They laugh a lot, they sing a lotalmost always in harmony, given their association with church choirsand they like to eat well and, well, eat a lot. All the Fernandeses, Saldanhas, Sequeiras, DSouzas, Goviases, Albuquerques and so many more with all those distinctively Iberian last names have enriched my life since I was a child.
Our neighbourhood, lives and food would be much poorer without the Mangys. That is the somewhat politically incorrect but droll term by which Mangaloreans, primarily of Roman Catholic persuasion, refer to themselves.
Our 12-year-olds felicity with the piano and her eight-year vocal training in a wonderful choir called the Bangalore Childrens Chorus are entirely the result of the Mangalorean Roman Catholic environment around her (the other dominating influence is Muslim, which allows her to partake not just of another marvellous set of cuisines but adapt easily to that culture as well). So, A flat and D major scales may be mysterious places for us but not for her. I am tone deaf, and her mother is given to Hindi or Urdu film songs of a certain provenance, mostly the 1950s-60sgive her a tune and she can sing the entire song, whether Lata Mangeshkar or Begum Akhtar.
But the most pernicious daily influence of the Mangys is on our food, for two reasons. One, it shares great similarities with my native Goan cuisine, but because the local stores stock Mangalorean spices and ingredients, some of which are distinct, I use them a lot. Two, there are just so many Mangy home chefs around that one cannot but help be influenced by, or order from, them.
Now, we have access to a variety of home-made cuisines, from Navayath Muslim to Punjabi to Ao Naga (and our favourite Parsi baker) but my go-to home chef is a calm Mangalorean, Lisa Govias, whose daily offerings show up in my WhatsApp almost every day.
My fridge is always stocked with her long-term offerings, including chicken, beef cutlets and meatballs, and I frequently order her specials, which range from prawn biryani to roast chicken. But her best offerings are the bafatspork, chicken and muttonespecially those made in roce, which in Konkani is coconut milk, used widely by Goans, Keralites, Maharashtrians and Mangaloreans. The bafat, or baffat, is a distinctively Mangalorean (and Goan) masala with Portuguese influences, used for meat, especially pork or dukramaas. As with so many Indian cultures, each house originally made its own bafat powder in bulk with its own mix of spices. There are now various brands available; Govias uses Savitha Bafat Powder.
Like many industrious Mangaloreans, she is so much more than her bafat. She is a baker, a Reiki and Akashic healer, a counsellor. She began baking at 7, cooking for her familymore than 25, typical of the Mangaloreansin her teens, catering for 100-plus dinners by 21. Home, she says, is where her hearth is, where five burners burn every day, fuelling her home-catering business Pepper That.
Govias doesnt offer bafat as often as I would like, so I asked for her recipe.
It wasnt nearly as good, but it was a good enough substitute. You can make bafat masala at home, using your own combination of dried Kashmiri chillies, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, black peppercorn, turmeric, cinnamon and cloves.
LISA GOVIAS MUTTON BAFAT ROCE CURRYServes 8
Ingredients1kg mutton, cut into medium pieces2 onions, chopped fine2 tomatoes, chopped fine2 medium-sized potatoes, cut into quarters2 slit green chillies1 tsp ginger paste1 tsp garlic pasteOne-third cup tamarind juiceJuice of 1 coconut (thin and thick milk) or 3 coconut milk powder sachets2 -3 heaped tbsp bafat powder3-4 cardamom pods3-4 cloves1-2 sticks of cinnamon2-3 tbsp coconut oilSalt to taste
MethodWash and put mutton to boil with water and salt for 30-45 minutes till tender. You can also pressure-cook it. Add the potatoes to parboil with the mutton about 10 minutes or so before it is done. In a vessel, heat oil, add in the whole spices, then saut the onions till they start turning brown. Add the ginger and garlic paste and fry well for a few minutes, add the tomatoes and let cook until they break down. Lower the heat and add the bafat masala. Fry for 30-40 seconds, then add the tamarind juice and mix well. Add the remaining water from the boiled mutton and let it come to a boil. Add the mutton and potatoes and let it boil for a few minutes.
You can now can add the thin coconut milk. If you are using the sachets, add one packet, mixed in one-third cup of warm water. Let it cook for about five minutes. Add in the sliced green chillies and salt to taste. Then add the remaining thick coconut milk or the two sachets mixed in warm water. Let it boil for a few minutes. Lastly, add a tablespoon of coconut oil and then take off the heat. Serve hot with rice as an accompaniment.
