Arusuvai - Guess The Secret Ingredients!

About a month ago, Pel of Elaichi Et Cetera was about to cook from his secret ingredient he received in Arusuvai Friendship Chain started by Lathamma of The Yum Blog. He asked us to guess which dish he had in mind. I guessed the "ma" part of it. This innocent "ma" won me a pack of wonderful goodies couple of weeks later. Since it was sent overseas, Pel had to reveal what the ingredients were. But, I thought- just because I know it doesn't mean that everyone else should know. So here is what I got, now GUESS:

1. A spice mix for coffee. Any ideas? And it is not chai masala, that´s for tea :-)

2. A wonderfully fragrant spice mix... Salt and pepper of Indian cooking...

3. Tiny little "deadly" smoked chilies. Any guesses on which type these are?

The fourth "secret" ingredient - smoked dried chipotles has been cooked from as the first.

When I received this beautiful parcel full of these spicy goodies, I went to Tompa:

- Baby, look. One of my blogging friends sent me these smoked chilies. Here smell em, they really stink! (I said pressing the bag of chilies right against his nose)
- (Jumping away). Geez! Toss them right away. They re not good. Moldy or something... (wiping his nose off)
- They re dried, I am sure they re fine (defending my treasure)
- You re not afraid about some strange people sending you something poisonous, are you? - Honeeeeey! I am sure they re fine. It s a part of this friendship chain.... - Yeah, some g-guy sending you presents (shaking his head, walking away, jealously)

(Sorry, Pel :-)...

Two hours later, I yell out of the kitchen, Tompaaaaaa, lunch is readyeeeee... He obediently walks in with a big smile on his face: "Wow, what s smelling so good, mama?"

(Thanks, Pel :-)...

Verdict: We ate it, we loved it and (most importantly) we survived ;-) Long Live Arusuvai!

SMOKED CHIPOTLE ADOBO SAUCE:

• 10 whole smoked Chipotle chilies
• 5 tbsp white vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp oregano
  
• 1/2 tsp salt

Mix all the ingredients together with 3 cups water in a pan, bring to boil, cover with a lid, lower the heat on minimum and let simmer for 2 hours or until reduced to 1 cup.
Set off the fire, transfer to a blender and process to a paste.

Serve with any cous-cous or rice dish or toss a generous spoonful of the sauce with stir-fried vegetables as in our lunch today:

I stir-fried some onions, garlic, added a handful of frozen peas, corn and broccoli, mixed together with black beans and some soy mince and finally added a huge tablespoon of adobo sauce. Mixed all well, garnished with chopped basil and ate on a bed of fresh green salad.

HAVE FUN GUESSING THE SECRET INGREDIENTS 1, 2 AND 3! I will come back with correct answers soon.