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March 03, 2013

Vegetarian Xacuti

Blogging Marathon# 26: Week 1/ Day 1
Theme: Goan Cuisine
Dish: Vegetarian Xacuti with Meatless Meatballs
Today we start Blogging Marathon# 26 and my theme for this week is "Goan Cuisine". The only dish that  I have tried from Goa is the Vegetable Vindaloo. So when I saw this theme, I decided to try more dishes from this cuisine.
When I think of Goa, I think of scenic blue seas, beautiful churches and lush greenery. All this from watching a ton of Indian movies because I'm fortunate to visit this paradise on earth yet. Hopefully one day we can make this trip. When I think of Goan cuisine, I think of seafood and meat, because from movies like Saagar of the coast, the Portuguese colonization and the Christian population. But what I didn't know that there are vegetarian dishes that are unique to konkani region.
The dishes I tried are actually made with meat and have fancy names. For the first day I made Xacuti which is usually made with chicken or lamb, but I used meatless meatballs to make it a vegetarian/ vegan dish. I wanted to make seitan but didn't find the time, so opted for meatless meatballs I had in the fridge. Mixed vegetables can also be used instead.
 
I used Suma's Xacuti masala recipe. It has 11 ingredients and once the masala powder is ready, curry itself takes no time to put together.

Ingredients:
For the Curry:
Meatless Meatballs - 15 (homemade or store bought)
Onion - 1 large, chopped
Crushed Tomatoes - ½cup
Ginger + Garlic paste - 1tsp
Tamarind paste - 2tsp
Xacuti Masala - 3tbsp
Salt - to taste

For the Xacuti Masala:
Sesame seeds - 3tbsp
Peanuts - 2tbsp
Dry grated  Coconut - ½cup
Coriander seeds - 2tbsp
Cloves - 12
Cinnamon - six 1" piece
Nutmeg powder - ½tsp
Fenugreek seeds - ½tsp
Dry red chilies - 12
Mustard seeds - 1tsp
Fennel seeds - 1tsp
Method:
  • Make the Masala Powder: Dry roast all the ingredients listed under masala except for coconut, on low flame until they are fragrant and change 2 shades darker. Let cool and grind to a powder along with coconut.
  • Make the curry: Heat 2tbsp oil in a saute pan, add the onions and cook on medium flame until they turn golden brown. Add the ginger+garlic paste and cook for another minute.
  • Next add the crushed tomatoes and tamarind paste along with ½cup of water . Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the Xacuti masala and cook for 5 more minutes. Finally add the meatballs and cook until heated through. Serve warm with rice or roti.
I served with some simple veggie fried rice.

Lets check out what my fellow marathoners have cooked up today for BM# 26.
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20 comments:

  1. wow!Awesome presentation!The name looks so complicated. Learning a lot about Goan food this BM.

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  2. that was a good idea of using veg meat balls...i made one today using eggs

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  3. Never heard of meatless meat balls until now. I checked your recipe and it is absolutely brilliant. Loved the xacuti masala also. The combination of fried rice and xacuti looks fabulaous...

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  4. Oh this is such a stunning sauce. Never had it before but Im sure it is worth the effort.

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  5. My impression of Goa is same as yours, and again from watching a whole lot of movies! Hopefully, we will get to see the place one day :)

    The Xacuti and the clicks are really great. Love it!

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  6. Goan cuisine is one cuisine I have never tried to took...wonder why?...the dish looks really inviting..and must be tried asap!

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  7. The picture of the final product looks so good, Pavani.

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  8. Am in love with that cute kadai, vegetarian xacuti looks absolutely fantabulous, lovely twist to the usual non vegetarian one.

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  9. Me too.. That fancy kadai is so cute.. Actually thats the first to catch the attention in the click... Lovely presentation and the curry looks awesome... Where did you get that?

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    1. Thank you Nisha. That kadai is from India :-)

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  10. Never made anything with meatless meat balls. Your recipe looks awesome. Going to try it soon sometime :)

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  11. You are on a Gian cooking spree, Pavani !! Almost looks like Dum aloo ... Yummy clicks, as always !!!

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  12. I read so much about xacuti for a research but never came around making any of those dishes. The masala used for this dish sounds interesting.lovely pictures Pavani..I love how the rice looks in your fried rice..

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  13. The xacuti masala looks awesome.. So flavorful..

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  14. Xacuti is new for me, your presentation is inviting, love the food color.

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  15. I loved the idea of using meatless meatballs in this recipe. All the pictures are looking fabulous. Especially love the last rice one. Did you cook it in a rice cooker or how? It looks nicely done and fluffy.

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    1. Suma, Thank you. I don't own a rice cooker. I made the rice in my good ol' pressure cooker.

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  16. Yummy! You pics are a visual treat. My mouth is watering & i am feeling hungry.

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