Celeb Recipe: BY Ejaz Khan,

This is one of my favourites since my childhood. You must try it.

Mirchi ka salan

Ingredients (serves 6)

250 gms large long green chillies
1 stalk curry leaves
2 tbsp oil
tsp turmeric powder
tsp dhania (coriander seed) powder
tsp cumin seeds
2 lemon-sized balls tamarind, soaked in 1 cup water
1 tbsp grated dessicated coconut
2-3 pinches asafoetida
salt to taste

Roast and grind to a powder:
1 tbsp peanuts
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds

Grind to a fine paste:
1 large onion
1 large tomato
1 tsp garlic grated
1 tsp ginger grated
1 tsp chironji

Method
Deseed and remove stalk of chillies. Boil them in plenty of water into which a little salt has been added. cook the chillies till they become a whitish pale in colour. Drain, chop into large sections or keep whole. Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add chillies, fry for a minute. Keep aside. Add cumin seeds, allow to splutter. Add curry leaves to oil, asafoetida, ground paste and coconut.

Stir and cook for three-four minutes. Add ground powder, masala powders, simmer till oil seperates. Add salt and tamarind water, and a cup of water. Add chillies, boil till gravy is thickened and oil floats on top. Garnish with fresh cream. Serve piping hot with sheermal, khuskha or parathas.