SAAYE MASHALE WARI MACHI / GREEN MASALA FISH CURRY

This is one of the fish preparation from the Sindhi Cuisine.. It has a delicious and flavourful gravy made with mint and coriander masala. This is usually served with Khichni ( Sindhi Khichdi ) which is rice and split green moong dal cooked together. Dry version goes well with rotis as well.

Ingredients :
Fish .... 1/2 kilo (surmai or any fish available )
Oil ...... 4 tbsps
Salt .... to taste
Turmeric powder .. 1/4 tsp
Coriander powder ... 1 tsp
Cumin powder .... 1/2 tsp
Garam masala powder .. 1/2 tsp

For Green Masala :

Coriander Leaves.....1 cup
Mint leaves ........... 1/2 cup
Green Chillies........2-3
Onions................1 chopped
Tomatoes...........1 chopped
Garlic.................7 to 8 cloves
Ginger ...............1 inch piece

(Grind the above ingredients to make the green masala.)

Method:
1. Wash the fish slices and marinate them with salt. Set aside for 1 hour.
2. In a flat bottomed pan heat the oil and saute the ground green masala until the oil separates.
3. Now add the salt and the spice powders (add salt carefully as the fish is already marinated with it )
4. Rinse the fish slices and add them to the masala. Stir carefully sauteing the fish slices on both sides.
5. Add 2 cups of water (or as much gravy you prefer ) Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-7 minutes depending on the thickness of the slices. Fish cooks very fast. 

KESAR PISTA KULFI

This is a very simple recipe of kulfi made with milk powder. I prefer using milk powder to make desserts because the process is easier and takes lesser time. We get a nice creamy texture like rabri which sets very well.

Ingredients :
Milk powder ... 2 cups
Water ......... 6 cups
Sugar ....... 1/2 cup
Cardamom powder .. 1/4 tsp
Saffron ... 8-10 strands
Pistachios ....  1 tbsp crushed ( quantity depends on how much you like.)
Ice cream sticks  ( wash them with water before using )

Method:
1. Mix the milk powder in the water and bring it to a boil. Half way through add the saffron.
2. Simmer it and keep stirring until it becomes half the quantity and thick.
3. Add the sugar and cardamom powder when it is three-fouth done.
4. Add the crushed pistachios and continue simmering and stirring until thick (rabri like consistency)
5. Pour in the kulfi moulds and keep for setting in the freezer.
6. After 10 - 15 minutes when the kulfis are half set insert the sticks into the kulfis and let them set.
You can sprinkle a little pistachio powder on the kulfis before serving if you like.

MAGZA JA PAKORA ( GOAT BRAIN FRITTERS )

Ingredients:
Goat brains ..     2 (or as needed)
Gram flour / besaan ....  1 cup
Baking soda .... a pinch
Salt ... as needed
Turmeric powder ... 1/4 tsp
Whole cardamoms .. 2
Cinnamon stick .. 1 small piece
Cloves .... 2-3
Saunf / aniseeds ... 1/4 tsp
Garam masala powder .... 1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder ... as needed
Cumin powder ... 1/4 tsp
Oil ... to fry

Method:
1. Clean the brains carefully by immersing them in the water and remove the top skin and veins.
2. In a pan take 2-3 cups water and boil the brains adding salt, turmeric powder, cardamoms, cinnamon, cloves and aniseeds.
3.Turn the side once and boil until done ( 4-5 minutes) Remove and set aside to cool.
4. Cut them into big pieces.( chunks). Sprinkle cumin powder, red chilli powder and garam masala on them.
5. Make batter with the besan adding salt, baking powder and water as needed.
6. Heat oil in a frying pan. Dip the pieces carefully in the batter and half-fry them.
7. Just before serving, press the pakoras lightly and re-fry them until crisp.
Serve with any chutney / sauce

GAJRUN JO SEERO / GAJAR KA HALWA

Gajar ka Halwa, also known as Gajrela is a traditional Indian dessert made from carrots. It is one of the most preferred Indian dessert. This sweet is mostly made during winters when the red, juicy and tender carrots are available. Though we have many recipes using the short cut method and adding consensed milk I prefer to make it the traditional way by simmering it and stirring from time to time though it is time consuming. Adding mawa / khoya is optional. Some prefer it plain.You can make it according to your personal preference.

