Friday, April 20, 2007

Kuchela



Mango Kucheela (Kuchela)A specialty of Trindad made from air-dried green mango, hot chile peppers, vinegar, salt, spices and brown sugar. The condiment is a very hot, salty, sweet mixture which is served with everything from curries to a traditional pelau (pigeon peas cooked with meat and coconut milk). Serves: 4


I N G R E D I E N T S

12 green mangoes


1 head garlic (peeled cloves)


5-6 hot peppers (congo) or scotch bonnet


1 pkt. Anchar masala (amchar masala see recipe)


1-1½ c mustard oil


2 tsp. light brown sugar


salt to taste


I N S T R U C T I O N S


Peel and grate mangoes Squeeze some liquid from mangoes


Spread out on a flat surface and dry for 1 day or leave in an oven on low heat for a few hours Mince garlic and peppers together Combine grated mango, garlic, pepper, sugar, anchar massala and salt


Blend in mustard oil and place in a clear jar with a tight fitting lid.



The following recipe is from "Curries to Kebabs: Recipes from the Indian Spice Trail." by Madhur Jaffrey, Crown Publishing.



Amchar Masala: A Trinidadian mixture using many of the spices used in Indian pickling. Here they are roasted first, acquiring a dark color and an intense flavor. This mixture is often sprinkled in toward the end of the cooking period.


Makes about 8 Tablespoons


4 tablespoons whole coriander seeds


1 tablespoon whole cumin seeds


2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns


1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds


1 teaspoon whole brown mustard seeds


1 teaspoon whole fenugreek seeds Put all the spices in a small, cast-iron frying pan and set over medium heat.


Stir and roast for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the spices turn a shade darker.


Remove from the pan, allow to cool, and then grind as a finely as possible in a clean coffee or spice grinder.


Empty into an airtight jar and store in a dark cupboard.

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