Gujarati achaar masala

Gujarati achaar masala

Today a Gujarati friend invited a few of us for lunch and she got this absolutely yummy masala out that had killer looks. Tried a pinch and it was absolutely fiery! Loved it so much that we were discussing how to source it. A friend sent the picture of it's ingredients and I was soon surfing the net to get more information. With what was available I made this one! Absolutely gorgeous ! Can be used not just for pickles but in raitas, salads,tandoori , dal, stuffed karelas n brinjals, sprinkle over sabzi for extra zing or mix with curd as a chutney. Looks like everyone has used this and knows about it except me ! Sharing this recipe.

5-6 red chillies 

1 tbsp degi chilli powder

9-10 pepper corns

1/4 tsp hing

1 heaped tsp methi

2 heaped tsp yellow mustard

1/2 tsp chilli powder

2 tsp salt 

2 tbsp salt

In a mixie grind all the ingredients to coarse powder.

Heat oil and cool.

Mix all the spices to oil and keep. Add more chilli powder if you like it spicy. 

It shall get that fiery red color with time. 

Sprinkle as you like.

Just sweat the sinuses out!

Special diet apple squares

Special diet apple squares

A very dear friend who has lots of health issues is on a special diet. Off dairy and many other things, I tried out these squares and she absolutely loved them. She was allowed very little butter , so added little oil and butter. She loved it.

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour 

1/4 cup suji

1 tbsp butter

2 tbsp oil

1/2 tsp baking powder

Pinch salt

Brown sugar as per taste

Apple juice to knead 

Topping

1-2 Grated apples

1-2 tbsp suji

Brown sugar to taste

Cinnamon powder

Raisins optional 

Method 

Mix flour , suji , oil and butter.

Mix other ingredients and make a firm dough. Refrigerate.

Mix the ingredients for topping.

Roll the dough to 1/2 thickness. 

Spread on parchment paper.

Brush with apple juice.

Top it with the mixture and press well so it sticks on dough.

Bake in a preheated oven at 180 deg C till golden. 

Enjoy this just this way or with ice cream. She told me it was a great change for her! 

Green tomato gojju

I love green tomatoes and came across this recipe posted by Shimpa on my favorite food group ghar ka khana. Sharing the lovely dish. Sour, spicy and tart. Enjoy it!

1 kg chopped green tomatoes

6-8 chunked garlic

3-4 red chillies

Curry leaves

2-3 tbsp oil

2 tsp chilli powder

1/2 tsp haldi

1/3 tsp hing

1 tsp Mustard seeds

2 tsp vinegar

2 tsp roasted methi powder

Heat oil, add mustard seeds , curry leaves, red chillies and bit of hing.

Add tomatoes , chilli powder and haldi. 

Add salt and stir for 3-4 mins.

Add vinegar and stir another 2 mins.

Add methi powder and hing and stir.

Cool and store. 

Yummy with rice!

Curry leaves podi

Curry leaves podi

South Indian food is really relished by my family. Here is one such podi..... Yummy and flavorful!

2 cups curry leaves

2 tsp oil

6-7 garlic cloves

1/4 tsp hing

1 tbsp Chana dal

1 tbsp urad dal

1 tbsp coriander seeds

1/2 tsp methi seeds

3-4 red chillies

6-8 pepper corns

2 tbsp desiccated coconut

Walnut size tamarind

Salt 

Heat 1 tsp oil and add curry leaves and crisp them up.

Heat the rest of the oil and add garlic and cook a bit.

Add the rest of the ingredients and cook till golden.

Mix all the things, cool and grind well to a nice powder.

Yummy to be eaten with rice or idlis! Enjoy !