Ingredients:
Carrots ....... 1/2 Kg
Milk ............. 2 cups
Sugar ........... 1cup
Ghee ............2 tbsp.
Cardamom Powder ... 1/2 tsp.
Almonds & Pistachios (for garnishing)

For Mawa:
Milk powder - 3 cups
Sugar - 1 cup
Ghee - 1 tbsp
Cardamom Powder - 1/4 th tsp
Lime Juice or Vinegar

Method: (to make mawa)
1. Mix 2 cups milk powder with 1 and 1/2 cups water and make paneer (cottage cheese) using vinegar or lime juice.
2. Drain and allow it to cool.
3. In a bowl, mix lightly :
1 cup milk powder, the prepared paneer, 1 cup sugar, ghee and cardamom powder.
4. Spread it in a flat dish and microwave it for 3-4 minutes.
(Mawa is ready)

Proceed to make the halwa:
5. Now take a thick bottommed vessel and put the milk and grated carrots.
 6. Cook until the milk is dry, stirring occasionally.
7. Add sugar, ghee and cardamom powder and stir it until the liquid is evaporated and the halwa starts leaving sides.
8. Now add the prepared mawa and mix well.
9.Garnish it with chopped almonds and pistacho nuts.

You may also use silver warq to garnish.

RADHALA MACHI / DAAG WARI MACHI ( Fish cooked in onion gravy )

In Sindhi Cuisine we have many kinds of fish preparations. This is one of the most popular one which goes well with Sindhi pulao. It tastes good with phulkas and dhodho also.

Ingredients for Onion Masala: ( Daag  )



Onions ........... 4 -5 medium sized (sliced)
Tomatoes ...... 1 (chopped)
Green chillies ... 1-2(chopped)
Ginger paste .... 1 tsp
Garlic paste ...... 1 tsp
Oil
1. Heat oil in a pan. Add the sliced onions and saute them until brown.
2. Add the chopped tomato, chillies, ginger and garlic pastes.
3. Pour 1/2 cup water and simmer it till the onion is cooked.
4. Let it cool and grind it with a hand grinder or in a mixer.
(This will be used for pulao and fish)

For Fish Curry

Fish .... Surmai (or any other variety) 200 gms
Onion Masala .. 1/2 to 1 cup ( depending on the quantity of gravy you need)
Cumin powder .. 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder .. 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder ... 1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder .. 1/4 tsp (add more if you like it spicy)
Garam masala ........ 1/2 tsp
Salt
Oil
Coriander leaves .. to garnish
1. Clean the fish and sprinkle salt to marinate for 1 hour.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add the onion paste and all the dry spice powders.
3. Add the salt carefully as the fish is already marinated with salt.
4. Tip in the fish slices and saute carefully, turning the fish once. Add enough water and simmer to cook.
Garnish with coriander leaves.

MITHO CHILLO (Sweet Pancake)

This is a traditional Sindhi breakfast dish. Cardamom flavored sweet pancakes made with wheat flour, sugar or jaggery.

Ingredients:
Whole wheat flour ... 1 cup
Sugar ................ 2 tbsps.
Cardamom powder .. 1/8 tsp
Baking powder .. a pinch (or) 1 tsp oil or ghee
Milk or water ... to mix
Oil or ghee ... to smear
Method:


1. Mix sugar, wheat flour, cardamom powder and baking powder or 1 tsp oil into a smooth, thick batter using milk or water.

2. In a non-stick frying pan/griddle, pour a ladle full of batter and spread it into a pancake.

3. Smear a little ghee or oil and roast it to a light brown colour turning sides.
4. This is served with pickle and papad.
PS: You can make it with jaggery also. The difference in that is you make the jaggery syrup and mix the flour later. Crushed saunf/aniseeds are added to this.

MALPURA

Ingredients:

Whole wheat flour... 1 cup

Sugar .................... 1/4 cup ( you can adjust according to your preference)

Baking powder ..... 1/4 tsp

Cardamom powder .. 1/8 tsp

Fennel seeds ............. 1 tsp

Black pepper corns (whole) ... 8-10 (optional)

Oil ... to fry

Method:

1. Mix the flour with all the ingredients except oil. You can use water or milk (or both) for mixing.

2. Heat oil in a frying pan and pour a little batter (in circular motion) with serving spoon. Fry the malpuras to a golden colour.

These are usually served as an accompaniment with Sindhi Kadhi Chawal.

SINDHI KADHI RECIPE ---- HERE

TEHRI (Sweet Saffron Rice)

This is a Traditional Sindhi dish prepared on auspicious occasions and festive days. It is usually served with sai bhaji

Ingredients:

Basmati rice .... 1 cup

Sugar ............... 3/4 cup

Cardamoms .... 3-4

Salt ............... a pinch

Saffron ........ 1/8 tsp ( a generous pinch )

Pistachios .... few (unsalted)

Almonds ...... 2-3

Raisins ....... few

Ghee / oil

Method:
1. Wash and soak the rice for 1 hour.

