Mawal, or cockscomb flower is a traditional ingredient in the Kashmiri kitchen, specifically within the Muslim community.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
There are many types of cockscomb flowers, with the generic name of Celosia. However, this post is about a specific type of cockscomb, known as mawal in Kashmir, Celosia Cristata (also C. Argentia).
This particular celosia is called cockscomb. The reason becomes clear when you look at it; the flower head resembles the cock’s comb, the red crest on the head of certain birds like roosters and turkeys.
The cockscomb is grown in many shades but is especially popular in red and purple.
There be divers sorts of Floure-gentle, differing in many points very notably, as in greatnesse and smalnesse; some purple, and
Gerard’s Herbal, 1597. Fleur-gentle is what Gerard called Celosias
iDamaske Nigella others of a skarlet colour;
Can you eat Celosia?
Yes! Celosia is a member of the amaranth family, and comes in many guises. The plants are traditionally grown and picked as food in many parts of the world. The leaves and flowers (especially the leaves) are consumed in East and West Africa, in India, in China as well as South East Asia.
What is Mawal?
As mentioned above, mawal is the Kashmiri name for one type of cockscomb, the Celosia Cristata. It is also known as brain flower, not surprisingly, when you look at the pictures.
Mawal is a traditional ingredient in the Kashmiri Muslim Rogan Josh and other dishes in the Kashmiri Muslim Cuisine, to impart the colour red.
You might recall that I have another ingredient that I talked about recently, Ratan Jot, which is the root of the alkanet plant. Ratan jot is commonly used by the Kashmiri Pandits (Brahmins) in their rogan josh.
When I cook rogan josh, it usually leans towards the Muslim version, with onion and garlic in the mix. However, I tend to use ratan jot for the colour, instead of mawal, for the simple reason that it is easier to get here in the UK.
I haven’t had any luck with buying dried cockscomb flowers here, as they are sold in Kashmir. One can only find (or grow) the fresh ones, which means that they are only available in the summer.
How to extract colour from Mawal?
To extract colour from the cockscomb flower, all you do is simmer it in a little water for the briefest time. The longer you leave it, the more brown the colour becomes.
How to Oven Dry Cockscomb Flowers
Now if you do have access to fresh cockscomb flowers and want to dry them for use off season, you’re in luck!
There are many ways to dry flowers for home use, whether for decorative purposes, for art or for the kitchen. Just do a simple Google search and you’ll find lots of articles on it.
The method I’m using here is something I learnt as a teen in Singapore. It must have been in Home Economics class, and you can use the same method for other flowers too.
So there you have it, another post, another natural food colouring used in the Kashmiri Cuisine. Let’s go take a look at how to extract the colour from mawal.
More Ingredients on LinsFood
You’ll find a huge range of ingredients from around the world on the Ingredients Page. Kashmiri recipes will be coming in over the next few months, and will be found on the Kashmiri Page, a brand new project.
How to Use Barberries (Zereshk, an essential Persian ingredient)
Ingredients
- Barberries amount, as the recipe calls for
Instructions
As a cooking ingredient
- Soak them in tepid water for about 10 minutes, squeeze dry and use whole or chopped up.
As a garnish
- Sauté them in butter and a little sugar to counteract the tartness, before using them whole.
You’ll find exact methods in the recipes that I use them in, see my article above.
How to use Dried Shrimp
Equipment
- kettle for hot water
- bowl for soaking the dried shrimp
- pestle and mortar if you're a traditionalist
- small chopper
Ingredients
- Tbsp dried shrimp or more as your recipe calls for
- hot water, enough to cover the shrimp
Instructions
Soak the Dried Shrimp
- Put the kettle on and place the dried shrimp in a bowl.
- Pour very hot water over the dried shrimp to completely submerge them. Cover, and leave to soak for 10 minutes.
Chopping/Flossing
- Follow the instructions as in your recipe, but a general guide is:If using as part of a spice paste, just drain the soaked shrimp (no need to rinse) and add to the chopper or mortar and chop or pound away to get your paste.
- Some recipes call for the shrimp to be pounded to a coarse state. You can do this with a pestle and mortar, or use a chopper, like I prefer.
- If you want to use the dried shrimp as a garnish or topping, place them in a chopper and pulse until they are shredded and resemble floss.
Video
If you found the article useful, drop me a comment and if you’re feeling like a star, a 5-star rating!Thank you!
And if you buy/find mawal or use it, share an image on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood
Lin xx
How to Extract Colour from Mawal, a traditional Ingredient in Kashmiri Muslim Rogan Josh
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- Fresh cockscomb Flowers
Instructions
- Bring a small saucepan of water to boil. If your recipe calls for a cup, that's all you want.
- Pick your flower heads off the stems.
- Drop in the mawal heads and bring back to a simmer.
- Simmer for 1 minute. At the most, 2. Any longer, and the colour will start to lose its vibrancy, and eventually, turn brown.
- Then strain through a fine mesh sieve and leave the water aside until needed. The red water can be kept, in the fridge, overnight.
You mention that it’s possible to buy rattan jot in the UK. Please would you let me know where I can purchase it? Ideally it would be from a physical shop but realise this may not be possible. Many thanks.
Hi Gyta, I have never come across ratan jot in a shop. I don’t know where you are, but South Asian shops would be a good start if you’re looking for a physical shop. Otherwise, I get mine from Amazon, here’s a link for it: https://amzn.to/39OjnK5
That was a great read. I’ve eaten rogan josh countless times but have never heard of this or the other ingredient. As a long time reader, I must say your knowledge is beyond impressive, Azlin.
Thank you so much, Rhys. I’m really pleased to hear that, and glad that you appreciate the effort.
This is fascinating! I’ve never heard of this flower. What a lovely color it imparts!
Thanks Joy.
Wow, what a read! Never heard of it, or ratan jot, so I’ve really enjoyed both articles. Thanks Lin, 110%!
Thank you, Chris. I’m pleased you enjoyed both articles.