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Thursday 19 March 2009


Kashmiri Chillies, Cassia Bark, Black 
Pepper  

The closest any Mangalorean will come to a curry powder of sorts. And one of the most versatile of spice mixes, you can use it for anything, from pork and chicken to chickpeas and even vegetable curries. I usually make up a nice big batch every so often, and though I don't get enough sunshine (in the Wirral, yeah right!) to dry out the spices, I use my trusty old oven which works as well. The recipe here, however, is the cheat's way, and to my mind, works equally as well. If you can save time and effort, there’s nothing like it in my book :-)

There is no set recipe for bafat, and every household in Mangalore will claim that theirs is the best or buy the powder from Boston’s or Venus’ (Mangy’s will know what I mean). This is my version, and I find it keeps very well. Do play around with the ingredients and find the spice level/ hotness/ colour that you like the best, and then increase the quantities exponentially to make larger batches. The bafat keeps well in an airtight jar for a long time, though fresher the better, as usual. 

Bafat Powder Spice Mix

Recipe:
(Printable Recipe)


10 - 15 long mild dried red chillies
1 tablespoon cinnamon stick or cassia bark
1 teaspoon peppercorns
1 teaspoon  cloves
1 tablespoon whole cumin seeds
2 tablespoon whole coriander seeds
1 star anise

Method: 

Toss all the ingredients one by one in a hot pan, stirring constantly. Remove to a bowl, and let cool.

Grind to a fine powder in a spice grinder or an unused coffee grinder. Store in an airtight tin in a dark, cool place.

6 comments :

  1. thanks this looks simple enough for me to try & should suffice until the bafat powder arrives from Mangalore!

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  2. Hey Michelle...you've got a lovely blog! Just wandered here as my Goan friend wanted bafat pdr recipe. I usually get mine from Mangalore so I have no idea how its made :) Will visit again.

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  3. Do you have any recipes on your blog that use this masala? I am so tempted to try this.

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  4. Ansh, I am actually writing up a prawn roast recipe right now that uses bafat powder :-) We use it for everything. I have a chicken sukka and a pork bafat on the blog too that uses this spice powder.

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  5. Hi Michelle,

    I enjoy reading your blogs, brings back so many memories of my childhood in Mangalore. I so miss my Mummy.. :). But thanks to you for blending the recipees well with your memories. BTW i studied in the same school you studied- St. Gerosa and can never forget the "Peters Sisters". :)

    Rgds
    Cheryl

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  6. you have a great blog. I wandered here as I was searching for Karnataka recipes for a theme I am doing on my own blog next month. Glad to discover and can't wait to try some of your delicious recipes

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