This post is dedicated to Ruhi Jhunjhunwala ;)
Last year in Amsterdam, Ruhi and Zui, developed a sudden craving for Indian food. Dunno why, considering they were steeped in the history of the Red Light District and anything from a coffee shop should have sufficed. Eat Space Cake, Ruhi.
Cooking Indian with no spices is super interesting. I always enjoy buying whatever is available and seeing what one can cook up. So.....No jeera, no haldi, no mustard seeds, no whole garam masala, no curry leaves, no chilli powder, no dhania.
I made a Peach Chutney to eat with vegetable pullao and raita and Ruhi has wanted to recipe ever since. In the same way, I made a cool Strawberry and Red Chilli chutney yesterday in Münster.
Here's an approximation:
Strawberry und Red Chilli Chutney
1 punnet of strawberries (500 gms) - cut into quarters
I medium onion - chopped
4 or 5 or 10 fresh red chillies - cut into rings
erm....everything else is just bits of bobs, so go with your nose and tongue.
In a small pan, warm about 1 tablespoon of oil (I used sunflower) and add 1 stick of cinnamon and a few whole peppercorns (black or pink). Then a teaspoon or so of brown sugar (or white or honey) and the chillies. Let this soften for a minute or so. Remember, to use nose to sniff for goodness and tongue to taste for rightness. Then add the strawberries and salt to taste. Finally about a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar.
It should all be ready in less than 5 minutes from start to finish and should taste spicy/tangy/a little sweet and a little salty but truly, truly, truly yummy.
You could substitute peaches, nectarines or apples for the strawberries...toss in some raisins or sultanas. Use green instead of red chillies. Dry instead of fresh...There's just no stopping you on your search for mirchi on your tongue.
Wow. That's really precise. Alles klar?!
Last year in Amsterdam, Ruhi and Zui, developed a sudden craving for Indian food. Dunno why, considering they were steeped in the history of the Red Light District and anything from a coffee shop should have sufficed. Eat Space Cake, Ruhi.
Cooking Indian with no spices is super interesting. I always enjoy buying whatever is available and seeing what one can cook up. So.....No jeera, no haldi, no mustard seeds, no whole garam masala, no curry leaves, no chilli powder, no dhania.
I made a Peach Chutney to eat with vegetable pullao and raita and Ruhi has wanted to recipe ever since. In the same way, I made a cool Strawberry and Red Chilli chutney yesterday in Münster.
Here's an approximation:
Strawberry und Red Chilli Chutney
1 punnet of strawberries (500 gms) - cut into quarters
I medium onion - chopped
4 or 5 or 10 fresh red chillies - cut into rings
erm....everything else is just bits of bobs, so go with your nose and tongue.
In a small pan, warm about 1 tablespoon of oil (I used sunflower) and add 1 stick of cinnamon and a few whole peppercorns (black or pink). Then a teaspoon or so of brown sugar (or white or honey) and the chillies. Let this soften for a minute or so. Remember, to use nose to sniff for goodness and tongue to taste for rightness. Then add the strawberries and salt to taste. Finally about a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar.
It should all be ready in less than 5 minutes from start to finish and should taste spicy/tangy/a little sweet and a little salty but truly, truly, truly yummy.
You could substitute peaches, nectarines or apples for the strawberries...toss in some raisins or sultanas. Use green instead of red chillies. Dry instead of fresh...There's just no stopping you on your search for mirchi on your tongue.
Wow. That's really precise. Alles klar?!
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