Almi and Batat che Ambat is a spicy and tangy Mushroom and Potato Vegetable that is finger licking delicious.

Almi ani Batat che Ambat
As a part of “Ssshhhh Secretly Cooking" for February 2018, we have been challenged to make recipes from Goa! The challenge is your partner who was to give 2 secret ingredients. You are to cook from the state chosen using the ingredients given.
This month my partner is Sasmita who has chosen kokum and garlic as my ingredients. Simple and everyday ingredients but I could not, however, think of any recipe using the two! The only thing that I could think of was Futi Kadi and Sol Kadi, both are relished at home and much anticipated!
There are many vegetarian dishes in Goan Cuisine. Here are some treasures that I have tried from the Goan Cuisine (these are a few that are lost when I got hacked).
- C for Chana-Cho Ros Goan Style Peas Bhaji
- Goan Feijoada Alsande and Soya Chunks (Vegetarian)
- French Beans Foogath ~ Everyday Goan Cuisine
- Cauliflower Cafreal, a Vegetarian take on the Famous Delicacy from Goa
- Ambe che Sasav/ Mango Sasav ~A traditional Goan Dish
- Anas sa che Sasav or Pineapple Sweet and Pungent Vegetable
- Neerphanas aa chi Bhaji/ Green or Raw Breadfruit Vegetable
- Ammade Che Karam a Goan Delicacy
- Caldin ~A Goan Catholic Veggie
- Udmethi a Goan Curry
- Toi~ Dal The Goan Way
- Mooga Gathi alias Sprouted Mung The Goan Way
- Usali the Goan Way of including Sprouts
- Karati Che Kismoor/Karela Kismoor and Goan Condiment
- Neer Phanas Kapa, a much-loved Delicacy from Goa
- Churma, a Goan Delicacy
- Alle Belle| Goan Coconut and Palm Jaggery Pancakes
- Goan Kanga che Kheer|Sweet Potato Pudding a Traditional Goan Dish
- Nachni-che-Satv or Ragi Pudding, A Goan Delicacy
- Coconut Semolina Cake~ Goan Bath/Batkh
Around this time my husband, Girish was hospitalised. For a person who is very active and never sick, it was a very something of a humbling experience for me.
I woke up to the fact that I am a pawn in God's Plan! It also woke us to the fact that we have to change our lifestyle.
And for once I am thankful that that is all we have to do!
What seemed like an unscalable task, something that happens in others life was happening in my life and I am trying to include a new healthier diet for us.
We are yet to decide if we want to switch to a vegan diet but since we love to eat fish I think that will be very difficult. Still, we will cross the bridge by and by slowly and steadily.
Once home I decided that we need to cook for the challenge. So I contacted David D'Souza who shared 2 recipes with me. He recommended Mushroom Ambat and am I glad I did it.
Now for changes, David has used coconut milk I have used water instead also I ground some onions with the masala. Basically, because I need to watch the amount of coconut. The onion for no other other reason but because it was chopped up and kept and I did not want to put it in the fridge. David had used tamarind extract and as he suggested I have used kokum water.
One more thing when using water in the vegetable add little say ½ cup in case your mushrooms are not cooked and /or you want some more gravy use another ½ cup.
We had this vegetable for dinner but will enjoy it for breakfast or lunch also.

Almi ani Batat che Ambat
Almi and Batat che Ambat| Mushroom and Potato Sour Vegetable Recipe
- Serves: 4
- Preparation time: 5-10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups button mushrooms
- 4 medium potatoes boiled
- 200 ml coconut milk (I did not use)
- salt to taste
Masala ingredients:
- ¼ cup coconut grated
- 2 onions chopped (optional)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 4 green chillies
- 10-11 kokum soaked in 1-cup water
Seasoning ingredients:
- 2 - 3 tsp of oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- a few curry leaves
- 2 green chillies slit
- 1 pinch hing/asafoetida
Method:
- Chop the mushrooms and potatoes to even sized pieces.
- Grind the masala ingredients of coconut, onions, garlic, chillies to a fine paste.
- In a kadhai/wok, mix the mushroom and potatoes.
- Mix in the salt.
- Add the coconut milk (if using) and ground masala to the kadhai/wok.
- Add the kokum water and cook on low to medium heat.
- In a small kadhai/wok heat the oil and splutter the mustard seeds with the curry leaves and chillies.
- Once fried add the hing to the seasoning mix. Keep aside.
- Meanwhile, the curry will come to boil, and the mushrooms are almost cooked, add the seasoning mix to the pot.