2. In a pan heat ghee / oil  and add the cardamoms.

3. Add the rice and saute. Now pour one and half cups water.

4. When it starts boiling add a pinch of salt, saffron and let it cook until three-fourths done.

5. Now add the sugar. Stir it and let it cook on low flame.

6. Place the pot on a griddle and cover the lid well. Stir it carefully a couple of times until the water from the sugar is absorbed and the tehri is done.
If you like soft tehri then sprinkle a little more water and place it for dum.

7. Heat a little ghee and pour over the tehri. Garnish with sliced pistachios and almonds.

Recipe Video

AMBA JI KHEERNI / MANGO KHEERNI / SABUDANA KHEER WITH MANGO

Kheerni is a traditional Sindhi kheer made on all the auspecious and festive days in most of the Sindhi homes. Today I given it a little twist by adding thick mango pulp for a change. 

Ingredients:
Milk ....... 1 litre
Sabudana/sago ... 1/2 cup (soak with enough water to cover for 2-3 hours)

Green cardamom... 4-5
Sugar ............... 3/4 or 1 cup (depending on how sweet you want it )
Kesar/saffron ..... 7-8 threads
Salt ........... half a pinch
Ghee ....... 1/4 tsp.
Pistachios & almonds (unsalted)... a few (chopped)
Mango pulp .. 1 cup

Method:
1.In a pan boil the milk.(If using full cream milk, add a cup of water)
2. Add in the soaked sabudana, cardamoms (slightly crushed) saffron, half a pinch of salt and 1/4 tsp. ghee.
3. Let it simmer and keep stirring from time to time until the sabudana are cooked and the milk is reduced to half.( It takes approx. 30 minutes)
4. Meanwhile take the mango pulp in a thick bottomed saucepan and cook it by continuously stirring with a spatula until it is reduced to half and is quite thick in consistency.
5. Now mix the sugar well and simmer again for a minute.
6. Switch off the gas and let it cool. Now stir in the mango pulp and mix well.
7.  Garnish with chopped nuts and serve hot or chilled.

THOOMA MEI MACHI / SINDHI STYLE GARLIC FISH CURRY

This is a very simple fish preparation of Sindhi Cuisine . Garlic is the key ingredient in this recipe which gives the distinct flavour to the curry.  This fish tastes very good with fresh green garlic that we get during winter season. No onion or tomato is added to this curry  I have used Pintado fish ( Brazilian ). You can use any variety of fish available, preferably one with a center bone.

Ingredients:
Fish ....  500 gms
Garlic ... 2 tbsps
Turmeric .. 1/4 tsp
Green chillies .. 1-2
Garam masala .. 1 tsp
Coriander powder .. 1 tsp
Coriander leaves .. handful
Salt ... to taste
Wheat flour ... 1 tbsp  ( to thicken the gravy )
Oil ... 3 tbsps

Method :
1. Clean the fish slices. Marinate with a little salt and set aside.
2. In a pan heat oil and add the garlic. Saute until light brown.
3. Add the green chillies and the fish pieces. Let it fry on one side until it changes the colour. Turn the side of the fish pieces now.
4. Add the salt, turmeric powder, coriander powder.
5. Add one cup water and simmer.
6. Now mix the wheat flour in quarter cup of water removing the lumps. Stir it into the gravy carefully.
7. Sprinkle the garam masala and coriander leaves. Simmer for a minute until the gravy thickens.
I have garnished with finely chopped spring onion leaves to give the green garlic effect.

Serve it with Plain rice or phulkas.

THANDAI / THAADAL

Thandai ( Thaadal in Sindhi ) is a very refreshing drink made with almonds, poppy seeds, cardamoms and many other ingredients which are soaked overnight and ground adding water and milk the next day. It is then strained and taken chilled.. Traditionally in olden days we had special thick earthen containers with rough surface ( like sand paper ) and a heavy wooden pestle to grind this ( just like a pestle and mortar) In Sindhi we call it " Dando - Kundo."  (see the image at the end of the post)
I have memories from my childhood helping my mom and grandma in doing this and it required a lot of time and patience. In my moms place we never added milk but added more almonds to get the richness. This drink is specially made in summers and on the festivals of Maha Shivratri &  Holi.

