ANANAS SAMBHARE

(PINEAPPLE CURRY)

A Pathare Prabhu meal is incomplete without a coconut milk based curry……. No Pathare Prabhu wedding feast is complete without this wonderful sweet & spicy Ananas Sambhare…….. Ananas means pineapple…… This delicious fruit contains disease fighting antioxidants, helps in digestion, suppresses inflammation, boosts immunity, etc……. Coconut milk has many benefits too…… It strengthens the bones, helps prevent anemia, improves digestion, boosts the immune system, has antibacterial, antiviral & antifungal properties, etc.

INGREDIENTS : 200 gms chopped pineapple, 2 green chillies, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, a pinch of asafoetida, 1 tbsp besan (gram flour), 1 cup coconut milk, 3 tsp sugar, Salt to taste, water, 1 tsp oil.

DIRECTIONS : Chop the pineapple……. Slit one green chilli…. Chop the other green chilli in thin slices……… Mix besan with 3 tbsp water to make thick smooth paste…… Heat oil on a medium flame…… Add slit green chilli and a pinch of asafoetida….. After a few seconds add the pineapple pieces & turmeric powder…… Sauté…….. Add 1 & 1/2 cup water and stir…….. Simmer till pineapple pieces soften…….. Mix in sugar and salt….. Simmer….. Now mix in the besan paste stirring constantly but lightly to prevent any lump formation……… Add coconut milk….. Stir….. The moment it simmers, put off the flame…….. Garnish with thinly sliced green chillies…….. Serve hot with steamed rice.

NOTES : Adjust green chillies according to taste……. Can add cashewnuts – for this add cashewnuts while sautéing pineapple pieces…… One can adjust consistency of the gravy, according to taste, by increasing/decreasing water/coconut milk.