Mangalore in my kitchen : Jane DSouza’s delightful cookbook

A while ago I had posted that I am looking for some books exploring the marathi cuisine, I got a lot of recommendations and at the same time Ruth told me about her mom’s book which is basically a book  specialising in Mangalorean cuisine, which N is a huge fan of and the child has taken a big liking to it as well but then they have 100% similar taste buds. I mean if one likes it, I know by defaul the other will like it. If you put out 10 dishes on the table, chances are 9 out of 10 times at the end you will see the same items on both their plates. It’s funny how the genes play their tricks. Anyways coming back to the book, after Ruth told me  the book was promptly bought.

I have cooked a lot from the book, every weekend this is one recipe atleast I try out of this. It is indeed becoming my go to book for seafood cooking. One thing I like about the book is how well it is distributed in sections. Mangalore – Salads and Chutneys, Mangalore – Poultry, Managalore – Seafood and so on.

The recipes concise yet don’t miss out on the steps that need to be done and are very clear to even someone who is just starting to cook. Even the hubby has been cooking from it if that proves it 😉

Sometime ago Ruth gave me a marinade paste called “Meet Misrang”, I loved it so much. Made fish with it, prawns, grilled BBQ fish in that marinade and then used it some veggie gravy too and then I promptly went back to her asking how can I make that and guess the response. It’s there in the book she said. I did a happy dance and made it again

and last weekend hubby made, kane (lady fish) rawa fry marinated in that masala and rolled in rawa (semolina) and pan fried.

It really was fingerlicking good and boy so easy to make, both the masala and the final fry. We had the fish fry with Dhaal Saar (again recipe from the book) and dosa for dinner along with some salad on the side and what a fab meal it was

So if you love mangalorean food, this is a must buy book in my opinion. I have tried many recipes and not a single one has failed me. What I would have loved in the book though were pictures and stories. I find myself already moving away from plain recipe books slowly and I want books with stories, with history and all.

and here is a recipe from the book that is a staple at home yes the curry leaves chutney

Curry Leaves Chutney made from the book. We all love it and now you will always find this in a jar in fridge at home

Recipe – Curry Leaves Chutney

Source – Jane DSouza’s cookbook

What I used

• 2 cups of curry leaves
• 2 tsbp grated coconut
• 1 tbsp channa dal
• 1 tbsp toor dal
• 1 tbsp urad dal
• 1/4 tsp pepper powder
• 2 red chillies
• 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• a little tamarind
• salt to taste

How I made it

• Heat oil and fry all the ingredients on a low flame expect sugar, tamarind, salt and pepper powder for about 5 mins
• Grind everything to a fine paste, adding a little water if required
• Store in fridge in an air tight container, it lasts about a week feeling fresh

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