Ingredients:
Almonds .. 12 - 15
Pistachios .. 10 (optional ) Not in the recipe but I add them.
Green cardamoms .. 6-7
Musk Melon seeds .. 1 tbsp (peeled)
Poppy seeds (khus khus) ... 1 tbsp
Cumin seeds .. 1 tsp
Fennel seeds (saunf) . 1 tsp
Black pepper corns .. 1 tsp
Saffron .... few strands
Rose petals .. handful (use desi pink rose with fragrance. If you don't have you may use a tsp of rose syrup or a drop of rose essence)
Sugar .... 1/4 cup (or as you like it)
Milk ... 1 cup (can add more if you like)
Water .. as needed for grinding, straining and diluting)

The colour of the soaked ingredients is due to the saffron. If you want to keep it white then don't add it while soaking.Just add to the drink after it is ready just for flavour and garnishing.

Method:
1. Soak all the dry ingredients together in a bowl (except milk and sugar) with enough water to cover them.
2. Grind them in a mixer adding water. Strain in a jar using a muslin cloth or a strainer.
3. After straining you may grind the residue second time adding more water to extract everything properly.
4. Now add the sugar and the required quantity of milk ( and water if needed) and mix well with a spoon. Alternately you may also add the sugar while grinding.
5. The consistency of the drink depends on your liking and preference.
Refrigerate and serve it chilled or add some ice cubes.
This quantity should make about 8-10 glasses.

Note: You can grind the ingredients with water and store in a refrigerator for 2-3 days. Add milk and more water before serving as shown in the above picture.

You can see the Sindhi Dando Kundo that was  used for grinding Thaadal in this picture above.
Dando Kundo Image Source - Google.

AESEE SAI BHAJI / NIJJI PALAK

This is another palak preparation in Sindhi Cuisine. Some call it Nijji Palak. Unlike sai bhaji in this we do noy add any dal or vegetables. It is made plain with little onion and garlic tadka.

Ingredients:
Spinach / palak ... 1 bunch
Onion ... 1 small (chopped finely)
Green chillies .. 2-3
Ginger ... 1 tsp (grated)
Garlic... 1 tbsp ( chopped or crushed coarsely for tadka / tempering )
Turmeric powder ... 1/4 tsp
Coriander powder ... 1/2 tsp
Salt ........ to taste
Cumin seeds ... 1 tsp
Oil or desi ghee .. 2-3 tbsps

Method:
1. Clean the palak leaves well and cut them
2. In a pan heat oil or ghee and tip in the cumin seeds.
3. When they crackle, add the ginger and green chillies.
4. Now add the onion and saute for a minute.
5. Add the spinach and coriander, turmeric powders. Add salt carefully as this sabzi reduces a lot in quantity.
6. Simmer it to cook. No need to add any water as the spinach leaves water and it will be enough to cook.
7. Once the sabzi is cooked and the water is dried up heat a little ghee in a small pan and saute the crushed garlic and make it golden brown.
8. Mix it to the prepared sabzi and mash a little with the spoon to mix well.
This is usually made in Satai / Satam with mitho lolo. It also goes well with jowar or bajre ki roti.

BREAD JA PAKORA (Bread Pakoras)

Ingredients:
Gram flour ........ 1 cup
Baking soda ....... a pinch
Salt to taste
Oil to fry
Bread slices ........ cut into cubes
Tomato ketchup
Mint chutney (see chutneys )

Method:
1. Make a smooth batter with gram flour, salt and baking soda, adding water.

2. Cut the bread slices into cubes.

3. Spread the chutney on one piece, place the second one on top of it and spread tomato ketchup.Place the third piece on top.

4. Now dip the entire thing in the batter and deep fry.
5. Cut into two pieces lengthwise.
Serve hot .

JUAR JO DHODHO ( Sindhi Style Jowar Ki Roti )

This is a tradional jowar roti preparation in Sindhi Cuisine. It is made in two ways - one is with onion, coriander and green chillies which is usually eaten for breakfast with chutney, pickle and curd. As a kid I used to relish this with jam.. The other is the plain one usually served with sabzis, dals or meat dishes. This roti is usually made by flattening the dough with hands and spreading it evenly. But if you find it difficult you can roll it between plastic sheets.

Ingredients:
Jowar ka atta ... 2 cups
Wheat flour .... 2-3 tbsps
Onions ....... 1/2 cup (chopped finely)
Green chillies ... 1-2  ( chopped finely )
Coriander leaves ... handful
Salt .............. to taste
Warm water ..... for kneading
Oil / desi ghee

Method:
1. Mix all the ingredients together.
2. Add 1 tbsp of desi ghee or oil.
3. Knead with warm water and set aside.
4. Sprinkle a little flour on the rolling pin and take a big chunk of the dough.
5. Spread it by patting or roll it carefully.
6. Roast it on a griddle / tawa spooning a little ghee or oil until done.
Serve hot with curd , chutney or pickle.