Alisa
A slow-cooked porridge of cracked wheat and tender shredded mutton, seasoned with salt and clarified butter — Malabar's version of the Pan-Islamic harees. Cooked for hours on wood fire for Eid-ul-Adha, it has a smooth, thick consistency and a deeply comforting flavour.
Cuisines
Kerala
Beary
Malabar
Best for
Breakfast
Lunch
Build a full meal around Alisa
Get a matched combo of sides and accents
Recipe
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 40 min
Total: 60 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
|
1 cup | Wheat , whole |
|
300 grams | Chicken , with bones |
|
1 cup | Coconut Milk , thick |
|
1 medium | Onion , finely chopped |
|
1 tablespoon | Ginger-garlic paste |
|
2 | Green Chili , slit |
|
1 teaspoon | Cumin , seeds |
|
1 teaspoon | Black pepper powder |
|
1 teaspoon | Ghee |
|
1 | Cinnamon stick |
|
2 | Cardamom Pod |
|
2 | Clove |
|
— | Salt , to taste |
|
— | Water , as needed |
Instructions
- 1 Wash the whole wheat thoroughly and soak it in water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- 2 Drain the soaked wheat and add it to a pressure cooker along with the chicken pieces, salt, and enough water to cover the ingredients.
- 3 Pressure cook on medium heat for about 20-25 minutes or until the wheat is cooked and soft.
- 4 In a separate pan, heat ghee and add cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and cloves.
- 5 Once the spices are aromatic, add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
- 6 Add the ginger garlic paste and green chilies, and sauté for another 2 minutes.
- 7 Pour this mixture into the cooked wheat and chicken in the pressure cooker.
- 8 Add coconut milk and black pepper powder to the cooker and mix well.
- 9 Cook on low heat for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens to a porridge-like consistency.
- 10 Adjust salt to taste and serve hot.
Tips
For a richer flavor, you can add a handful of fried cashews and raisins as a garnish before serving.