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 

THOOMA WARI MUNGAN JI DAL / MOONG DAL WITH GARLIC TADKA / SINDHI STYLE MOONG DAL

Moong dal with garlic flavour tastes so delicious.,Specially in winters we get fresh green garlic and we add the leaves too. They make it more tastier.

Ingredients:
Moong dal / yellow dal .... 1 cup
Green chillies .... 1-2
Coriander leaves .. handful
Garlic ..... 3-4 pieces crushed & 3-4 pieces chopped finely.
(If using fresh green garlic use along with the leaves and reduce the quantity of coriander leaves)
Turmeric powder .. 1/4 tsp
Salt .... to taste
Oil ... 2-3 tbsps

Method:
1. Wash and soak dal for one hour.
2. In a pan boil it adding salt and turmeric powder.
3. When it is half done add the finely chopped green chillies, coriander and a little crushed garlic.If you have fresh garlic add the chopped leaves at this stage.
4. Mash it well when it is done. Add water as per your preference. I like a thicker consistency.
5. Heat oil in a small pan and fry the finely chopped garlic to a light brown colour. Add the tempering to dal.
Serve with Sindhi Khichni and fried papads and kachris.

CHOLA DHABALA / CHANA BREAD CHAAT / SINDHI STREET FOOD

Chola Dhabala is a very popular Sindhi street food. Tangy chickpea curry is served on bread slices topped with onion kachumbar, mint coriander chutney and thin sev. This can be relished during any time of the day. It is quite filling and I prefer it for brunch or dinner. These days various ready masalas like chana masala and chaat masalas are available easily but our mothers and grand mothers used only home ground basic spices. The curry is made with lot of gravy which is nice and tangy. The bread slices are well soaked in the gravy and the chickpeas are spooned over the soaked slices followed by other garnishings.

Ingredients:
Chana / chickpeas .... 1 cup (soaked overnight)
Onion ................... 1 cup (sliced)
Tomato ............. 1 medium
Green chillies ... 1-2
Ginger ............ 1 tsp (grated)
Garlic ............ 1 tsp (crushed)
Tamarind juice ... 2-3 tbsps
Coriander powder .. 1 tsp
Cumin powder ...... 1 tsp
Garam masala ......... 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder .... 1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder ... 1/4 tsp
Salt ................... to taste
Sliced bread or Pav bread .. as needed
Sev ............ for garnishing.
Mint coriander chutney ........... as needed for topping
Onion kachumbar ........... for garnishing. (soak the sliced onion in water and salt.. squeeze out and add lime juice or vinegar)
oil... 2-3 tbsps

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan and fry the sliced onions until golden brown.
2. Add the tomato, green chillies, ginger and garlic. Saute until the tomato gets cooked.
3. Add some water and simmer. Allow it to cool and blend it using hand blender.
4. Boil the chana in a pressure cooker adding a little salt.
5. Add the boiled chana to the onion gravy. Add the mentioned spice powders, salt and tamarind.
6. Add about 3 cups water and chopped coriander leaves. Simmer for a minute or two until done.

To Serve:
Place a sliced bread or pav bread in a plate. Pour the chana and gravy over it.
Spoon some mint chutney and onion kachumbar.
Sprinkle sev, bhuna jeera powder on top. If you like it spicy you can also sprinkle a little red chilli powder. Finally garnish with some chopped coriander leaves.
Some people also like to add boiled potatoes in the curry. 

GARAM MASHALO / SURAHO MASHALO / GARAM MASALA

These days all the masalas are easily available in the stores but home made ones are always best. I prefer making them fresh in small quantities.

Ingredients:
Green Cardamoms.... 20 gms.
pepper corns ............. 20 gms.
Cloves ........................ 10 gms.
Black Cardamoms....10 gms.
Caraway seeds ........... 5 gms.
Cumin seeds ............... 5 gms.
Cinnamon .................... 20 gms.
Aniseeds ...................... 5 gms.
Bay leaves ................... 4-5
Star Anise .... few
Nutmeg .. 1/2 tsp
Dried rose petals .... handful  (you can skip if you don't find them )

Dry roast without oil and dry grind.
Store in an air tight container.

SAAYI CHUTNEY / PHOODNEY EIN KOTMIR JI CHUTNEY / MINT AND CORIANDER CHUTNEY

This is the most popular chutney liked by everyone.. goes well with any snack..
Ingredients:
Mint leaves ........... 2 cups
Coriander leaves ... 1 cup
Green chillies .......... 3-4
Onion ....................... 1 chopped
Roasted chana/dalia ... 1 tbsp (optional)
Garlic ............... 8-10 cloves
Ginger ............ small piece
Vinegar or lime juice .. 1 tbsp.
Salt to taste
Sugar .................... 1 tsp.(optional)

Method:
Grind all the above ingredients, adding a little water if required.