Kashmiri Recipes
RECIPE NO. 191
'Onion & Shallots Emulsion'
An Emulsion of Onions and Shallots,
is used in most of the Muslim Dishes, and is prepared at the very start of a 'Vazavan'
Dinner. In fact, this very skillfully prepared seasoning imparts a special aroma
and a distinct flavour to most of the 'Vazavan' Dishes, so much so that
preparation of this Emulsion alongwith the right method of using Garlic, is
believed to be the secret of 'Vazavan' specialities.
Apart from a 'Vazavan', even in
home cooking, one can find most women of Kashmir, adept at cooking various
delicious Dishes. The skill has been handed over from mother to her daughters,
and daughters-in-law or the younger sisters, for generations. Here also,
Spices, Condiments and Seasoning play an important part, in addition to their
methods of Traditional Cooking.
| 1. Onions |
1 kg |
| 2. Shallots (K-'Pran') |
1 kg |
| 3. Mustard Oil |
1/2 kg |
| 4. Clarified Butter |
100 gm |
| Sometimes Suet is partly or wholly
used in place of oil. |
1. Peel and cut off the hairy roots and green tops
of Onions and Shallots. Chop these, lengthwise, into uniform pieces.
2. In a 'Kadahi', heat the
oil till foam disappears, and then add butter and Suet (if used). Deep fry
the chopped Onions and Shallots on medium heat, turning these regularly by
means of a perforated ladle (H- 'Jharna'). When these turn
golden-brown and become crisp, strain oil, etc., thoroughly thorough a
colander, or a strainer. This oil can be used for cooking, or for future
frying of Onions and Shallots.
3. Grind these fried Onions and Shallots in a
Stone Mortar by means of a Wooden Pestle (H-'Havan Dasta').
Then, while adding enough hot water slowly, continue grinding till it
turns into a Milky Emulsion, which is now ready for use in various Dishes
as a seasoning. This Emulsion replaces Asafoetida used by Kashmiri Pandits.
In daily Domestic Preparation of various Dishes,
Onions, Shallots and also Garlic, in smaller quantities, are fried and
ground and made into an emulsion etc., according to the need, side by
side, during cooking.
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