- Stir and cover the pot and switch off the heat.
- Serve hot with steamed rice, pav, or chapatti.

Almi ani Batat che Ambat
Ingredients
- 2 cups button mushrooms
- 4 medium potatoes boiled
- 200 ml Coconut milk I did not use
- Salt to Taste
Masala ingredients:
- ¼ cup fresh coconut grated
- 2 medium Onions chopped optional
- 4 Garlic cloves
- 4 green chilles adjust as per taste
- 10-11 Kokum soaked in 1 cup water
Seasoning ingredients:
- 2-3 teaspoon Oil
- 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
- A few curry leaves
- 2 green chilles slit
- asafoetida a pinch
Instructions
- Chop the mushrooms and potatoes to even sized pieces.
- Grind the masala ingredients of coconut, onions, garlic, chillies to a fine paste.
- In a kadhai/wok, mix the mushroom and potatoes.
- Mix in the salt.
- Add the coconut milk (if using) or and more water of about 1 cup and ground masala to the kadhai/wok.
- Add the kokum water and cook on low to medium heat.
- In a small kadhai/wok heat the oil and splutter the mustard seeds with the curry leaves and chillies.
- Once fried add the hing to the seasoning mix. Keep aside.
- Meanwhile the curry will come to boil, and the mushrooms are almost cooked, add the seasoning mix to the pot.
- Stir and cover the pot and switch off the heat.
- Serve hot with steamed rice, pav, or chapatti.
Poonam Bachhav says
The tangy and spicy mushroom potato curry sounds very flavorful di..would love to give it a try some time.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks dear.
Poonam Bachhav says
The spicy and tangy mudroom potato gravy sounds flavorful di..would love to try it some time
Poonam Bachhav says
The spicy and tangy mushroom potato curry sounds flavorful di ! Would love to give it a try some time
Aruna says
I hope your husband is well, Archana. All the best with your Vegan endeavours.
The Almi and Batat Che Ambat sounds like something that would fit well in my everyday routine. Simple yet rice in flavour.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Aruna he is much better but the lifestyle changes have to be maintained.
Aruna says
I know that from my own lifestyle change over the past year. Fortunately, I have been able to sustain it so far. Fingers crossed.
ArchanaPotdar says
Glad you have been able to sustain the changes. Yes, fingers crossed Aruna.
Aruna says
I hope your husband is well, Archana. Wishing you the best in your Vegan endeavours.
Your Almi and Batat Che Ambat sounds like something that would fit well in my everyday routine. Simple yet flavourful!
Vidya Narayan says
As you have mentioned, simple everyday ingredients that were turned into a lovely veggie by you. I also loved the huge list of your Goan recipes that I would so love to try some day. Honestly, I have found so many veg recipes in Goan cuisine that I really didnt expect. Loved the post!
ArchanaPotdar says
True Vidya the thought is that Goans do not eat veggies they do only the treatment is different from rest of the country but that can be due to the isolation we have had.
Seema Sriram says
Hope all well at your end now. It is certainly a huge thought process change to make a lifestyle change. I love how easy this almi ni batat che ambat recipe is and is perfect for my family too.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Soma says
This recipe sounds so interesting never tried this kind of combination of flavours ever , have to try once for sure.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks Soma
Soma says
The flavours in this curry is so different never tried such a combination, a must try recipe for sure, loved the recipe.
Soma Mukherjee says
Thins curry looks so flavourful and such interesting blends of flavours , just loved the recipe, will try it soon .
Shobha Keshwani says
I have never tried out the mushroom and potato combo.. Looks yummy. I will try it out .
ArchanaPotdar says
Do share your twists to the recipe also Shobhaji.
Amrita says
The Ambat looks amazingly delicious!Yummy share!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks dear.
Nisa@FlavourDiary says
spicy and tangy curry is simply mouthwatering...yummy share
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks
Avin says
Curry looks amazing. Would. Love to try out this mushroom dish. My good wishes to your hubby. May he get well soon????
ArchanaPotdar says
Avinji thanks. Do try and let me know how you like it.
Pavani says
Hope Girish is in good health now.
Mushroom, potato and coconut milk sounds like a very interesting combination. It sounds like a delicious dish.
ArchanaPotdar says
He is better now Pavani Thanks. It is yum Pavani will love to see your twist on it.
Sharmila Kingsly says
Love all the goan recipes by you.. Indeed a good learning for .. Hope everything is fine now 🙂
ArchanaPotdar says
Yes, Sharmila things are better now. Thanks for saying you like my Goan recipes.
