Aam ka Khatta Meetha Achar (Sweet Sour Mango Pickle)

aam ka khatta meetha achar

Aam ka khatta meetha achar is an instant achar. You don't have to wait for days for it to be ready. Since this is mango season, why not make the most of it. Earlier I blogged about aam panna which is also made from raw mangoes. This sweet sour achar tastes absolutely delicious. The basic recipe of this achar was shared by my mausi (aunt), Mrs. Lata Mittal, in which I filled in the details.
Recipe of aam ka khatta meetha achar
1 kg kairi (raw mango/kaccha aam)
2 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
2 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp garam masala powder
2 tsp saunf (fennel) powder

raw mango pieces marinating in salt

How to make aam ka khatta meetha achar/sweet sour mango pickle
1. Wash kairi thoroughly. Wipe with a clean cloth. Leave to dry completely.
2. With dry hands and dry potato peeler, peel all the raw mangoes.
3. Cut into small pieces and discard the seeds.
4. Mix 2 tsp salt into kairi pieces and set aside for 1 1/2 hrs, covered. You will find they have released water.
5. Put a kadhai on heat and add raw mango pieces along with the water they have released and sugar (Remember not to add any additional water). Turn the heat to medium-low.
6. Let it cook for a while stirring in between. When raw mango and sugar have released sufficient water, turn the heat to medium.
7. Let it cook till chashni (syrup) reaches 2 thread consistency. To test this, drop a few drops of chashni in a cup of water. If it settles down your chashni is ready.
8. Add red chilli, garam masala and saunf powders and mix. Let it cook on a low heat for 3-4 minutes.
9. Turn off the heat and let the achar cool down. Your aam ka khatta meetha achar is ready. Fill it in glass or plastic jar or bottle.
Note: 1. Your jar or bottle in which you fill the achar should be clean and completely dry and free of impurities.
2. There is no need to refrigerate this achar. It stays fresh for long.

kairi (raw mango)

Aloo Matar Mangodi ki Sabzi

aloo matar mangodi ki sabzi

Aloo matar mangodi ki sabzi is a Rajasthani dish and is popular among Marwari community. They cook mangodi or moong dal wadis in many different ways. Here is my take on this sabzi.
Recipe of aloo matar mangodi ki sabzi
1/2 cup mangodi (moong dal wadi)
2 medium (aloo) potatoes- peeled and cubed
1/2 cup matar (green peas)
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 tomato- pureed
1/2 cup curd (yogurt)- beaten
1 1/2 tbsp oil
How to cook aloo matar mangodi ki sabzi
1. Heat 1/2 tbsp oil in a pressure cooker and add mangodi. Fry mangodi till reddish brown.
2. Turn off the heat and add 1 cup water to the pressure cooker. Close the lid of the cooker without turning on the heat.
3. After 15 minutes, open the lid and add cubed aloo and matar. Add 1 cup water, salt and all the spices except garam masala. Close the lid and pressure cook to 3-4 whistles. Turn off the heat.
4. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a tadka pan and add cumin seeds. When they turn darker, add tomato puree and saute till oil begins to separate.
5. When pressure drops down naturally in the cooker, open the lid and add tadka (tempering). Add garam masala and cook for 1 minute.
6. Turn off the heat and add beaten curd. Take out aloo, matar, mangodi ki sabzi in a serving bowl and serve hot with roti or paratha.

Shahi Paneer

shahi paneer

Shahi paneer belongs to Mughlai cuisine which is especially popular in North India. Shahi paneer literally means royal cottage cheese. It is truly a royal dish. Indian cottage cheese in rich cashew nut gravy makes it a delectable dish. It features on menu cards of most North Indian restaurants and hotels.

Recipe of shahi paneer

250 grams paneer (cottage cheese)

1 cup milk

2 tbsp cashew nuts- broken

2 tsp kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) - crushed

1 tsp cumin powder

1/2 tsp coriander powder

1 tbsp tomato sauce

2 tomatoes

A small piece of ginger

3 green chillies

1/2 tsp garam masala powder

Salt to taste

1 tbsp oil

How to make shahi paneer

1. Soak cashew pieces in milk for about 15 minutes. Grind together tomatoes, ginger and green chillies.

2. Cut paneer into 1 1/2 inch wide triangular pieces.

3. Heat oil in a pan or a kadhai. Add tomato puree and tomato sauce. Add all the spices including kasoori methi and salt. Fry till it leaves oil. In the mean time grind cashews with milk.

4. Add the cashew paste and paneer and simmer on low heat for 3-4 minutes. Serve hot shahi paneer with naan or paratha.

How to roast peanuts

roasted peanuts

This is a simple recipe of how to roast your peanuts at home. Roasted, salted peanuts serve as a great snack or anytime munchie. They are much healthier than ready-made namkeens. If you use sendha salt, then you can also have them as a snack during Ekadashi or Navratra fast.
Recipe of salted, roasted peanuts
1 cup raw peanuts (kachhi moongphali) with red skin
1 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
How to roast peanuts
1. Heat oil in a kadhai (wok) and turn the heat to medium-low.
2. Add peanuts and salt and mix them well. Roast them stirring constantly.
3. After some time, there will be crackling sound from the peanuts and they will begin to slightly split.
4. Keep roasting for some time till red skin of peanuts look well roasted with dark red color and slightly black marks. Take care not to burn them.
5. Turn off the heat and take peanuts out of kadhai. Let them cool before sampling your roasted peanuts as they will turn crisp after cooling down.

Aam Panna

aam panna

Aam panna is nothing but raw mango cooler to beat the scorching heat. Aam panna is said to be protective against heat and hydrates the body. Also it's very delicious and stays fresh for few days when refrigerated.
Recipe of aam panna
3 kairi (raw mango/green, unripe mango)
2 tsp kaala namak (black salt)
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp roasted cumin powder (bhuna, pisa jeera)
7-8 black pepper (kaali mirch)
How to make aam panna
1. Wash kairi thoroughly. Peel them.
2. Remove the pulp from the seed. Discard the seed.
3. Boil pulp with 1 cup of water for 3-4 minutes.
4. Grind together pulp with water, black pepper, salt and sugar.
5. Mix this mango puree with 1 liter cold water.
6. At this stage, it's up to you whether you want to strain it in a strainer (chhalni) or not. I did not strain it and used it as it is since there is no loss of fiber and other nutrients this way.
7. Mix in cumin powder and serve aam panna chilled.

kairi (raw mango)