Harissa Paste - Tunisia

Harissa is a Tunisian hot chili pepper paste.  The main ingredients of which are red peppers, serrano peppers and other hot chili peppers and spices and herbs such as garlic paste, coriander seed, or caraway as well as some vegetable or olive oil for preservation. It is most closely associated with Tunisia, Libya and Algeria.

Harissa is described as "Tunisia's main condiment", or "the national condiment of Tunisia".  In Tunisia, harissa is used as an ingredient in a meat (goat or lamb) or fish stew with vegetables, and as a flavoring for couscous. In European countries it is used sometimes as a breakfast spread for tartines or rolls. Harissa paste can also be used as a rub for meat or eggplants. In Israel, harissa is a common topping for sabich and shawarma.  

For the marathon this week the theme is Condiment from Countries, wherein we have to choose condiments, sauces, spreads or seasonings - its week 3 - day 13. 

Ingredients

10 - 15 Dry Red chilies - soaked in warm water
1 Tablespoon Coriander seeds
1 Tablespoon Cumin seeds
½ Tablespoon Caraway seeds
8 Cloves Garlic
Salt to taste
¼ Cup Oil
Method 

Deseed dry red chillies and soak in warm water for 30 minutes.  Here I,  have used Kashmiri Red Chillies.

Completely drain all the water from chillies before grinding (no water should be).

To make the harissa, first slightly roast coriander, cumin and caraway seeds and once cooled finely grind it.  

Grind together chillies, garlic and the ground powder by adding oil little at a time. Make a thick paste only using oil no water. You can store this in fridge and use to make chicken, meat, eggplants or even grilled potatoes. 

Labels: Chutneys & Dips, Masala, Homemade, Blogging Marathon, Continental Cuisine, Tunisia 

Posting a new pics of the paste that is made today...

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Hummus (Bi Tahini) - Homemade

Hummus or houmous, is a food dip or spread that includes chickpeas, sesame seeds, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. "Hummus" in Arabic  means "chickpeas". Its origins are unknown, and it is popular in the Middle East, Turkey, Eygpt, Lebanon and North Africa. This is a Eygptian style Hummus.

In week 3 - day 12, for the marathon the theme is Condiment from Countries, wherein we have to choose condiments, sauces, spreads or seasonings.

Hummus (Bi Tahini) is hummus with sesame paste.

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Tahini paste - homemade - see recipe below
2 Cups Chickpeas - boiled
2 Tablespoons Lemon juice
1/4 Teaspoon Cumin powder
1/4 Teaspoon Paprika powder
2 -3 Cloves Garlic - chopped finely
2 Tablespoons Water or Yogurt - I used water - see notes
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Salt to taste

Method

Tahini paste is expensive, but its easier to make it at home and very cost effective too.

Just roast one fourth cup of sesame on the tava, do not let it turn brown, just lightly till is emits an aroma, cool it and grind it with olive oil till you achieve a smooth paste.

Place the boiled and chickpeas in a grinder (reserve a few for garnishing purposes), then add the rest of the ingredients. Grind everything together until it becomes a smooth paste. Taste and adjust flavors according to your taste, some people prefer More - tahini, or lemon, or garlic or chilly, add what you feel you like according to your taste . The Hummus is ready. 

Serve with sprinkled red pepper flakes or paprika on top. Drizzle olive oil on it. Garnish with boiled chickpeas. Enjoy this Hummus.... healthy, tasty with pita bread or as.. we have it on a bread toast too. It taste yummy. 

My Notes :

You can use canned chickpeas too, but make sure u rinse the chickpeas well of all the brine then in fresh water.

I used the water in which the chickpeas were boiled.

Labels : Sesame seeds, Chickpea,Homemade, Chutneys & Dips, Eygpt, Blogging Marathon, Continental Cuisine

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Kala Masoor Masala / Sabut Masoor Masala - Maharashtra

This is tasty and lip smacking whole masoor dal or as in Maharashtra we call Kala Masoor or Sabut Masoor.  It's easy and well as delicious you can have this with rice or bhakri or even chapattis.  I have given a slight twist to the original recipe by adding chilly and tomato sauce, these two give an awesome taste to it.   

Ingredients
2 Cups Whole Masoor
1 Large Onion - Chopped finely
2 Large Tomatoes - ground to paste
1 Teaspoon Ginger - Garlic paste
1 Teaspoon Sabzi masala
1/2 Teaspoon Chilly powder
1/2 Teaspoon Coriander - Cumin powder
1/2 Teaspoon Goda masala
1 Teaspoon Red Chilly sauce
1 Tablespoon Tomato Ketchup
1 Teaspoon Sugar or Jaggery (optional)
Salt to Taste
2 Tablespoons Ghee
1 Tablespoon Oil
1/2 Teaspoon Cumin seeds
1 Tablespoon Coriander - finely chopped

Method

Wash and soak the masoor overnight or for 4 -5 hours.

