Ker-Sangri-Kumat is one of the extraordinary dishes in Marwari/Rajasthani cuisine.
Named after desert berries and fruits, this item is prepared in a myriad of ways across the drier expanses of Rajasthan, the royal state of India. The story goes that long time back during extended dry periods, the local people look to these produce of the desert and cooked up dishes that needed little water and stayed well for long.
The basic ingredients are KER, a red fleshy berry, SANGRI, a slender bean, and KUMAT, a small disc-shaped herb, all of which flourish in the arid Thar weather.
The most common styles of preparing these are pickling and stir-fry. The pickle is prepared using the sun-dried Ker-Sangri and Kumat, with generous amount of oil and spices, and it preserves well for long periods.
The stir-fry method is more elaborate. Its call Panchkuta, meaning there needs to 5 base ingredients to start with. So, apart from Ker-Sangri-Kumat, enter 2 new other ingredients - Goondah, which is another wild berry and Amchur, which is dry mango powder. The sabzi (stir-fry) made from these 5 items, with help from generous amounts of aromatic Indian spices, is very delectable.
If you like rustic Indian food, the peculiar earthy taste of Panchkuta makes your direct connection with the desert soil in every bite.
Gone are the days when Ker-Sangri or Panchkuta was only limited to villagers or camel riders of the desert areas. These are in vogue now and sit proudly in the regional section of many hi-end restaurants and a must even on royal wedding menu. I personally love the chef's preparation at Vivanta By Taj-Hari Mahal, Latitude restaurant in my hometown Jodhpur. You can find this divine preparation under the regional specialities by the name Ker kishmish makhana.
However, with the mainstreaming of these wild berris and the innovations on this basic rustic cuisine, it has acquired a higher pedigree of late and the casualty of that has been price of the raw ingredients in the local markets of Rajasthan, as it has gone up significantly. But that will hardly be a hindrance for the connoisseur of the rare and ethnic food.
There
are so many different ways of preparing this Thar cuisine, but as
always, I adopt the cooking method from my Mom's kitchen. The simple
traditional way of combining these wild berries with aromatic spices and
a process of slow cooking.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Dried Panchkuta - 250 gm (Easily available in local grocery shops all over Rajasthan)
- Thin buttermilk - 1 part buttermilk mixed with 3 parts water (optional)
- Green chili, roughly chopped – 4-5
- Chili powder – 1 tsp
- Kashmiri lal mirch - 1 tsp
- Raw mango powder/amchur - 1/2 tsp
- Coriander powder – 1 tsp
- Turmeric -1/2 tsp
- Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
- Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
- Whole red chilies-5
- Pinch of Asafoetida
- Vegetable Oil - 2 tablespoon
- Salt as per your taste
- Boiled water - 500 ml
- Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
Method
Soak KAIR-SANGRI in water overnight.
Soak KAIR-SANGRI in water overnight.
Drain water 4-5 times, wash thoroughly till the water comes clear. Spread in a colander
Separate
the raw mango slices from the panchkuta. My mom says, any type of
amchur should not be cooked over hight heat for a longer time duration.
Heat oil in a heavy bottomed dutch oven (the best is using a pressure cooker)
Heat oil in a heavy bottomed dutch oven (the best is using a pressure cooker)
Add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, asafoetida and dry red chilis.
Sauté for a minute on medium flame.
Add Green Chilis and the colander dried panchkuta. Sauté on medium-high flame for 4-5 minutes with continuous stirring.
Add Green Chilis and the colander dried panchkuta. Sauté on medium-high flame for 4-5 minutes with continuous stirring.
Lower
the flame, add turmeric powder and half a teaspoon salt. Cook for
another 10 minutes on medium heat without cover. Keep stirring
occasionally.
As
you see the beans have started softening a little, which they will
after 10-15 minutes, add the red chili powder, Kashmiri chili powder and
coriander powder.
Mix everything well over medium flame for about 2-3 minutes.
Add the remaining salt and boiled water.
Add the remaining salt and boiled water.
Cover
and cook over medium flame for 2-3 pressures. Allow the steam to escape
before opening the lid. (Using Dutch Oven will take more time, around
half n hour)
After opening the lid, add the raw mango powder and the raw mango slices. Mix well. Cover and cook on low heat for 10 more minutes.
Remove from heat. Add garam masala powder.
Cover and let it sit for 20 minutes. No heat required.
Traditionally, the dish is of dry consistency, but you can adjust the final consistency according to your taste, by adding more water or yogurt.
Serve with Poori or Bajri (Millet) Roti.
After opening the lid, add the raw mango powder and the raw mango slices. Mix well. Cover and cook on low heat for 10 more minutes.
Remove from heat. Add garam masala powder.
Cover and let it sit for 20 minutes. No heat required.
Traditionally, the dish is of dry consistency, but you can adjust the final consistency according to your taste, by adding more water or yogurt.
Serve with Poori or Bajri (Millet) Roti.
nice
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