Thursday, January 26, 2012

A Little Hello





Friends, I have been neglecting two of my blogs for long because of my busy schedules. Cooking is one of my passions and when ever I get time I experiment in the kitchen. But during the past few months, with busy schedules, lots of travelling, I was under lot of stress and near to a break down. I could hardly rustle out a proper meal. Even now I feel burn out and need lots of rest. But I am recovering.

That means I will be more active in the kitchen, experimenting new ones, lots of pickling and other things. I have also promised myself this New Year that I would be concentrating on my blogs especially these two which I have been neglecting. It is a promise from me to you too....

But do drop in your comments, requests and suggestions...for there is nothing like your comments which motivate me to share with you more....

So watch out for yummy, recipes, easy recipes, healthy recipes and lots more.....



Pickles from Andhra (ఆంధ్ర ఊరగాయలు)-9

Pickles and Chutneys With Gooseberries-II

This is the season for Gooseberries. These berries are rich in Vitamin C and is extensively used in Indian Natural Medicine System of Ayurveda. Just by eating a fruit daily will improve our eye sight, protect it, blackens hair and keeps our body, eye sight and hair healthy. They can be preserved in the form of pickles or jams or preserves and also eaten fresh in the form of chutney.

My previous recipe on Pickles is here:
http://spiceomylife.blogspot.com/2011/01/pickles-from-andhra-vii.html


1. Gooseberry Pickle (ఉసిరి  నిలువ  పచ్చడి ):

This is one of the most famous pickle of Andhra cuisine. It is good for health and hence eaten first with cooked/steamed rice.

Ingredients:
Gooseberries    1Kg
Turmeric      2-3 Tbsp
Salt  (Granulated sea salt)    75 to 100 gms

Method:
  • Wash the berries in plenty of water. Wipe them well with a cloth and spread them on a cotton cloth. Leave them for 2-3 hours (no need to keep in sun) till they are completely free from moisture.
  • Slice or chop (can be thick pieces) the berries with a knife and discard the seeds. We use the traditional stone grinder and wooden pestle instead of knife.
  • Mix in the turmeric and put them in a ceramic or glass jar. Close the lid tightly and leave for 3 days. These pieces will soften.
  • Don't use table or iodised salt. Dry natural granulated sea salt in the sun and powder it. If you can get the powder itself use it. 
  • On 4th day remove the berry pieces from the jar, mix in salt and grind to a rough paste. Again store in a glass or ceramic jar. The lid should be fitted tightly and cover it with a piece of cloth to avoid atmospheric moisture.
When you want to use it follow the following procedure.

Ingredients:
Goose berry Paste 1 cup (around 100-150 gms)
Mustard seeds:  1/2 Tbsp
Black Lentils(split and husked) 1Tbsp
Red Chillies (dry)  5-6 (broken to pieces)
Asafoetida 1/4th tsp or 2-3 pinches
Oil             1 Tbsp
Salt to taste

The spice Box
Asfoetida
Method:
  • Heat oil in a small pan to a smoking point.
  • Lower the heat to the minimum
  • Add Black lentils and mustard seeds after a minute add red chillies and asafoetida. When the mustard start spluttering remove and cool.
  • Grind this to a paste
  • Add the gooseberry paste and salt and grind a few seconds to mix it well.
  • it is served with hot steamed rice, slit green chillies and onion slices.
Note: 
  1. This keeps for a week or two. 
  2. Usually both dried red chillies and green chillies  are used for spicy taste. Some fry the green chillies along with mustard seeds, red chillies etc before grinding. This is not only tasty but also reduces the spiciness of the chillies. Coriander greens are also added before grinding all the ingredients. But this pickle will keep only for 2-3 days because of the green chillies and coriander greens. I prefer this method and make it in small quantities at a time.
  3. A little bit of jaggery can be added to blend all the tastes.
  4. Grinding the ingredients in traditional stone mortar  and wooden pestle gives the pickle a taste which is different from that in the food processor. 
Watch out for more.......