Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Mushroom Badami (Mushrooms in Almond gravy)

Wouldn't it be nice if we cook a new dish everyday? A new recipe with a new twist, and with a new ingredient that gives a new flavor? That would be awesome! I sometimes get amazed seeing those artistic chefs taking part in cooking competitions. I believe their minds have to be constantly thinking about some creative ideas to come-up with a new dish , a new presentaion for a dish, a new mixture of ingredients that can result in a palatable dish - yet not compromising on quality and taste! That sounds complicated to me, and sure does require a lot of dedication and passion.

Once in a while, after watching an inspiring cooking show on TV, with my stomach already growling, my mind gets into this ingenious mood of trying something on my own with some new combination of ingredients that can hopefully result in a master-piece. Whenever I enter into that world of imagination, I roll-up my sleeves right away and with great enthusiasm I open my refregirator. And there I see this pile of left-overs that haunt me right in front! I feel as if they are tapping my head and daunting me, "Attend to me first before starting your innovative cooking project and creating more leftovers". That little tap is all I require to come back to reality! My enthusisam plunges down like a torn balloon. Then with a long face I finish my leftovers for that day. Well, thats my story of Culinary Innovations! Hopefully I'll have a better story to share with you all soon. Failures are Stepping Stones for Success! Aren't they? ;-D

Having said that, today I decided on cooking something new that I've never cooked before. What else could be a better starting point than browsing my long waited bookmarks of yummy recipes from my blogging friends! Trying a recipe that someone has already tried and certified sounds more safer than creating my-own-way recipes. And this, I would love to do it anytime - doesn't matter even if my left-overs haunt me when I open my refregirator :) I knew there were quite a few dishes that I would love to try. So I went through a myriad of recipes - some were super complicated, and some were too simplistic! I was getting a virtual treat from those blogs with those delectable presentations and beautifully written recipes. I liked a few of them, but with my time constraints and with what was available in my veggie tray, I could pick only one. I finally settled on making this wonderful mushroom recipe posted by Harini. You can find her orignal recipe here, but I've made some slight changes to the recipe to suit my taste. Thanks Harini, for sharing such a yummy recipe! It brings a nice rich and creamy taste, and this is one of the best mushroom dishes I've ever tasted!

Ingredients:
  • Almonds - 10
  • Buttom Mushrooms - 2 cups (chopped)
  • Green peas - 1/2 cup
  • Onion - 1 medium
  • Tomatoes - 2 medium
  • Ginger/garlic paste - 1 tbsp
  • Chilli powder - 1 tsp
  • Corriander powder - 2 tsp
  • Cinnamon - 1 inch
  • Cloves - 3
  • Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
  • Corrinader leaves - a hand full.
  • Finely chopped almonds (or sliced) - 1 tbsp
Procedure:
  • Soak the almonds in hot water atleast for 15 mins. Then peel off the skin and make a smooth paste with almonds.
  • Leave the tomatoes in boiling water for 5 mins. Cool them, peel off the skin and puree them along with ginger/garlic paste. (Don't add water)
  • Chop the mushrooms in either slices or 1/2 inch pieces.
  • Heat oil and season with Cinnamon, Cloves and cumin seeds. Then add chopped onions and fry for a few mins until they become light brown.
  • Now add the tomato-ginger-garlic puree and fry for 5 mins in medium heat. I usually cover and leave for 5 mins.
  • Add all the spice powders, mushrooms and salt and mix well. No need to add water as the mushrooms release lots of moisture. Cover in low heat for 8-10 mins. The mushrooms should have been almost cooked.
  • Finally add the green peas, corriander leaves and the almond paste, mix well and let it boil for 5 mins.
  • Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with chopped almonds.

Enjoy with Rotis, Plain rice.

30 comments:

Finla said...

My hubby loves mmushroom , i should make this one day as it looks so creamy delicious.

Cham said...

I ve once substitute with ground almond a gravy and loved the taste, very rich and creamy mushroom dish!

FH said...

Creating something we are not familiar with is always a great joy. Cooking and eating it on the same day is wonderful, instant gratification! Love the Almond sauce, almost Mughlai! :))

Laavanya said...

Oh that looks awesome and so creamy... It's been a while since I made any gravy dishes with mushroom - it's been dry curries almost all the time lately.

Trupti said...

mushroom badami looks very delicious...love the idea of using almond gravy

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

almond does add flavor and richness to the gravy.. these days, instead of cashew, i put almond for paneer b masala or any other gravies...

i am ssure this mushroom badami tastes heavenly.

Raks said...

Oh,thats really sounding rich!! Never tried adding badams in gravy!! Thanks for the recipe sujatha!

Sunshinemom said...

I am so glad you enjoyed the dish. Those alterations must have it more yum:)

Kitchen Chronicles said...

Mushroom Badami does taste good. I have also tried out harini's recipe. Came out very good and all of us like it. Ur click looks very tempting.

Vijitha said...

Lovely idea! looks gorgeous.

notyet100 said...

this looks delicious,....lovely colour too

Sia said...

i agree with u girl. i would love to cook something new everyday :) well, i try to create something unusual when i have enough time in hand to think. and sometimes i tend to most creative when my fridge is almost empty;)
i love creamy mushroom recipes and urs look fantastic. i have been using almonds instead of cashews in recent days and find the gravy really creamy and delicious.

Deepthi Shankar said...

wow, badam & mushrooms, & nice combo ..

Usha said...

I normally use cashews in the gravy, but this one looks fantastic...will definitely give this one a try :-)

Paru ... said...

Thanks for visiting my blog Sujata..The Badami Mushroom gravy looks awesome..

Great to know you are from Madurai, I love the place and the auspicious Meenakshi temple ofcourse..

Suparna said...

Sujatha, woooo awesome! looks like a rich and aromatic royal dish! great pic....have made dishes with cashew paste, now you've inspired me to try almond paste mmm...mushroom in rich gravy slurrr..p!! ;)

Priya Suresh said...

Wow wat a creamy mushroom dish, looks delicious n very rich:)

Swapna said...

Mushroom r my fav. I like trying different dishes with mushroom. Almonds with mushroom sounds different & delicious looking. Awesome pictures too..

Anonymous said...

Hi da
I love mushroom in any form ...Mushroom in almond gravy ...Sounds great ..Will def try ..The pic looks very rich and delicious

Shama Nagarajan said...

yummy recipe..........

Manju said...

not a fan of mushrooms..but this one defenitely makes me wanna try! :)great blog..sorry to have missed it till now..adding to my blogroll!

Andhra Flavors said...

ohh mushroom badami sounds great

Unknown said...

Looks rich and creamy. Am bookmarking this and making it for sure. Catching on all recipes after my break!

Raks said...

Hi Sujatha,
Please collect you well deserved award here! :)

Unknown said...

My hubby fav. Normally i am making mushroom with cashew gravy.. next time i will try ur method.nnice & innovative blog. added u in my friends list.

Recipeswap said...

so creamy and delish!

Sujatha said...

Thanks Raji for forwarding the award! Thats very nice of you...

Thanks Priya!

TBC said...

That looks fabulous even to me, a mushroom hater. What a rich and delicious looking gravy!

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

I tried this sujatha... it was too good... tastes great with chapathis. yummy recipe. will post my version later.. was too hungry today so could not take pics :)

Sujatha said...

Hi Mahi! Nice to know that it came out well and you liked it :) I liked it with chapathis too! Thanks for letting me know :)