Sunday, February 6, 2011

Cranberry and Granny Smith Apple Pickle / Thokku

This is my first venture into pickles and thanks to M ( read Meena ) for this recipe which by the way is her creation. This pickle turned out to be a hit and vanished in no time! Infact we tasted this pickle during one of our get togethers at M's place and I immediately asked her for the recipe. She mailed me the step by step procedure for the same. I followed them as specified and it turned out perfect - spicy, tangy and with a tinge of sweetness. I plan to make some more before the end of cranberry season!

Prep time : 20 - 30 mins
Cooking Time : 20 - 25 mins

Ingredients :

Fresh cranberry - 12 oz ( one packet ), cut into 4 - 6 pieces
Granny Smith apples - 3 nos, medium sized, grated
Red chilli powder - 6 - 7 tsp or as per taste ( the chilli powder that I  was using was not very hot, ideally 3-4 tsp should work )
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp + 1 tsp ( to grind )
Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 3/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil - 1 - 2 tbsp

Ten mins prior to cooking :

Roast 1 tsp of mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds on medium to low heat till the fenugreek seeds turn golden brown in color. Cool and grind into a fine powder.

Procedure :

Take a big wok and heat oil on medium. Once it is hot add in the mustard seeds, and as they crackle add in the turmeric powder, chilli powder, fenugreek powder and mustard powder ( Turn the heat to low, just in case, you feel you might burn them ). Give a quick stir and add in the cranberries and grated apple along with salt ( increase the heat to medium again ) . Keep stirring in between and cook till the cranberries and apple become real mushy ( approx 20 -25 mins on medium heat ). Check for salt and tartness. If you feel its still very tart add some more chilli powder. For more sweetness you can even add jaggery ( Since the sweetness from apples was enough, I didn't add jaggery ).

When you get a homogenous mix and feel the taste is perfect ( spicy, little tangy with a tinge of sweetness), turn off the heat. Serve with curd rice!

3 comments:

  1. Cranberry in general is very good for health and also dal with it is good too. Nice recipe.

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  2. Hmm good combination.Kalakara saranya.Konjam enaku anupi vei.

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