SAAYE MASHALE MEI VANGAN / BRINJAL CURRY IN GREEN MASALA / HARE BHARE BAIGAN

Here is a brinjal recipe made with aromatic green masala. This masala is very much used in the Sindhi Cuisine to make many dishes. You can make it dry or with gravy as you prefer. You can serve it with rotis, rice or pulao.

Ingredients:
Brinjals .. 8-10 ( small variety)
Coriander powder .... 1 tsp.
Turmeric powder ..... 1/4 tsp.
Salt ......... to taste
Oil

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 and slit the brinjals leaving the stem intact. Soak them in salt water.

2. In a pan add a little oil and shallow fry the brinjals on medium flame and simmer until half done. Remove and set aside.

3. In the same pan heat a little oil and add the green masala paste. Add the salt, turmeric powder and coriander powder.

4. Put the fried brinjals. Add half cup water and simmer to cook. If you need more gravy to serve with rice, add 1 cup water.

BESANA JO CHILLO / BESAN KA CHEELA / SAVOURY GRAM FLOUR PANCAKE

Besana jo Chillo is a quick breakfast option and a vegetarian alternative for an omelette. It can be prepared with any flour either plain or with the addition of some vegetables of your liking.


Ingredients:
Gram flour / besan ..... 1 cup
Whole wheat flour ..... 1 tbsp (optional)
Onion ......................... 1 small (finely chopped)
Tomato ....................... 1 small (cut into small pieces)
Green chillies ........... 2-3 (chopped or crushed)
Spinach ..................... 1/2 cup (chopped finely)
Coriander leaves ........ handful
Yogurt ....................... 1-2 tbsps (optional)
Cumin seeds ......... 1 tsp
Carom seeds / ajwain ... 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder .......... 1/4 tsp
Cumin powder ............. 1/2 tsp
Salt ................................ to taste
Oil or ghee .................  as needed

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds. Tip in the onion and sate for a minute until translucent.

2. Now add the spinach, tomato, green chillies and coriander. Simmer for half a minute. Let it cool.

3. In a large bowl take the gram flour, whole wheat flour. Mix the sauteed onion, and the rest of the ingredients mentioned in the list except oil.

4. To make cheelas, pour a spoonful of batter on a griddle, spread it and fry spooning a little oil or ghee on both sides until done.

Serve with chutney/ pickle / raita.








Note: For better results prepare the batter at least one hour ahead so that the flavours blend together.

TAMATE JI MITHI KHATAIRN / SWEET TOMATO PICKLE

Sweet Tomato chutney made in a quick and easy way using a pressure cooker. You can make it fresh in small quantities as and when required as it hardly takes 10 minutes from start to finish. You can serve it with parathas, mathis or puris.

 Ingredients: 
Tomatoes .... 3-4 (cut into big chunks)
 Demerara Sugar .......... 1/2 cup
Apple cider vinegar .... 1/4 cup
 Green cardamoms ... 4
 Cinnamon ............. 1 inch piece
Bay leaves ........... 1
 Black cardamom ... 1
 Kummel seeds or shahi jeera .. 1/2 tsp
Kalonji / onion seeds ... 1/8 tsp
Dry red chillies ............. 2-3
Salt ................. 1/8 tsp
Oil .................. 1 tbsp

 Method: 
1. Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add the whole spices.
 2. Reduce the flame and add all the remaining ingredients.
3. Close the pressure cooker.
4. After one whistle (when the pressure is full) reduce the flame and simmer for 5 minutes.
 5. Allow it to cool. Fill in the sterilized jar.

 Yield - about 1 and 1/2 to 2 cups
 Note: If you want the colour to remain clear and lighter use normal sugar. I like using demerara sugar.

Recipe video

CHAASHA MEIN DHABROTI / MITHI DHABALA / CRISPY BREAD SOAKED IN SUGAR SYRUP

This is a traditional Sindhi breakfast dish. We make it on special occasions when we have guests at home. Usually the bread slices are made whole or cut into triangular or rectangular shapes just by cutting them into two. I have given them a round shape using a cutter. The sides can be used to make masala bread or even bread crumbs after drying them for later use. If you are making for kids you can even cut out fancy shapes using different cutters.

