIAN RECIPES

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM ANGLO-INDIAN RECIPES

http://anglo-indianrecipes.blogspot.com

ANGLO-INDIAN CUISINE - A LEGACY OF FLAVOURS FROM THE PAST - GOURMAND WORLD COOK BOOKS AWARDS 2012

Today I received an email from GOURMAND INTERNATIONAL informing me that I was selected as the ‘WINNER FROM INDIA’ at the GOURMAND WORLD COOK BOOKS AWARDS 2012 . under the Category ‘BEST CULINARY HISTORY BOOK’ for my recipe book ANGLO-INDIAN CUISINE - A LEGACY OF FLAVOURS FROM THE PAST and that I now qualify for the next GOURMAND BEST IN THE WORLD COMPETITION at the Awards Night to be held in Paris on 23rd Feb 2013. They have also  invited me to be a part of this Awards Night. 

This prestigious Award is ‘THE OSCARS’  for Cook book writers. Awards are given every year for various categories and genres ie for Cook Book Authors, Cook Books, Chefs, Wine makers, etc.

I submitted my recipe Book ANGLO-INDIAN CUISINE - A LEGACY OF FLAVOURS FROM THE PAST to the GOUMAND INTERNATIONAL based in Spain as an entry for the GOURMAND WORLD COOK BOOKS AWARDS 2012 about a month ago barely making it before the closing date.  In the preliminary round one must be selected from out of the entries submitted by each country. The winner will then qualify to compete for the World Award ‘FOR BEST IN THE WORLD’at the awards night to be held in Paris on 23rd Feb 2013.

I now qualify for the finals for the ‘FOR BEST IN THE WORLD’  AWARD  under the category BEST CULINARY HISTORY BOOK

Here is the email I received from them

They will be sending me my certificate shortly for having won ‘WINNER IN INDIA’

This is the link to the GOURMAND website www.cookbookfair.com 

ANGLO-INDIAN CUISINE - A LEGACY OF FLAVOURS FROM THE PAST

News feature on my new book ANGLO-INDIAN CUISINE - A LEGACY OF FLAVOURS FROM THE PAST in THE HINDU NEWSPAPER on 21st NOVEMBER 2012

This is the link http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/Food/colonial-cooking/article4115559.ece

CHRISTMAS PUDDING ON STIR UP SUNDAY

CHRISTMAS PUDDING ON STIR UP SUNDAY

Today the 25^th November 2012  is STIR UP SUNDAY. Stir Up Sunday is also known as Christmas Pudding Sunday. Stir Up Sunday falls on the last Sunday before Advent. Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas.

Christmas Puddings were traditionally always made on Stir-up Sunday which is the last Sunday before Advent begins.

The Christmas Pudding is traditionally made with 13 ingredients representing Jesus Christ and his 12 Disciples. The Christmas pudding is stirred from East to West in honour of the 3 wise men who came from the east to visit the Savoiur child

Every member of the family gives the pudding a stir and makes a wish. A coin, a ring or a thimble are sometime added to the pudding mixture. The coin and thimble  supposedledly brings luck and wealth to the person who gets it in his / her piece of the pudding on Christmas day, and the finger ring would foretell a wedding to the person who gets it.

So get your ingredients ready and everyone join in to stir up the Christmas Pudding .

An easy recipe is given below

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS PLUM PUDDING

Serves 6 Preparation time 1 hour

Ingredients

200 grams fresh bread crumbs                     

200 grams butter

2 teaspoons instant coffee (Nescafe or Bru) 

2 teaspoons golden or date syrup

½ teaspoon baking powder                            

2 eggs beaten well

¼ cup rum                                                       

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, cloves and  nutmeg                           

100 grams raisins

100 grams chopped sultanas                         

100 grams mixed peel

½ teaspoon salt                                              

100 grams sugar

Cream the butter and sugar together then add the eggs and mix well.

Gradually add all the other ingredients and mix well.

Grease a Pudding Mould or any suitable bowl with butter and pour the pudding mixture into it.

 Steam the pudding for about 1 hour on low heat till it is firm to touch

Note:  This pudding can be made in advance and refrigerated till required. Steam for 10 minute or microwave for 3 minutes before serving.

For a more exotic taste, when still warm make a few small holes all over the pudding and pour about 6 tablespoons of rum over it.

 This recipe is from my recipe Book THE ANGLO-INDIAN FESTIVE HAMPER

THE GRINDING STONE – AN INDESPENSIBLE PART OF LIFE IN THE OLDEN DAYS

THE GRINDING STONE – AN INDESPENSIBLE PART OF LIFE IN THE OLDEN DAYS

In the olden days, cooking would take up practically the whole day since everything had to be prepared from scratch. The masalas had to be ground manually on a grinding stone and the food cooked over firewood.

The grinding stone was an indispensable appendage in every home in the olden days. It was used on a regular basis to grind the masalas or curry stuff required for the daily cooking, The grinding stone consisted of a flat granite stone about two feet in length and one foot breadth. The wet or dry ingredients were placed on this stone and another stone about 10 inches in length that was shaped like a roller or cylinder was used to grind the masalas in an up and down direction. This grinding stone was known as “Ammi Kal” in Tamil.

