Malai Methi Mushroom

Some days are so blah ....... And today I can't blame it on the weather like I always do. It was a lovely sunny day, the snow has melted into a small puddle, the neighborhood kids were out playing, people were walking their dogs and basking in the sun ..... everything seemed perfect.

Sigh ! It was not the best day for me ..... sleepless nights (thanks to my office fellas'), tangled hair, puffy eyes and chapped lips, I stood like a nerd on my patio with a blank head staring into infinity.

I wanted to break free .... I finally pulled myself and dusted my walking shoes. I felt a gush of cool air in my lungs. The gentle breeze blew my tangled hair and kissed my lips. My skin soaked in the bright sun after a long winter. It was pure bliss. I walked around aimlessly staring at the majestic Rocky Mountains in the horizon. I pondered how amazing God's creation is and how we ignore the beauty of small things in our daily materialistic lives.

I came back home refreshed and soaked myself in a tub of warm water with few orange peels. It was Valentine Day ..... in fact the day was almost over. I decided to make this mushroom curry for my Mr Valentine !! I wore the Red Dress and it was a cozy dinner for two with some mushy moments @ Apt 355.

Preparation Time 30 minutes

Serves 3

Mushroom - 1 pound

Onion - 1/3 cup chopped

Garlic - 1 large clove

Ginger - 1/2 inch

Tomato Puree - 1 tbsp

Cashew Nuts - 6

Honey - 1 tsp

Milk - 2 cups

Kasuri Methi - 1 tsp

Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp

Turmeric - 1 pinch

Red Chili Powder - 1/2 tsp

Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp

Tomato Ketchup - 1 tsp

Cinnamon - 1 inch

Cardamon - 1

Bay Leaf - 1

Cumin - 1/3 tsp

Salt per taste

Butter - 1 tsp

Oil for cooking

Method of Preparation

1 Clean Mushrooms, chop and keep aside. Make a fine paste of onion, ginger and garlic without adding much water. Grind cashew and make a paste

2 Heat oil and butter in a kadhai/ wok. When warm add cumin seeds and all the whole garam masala. Add the onion ginger garlic paste, turmeric, red chili powder and salt. Fry till there is no raw smell in the masala and till the masala oozes oil. Now add the tomato puree to it and stir in. You may also use store bought tomato paste. Add the coriander powder and fry for 1 minute.

3 Add the chopped mushrooms to the masala and mix well with the masala. Fry on medium heat till the mushrooms sweat. Add cashew paste, kasuri methi and stir in. Also add honey.

4 Pour milk and let it simmer on medium heat till the gravy reaches a thick consistency. Keep stirring intermittently. Add tomato ketchup.

5 Add garam masala powder and simmer for 2 more minutes before switching off the heat.

Serving Tips

Serve warm with Pulao/ Rice/ Roti etc

Notes

You may also add green peas with the mushroom. Tastes equally great.