Green apple khatta meetha achar

 

Green apple has a distinctive sweet sour tangy taste. It’s great in salads and baked dishes. I like to use it as a good replacement for raw mangoes. I have made many dishes with them including pickles, parathas, chutney and most popular being muthias. This time I wanted to try using them in mango khatta meetha achaar which my mom makes. Since we were running out of it, I thought I can try making with green apples. These apples are quick in cooking and can get mushy fast. So I had to work cleverly with them. The result was amazing. We relished the pickle with palak paratha and mathris! Family was thrilled. We found a good substitute. 

INGREDIENTS

2 green apples cut into pieces 

2 tbsp raisins 

1/2 tsp crushed pepper and cloves 

1/2 cup sugar or jaggery 

1 tsp chili powder 

1/4 tsp haldi/ turmeric 

1 bay leaf 

1/5 tsp cinnamon powder 

1 tsp crushed fennel seeds

1/2 tsp cumin seeds 

Salt 

2 tbsp oil 

Pinch of hung 

1 tsp vinegar

METHOD

1. Sun dry the apple pieces for few hours. On touch the pieces should not feel moist. 

2. Heat oil, add hing, cumin, bay leaf, clove mix and sauté for few seconds, 

3. Add all the spices and sauté for 5 seconds. 

4. Pour about 1/4 cup water and the sugar. Mix well and cook on high heat. Let it start to thicken and become a little sticky. 

5. Add the apple pieces and raisins. Mix well and see that the fluid inside coats the apples. It should not be watery. If it’s watery, cook on high heat to caramelize.  

6. Add vinegar and mix well. Put into sterilized bottles and store. Serve it with parathas, theplas and mathris. 

PS: add methi seeds if you like a little taste of it. 

Banana peel-dhaniya pickle

We often throw away the peels and stems not realizing that they are as nutritious as the fruit or leaves. Banana peel is rich in magnesium potassium vitamin B 12 B 16 and of course fiber. The coriander stems have as much nutrition, flavor and goodness as the leaves. In times like today I decided to use these for those who are struggling to get fresh vegetables and fruits. Pickling them gave them a longer shelf life and of course they added an extra excitement on the plate.
INGREDIENTS
4 peels of banana
1 bowl of chopped coriander stems
2 tbsp ginger-garlic-gr chillies crushed
Walnut size tamarind slightly soaked
2-3 chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp chopped curry leaves
50 ml oil -1/2 cup
1 tbsp jaggery
1/5 tsp hing
1 tbsp chana dal
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp methi seeds
1 1/2 tbsp roasted mustard seeds powder
1/2 tsp roasted methi seeds powder
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp haldi
Salt to taste
METHOD
1. Soak banana peels in vinegar and baking soda to remove any dirt and pesticides. If you get organic then just wash well. After 15 mins, pat dry and chop into thin slices.
2. Chop green coriander stems well.
3. Heat oil and add mustard and methi seeds.
4. When they splutter, add dal and roast.
5. Add curry leaves and ginger garlic chilli crushed.
6. Sauté till slightly cooked.
7. Add salt and haldi.
8. Add the peels, stems and chopped tomatoes.
9. Cover and cook till the tomatoes are mashed up and peels are cooked well. Oil would start to leave sides.
10. Add tamarind and sauté well.
11. Add all the spices and cook again.
12. Add jaggery and cook till oil comes out. Add more if needed.
13. Serve with dosas, paratha or mix with hot rice.