Ingredients: 
Bread Slices ...6 or  as needed
Sugar - 2 cups
Water - 1 cup
Cardamoms - 4
Saffron - a pinch
Rose water .. few drops (optional)
Oil or ghee for frying
Pistachios... few for garnishing

Method:
1. Cut the bread slices in a round shape using a cutter or a bottle lid.
 2. Fry till golden brown and crisp.
3. Make a thick syrup with sugar, water, saffron and cardamoms. Add rose water after it is cooled. 4. A few hours before serving, place the bread coins in a flat dish, pour the sugar syrup over them with a spoon and let them soak for about 1-2 hours or until they are softer.
5. Garnish with sliced pistachios.

GHEEAR / GHEEYAR ( HOLI SPECIAL )

This is a Sindhi sweet traditionally made during the Holi Festival. Sweet shops are loaded with the special sweets during the Festive season. This may not be an authentic recipe of a Halwai, but I am quite happy with the result. Usually the dough is kept overnight for fermenting. But since the weather is cold here I used the instant method by adding a little yeast to it.

Ingredients:
All purpose flour / maida .... 2 cups
Corn starch ......................... 1 tbsp
Yogurt ( sour ) .................. 1 cup
Saffron ......................... a generous pinch
Cardamoms ................ 4-5
Baking powder ........... a small pinch
Salt ................. a pinch ( about 1/8 tsp )
Sugar ............... 2 cups
Yeast .............. 1 tsp ( if making the instant recipe )
Orange food colour
Pistachios & Silver varq for garnishing
Oil ...... for deep frying.

Method:
1. In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking powder, corn starch.
2. Add the sour yogurt and sufficient water to make a smooth batter. Add the colour. Leave it covered overnight for fermenting.
OR

If you want to make it instantly, add yeast. I have just crumbled the fresh yeast directly into the dough. If you are using dry yeast, take a little lukewarm water, add half a tsp of sugar and put the yeast granules. Leave it for 5 minutes in a warm place for proving. When it becomes frothy it is ready to be added. Mix it into the dough. Leave the dough for 15 - 20 minutes, covered in a warm place and it is ready for use.

3. Meanwhile prepare the sugar syrup. Take sugar in a pan and add one cup water.
Bring it to a boil and add the cardamoms and saffron. Remove the impurities and boil until it is thick.

4. Pour the batter into a plastic bottle that we use for sauces. Or alternately you can also use a plastic bag making a tiny hole in it.

5. Heat oil in a flat bottomed frying pan. It should not be too hot. Pour out the batter to make a big round gheeyar, like you make jalebis.
6. Fry on low / medium flame to make it crisp turning it a couple of times very carefully.

7. Dip them into the hot syrup, remove into a plate and garnish with crushed pistachios and silver varq.
 I have not used silver varq as it is said to be harmful for health.

AMBRIYUN JEE KADUKASH JO ACHAAR / SINDHI POTLI PICKLE

It is summer time in Brazil and I am back into making pickles again. The city I live in is full of mango trees and Brazilians do not use raw mangoes. We Indians have a gala time plucking them and making mango dishes and pickles. Last summer I made quite a few pickles and was wondering what to make now.
I remembered a traditional Sindhi pickle that I had eaten during my childhood in my nani's place. "Potli Pickle".. grated mango is pickled in small bundles of muslin cloth. I still can remember the day when nani (mom's mother) opened a bundle and served a spoonful to all of us (me and my cousins) It was so much fun. Those were the days.. I wonder if kids ever eat pickle these days ??? However you must try out this pickle for your family. Open one potli and everyone shares a little at each meal. Interesting one isn't it !

Ingredients:
Raw mangoes ... 6 -8
Mustard oil ...... 1/4 cup
Kalonji / onion seeds .. 1 tbsp
Fennel seeds .............. 1 tbsp
Crushed fenugreek seeds .. 1 tsp
Turmeric powder ..... 2 tsps
Red chilli powder .... 1 tsp
Asafoetida ............. 1/2 tsp
Jaggery or sugar ..... 1-2 tsps
Salt .................... to taste
Garlic pods ...... lightly crushed or whole (one for each potli)
Vinegar ........... 1/2 cup
Boiled and cooled water .. about 2 cups ( or as per the capacity of the jar )
Muslin cloth ........... cut into 5" x 5" squares.
Use a sterilized jar with a plastic lid.