In a pan heat ghee + oil, add cumin seeds when they are lightly brown add the onion and fry till translucent. Then add the cumin seeds , ginger - garlic paste fry well, then add the tomato paste and fry well for 3 -4 minutes. Then add the sabzi masala, coriander - cumin, chilly, turmeric, goda masala powder and salt to taste, fry well. Add the chilli sauce and tomato sauce, sugar and the masoor and fry again. Add a cup of water, cover and cook till oil leaves the sides and the masoor is cooked.  Then add the coriander leaves ( reserve a little for garnishing) and let it simmer again for a minute.
Serve hot garnish with coriander leaves.

We had this steamed rice, papad made into a cone, cucumber cut into matchsticks and fried fresh red chilly.

This is week 2 Day 11 of the Marathon theme Indian States.

Labels: Vegetables, Masoor dal, Lentils, Healthy, Main course,Vegan, Blogging Marathon

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Gajrela - Kashmir

Gajrela is one of the most eaten dessert in winters or even throughout the year. It is one of the famous dessert recipe of Kashmiri cuisine. This recipe is Kheer that is made with carrot. This has a creamy and delicious taste. My hubby loved this dessert.

Ingredients

250 Grams Carrots - grated
500 ML Full Cream Milk
200 ML Condensed Milk
100 Grams Mawa / Khoya
1/2 Malai or Fresh Cream - I used malai
1/2 Cup Cooked Rice
2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Almonds
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 Teaspoon Cardamom powder
2 Tablespoons Almonds powder


Method
Heat the milk and bring it to a boil, then add the cooked rice and add grated carrots. Cook on low flame till the carrots are cooked. Add sugar, cook it on the low flame till the sugar melts. Now add the condensed milk and khoya, almonds powder and cardamom powder. Mix well and cook for a few minutes and turn off the the flame. Add malai or cream and sprinkle finely chopped almonds,cool and serve it. Enjoy....

This is week 2 Day 10 of the Marathon theme Indian States.

Labels : Sweets & Desserts, Kashmir, Carrot, Condensed Milk, Cream, Cooked Rice, Blogging Marathon

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Broad Beans Potato Badi Curry with Trikon Paratha - Chhattisgarh

Broad beans, potato wadi (badi) curry is Chhattisgarh dish. Its is called  sem phalli or broad beans  or Papadi or (Chikkudukaya/avarakkai).   This is a yummy dish.  These wadis are given to me by my friend Jasbir, she got them from Punjab.  There are so big that after frying I had to break them into pieces.

Recipe source here

Ingredients
200 gms - Broad Beans / Papadi
2 Large - Potatoes
3 - Wadi/Badi
2  Medium Onions - finely sliced
3 Green Chilies - finely chopped
1 Large Tomato - finely sliced
2 Teaspoons Ginger-Garlic Paste
1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
1  Teaspoon Red Chilly Powder
1  Teaspoon Coriander Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
1 Teaspoon Dry Mango/Amchur Powder
1 Tablespoon  Oil
1 Teaspoon Salt or to taste
2 Tablespoons  Coriander Leaves - finely chopped

Method
Peel and cut potato in to medium size pieces (or in one potato 8 to 10 pieces). Cut both ends of broad beans, trim on sides and cut into 2 to 3 pieces. Peel and slice onion, chop tomato, green chilies, coriander leaves.

In a pan  heat oil add wadi/badi and saute until all sides gets brown (this will be done quickly if using medium size vadi) make sure not to burnt vadi, drain and drop then in a small bowl of water (this is to make vadi soft), keep aside.

In same pan add cumin seeds and allow to splutter, add onion, green chilies, ginger-garlic paste and saute until onion becomes light brown. Add potato pieces and saute them in medium flame for 3 mins or until it starts to get golden brown. Add broad beans, stir well cover and cook for 3 to 4 mins with regular stirring.
Now add red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and mix well. Add tomato, mix well cover and cook until tomato gets mashed, do stir in intervals.

Add fried vadi (badi) with the water, add another 1 cup water, salt and bring it to boil. Add amchur powder and simmer for 5 mins, add coriander leaves mix and take off flame. Serve with roti/paratha or steamed rice. Delicious and yummy curry is ready,  we had this with Trikon Paratha, a bowl of curds and sliced tomatoes.

My Note:

If you are gong to serve this with rice then you can add more water to have gravy.

How to make Trikon Paratha /  Triangle Paratha.
Trikon Paratha is a layered paratha shaped as triangle. It goes well with any curry.

Ingredients
3 Cups  Whole wheat Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
Water as required 

Desi ghee

Method

In a bowl mix atta and salt.Then gradually add water and make the dough, the dough should be soft like you make for chapattis.

Now make medium size balls from the dough and then roll it into a thick circle.

Then  brush with ghee and   sprinkle atta

 then fold it ( see pic ) 

Again fold it  ( see pic ) 

Then fold the bottom part and the triangle is ready.

Then roll the triangle lightly and let the paratha be thick.

Then preheat the tawa on medium and then add the paratha.

After couple of secs flip the paratha on the other side , let this side cook perfectly till brown spot appear.

Then turn flip it to the other side. press the paratha with a cloth so all sides are cooked and also the paratha will start to puff. 

Brush ghee on both sides and serve.

This is Week 2 Day 8 of the Marathon theme Indian States.

Labels : Vegetables, Wadi, Broad Beans, Potato, Rotis, Blogging Marathon, Chhattisgarh

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