Sushma says
Not a big fan of mushroom, but the curry looks yummy
Shobha Keshwani says
Never had this combo.. looks delicious.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks dear
Vanitha Bhat says
Lovely, simple and delicious dish; looks so tasty. Hope your husband is much better now; my good wishes to him. Thanks for sharing this Goan vegetarian dish.
Vanitha Bhat says
Dish looks lovely! My good wishes to your husband and nice to know a nice vegetarian Goan dish.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Vanitha he is much better. There are a lot of vegetarian dishes even I keep discovering new stuff every day.:D
Drashti Dholakia says
This is indeed a different combination - mushroom and potatoes cooked in coconut based gravy..tempting 🙂
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks dear
Priya Suresh says
Such a different dish, i rarely cooked this mushroom and potato combo. Fingerlicking dish definitely. Wishing your husband a speedy recovery Archana.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks Priya for the wishes. As for the dish please try and share your twists.
Priya Satheesh says
I hope your husband is doing good now. Take care! And coming to your dish, this is completely new to me.. sounds very delicious as I love the flavour of kokum. Will try sometime ! Thanks for sharing!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks he is much better now. Please do ping me when you do the recipe.
Uma says
First I wish for your husband for good health. Then I read that you are thinking to change to become vegan, that is excellent news. Your recipe looks delicious and good luck.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks for the good wishes Uma.
Nayna Kanabar says
The mushroom and potato curry sounds so lovely and the flavours from the Kokum must have given a very distinct taste. Discovering recipes that are new to us is always fun to do.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
sapana says
Kokam is my favorite sour ingredient. The mushroom potato gravy with kokum must have tasted delicious.
Jagruti says
I hope your husband is doing well Archana. I never imagined mushroom and potato together in one dish, interesting flavours.
ArchanaPotdar says
He is better now thanks, Jagruti.
The Girl Next Door says
Wow! The ambat looks stunning! Great share for the challenge!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thank you.
Sasmita says
This looks so amazingly yum
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks dear
Jayashree says
The ambat looks delicious, nice combo of potato and mushroom. But, not a fan of mushroom.
Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth says
A very mild curry this one sounds like, so apt to eat with chapathis and even lazily with bread! I totally agree how we are pawns to God, some jolts are enough for us to look at how we actually are... so glad that things are back to normal...
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks Rafeeda.
Swati Saxena says
Small changes in our eating habits can bring big changes in our health. Hope your hubby is doing well now. I have never cooked mushroom and potato together but your simple curry temps me to cook one.
ArchanaPotdar says
True Swatiji small changes go as long way. Hubby is much better now thanks. Please cook and let me know how you like it,
Bhawana says
This is a new way to cook mushroom. Loved the way all ingredient listed came together.
Hope your husband is fine now? Take care dear. This is the time when we feel so helpless.
Lathiya says
This curry looks delicious..something different from usual masala curries
ArchanaPotdar says
Thank you.
Amrita says
Delicious Mushroom Curry!I love Mushroom and this is next on my list!
ArchanaPotdar says
Ping me dear.
Seema Doraiswamy Sriram says
Wow, what an array of dishes you have listed.
mushroom and potato combo will surely be loved by my son.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
sujitha says
Can feel the tanginess of the curry, very new combination with mushroom..
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Mayuri Patel says
Hope your hubby is well now Archana. Love the flavors of this lip smacking curry. Tanginess from the kokum and sweetness from the coconut milk.
ArchanaPotdar says
He is fine now, thanks, dear.
Nisa@FlavourDiary says
ambat looks super delicious...lovely share for the challenge
Nisa@FlavourDiary says
mushroom curry looks delicious...lovely share for the challenge
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Nisa.
Sujata Shukla says
Interesting recipe! I have not thought of combining mushroom with potatoes! And Im sure the kokum will add a unique flavour to the dish! Thanks for sharing this Goan recipe, I should try it at the earliest.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Ma'am! Please share your recipe and pictures too.
Shobha Keshwani says
Ambat looks so delicious. I love Maharashtrian dishes and will try it out soon.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks,Shobha.
Mayuri Patel says
I have tried Ambat Batata at my daughter's friend's place made in yogurt and coconut sprinkled on top. Your version is quite different, with mushrooms. Tempted to give it a try.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Jayashree T.Rao says
Nice combination of potato and mushroom. Will make it to pair with some hot phulkas.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Priya vj says
Certainly a very different combination and also the spice blend is very interesting. I am sure it tastes fabulous with rotis or rice
ArchanaPotdar says
😀