Method:
Wash the mangoes and wipe them with a kitchen cloth.
Peel and grate the mangoes.
Mix all the ingredients mentioned in the list except garlic. Also mix half the quantity of mustard oil.
In a jar take the boiled and cooled water and add the vinegar, remaining oil and some turmeric and salt.
Now take a piece of muslin cloth and spoon a portion of the grated pickle mix that you have prepared.
Place a garlic piece either whole or lightly crushed in the center.
Tie the bundles by bringing the corners together or use a thread. Do not make a tight bundle.
Immerse these bundles into the jar and cover the lid.
Keep them in the sunlight for 2-3 weeks.

PATATE JO SEERO / ALOO KA SHEERA

Potato sheera is made usually on fasting days. It is very easy to make and really very delicious.

Ingredients:
Potatoes ... 2 large
Sugar ...... 1/2 cup (adjust as per your preference)
Green cardamoms ... 3-4
Saffron .. as needed
Ghee .... 2 tbsps
Pistachios / almonds .. few for garnishing.

Method:
1. Boil the potatoes. Peel and cut them into small pieces.
2. Heat ghee in a pan and add the lightly crushed cardamoms.
3. When they give out aroma, add the potatoes and saute for few minutes.
4. Add a pinch of saffron and sugar.
5. Keep stirring until the sugar is absorbed and the sheera starts to leave the sides.
Garnish with saffron strands and chopped nuts.

LAHORI GAJARA GUR MEIN / SWEET POTATO IN JAGGERY SYRUP ( Vrat Ka Khana )

We make this on Ekadasi day. Thick slices of sweet potato cooked in cardamom flavored jaggery syrup or sugar syrup. I remember during my childhood grandma used to read out religious stories and we would listen while eating this sweet.

Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes ..... 2 ( select small ones)
Jaggery ................4 tbsps. (I used organic jaggery powder)
Salt ............ a pinch
Ghee ......... 1 tsp.
Cardamom powder ... 1/4 tsp

Method:

1. Wash and cut the sweet potato into half inch circles. Peel the skin ( it is easier to peel after slicing)

2. Heat the ghee and add the sweet potato. Stir fry for a minute.

3. Add one and half cups of water and bring to a boil.

4. Now add the jaggery, cardamom powder and a pinch of salt.

5. Simmer and cook until done. It takes about 4-5 minutes.

Serve warm or cold.









Note: I have used organic jaggery powder. If you are using the normal jaggery it is better to melt it in water and remove the impurities. Then recuce the quantity of water while cooking accordingly.

DAAG / BROWN ONION GRAVY PASTE

This is the basic gravy for all most of the veg or non veg curries in Sindhi Cuisine, We call it daag. Preparing this ahead saves us the time and effort of chopping and frying specially when we are busy or having some guests. You can freeze it in small plastic containers or zip lock bags.

Ingredients:
 Onions ........... 6-8 (sliced)
Tomatoes ...... 2 (chopped)
Green chillies ... 4-5 (chopped)
Ginger paste .... 1 tbsp
Garlic paste ...... 2 tbsp
Oil ...................... 6 -7 tbsp

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan and pour oil. Add the sliced onions and saute them until brown.

2. Add the chopped tomatoes, chillies, ginger and garlic pastes.

3. Pour 1 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.

5. This is a basic gravy used for most of the curries and non-vegetarian dishes.

SAAO MASHALO / GREEN MASALA / CORIANDER MINT GRAVY PASTE

Making masala pastes ahead of time helps a lot when you have unexpected guests.This is such a flavourful masala paste with the freshness of the mint and coriander leaves combined with garlic, ginger, onion, tomato and green chillies. Tomato is optional.. some don't add it and use other ingredients like amchoor or tamarind for the tanginess. 

Ingredients:
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

Method:
Grind the above ingredients to make the green masala.
You can even store it in the freezer for later use. 
Divide them into portions and store in plastic containers or zip lock bags.
 You can use this masala in many curries. Some of them are here. 
Click on them to see the recipe.

Seyala Bhindyoon ein Patata 

Seyala Maani 

Seyala Bread 

Saaye Mashale Wari Machi 

Saaye Mashale Wari Chicken