Luganno Sas
(Fish in Spicy White Sauce, serves 4)
Slices of fish cooked in a gently spiced sweet and sour sauce and usually served at weddings. Also a favourite served with Khichdee.
INGREDIENTS
450 g (1 Ib) Pomfret, Surmai or Indian
Salmon (Rawas) cut in slices 2 cm (¾ inch) thick
2 medium onions, finely sliced
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh coriander
3 green chillies, finely chopped
1 green chilli, slit
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped (¾ teaspoon)
¼ teaspoon cumin seeds, slightly pounded, or cumin seed powder
2 dessert spoons flour
2 ¼ teaspoons salt
6 cherry tomatoes
2 cups water
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
½ tablespoon sugar
(Blend all 3 in a bowl)
1 egg
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
METHOD
In a pan, heat oil and fry onion till soft and yellow (not brown). Drain excess oil.
Add coriander, chopped green chillies, slit green chilli, garlic and cumin seeds. Blend well and cook on low heat for 5 minutes.
Add flour and blend to a smooth paste, then add water gradually and mix well. Bring mixture to the boil; add 1 teaspoon of salt and simmer, covered, on low heat for 10 minutes.
Add slices of fish, tomatoes and 1¼ teaspoon of salt and continue cooking till fish is cooked.
Let fish cool then add mixture of vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce, sugar and egg. Tilt pan to allow mixture to flow evenly over fish. Place pan again on heat and add the egg-oil mixture and cook 5 minutes longer. Serve immediately.
One of the first books written in English exclusively on Parsi cooking, and because of the never-fail recipes written in a simple easy-to-follow format. The book contains all the Parsi favourites including Dhansakh, Prawn Patio, Sas-ni-Machhi, Chicken Farcha and Laggan Custard. Jeroo Mehta is the doyenne of Parsi cooking. She discovered her culinary talent during her husband s posting at Moscow and has never looked back. Her recipes, which have been tried and tested to perfection, have earned for 101 Parsi Recipes the status of the Bible of Parsi cooking. Her never-fail recipes, written in a detailed and simple style, are easy to follow by those who already know Parsi cooking as well as those who venture to try it for the first time. All the favourites are here, from the famous rice dish Dhansak, and the popular egg recipes, to the best known fish, meat, chicken, and vegetable dishes, and of course, the well-known desserts. Loyal fans of 101 , as it is affectionately known, will be delighted to discover that this new edition has maintained the flavour of the original, updating only the photographs.
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Food matters
“I embarked into marriage without knowing how to cook, and it was because of the trials and tribulations both I and my family had to suffer whenever we were without an experienced cook that I wrote the book, 101 Parsi Recipes,” she says with a laugh. “When I perfected the art of cooking, I decided to put it all down, so no bride would be in the same plight as I was in!” According to Mehta, on festive occasions like Navroz, birthdays and anniversaries, a typical Parsi menu would include a fish dish like Crispy-Brown Fried Fish or Luganno Sas (Fish in Spicy White Sauce), Khari Murghi-ma Sali (Chicken with Potato Straws), Meat Pilau with Masala Dal (Dhansak Dal without meat), or Dhan Dal and Kolimino Patio (Prawn Patio). The meal would end with a dessert of Sev with Sweet Curd, or Ravo.
“I embarked into marriage without knowing how to cook, and it was because of the trials and tribulations both I and my family had to suffer whenever we were without an experienced cook that I wrote the book, 101 Parsi Recipes,” she says with a laugh. “When I perfected the art of cooking, I decided to put it all down, so no bride would be in the same plight as I was in!” According to Mehta, on festive occasions like Navroz, birthdays and anniversaries, a typical Parsi menu would include a fish dish like Crispy-Brown Fried Fish or Luganno Sas (Fish in Spicy White Sauce), Khari Murghi-ma Sali (Chicken with Potato Straws), Meat Pilau with Masala Dal (Dhansak Dal without meat), or Dhan Dal and Kolimino Patio (Prawn Patio). The meal would end with a dessert of Sev with Sweet Curd, or Ravo.
