Mushroom Masala

This evening I tried a new recipe: Mushroom Masala. I picked up a few recipe cards at the grocery store the other day and this recipe is the last of three thus far. After attempting the two simpler ones first - both successful by the way - I thought it was time to try the more complicated one. The unfortunate thing was I couldn't find all the ingredients, so I had to make do. The following recipe is the original recipe.


Mushroom Masala
Prep time: 20 min.
Cook time: 1 hour
Makes: 4 servings

http://www.presidentschoice.ca/en_CA/recipes/recipeslisting/mushroom_masala.html



Ingredients:
  

• 3 tbsp Omega Oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 3 cups chopped white onions
• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp minced ginger root
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 3/4 tsp turmeric
• 1 can whole tomatoes, pureed with juices
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 pkg (250g each) White mushrooms, cut into quarters
• 2 sweet red peppers, chopped
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 3 tbsp plain low fat yogurt
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh coriander

Directions:

1. In saucepan, heat half of oil over medium-high heat. Add cumin seeds; cook for 30 to 45 seconds or until they sizzle and start to pop.
2. Add onions; cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until soft and browned.
3. Stir in garlic, ginger, ground coriander and turmeric; cook, stirring for 2 minutes longer .
4. Stir in pureed tomatoes and salt. Bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding a bit of water as necessary to prevent sticking
5. Meanwhile, in large non-stick frying pan heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and peppers; cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, or until soft and browned. Add chili powder; cook for 2 minutes longer
6. Stir mushroom mixture into tomato mixture; simmer for another 5 minutes.
7. Stir in yogurt and coriander. Adjust consistency by adding more water if you like. 
8. Serve over basmati rice.

Now, perhaps because I couldn't find Turmeric and I omitted it altogether, my husband and I found this dish somewhat bland. However, he did return for seconds, leaving very few left-overs. I do like the combination of the spices with peppers, tomatoes, and especially the mushrooms, but it certainly needed something else to add a little more flavour, for our tastebuds anyway.

And on that note, please attempt, tweak, and enjoy!




Kage