The top of the grinding stone had to be rough and coarse so that the masalas could be ground easily to a smooth texture. However, due to continuous grinding, the grinding stone would become smooth, and it would take longer to grind the ingredients to the required consistency. This was when the ‘Grinding Stone Tapper’ was called in to tap the grinding stone to make it rough again.

The grinding stone tapper would use a small chisel and hammer to first make small pits in a star design in the centre of the grinding stone and then continue tapping the stone with his chisel and hammer around this design till the whole surface of the grinding stone was covered with small pits very close together. He repeated the same procedure with the top stone as well. The Grinding Stone Man had his own peculiar way of calling out ‘Ammi Kalu. Ammi Kalu’  to let people know that he was coming around. 

Some houses had yet another type of grinding stone which was used to grind wet masalas and  batter for Idlis and Dosas, or rice pancakes. This grinding stone was shaped like a small barrel with a hole in the centre. The dry masalas or the soaked rice and dhal with a little water, was put into this hole and was ground to a smooth batter with another cylindrical shaped stone in a rotary movement. When these grinding stones became smooth, the Ammi Kallu man would tap this stone as well to make it coarse again.

This type of grinding stone was known as ‘Rubbu Kal’ in Tamil which meant ‘to rotate’.

Using this type of grinding stone was actually a sort of exercise and it ensured a daily work out for the grinder as the hands and upper body of the person doing the grinding was fully exercised!

This old concept of the ‘Rubbu Kal’ is used in the modern day electric grinders.

Every house also had its own pestle and mortar of undressed granite which was used for pounding small quantities of dry spices. The action of pounding the spices and making them into a smooth powder was quite therapeutic and exciting at the same time.

Man has come a long way from the Stone Age. But its so amazing to think that we have come to adapt and innovate the most primitive of man’s tools for survival and use them to make our lives easier today amongst modern inventions and technology.  

Now with all the ready-made masalas and mixes available in the market and the modern and time saving gadgets, cooking has become so much easier and faster. The old grinding stones have now been replaced by Mixers / Blenders and Grinders

ANGLO-INDIAN LAMB / MUTTON BIRYANI

ANGLO-INDIAN LAMB / MUTTON BIRYANI

Serves 6    Preparation time 1 hour

Ingredients

1 kg Basmati Rice or any other long grained Rice …wash and soak for about 1 hour

1 kg Mutton / Lamb or Beef cut into fairly big pieces

3 bay leaves

2 teaspoons all spice powder or garam masala

3 large tomatoes chopped

3 small sticks of cinnamon, 3 cloves, 3 cardamoms

2 cups oil or ghee

Salt to taste

6 green chilies slit lengthwise

3 tablespoons ginger garlic paste

2 teaspoons chillie powder

3 large onions sliced finely           

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

½ cup fresh mint leaves

3 tablespoons curds / yogurt

Wash the meat and marinate with the spice powder, green chillies, curds, half the quantity of ginger garlic paste and turmeric powder for half an hour.

Heat the oil or ghee in a large vessel and add the bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, remaining ginger garlic paste and onions and sauté for some time. Add the chopped tomatoes, mint leaves and chillie powder and simmer till the oil separates from the mixture and the tomatoes are reduced to pulp. Add the marinated meat and salt and cook for 10 minutes. Remove the pieces and keep aside. Now add sufficient water to the gravy in the vessel so as to get about 7 glasses of liquid. Add the rice and cook till half done. Now add the cooked meat and mix well. Cover and cook on low heat for a few more minutes till all the liquid evaporates and the Biryani is done.
Serve with Curd Chutney or Pilaf (palau) Chutney

PALAU CHUTNEY OR CURD CHUTNEY

Ingredients

2 tablespoons roughly ground coconut paste

2 green chilies

2   medium size onions chopped finely

1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon lime juice

½ teaspoon sugar

½ cup curds or yogurt

Mix all the ingredients together and serve as an accompaniment for Biryani or Palau.

LAMB / MUTTON POT ROAST

LAMB / MUTTON POT ROAST

Serves 6   Preparation time 1 hour

Ingredients

A 2 kg chunk of lamb or mutton or 1 whole leg of lamb / mutton

3 large potatoes boiled and peeled

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 teaspoons pepper

2 tablespoons butter

2 inch pieces of cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

Salt to taste

Method:

Wash the lamb / mutton leg and make deep cuts on it. Rub it well all over with the salt, pepper, turmeric and vinegar.  Place it in a big oven proof dish or pressure cooker along with the butter and cinnamon and braise it by frying on high heat for some time till the meat turns a light brown. Add sufficient water and cook on medium heat till the meat is tender. Continue roasting turning from side to side, till the meat is nice and brown. Add the potatoes and roast well.  Serve hot or cold with bread and steamed vegetables.

The lamb / mutton / leg of lamb could also be roasted in an oven using the same recipe.

(NOTE: The turmeric helps in giving it a lovely shade of brown. Add 2 broken red chillies while roasting if more pungency is required )