Yesterday I decided to “blitz” the inside of my 2 refrigerators – clearing out an array of containers with bits and pieces which by now most definitely were beyond their ‘best- sell- by- date’.
And when I came to my bottom vegetable drawers I knew that this was the end of a lazy Saturday afternoon for me. I know, I know – I should have attended to this matter in hand a week earlier, but….for one reason or another I never got around to it. Please do tell me, how often do you actually clear your own vegetable drawers?
Once I had started I decided to fill a number of boxes with cleaned and cut up vegetables. Beans – top and tailed, cauliflower and broccoli – cut into florets, the usable stalks of those cut into small pieces and kept for my soups, Carrots peeled and cut into nice little ‘matchsticks’ – ready to be nibbled on whilst writing on my computer or/and late night snack when watching a movie; I am sure by now you get the picture. By the time all this was done, labelled and put back into the fridges after having thoroughly cleaned them I was in no mood to start cooking much.
But since we do like Mushrooms, Okra and Mango – we decided that I would make this little light Lunch for us – its quick, nutritious and most of all delicious. I peeled the Mango and onion and put some nice music on whilst I quickly did the rest.
Mango Relish – Companion for Mushroom and Okra Curry
I did not weigh anything, so just go as well by how hungry you are.
I used for the 2 of us the following:
2 handfuls of nice firm Okra (Ladyfingers), topped and tailed and cut lengthwise in half (or rounds, if you prefer)
1 pre-packed button mushrooms, wiped clean with dry cloth, (never ever use water!)
1 biggish onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 small piece of fresh ginger, finely chopped
4 small garlic pods, sliced
2-3 red chillies, deseeded and finely chopped
3 tomatoes, deseeded and chopped into small cubes
1 tsp fennel seeds
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp coriander seeds (or ½ Tbsp coriander powder)
1 handful of coriander leafs (cilantro), washed and chopped
1 Tbsp of Vegetable oil
½ cup of water
Salt to taste
How to cook:
Take a Wok and over medium heat add oil and when hot add fenell- and coriander seeds and allow them to sizzle for only a second (or they will burn).
When this is done, add turmeric- and ground cumin powder and stir quickly.
After only 1 minute add onions and cook for another 5-6 minutes and then add garlic, ginger, tomatoes and little bit of water (so that Masala will not stick), stir and now add all your mushrooms and okra.
Stir carefully again, cover and let it simmer for maximum 10 minutes.
Check for salt and maybe add just another Tablespoon or two of water to this and uncovered let it cook for just another 5 minutes or so. Keep checking the ‘bite’ on the okra – you want them just a little bit crunchy but not soft or mushy.
When ready, take off the flame, stir in some of your chopped coriander leafs and serve.
It is delicious with just plain (long grain) Basmati rice and some of the mango relish on the side.
For the mango relish you will need:
1 or 2 large ripe Mangos, washed, peeled and cut away from the big stone inside
1 medium sized onion, chopped into small pieces
1 small piece of ginger
2 red chillies (or more!) – deseeded
Pinch of each salt and sugar
How to make:
Add the chopped mango(s), garlic, chilli, ginger and onion into your Blender and ‘blitz’ this for a couple of seconds until the relish is quite smooth.
Check your seasoning: you may want to add more salt since the mangos are quite sweet.
Note:
I used the famous Alphonso Mango, which Jo brought back from the market. The Mango season has just started and so the kitchen is never without this delicious fruit right now.
According to Wikipedia, Alphonso mango is a seasonal fruit, considered to be among the most superior varieties of the fruit in terms of sweetness, richness and flavour.
The variety is named after Alphonso de Albuquerque, a Portuguese general and military expert who helped establish Portuguese colonies in India. The Portuguese introduced grafting on mango trees to produce extraordinary varieties like Alphonso.
The fruit was then introduced to the Konkan region in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and some parts of southern state of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.
Anyone 4 Curry & Other Things 
You outdid yourself …..
I’ll try these recipes ; actually I adore both mangos and savory food!
You outdid yourself …..
I’ll try these recipes ; actually I adore both mangos and savory food!
thank you – I wish you could smell them – delicious!!!! 🙂
You inspire me with your creative flair!!!
🙂 🙂 thank you, Rebecca. Big Hug.
Sending hugs back your way…
This should take the prize for the simplest and tastiest recipe on the Net!! Admit I have to wait a few months to get a good mango in the store but . . . . oh, the curry is most appetizing also . . .
First of all, I try to post recipes from around the world (collected by us) which are delicious but also quick and easy to make. It does not always work out that way, mind you :), but I certainly give it a try. And re Mangoes…..I wish there really was a magic carpet then I could send a box of those to some of my friends, but sadly…for now, you just will have to look at pictures and dream 🙂 🙂
Can’t wait to try the okra and mushrooms!! And the mango relish looks amazing
thank you, Archana – I so hope you will 🙂 re the relish, if you like it “hot” you can also add some dried red chilli flakes when you ‘blitz’ the mangoes – it gives a nice little kick.
Hi Carina! The mushroom okra curry looks yum. Never had mushrooms and okra together, so have to try as I love both the veggies.Hope you are enjoying the monsoons 🙂
thank you for joining me here now 🙂 This is a nice quick dish (which is even nice without hot hot spices), I never had a person who did not like it (unless they hate mushrooms) And yes, enjoying the start of Monsoon – at last we have some cooler weather. Hope to see you soon again 🙂 🙂
How lovely! I would love to have this wonderful dish! Looks delicious. 🙂
Nice to see you here, Kristy. Btw – a little story for you :). Your familyname is “Rhine” (english for Rhein – the river in Germany) and as you can see in my ‘About’ I was born just close by the river Rhein:) 🙂 Hopefully you will find many more recipes here you will like.
Hehe I’m not very good at lazy days too and whenever I have a spare minute I have to do something! Like make this delicious relish!
hi Lorraine, when I do have time in between reading your lovely posts 🙂 I try and make pickles etc. for husband 🙂 🙂 🙂
🙂 🙂 – lovely seeing you again! I did not think for a minute that you of all people even know what “lazy days” are looking at your schedules. Let me know what you think of this relish.
Having moved from Miami to North Carolina January 2015 I do miss the mangoes and avocados.The best place for these trees is in the neighbor’s yard. This way you get the fruit and not the mess. Mango and vanilla ice cream is to die for.
🙂 hallo-namaskaram, Carl. I absolutely agree with you re mangoes and icecream!!! Avocados are a little bit difficult to find and right now I need some for a recipe I want to post – I keep on looking. Of course now that we have the Season I am afraid a few more ‘mango’ treats will appear here.
If you want a pineapple pic send me you email address at my email address dagostino07@gmail.com. I will not reveal your email on blog and I can send you an 8 x 6 to print on your machine. This is the ultimate validation for me.
I am slightly speechless, Carl – what a lovely gift. Thank you very much.
I love mango! It looks delicious, love to give a try. 🙂 Thank you for sharing. 🙂
you are most welcome – hope to see you here more often 🙂 🙂
Sure will. Thank you for your visit. I found you from Sriram’s post. 🙂
Do, Amy – I even love the sour ones! 🙂