Nuts over food
Over the centuries since the first Zoroastrians arrived in India, Parsis have integrated themselves into Indian society while simultaneously maintaining or developing their own distinct customs and traditions. “The use of dry fruits, liberally sprinkled over desserts and other dishes, and saffron, are a Persian influence,” says Mehta.“Almonds, pistachios, kismis, walnuts, cashew, etc enhance Parsi cuisine. Figs, pomegranates (symbol of fertility), plums and apricots are used with abandon and decorate special dishes for celebrations during festivals and on any happy occasion.Although a lot of our cooking reflects the Persian influence, which followed us to India 13 centuries ago, Parsi cuisine has adopted many ingredients that are used by other communities in India,” she reasserts. Thus Milky Falooda (traditionally served at Navroz), coconut milk in cooking and many other flavours and spices of the varied and individual cuisines of India have become part of Parsi cuisine.
Over the centuries since the first Zoroastrians arrived in India, Parsis have integrated themselves into Indian society while simultaneously maintaining or developing their own distinct customs and traditions. “The use of dry fruits, liberally sprinkled over desserts and other dishes, and saffron, are a Persian influence,” says Mehta.“Almonds, pistachios, kismis, walnuts, cashew, etc enhance Parsi cuisine. Figs, pomegranates (symbol of fertility), plums and apricots are used with abandon and decorate special dishes for celebrations during festivals and on any happy occasion.Although a lot of our cooking reflects the Persian influence, which followed us to India 13 centuries ago, Parsi cuisine has adopted many ingredients that are used by other communities in India,” she reasserts. Thus Milky Falooda (traditionally served at Navroz), coconut milk in cooking and many other flavours and spices of the varied and individual cuisines of India have become part of Parsi cuisine.
About the Ses
Pointing to the cover of her bestseller, 101 Parsi Recipes, which shows a Ses (used on auspicious occasions) and consists of a silver plated tray or thali, containing a pigani, a container for the kum-kum, a vermillion paste, a paro which is conical shaped and contains sakar (large sugar crystals), and a gulabus which contains rose water, Mehta explains how each constituent of the thali has immense significance to a Parsi.There may also be paan and sopari and a fish, which are considered auspicious symbols. The Ses may also contain rice, signifying abundance, sugar (sweetness), silver coins (wealth), eggs, for long life, and pomegranate.
Pointing to the cover of her bestseller, 101 Parsi Recipes, which shows a Ses (used on auspicious occasions) and consists of a silver plated tray or thali, containing a pigani, a container for the kum-kum, a vermillion paste, a paro which is conical shaped and contains sakar (large sugar crystals), and a gulabus which contains rose water, Mehta explains how each constituent of the thali has immense significance to a Parsi.There may also be paan and sopari and a fish, which are considered auspicious symbols. The Ses may also contain rice, signifying abundance, sugar (sweetness), silver coins (wealth), eggs, for long life, and pomegranate.
Anonymous
Aug 8, 2013, 9:38 amI have to say that this was my husbands first book used as a student , it was then used by myself. T recipes are not complicated and very delicious. Thankyou Jeroo Mehta !
Peri’s Spice Ladle
Aug 8, 2013, 6:10 pmJeroo Mehta’s book is the Parsi food handbook to many! Great review, Rita, I’ve linked to it in my ‘worth a read’ section:)
Rita
Aug 8, 2013, 9:19 amThanks Peri
gooloomehta
May 5, 2014, 2:27 amexcellent recipe. thanks for the same dear.
Rita
Jun 6, 2014, 11:23 pmI did the review on Jeroo Mehta after making her famous Saas. Fantastic recipe.
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Apr 4, 2015, 12:22 pm[…] Parsi poro (a six egg omelet), seafood dominates lunchtime meals with prawn patio, patra ni macchi, saas ni macchi with rice and dinner is generally a mutton or chicken-based gravy with rotis or patties,” […]
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MRS.GULNAR.R.MISTRY.
Oct 10, 2017, 9:43 amWE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IN WHICH SHOP THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE?
Rita
Oct 10, 2017, 10:08 amYou can buy it from Amazon. Where are you located?
Rita
Oct 10, 2018, 9:30 amThanks Peri <3
Rita
Oct 10, 2018, 9:33 amThanks for the comment. Glad you like the cookbook.
Rita