Monsoon Musings-1

The rains have officially come to Bombay (well not today..its horribly humid today, but in general), you know when its grey in the morning and all you want to do is snuggle under your blanket for just 5 more minutes please!  Its that time when you go trigger happy clicking grey skies and crazy sea pics. Wearing white may make you feel like Chandini, but you,infact, look like a drowning duck (can ducks even drown?that would be weird na!What would happen to the water off their backs then?Why do I think of such strange things!). When my birthday comes and I drive my whole extended fam jam mad for a week before and a week after (though this year was just a day's celebration..the perils of growing old without growing up!..Note to self *MUST* change this horrible trend and go back to making it a week long celebration..Husband PLEASE NOTE.).Cakes are in abundance (a not so good figure of 4 this year..and opposed to a record 25 on my 18th Birthday thanks to Ma and Shellu).When, without fail, we discuss my epic 5th (or was it 6th) Birthday party at home, that got washed out and my 9th floor apartment was completely flooded. No one besides Shalini Didi (my dad's sister) came, she drove from Juhu with a swimming pool in her car!Its my second most memorable birthday till date when I excitedly thought that God had turned Bombay into my personal paddle pool  (yes, silver lining, positive thinking and a crazy riot of an imagination started at a very young age for me!)

Just for those who are curious, and I know some of you are, my most memorable birthday till date has been my 8th one, when my parents told me they're *gifting* me a sibling, but the thing- being Suh as we all know her- would come in December..I love how my parents just gifted Suveer and me a sibling and then made us do *all* the work for her.

Anyhow, rains are also when Bhajiyas and chai cravings peak. Masala Butta is found in every corner- and you think "I'll have one tomorrow, when it pours" and before you know it, the monsoons are gone!
Its also that time of the year when I crave spicy meaty food, warm soup and patties. Exactly what I made.

Goan Sausage Rice (My gorgeous Ma's recipe)
Ingredients

2 packets (about 400 gms) Goan Sausages cut into bite sized pieces* (these are pork sausages)
2 1/2 cups raw Rice (washed, drained dried blah blah)
3 big  potatoes cut into 6-8 cubes
4 tomatoes chopped small
3 medium onions chopped small
4-6 green chillies (more if you so wish)
10 pods garlic + 2 tsp minced garlic
2 bay leaves
4 pepper corns
A pinch of Turmeric (Haldi) and Coriander (Dhaniya) powder
Salt, pepper and a bit of chilli powder
1 Tbs oil
2 1/2 Cups water

Method

In a pressure cooker, warm the oil on slow flame (you only need a tbs as the sausage has its own fat and you cook the rice in that. Its gives the rice a divine smoky and insanely good flavour) and add the sausages. Initially the sausages may burn a bit, but once the fat is separated, its all good. Add the bay leaves and pepper corns and let them crackle. Add onions and minced garlic and mix well but not like you're killing the sausages to a mince (get it?? no? ok!). Once the onions have browned add the tomatoes, turmeric, coriander and red chilli powder and mix well. When the tomatoes will start resembling a thick paste, add the potatoes and coat them well with the tomato mixture. Add the rice,water (there should be enough water so that the rice cooks but doesn't become mush) and about 6 pods of garlic. After about 2-3 whistles, turn off the gas and let it sit for about 10 minutes then open the cooker to see if the rice is done. Check the potatoes as they take longer to cook. The rice grains should be separate and not mushy. If it is mushy, well its ok, will still taste awesome. If not cooked, on slow flame just cook it for about 5 mins (but this should not be required).

Check if you need salt as the sausages are quite salty. Add pepper and remaining garlic pods, close the cooker and let it sit for a bit. This enhances the smokiness and overall yumminess. Honestly I forgot to add the garlic and I did it only in the end. The result was yummier rice.

I have this just the way it is with no accompaniments.

* I wish there was an alternative to Goan Sausages but alas there are none.

Yumminess in a bowl

Ps: My next post, yes yes I KNOW I said no more forewarning but now I have to share, will be Mint Chicken and Corn in white sauce patties.


PPs: You sitting right there reading my blog, hopefully smiling as you read it, yes, I'm talking to you.. I know you read it..my blog stats told me so...message me! Tell me what you think of my blog (Be Kind!) give me suggestions! I'd love to hear from you.
xoxo