Aunty Dolly or Dolly Aunty as we called her, was the wife of Dad’s good friend and second-in-command of the Western India Automobile Association. They were very dear friends and I spent many a day in their house. She made amazing food and I remember her best dish being her super-fabulous coconut pancakes.
Mudh Island, also known as Honey Island, is along the coast just north of Bombay. The community is mostly Koli or Fisherfolk and Roman Catholic. Converted to Christianity by the Portuguese in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Roman Catholics still have certain customary masalas and spice blends, which also make their cuisine unique. To this day in the metropolis of Mumbai, there exists a tiny village called Matharpacadi within this huge city that has remained untouched for centuries. Though I have not tried it, I believe that there is a traditional East Indian restaurant there too.
You can make double the quantity of this masala and store for several weeks in the refrigerator in a sterilised screw-topped jar with a layer of sunflower or olive oil over to preserve it.