Mushroom pepper curry - A village treat !

Mushrooms are always associated with rain . If you have lived in a country side , then you will think of  that spread of white mushrooms that bloom after a rain. (keep in mind that only a few mushrooms are edible and it needs some experience to identify them).
Mushrooms are my fantasies since childhood.I have always wondered and asked many people how these tiny soft umbrellas shoot up the next morning after a heavy rain. Our maid Lakshmi told me that the lightning brings the seeds of mushroom to earth (!) or it is the mysterious plant that live for a day indicating some fast life philosophy and a lot of stories....even thrillers too:)
I would get up in the morning after those lightning nights and run to our garden to see if any umbrella has sprung up. On seeing my love for them Lakshmi brought us a lot of mushrooms, which she collected in the woods. Mom, cooked it like a spicy curry as per Lakshmi's idea .Those were like treats to me. Nothing can beat the fragrance of those fresh hand picked mushrooms.
In course of time I learned that these are a kind of fungi that grows if the moisture / humidity reaches a saturation point along with some protein rich environment.Moreover all the mushrooms are not edible. Some are poisonous too.

Ok...Whatever the scientific fact it may be... even now I consider the mushrooms as tiny little gifts from heaven that travels through lightning:) I want it to remain that way only.

Mushroom pepper curry (village style):



Ingredients:
Button Mushroom - 20
coriander powder - 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
garlic paste - 1 tsp
tomato - 1
salt - to taste
oil - 1 tbsp
Red Onion - 1/2
fennel seed - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaf - 1 sprig
Green chilly - 2

To grind:
puffed channa dhal - 1 tbsp
Shallot onion - 4
black pepper - 1 tbsp
cumin - 1/2 tsp

Method:
Put the mushroom in a wide vessel and wash it in water thrice to remove any impurities.
Drain the water completely. Pat dry it with paper towel.Don't squeeze it.
Chop it in lengthwise and keep aside.
Grind the items given.
Heat oil in a wok.
Add the fennel seeds and let it get red in color.
Then add the chopped onion , curry leaf, green chilly and saute well.
Then add the garlic paste and fry till the raw smell goes.
Now put the finely chopped tomatoes and saute till the oil separates.
Then goes the mushroom along with all the powders , salt and ground mixture.
Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
Mushroom pepper curry is ready!

Serving suggestions:
Serve as side dish with paratha, roti or any bread.
Goes very well with piping hot cooked rice too.

Facts:
The nutrient content is very high for all the edible mushrooms and they are considered as one of the natural medicines for cancer and heart disease.
Mushrooms helps in reducing our cholesterol level and boosts the immune system.
A Serving in alternate days will definitely help us keep a good health.
Cook the mushrooms as early as you buy bring them home. It will start to rot in one day after coming home.
There are some poisonous varieties also. So have a thorough knowledge before going for a mushroom pick-up.

An award:
Yesterday I received a cute award from Ramya of Simple vegetarian Recipes. I am speechless. Thanks Ramya ! Your award inspires me to do more.



The rules for this award are :
1. You must mention the person who has given you the award.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link to the person who has nominated you for the award.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.

5. Nominate 7 other Kreativ Bloggers.

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

7. Leave a comment on which of the blogs to let them know they have been nominated.

Well .. I don't know , if it will be interesting. Here are some facts about me.

1)We are living in USA and my mother tongue is Tamil. I love English movies, especially the documentary, cartoons and non-violent movies :)

2)Passionate to visit Churches . I am eager to know about all other religions too.

3)I love to learn different cultures and cuisines. Gardening and watching flowers , birds etc are my leisure time activities.

4)I like various hair cuts , exercise and keep myself updated.

5)My drawback is my fully developed taste buds that crave for all those fried items I see:)

6)I love blogging and the entire blogging community keeps me lively.

7)More concerned about ecology, environment , pollution, protecting fauna and flora of our Earth.

I want to pass this award to all, but as per the rules I have to select just 7 people....So passing these to the following friends .

1)Sashi of Sashi's Tasty bites.

2)SriLakshmi of AnnaPurna.

3)Ganga of My favorite foods.

4)Rebecca of Chow and chatter.

5)Suparna of Food Fascination.

6)Aysha of Life Today.

7) Kalyani of kalyani's kitchen.

Congrats Friends!