KANBHO / KHATTO BHATH

Kanbho or khatto Bhath is the Sindhi version of curd rice. It is a traditional dish prepared usually on Shitala Satam (Satain / Thadri) when we eat the cold food prepared the previous day. This is just seasoned with crushed mustard which helps in fermenting the dish and gives the tangy flavour. I prepare it the way I have seen my grandma doing it, ie add lukewarm milk to the cooked rice with a spoonful of curd and crushed mustard seeds and mix everything together. Some people also add Sundh (Sonth / Dry ginger powder)
 This was done at night before sleeping and by morning you have the khatto bhath ready.
Alternately you can also make it by mixing the curd and the cooked rice together and then season with crushed mustard seeds like we usually prepare the curd rice. But remember that we have to leave this for few hours at least to enhance the mustard flavours.

Ingredients:
Cooked rice .... 1 cup or as needed.
Milk ................ 2 cups (boiled and cooled)
Curd ............. 1 tbsp
Salt .............. to taste
Mustard seeds .... 1 tsp (crushed coarsely)
Sonth / dry ginger powder ... 1/4 tsp (optional)

Method:
1. Take the rice in an earthenware or glass bowl.
2. Add lukewarm milk.
3. Stir in the crushed mustard seeds and mix well.
4. Cover it with a lid and place a cloth napkin over it.
5. Leave it overnight to set.
6. In the morning stir the kanbho and check the consistency. Add a little water and salt if required.
(Remember the rice is already cooked with salt)

PRAGRI / PRAGREE / SINDHI HOLI SWEET / CRISPY FRIED MAWA PUFFS

Pragri is a Sindhi sweet specially made during the Holi festival. It is somewhat like gujiya with mawa filling but the outer covering is multi-layered, flaky and very crispy. It needs a lot of patience to make this sweet as it is time consuming. The frying has to be done on very low flame. For best results use only desi ghee or dalda. The oil does not give the required crispiness to the layers.

All these years I was living away from India and missed these traditional dishes. This Holi I decided to make pragri at home. I have childhood memories of preparing all these traditional sweets with my grandmother. I would sit next to her assisting her with all the preparations which is why I am able to make all these goodies now. She would explain everything to me in detail while making and give me all the tips. I am really happy that the pragris have come out nice and crispy as they should be. I make the satpura sweet very often. The procedure of pragri is somewhat similar.

Ingredients:
For the outer covering:
Maida ............. 2 cups
Desi ghee ....... 2 tbsps
Water ............ for kneading ( I use cardamom flavoured water)

For the Paste:
Maida ........ 1/4 cup
Desi Ghee or Dalda ... 4-5 tbsps

For the syrup:
Sugar ...... 1 and 1/2 cups
Water ...... 1 cup
Green cardamoms .... few
Saffron ........ few strands
Rose water ....  1 tbsp or Rose essence - 2-3 drops

For stuffing :
Sweet mawa ....... 1/4 kilo ( I used the store bought ready mawa )
To make mawa at home see the recipe - HERE
Almonds  .... few chopped

For Garnishing:
Rose petals ... handful (fresh or dried)
Silver varq .... as needed

For Frying:
Dalda or Desi Ghee
(You may use oil if you want to avoid using these)

Method:

To make the sugar syrup put the water and sugar in a pan. Bring to a boil and add the saffron strands, split green cardamoms and allow it to simmer until it is thick. Switch off the gas and add the rose water or essence as mentioned.

Take the maida for the outer layer, add the ghee and knead with the cardamom flavoured water to make a soft dough. Cover and set it aside for resting.

Make the paste by mixing 1/4 cup maida and 4-5 tbsps ghee.. It should be of the spreading consistency (like butter at room temperature)

Now take the dough and make tiny portions rolling 4-5 at a time.

Roll them out like tiny roundels of the same size

Now with your finger tip spread the paste on each one.

Place them one on top of the other until you finish 4 of them. Cover the 5th one on top without the paste as you are again going to roll them together.

Carefully roll out the bunch of 5 roundels together to make them bigger one about the size of a puri.

Spoon the sweet mawa in the middle  and add some chopped almonds. Using your finger apply a little water or milk around the mawa so that it gets sealed when you fold it.

Fold the pragri carefully pressing the portion around the mawa with your finger. Take care not to seal the edges as they should puff up when you fry it.

Now heat the ghee or dalda or oil for frying. Reduce the flame and drop the pragri carefully. Using a pair of kitchen tongs try to open up the edges of the pragri with light hands. Don't overdo it as it might open up completely.

Turn it few times and fry on very low flame until it is very crispy and golden.

Repeat this process to make and fry all the pragris. Now dip them in the sugar syrup nicely and remove on a plate.

Place them in a serving platter and garnish with silver varq and rose petals. You can store them in a clean dry container after they are completely cold.

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.