Recipe: Mushroom Xacuti
Mushroom Xacuti or Shakuti is a Goan style spicy curry. Generally, chicken is used for this Xacuti (pronounced as Shaa – ku- tee) dish. Vegetarian options are usually made with mushrooms, soya chunks or mixed vegetables. Best to make the xacuti spice mixture at home. The freshness of the spice blend adds so much flavour to the dish. Xacuti comes from the Portuguese word chacuti which means curry. The Portuguese liked the local preparation of spicy chicken and called it chacuti de galinha.
Memories
March 2024, we had a family reunion in Bangalore. To celebrate my daughter’s birthday we went to Klaa, a Goan Restaurant for lunch. Considering the bad traffic in Bangalore, it took us almost an hour to reach the place. However, the drive in the traffic was worth it. Being the only vegetarian in the group, I ordered a Vegetable Thali. Included in the thali besides rice, paneer cafreal, veg cutlets, salad and dessert was a spicy mushroom xacuti. It was the first time I tasted a xacuti and loved it with the traditional Goan bread Poee. We can’t wait to go back to the restaurant when we visit Bangalore again.
More About Xacuti
Though the commonest non vegetarian Xacuti is the chicken one, it can be made with beef, lamb, crab, prawns, etc.
What To Serve With Xacuti?
- Plain rice
- Goan breads like pao, poee, steamed sanna.
Sharing Mushroom Xacuti Recipe With 2024 Alphabet Challenge Group
When I tasted mushroom xacuti at the Goan restaurant Klaa, I knew instantly what my dish for letter X was going to be. There is not a wide choice of ingredients beginning with X. Xmas recipes, xanthan gum. Or would have to search for either Far East or South American dishes that begin with X.
The Alphabet Challenge Journey So Far
X Recipes By Members Of The Group
- Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Brothless Ramen with XO Sauce
- Sneha’s Recipe: Chicken Xacuti
- Mayuri’s Jikoni: Mushroom Xacuti
- Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: X’s & O’s (Hugs & Kisses) Brown Sugar Cookies
- Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Xavier Soup
- Blogghetti: Xiaodianxin Recipe
- Food Lust People Love: Xmas Eggnog Fudge
- Culinary Cam: Xoconostle Tartlets
- Magical Ingredients: Xoconostle Xnipec Paratha
- A Messy Kitchen: Xoi – Vietnamese Sticky Rice
- A Day in the Life on the Farm: Xylocarp Cocktail
Ingredients Required For Xacuti Masala and Mushroom Xacuti
Xacuti Masala | Spice Mixture
Coconut
Generally grated fresh coconut is used. However, if it is not available then dried coconut or desiccated coconut is used. I used dried coconut which is called kopra | copra in hindi. Easily available in all Indian Stores or online.
Dagad Phool
Known also as black stone flower or kalpasi. It is a kind of lichen that is commonly used as a seasoning in Indian cooking.
Poppy Seeds
The white variety. Also known as khus khus.
Black Sesame Seeds
Preferably black ones but can be replaced by white sesame seeds. Also known as tal or til.
Dried Whole Red Chillis
Use the spicy ones like byadagi, guntur, boriya.
Kashmiri Red Chilli
These chillis are mild but add a natural red colour to the spice powder. Can use either whole chillis or the powdered version. I had the powder version so added that.
Mustard Seeds
Also known as rai or sarson ke dane.
Coriander Seeds
Also known as dhania ke dane.
Fennel Seeds
Valiyari or saunf.
Cumin Seeds
Jeera, jiru.
Fenugreek Seeds
Methi ke dane.
Green Cardamom
Elaichi, elchi.
Cinnamon Stick
Dalchini.
Nutmeg
I have used nutmeg powder.
Mace
Need a small blade of it. Also known as javantri, javitri.
Peppercorns
Preferably, black.
Cloves
Also known as laung.
Star Anise
Known as chakra phool.
Turmeric Powder
Haldi or hardar.
Mushroom Xacuti
Mushrooms
Preferably button mushrooms. Wash the mushrooms quickly in water, don’t soak them. Wipe them with a towel. Alternately, wipe them with a damp towel. Slice or cut the mushrooms into chunks.
Onion
Generally the red one is used. However, use any that you have, white or yellow.
Fresh Ginger
Need about ½ inch or 1 tsp minced/grated.
