Usli Ghee Recipes

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter over very low heat; so not stir.
• When butter is completely melted, increase heat just enough to bring to boiling. Stir once and immediately reduce the heat to low. Simmer the butter, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
• Line a strainer with several layers of clean cheesecloth. Strain the clear liquid through it, making sure none of the solids in the bottom of the pan goes through. Pour into a clean jar. Cover and label. Store in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Put the lentils and turmeric in a deep pot. Add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cook lentils, gently simmering, partially covered, until cooked but still hold their shape, about 30 minutes. Stir a few times during cooking to ensure the lentils are not sticking to the pan and burning. Add more water if necessary. Add squash, tomatoes, onions and curry powder and mix well. Cook for 10 minutes or until the vegetables and lentils are tender. Stir in the nuts and salt; cover and set aside. Heat the ghee or oil in a small frying pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add cumin and cook until the spice turns several shades darker. Add asafetida and crushed pepper. Let spices sizzle for a minute then put the entire contents of the pan over the lentil-vegetable mixture. Add coriander and stir just a few times to mix lightly. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve with deep fried balloon bread.
• Heat stick of butter in a small saucepan over low-heat until fully melted, 5 minutes. Increase heat and cook the butter until all its moisture evaporates and the milk solids turn brown, and the clear fat will turn golden amber, about 5 minutes. Strain the clear fat usli ghee into a jar.

Steps:

• In a large skillet cook chopped onion, garlic, and gingerroot in hot Usli Ghee or cooking oil till the onion is tender but not brown.
• Combine 1 tsp garam masala, cumin, mace, salt, cinnamon, turmeric,paprika, and red pepper; stir into the onion mixture. Remove from the pan.
• Brown the meat, half at a time, in hot Usli Ghee or oil. Add more Usli Ghee or oil to the skillet, if necessary. Drain off the excess fat. Return the meat and onion mixture to the pan. Add 1/4 cup water. Cover and simmer about 1 1/4 hours or until the meat is tender, stirring frequently to keep the mixture from sticking. If the mixture gets too thick while cooking, add 1 more tablespoon of water.
• Stir together the yogurt, sour cream, and flour; stir the mixture into the skillet and heat through, but do not boil.
• To serve, transfer the meat mixture to a heated serving dish and sprinkle cilantro on top. Serve with hot cooked rice and sweet tomato chutney.

Steps:

• Cook potatoes in large pot of generously salted boiling water until partially cooked (tester will meet some resistance), about 15 minutes. Drain potatoes, rinse in cold water, and drain again. Peel, cover, and chill until very cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 day.
• Coarsely grate potatoes into large bowl. Melt butter in large ovenproof castiron skillet over medium-low heat. Add shallots; sauté until soft, about 6 minutes. Add shallot mixture, 2 teaspoons coarse salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to potatoes (reserve skillet). Toss to blend evenly (do not compact potato mixture). DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Melt 4 tablespoons usli ghee in reserved skillet over medium heat. Add half of potato mixture (5 1/2 to 6 cups). Stir gently until ghee is absorbed, about 2 minutes. Spread potatoes to even layer, then press firmly with metal spatula to compact. Cook 5 minutes, pressing and flattening occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low. Place slightly smaller skillet atop potato cake. Weigh down with heavy can (such as 28-ounce can of tomatoes). Cook potato cake 15 minutes, pressing occasionally.
• Remove can and small skillet. Press potato cake again to flatten. Spread with 2 tablespoons ghee.
• Place skillet in oven and bake potato cake uncovered 15 minutes. Run narrow spatula around potato cake. Turn out onto platter, bottom (crusty) side up. Immediately cut into wedges and serve with applesauce. Repeat with remaining potatoes and ghee.
• Indian clarified butter (also called ghee); available at some supermarkets and specialty foods stores and at Indian markets.