Our Daily Bread is a column on easy, inventive cooking. Samar Halarnkar is the author of The Married Mans Guide To Creative CookingAnd Other Dubious Adventures. @samar11
Also read | The magic of steaming food in a banana leaf
Originally posted here:
Mutton, music and those magnificent Mangys - Mint Lounge
- Stuart Stevens on Politically Incorrect - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect - 1998 (Ray Davies / Paul Mooney) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher feat. Marilyn Manson (August 13, 1997) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect with the Wack Pack(1/2) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher w/ Timothy Dalton-1999 Pt 1 - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Madtv - S07E05 - Politically Incorrect - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect with Camille Paglia - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect on LSD with guest Robert Anton Wilson - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Christine O'Donnell on Politically Incorrect 05-16-1997 Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Christine O'Donnell saying she was a witch - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Combat 84 - Politically Incorrect - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- David Brenner on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect #14 2/15/00 - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer (1 of 4) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer (3 of 4) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Willie Barcena - Hilarious Politically Incorrect Stand Up Comedy - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect August 1998 Part 2 of 2 Eddie Izzard Christine O'Donnell - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect August 1998 Part 1 of 2 Eddie Izzard Christine O'Donnell - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect with John Waters, Stephen Dorff etc (part 1) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Bill Maher Finally Goes Head To Head With Christine O’Donnell On Real Time [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2012]
- Paul Fenech’s Housos gets second series on SBS [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2012]
- Dan Morain: Promise of youth fails to produce at the polls [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2012]
- Last season of 'The Office' starts Thursday [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2012]
- Dan Morain: Promise of youth vote fails to produce at polling places [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2012]
- Jon Stewart Hilariously Accepts 10th Consecutive Emmy for Best Variety Series [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2012]
- Active video games such as Kinect burn enough calories to qualify as exercise, study suggests [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2012]
- Can Your Pro-Life Bumper Sticker Actually Get You in Trouble? [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2012]
- Politically incorrect [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2012]
- The 54 Percent: In defense of political correctness [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- When Will It Be Politically Incorrect To Associate SEO With Scam? [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Atkins, Benn show differences in hour-long debate [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Democratic PAC uses ‘loud’ Joe Walsh in ads against Dold, Biggert [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Democratic PAC uses ‘loud’ Walsh in ads against other Dold, Biggert [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Dem PAC uses ‘loud’ Joe Walsh in 10th District ads [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Comments [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Democratic PAC using ‘loud’ Walsh in ads against other Dold, Biggert [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Democratic PAC using ‘loud’ Walsh in ads against colleagues Dold, Biggert [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Obama, Romney Halloween masks hot sellers in election year [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Cindy Lange-Kubick: A capital time, on the Capitol steps [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- Sign language users drop politically incorrect signs [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Want a security pro? For starters, get politically incorrect and understand geek culture [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Wake-up: 'Politically incorrect' Browns QBs [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- SBS reveals bold 2013 line-up [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Ann Coulter Calls Obama ‘The Retard’ [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Mentally Corrupted - Backstage Segment (w/ Lesbianna [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Politically Correct vs. Politically Incorrect - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect Toons 12-Superman Jungle Drums (1943) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- A Krazy Halloween - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Todd Berry "Politically Incorrect Redneck" Proof - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Mini Mid Wife - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution Q [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Barneys Version Part 1 Full Movie - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (8 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (7 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (6 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (5 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (4 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Mentally Corrupted - Politically Incorrect: Part 2 (S1) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- The Game Season 2 Episode 7 - Media Blitz - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (3 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (2 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (1 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer 1/4 - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer 2/4 - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer 3/4 - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer 4/4 - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Mentally Corrupted - JhoJha Knows Best "Politically Incorrect: Part 1" (S1) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- HardenUpApp - Screenshot Showcase - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- "The End Of Sober" (Sing-Along Version) - The Real Drunk Housewives of the San Fernando Valley - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- DEATH (on a shoestring) What the audience thought... - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Friday Talkie: Layout, Keys [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Sebastian Bergman - The Cursed One "Crime Scene" - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Sebastian Bergman - The Cursed One "Case closed" - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Sebastian Bergman - The Cursed One "intro" - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Satan guests on Steve Dahl Podcast 10.31.2012 - Video [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]
- ONE DIRECTION: FUNNY PARODY LOUIS AND ZAYN LEAKED GAY FOOTAGE: SKYPE CALL [SKIT / SPOOF] part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]
- Petey [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]
- Group wants residents’ ‘politically incorrect’ stories [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Guy Fawkes Mask Mould Complete - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]