Green Chillis
Paste or minced. Add according to your taste. Remember the spice mixture will be a bit spicy.
Garlic
Peeled and minced or finely chopped.
Oil
Can use coconut oil for this recipe. If you don’t have any then replace it with any oil of your choice like canola, sunflower or olive oil.
Tamarind
Need a small ball of tamarind, walnut size. Soak it in 1 cup hot water for 10-15 minutes. Rub it with your fingers to remove the pulp. Strain the liquid using a sieve. Alternately, use ready made paste, about 1 tbsp.
Vinegar
You can replace the vinegar with kokum. Known as Garcinia indica in English, it adds a subtle sourness to the curry. I chose to use kokum as we love the flavour.
Salt
Any salt of your choice, add according to your taste.
Sugar
Use brown or white sugar. Or can add jaggery. Need little to balance the flavours.
Vegetable Boullion
Need only ¼ of it or use 1 tsp vegetable stock powder.
Fresh Coriander
For garnishing.
Coconut Milk
To add a more coconut – y flavour, I added some coconut milk at the end. This is optional
MUSHROOM XACUTI
Ingredients
FOR XACUTI MASALA | SPICE MIXTURE
- ¼ cup dried coconut slices
- 3-4 whole dried red chillis hot
- 1 tsp black sesame seeds
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
- 1 piece black stone flower
- ½ tbsp coriander seeds
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
- ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 6 peppercorns
- 3 cloves
- ½ star anise
- 1 blade mace
- 2 green cardamoms
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg powder
FOR MUSHROOM XACUTI
- 250 g button mushrooms
- 1 cup onion sliced
- 2-3 cloves garlic large
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp green chilli paste
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp vinegar or 2 kokums
- 1 tsp vegetable stock powder or ¼ boullion
- 1 cup light tamarind water or 1 tbsp paste
- 2 tbsp xacuti spice mixture
- ¼ tsp sugar | jaggery
- 1 tsp salt
- 1-2 tbsp coconut milk
- 2-3 tbsp fresh coriander chopped
Instructions
PREPARATION OF XACUTI SPICE MIXTURE OR MASALA
- Heat a wide pan over low to medium heat.
- Add the dried coconut slices and toast them till they begin to turn a bit brown. If you are using fresh coconut, then roast that till you the aroma of coconut and it appears dry.
- Now add all the whole spices - pepper, cloves, cinnamon, mace, star anise, cardamom. Toast for 1-2 minutes, mixing all the time.
- Now add the sesame, cumin, coriander, fennel, fenugreek and mustard seeds. Toast for 1 minute.
- Add the whole red chillis and toast for a minute. Don't burn them.
- Add poppy seeds and stir all the time. Toast them for 30 seconds.
- Transfer the mixture to a plate to allow the spices to cool down a bit. Don't leave it in the hot pan.
- Blend the spices in a spice or coffee grinder to a fine powder.
- Transfer the spice mixture to a mixing bowl.
- Add turmeric, nutmeg and kashmiri red chilli powders. Mix well.
- Keep the Xacuti spice mixture on the side till required.
PREPARATION OF MUSHROOM XACUTI
- Soak the tamarind ball in 1 cup of hot water. Let it soak for 15-20 minutes.
- Rub the tamarind with your fingers to remove the pulp. Strain the liquid, using a sieve. Press down the pulp using a spoon.
- Alternately add 1 tbsp tamarind paste in one cup of water.
- Wash and wipe the mushrooms with a kitchen towel.
- Cut them into slices or chunks.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Stir fry the sliced onion till it becomes light brown in colour.
- Add the ginger, green chilli and garlic pastes. Stir fry for one minute.
- Add kokum if you are using any.
- Add the mushrooms and stir fry till they become a bit soft.
- Add 2 tbsp of xacuti masala or spice mixture. Mix well.
- Add the tamarind water, vegetable stock, salt and sugar. Mix well.
- Cover the pan and allow the curry to simmer over low heat for 5-10 minutes.
- Add coconut milk and chopped fresh coriander. Mix well.
- Serve Mushroom Xacuti with some plain rice or poee.
Notes
- Replace vinegar with kokum.
- Replace sugar with jaggery.
- If you are going to use grated fresh coconut, then use about ½ cup.
- You can replace the mushrooms with potato, mixed vegetables or soya chunks.
- Don't skimp on the amount of onion used for this curry.
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