Creating a blog was out of the question for a long time for me, as measuring everything in the kitchen was like biting into an eggshell. I enjoy cooking and don’t want to waste even a slightest bit of enjoyment in that small world of mine. But little did I know that everything will change, when my husband came home with the Oscar nominated film ‘Julie and Julia’( a real life story) where Julie Powell (part played by Amy Adams) challenged herself to make all the 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ and blogging all her experiences (The Julie/Julia Project). It was an inspiring movie. A few days later when we were discussing this casually with a friend of ours over tea…everything changed dramatically…..” How about you making at least half of it in one year? Not French but your own. 262 recipes that will inspire others and present it as a blog?” For a minute my mind traveled faster than light… With an experience as a helper in my mother in laws kitchen for 6 years followed by a three year everyday struggle to satisfy the palate of my foodie husband, if I cannot do it then why should I cook? But on the other side with an experience in English literature extending no more than expanding outline stories in English grammar class when I was 18 and two small kids that come in handy at times, will a commitment for the next one year work? Anyway my ‘cook's ego’ didn’t allow me to say no...

So my friends …here I am opening my recipe book, trying to perfect and present 262 recipes in the coming 365 days….A Challenge that will of course tastes good. Come.. Have a walk with me along my journey.. Cheering and inspiring….Forgiving and tolerating…Testing and tasting….for ‘A Tasty Challenge’

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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Chakka Meen Kuzhachathu (Mashed Raw Jack fruit with Fish)

Recipe No: 230
The inspiration for this dish is from an old cookbook published by Vanitha. While reading an article in that magazine about good pairings, a recipe for this came through and suddenly remembered this old time favorite. Fortunately for me (and my family), we came across this frozen raw Jack Fruit in the Indian grocery store. So bought it, made it, and devoured it like a precious combination... and here is the recipe...
Ingredients                                     Serves 3
To cook the Fish
  • Fish………………………350 grams (I used whole Tilapia, but Mackerels are the best)
  • Salt………………………1/2 Teaspoon
  • Water…………………..1 ½ cups
  • Kokum………………...3-4 pieces (Kudampuli)
  • Curry Leaves………..2 Sprigs
  • Red Chilly Powder…1/2 Teaspoon
To make the Jack Fruit Mash
  • Jack fruit……………….450 grams (Cut into small pieces)
To grind
  • Grated Coconut……….3/4 Cup
  • Indian Green Chilly…3 (According to your tolerance)
  • Shallots…………………..3 big
  • Garlic………………….….2 big cloves
  • Ginger……………………1 small piece
  • Turmeric Powder……1/2 Teaspoon
  • Cumin Powder………..1/4 Teaspoon
  • Salt………………………..1/4 Teaspoon
  • Curry Leaves…………..3-4 Leaves
For Tempering
  • Coconut Oil…………....2 Tablespoons
  • Mustard Seeds……..…1/2 Teaspoon
  • Shallots sliced………..2 big
  • Curry Leaves…….……1 Sprig
  • Coconut grated………1/4 Cup
Method of Preparation
  1. Put all the ingredients to cook the Fish in a ‘Chatti’ (an earthen cooking vessel) or a pan and cook on medium heat for 8-10 minutes or till the Fish is cooked through.
  2. Once the Fish is done, remove the Fish from the cooking liquid; separate the flesh and discard the bones. Reserve the cooking liquid for making the Jack fruit.
  3. Grind all the ingredients in the ‘to grind’ section into a course consistency and keep aside till ready to be used.
  4. Put the Jack Fruit together with the liquid left over after cooking the Fish (I strained it to remove the Kokum) in a pan on medium heat; close the pan and cook till the Jack Fruit is done. (Add more Water only if necessary.)
  5. When a bit of Water is still remaining, put the ground Coconut Mixture in the middle of the cooking Jack Fruit and cover it with the Jack Fruit from the sides.
  6. Put the Fish over the Jack Fruit; close the pan; reduce the heat to low and let everything cook till the Water is thoroughly absorbed.
  7. Once the Water is absorbed, mash the Jack Fruit and mix everything really well; switch off the heat. Add more Salt if necessary.
  8. In another pan heat Coconut Oil on medium high heat and splutter the Mustard Seeds.
  9. Add the Shallots and Curry Leaves and fry till the Shallots are golden brown.
  10. Add the grated Coconut and continue frying till it is brown in color.
  11. Add the prepared tempering over the mashed Jack Fruit and Fish and keep the pan closed till serving time.
  12. Mix well and serve warm with Pickles or Chutneys.
Notes:
  • Even though all the bones are removed from the Fish, small bones may make it to the final dish; so please do take care while eating.
  • The cooking liquid in the Jack Fruit should come up to the level of the Jack Fruit itself. If the left over liquid from cooking Fish is not up to there, please do add more Water.
  • Mash the Jack fruit to a good mashed consistency so that the Fish will not be seen as such (since the Fish is soft it will be mashed fast) but its taste together with the taste of Kokum will be felt.
  • Don't avoid Kokum as it imparts a characteristic flavor, and they are available in most of the Indian stores.
  • The use of grated Coconut while tempering gives a very special flavor to the mashed Jack Fruit, so don’t avoid it.
  • If you want to avoid the Fish and make the simple mashed Jack Fruit, do skip the Fish part and follow the rest.
 






Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and 
serve it to your family with love…

8 comments:

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Super aayittundu....kandittu kothiyavunnu....

Vimitha Durai said...

Looks so yummy and attractive

Jaisy James said...

asha ayyo ithu kandittu kothi akunnu superbb click

Indian Khana said...

Looks yum n delish...I never had this one

Priya Suresh said...

Wow this mashed raw jackfruit with fish sounds truly very new for me..yumm!

Unknown said...

what a fab mashed jackfruit dish..so nice

My Kitchen Antics said...

all ur authentic mallu fare is making me drool...have a great vacation asha

Jampani Pickles said...

Hi I am new to this blog. One of my friends madhu from New delhi referred me this blog to learn about all non veg recipes. i was really impressed for these many recipes using using non veg. I am very exited to make my first dish on non veg pickles with your blog inspiration. Thanks alot.

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