Cassoulet de Fruits de Mer (Curried Seafood Stew)

Cassoulet de Fruits de Mer (Curried Seafood Stew)

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

This Pondicherry favorite is Chef Mody’s southern Indian version of bouillabaisse. You can use any combination of available seafood, but I recommend that mussels and shrimp should always be included. This dish is very quick to make—about 15 minutes. Serve it with or over the Lime Rice recipe included here, or with your favorite version of saffron rice.

Ingredients


The Spice Paste:
4 small hot red chiles, such as santaka or cayenne, stems and seeds removed
1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped fine
4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
2 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon powdered turmeric
6 black peppercorns
1 tablespoon malt vinegar

The Cassoulet:
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 sprig fresh curry leaves, or dried curry leaves that have been rehydrated and patted dry
1/2 mild onion, chopped
1 one-pound assortment of seafood, including shrimp, cooked mussels (removed from the shells), scallops, crab meat, lobster meat, and fish of choice
1 cup coconut milk (not sweet coconut cream)
2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice
Salt to taste
Cilantro leaves for garnish

Instructions

To make the paste, combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and grind to a fine paste.  Set aside.

To make the Cassoulet, heat the oil in a large, deep frying pan and add the curry leaves and the onion; stir-fry until the onion is soft. Add the spice paste and sauté for 2 minutes.

Add the seafood except for the fish, lower the heat, and simmer for 2 minutes. Add coconut milk, bring to a boil, add the fish and lower the heat and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes or until you can flake the fish.

Season with the lemon juice and salt, stir gently and serve garnished with the cilantro leaves along with rice.

Heat Scale: Medium

Chicken in a Creamy Red Sauce

Poulet Rouge (Chicken in a Creamy Red Sauce)

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Chef Mody calls this easy-to-prepare dish “mild and sinfully rich,” and it’s one of the top sellers at La Porte des Indes. Serve it with naan bread and your favorite chutney.

Ingredients

5 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespooons masala powder
1/4 cup yogurt, Greek preferred
1 cup Onion Sauce (see recipe below)
1 cup whipping cream
4 legs roasted young chicken, meat cut from the bone in strips
Salt to taste

Instructions

Crush the garlic in a mortar with a little water to make a paste. Melt the butter in a large frying pan and lightly brown the garlic paste in it.

Add the masala powder and sauté for a few seconds, then lower the heat and add the yogurt. Simmer the mixture for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally and add the onion sauce, mixing it well. Add the cream, bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add the chicken strips and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the meat is heated through. Adjust the salt if needed and serve.

Heat Scale: Mild

Grilled Chocolate Raspberry Quesadillas

Grilled Chocolate Raspberry Quesadillas

Dave DeWitt Leave a Comment

Flour tortillas make a wonderful platform for a grilled desert in this recipe from Brad Barrett. Two tortillas form a sandwich that can be filled with sliced fruits and cheeses or in this case with a sweet ricotta cheese filling and chocolate morsels. This one hits all the sweet spots for a great grilled dessert, and it’s an easy dessert that can be made several hours ahead. It’s great served with a dollop of ice cream.

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) container whole-milk ricotta cheese
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large flour tortillas
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
1/2 cup fresh raspberries

Instructions


Prepare a grill to cook at medium heat (400 degrees F).

Place the ricotta, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla in a food processor and process until smooth. Place a tortilla on a cutting board or rimless baking sheet. Spread a third of the filling on the tortilla. Sprinkle half of the semisweet morsels over the filling, then place another tortilla on top of the morsels. Spread a thin layer of filling on top. Cut the raspberries in half and arrange half of the raspberry halves on top of the filling. Add a few more chocolate morsels for color. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Use a grilling spray or wipe the raised rails with oil. Slide the quesadillas off the cutting boards or baking sheets onto the grill and close the lid. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, then lift an edge to check the sear marks. If the sear marks are dark (almost black), give the quesadillas a quarter turn. If not, cook for 2 to 3 minutes before giving them a quarter turn. Grill until the quesadillas feel firm and the tortillas are crispy. Let the quesadillas cool for 2 minutes, then cut and serve.

Sambsay Shirin (Fruit and Nut Dessert) (214x214)

Sambsay Shirin (Fruit and Nut Dessert)

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

Desserts are not served too often at home, and are made with locally grown fruits, often sun-dried. They are usually served for guests and at special dinners, and are not part of the everyday menu.

Ingredients

Afghan Pastry Dough:
2 cups white flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup shortening
2 small eggs, lightly beaten

The Filling:
3/4 cup chopped dates
3/4 cup ground pistachio nuts
2 Tablespoons hot water
Pastry dough (see recipe)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Powdered sugar

Instructions

Sift the flour and baking powder into a mixing bowl. Cut the shortening into the dry ingredients.

Place the eggs in a measuring cup and add enough water to make 1/2 cup of liquid. Mix the egg mixture into the dry ingredients to form stiff dough. Divide the dough into 3 equal balls and allow to rest for 15 minutes.

Roll out the dough on a floured board into a very thin layer about 15 inches in diameter. Dust lightly with the flour and fold the dough back over itself several times, rolling with the pin each time.

The dough is then rolled out, cut into desired form, and filled.

To make the filling:

In a bowl combine the dates, nuts, and warm water.

Roll out the dough 1/8-inch thick. Cut into 12 equal squares. Put about a tablespoon or so of the mixture into each square of pastry. Fold the pastry to form a triangle.

Deep fry in oil until lightly browned. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve either warm or cold.

Bouranee Baunjan (Eggplant with Yogurt)

Bouranee Baunjan (Eggplant with Yogurt)

Dave DeWitt Leave a Comment

The eggplant is browned before being cooked in a spicy tomato and onion sauce, then served with garlicky yogurt. It is simply delicious served with flat bread.

Ingredients

Eggplant with Yoghurt

1 large eggplant
Olive oil for frying
2 medium onions, sliced
2 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and sliced
1/4 teaspoon red chile flakes (add more for additional heat)
1/4 cup vegetable stock
2 cups plain yogurt
4 garlic cloves, crushed
Chopped fresh coriander and mint, for garnish
Salt to taste

Instructions

Cut the unpeeled eggplant into 1/2-inch slices and sprinkle liberally with salt. Leave for 30 minutes then pat dry with paper towels. This process allows the salt to draw out some moisture from the eggplant.

Heat oil in a deep frying pan and then fry eggplant until lightly golden on both sides (they do not need to be cooked through—you are just adding color and a bit of flavor). You will need to do this in batches and add more oil as needed. Remove the cooked eggplant slices to a plate covered.

Oil will leach from the cooked eggplant slices, so return this to the pan to reheat and then add the onion. Fry until soft.

Add 3 of the crushed garlic cloves, tomato slices and red chile flakes and cook until the tomatoes break down and a sauce is formed. Add a little stock and seasoning as needed. Remove from pan.

Place a layer of eggplant slices back into the pan. Top with sauce. Repeat until all the eggplant slices are back in the pan. Pour in any remaining oil from the eggplant and onion and add the remaining stock. Cover and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until the eggplant is tender.


Combine the yogurt, salt and remaining garlic clove. Mix well then spread over the base of the serving dish.


Add the eggplant slices, lifting eggplant carefully to keep intact. Top with remaining sauce and onions. Sprinkle with some fresh mint and coriander for color.


Note: The traditional recipe calls for chakah, which is plain yogurt that has been drained overnight. This makes it a little thicker and drier.

Heat scale: medium