Keema Aloo Aur Bhindi ki Sukhi Sabji (Potatoes and Okra with Keema)

Keema Aloo Aur Bhindi ki Sukhi Sabji

Potatoes and Okra with Keema

Ingredients

1 cup Chicken or Mutton Mince

250 grams Okra cut slit into half and cut into 2 pieces

3 medium sized Potatoes cut into thick strips

2 Onions chopped

1 Tomato chopped

2 Green chillies broken into pieces

1 tbsp Ginger Garlic and Chilli paste

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder

1/2 tsp Cumin powder

1/2 tsp Garam Masala powder

1/2 tsp Curry powder

Salt to taste

1/4 cup Oil to fry the Okras and Potatoes

1 tbsp Ghee

Few Coriander Leaves chopped for garnishing

Method

Take oil in a wok. Let it heat. Fry the potatoes till light brown in colour. Take it out and keep it aside. Add the okras and fry it till light brown in colour. Take it out and keep it aside. Add ghee in the same wok. Add the chillies and the paste. Sauté it for 2 minutes. Add the onions and sauté it till pink in colour. Add the chicken mince, stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomato and the powder spices and salt. Stir and cook for more 2 minutes. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, stirring it occasionally. Before serving garnish it with coriander leaves.

Maqluba

Maqluba 

It is a traditional dish of Jordan and Palestine. The dish includes meat, rice, and fried vegetables placed in a pot, which is then flipped upside down when served, hence the name maqluba, which translates literally as "upside-down".When the casserole is inverted, the top is bright red colour from the tomatoes  and rest covered with other vegetables. It is usually served with either Yogurt or simple Arabic salad...

Net Source
 
Today I have made Veg Maqluba..and have adapted the recipe as per the availability of the ingredients in my kitchen...
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Basmati Rice washed and soaked for 30 minutes
2 big size Potatoes peeled and cut into thick rounds
2 Eggplants cut into thick round
1 Cauliflower cut into medium florets
3 Tomatoes cut into thick rounds
1 Onion chopped
2 Garlic Clove chopped
1 tsp Turmeric powder
1 tsp Cumin powder
1 1/2 tbsp Baharat powder
1/2 tsp Pepper powder
1/2 tsp Allspice powder
Or
***1/2 tsp Cloves powder
     1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder
     1/4 tsp Nutmeg powder***
2 Bay Leaves
Salt to taste
4 1/2 cups of Vegetable stock or water
2 tbsp Oil
Oil to fry the Vegetables
1 tbsp Butter, melted
1 tbsp Almond and Pistachio flakes
Few Raisins and dry Berries  for garnishing

Method
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pot, add bay leaves, onions and garlic, stir for 2 minutes.  Add salt, pepper, turmeric powder, cumin powder, allspices powder and baharat powder. Add 4 1/2 cups vegetable stock and let simmer for 10 minutes. Keep it aside.
Take another pan, heat the oil for frying. Add the  eggplant slices and fry it from both sides until golden brown. Take it out and on an absorbent paper, keep it aside. Fry the cauliflower florets and keep it aside. Fry the potatoes and keep it aside.
Take a heavy bottom pot. Grease it with butter. Arrange the tomato, eggplant, potatoes and cauliflower in layers. Pour 1/2 the stock, add the rice and then pour the remaining stock. Cover it and cook it on a low flame. Till the rice is cooked. Let it cool a bit, then carefully flip it up-side down on a serving platter. Garnish it with raisins, berries, almond and pistachio flakes. Serve hot with fresh yogurt or Arabic salad.

Baharat Spice powder
Ingredients
1 tbsp Coriander seeds
2 tbsp Cumin seeds
2 tbsp Pepper Corns
1 tbsp Cloves
2 to 3 sticks of Cinnamon
4 Cardomom
2 tbsp paprika / chill powder
1 small Nutmeg

Method
Blend all the above spices in a blender. Store it in a dry glass container.

   

Cheesy Herb Balls

Cheesy Herb Balls....

This dish can be served as an appetiser.  

 For the Cheese Herb Filling 

Ingredients 

2 cubes Cheddar Cheese grated 

2 Garlic Clove 

1 Green Chilli 

1/2 cup Mint leaves 

1/2  cup Coriander leaves

1/2 cup Spring Onions 

Juice of 1/2 Lime 

Salt to taste

Method 

Add all the above ingredients in a grinder and grind it. 

For the Cottage cheese and Potato Shells

Ingredients

5 medium sized Potatoes boiled 

2 cups Cottage cheese 

4 tbsp All Purpose Flour 

1/4 tsp Cumin powder 

Salt to taste

Method 

Mix and knead all the above ingredients together to form a dough.

To make it....

Ingredients 

Filling 

Dough

6 tbsp All Purpose Flour + 1/4 cup Water -  mix it 

1 cup Bread Crumbs 

Oil to fry

Method 

Divide the dough into equal portions like lemon. Take a portion and flatten it, add 1 tsp of the filling and close the edges of the dough properly and give it a round shape. Repeat the same process. Now dip each balls in the all purpose batter and coat the balls with the bread crumbs. Repeat the dipping and coating process once more. Let it refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Heat oil in a pan. Fry the bombs till golden brown in colour. Serve hot with tomato sauce...

Chicken Massaman Curry...

Chicken Massaman Curry... 

While browsing through the net, I found this very interesting write up regarding this dish. 

Massaman or Matsaman is not a native Thai word. It is generally thought to refer to the Muslims with earlier writers from the mid-19th century calling the dish "Mussulman curry". According to Thai food expert David Thompson, as well as Thai journalist and scholar Santi Sawetwimon, the dish originated in 17th century Central Thailand at the cosmopolitan court of Ayutthaya, through the Persianmerchant Sheik Ahmad Qomi from whom the Thai noble family of Bunnag descends. Other theories contend that massaman is a southern Thai dish, influenced by Malay and Indian cuisine, or that its name is derived from the Malay word masam, which means "sour". The curry is extolled in a poem from the end of the 18th century, attributed to Prince Itsarasunthon of Siam, the later King Rama II (1767-1824). It is dedicated to a lady who is believed to be Princess Bunrot, the later Queen Sri Suriyendra, wife of King Rama II. The second stanza of the poem reads.....

- Massaman, a curry made by my beloved, is fragrant of cumin and strong spices.

- Any man who has swallowed the curry is bound to long for her.

Due to its Muslim roots and therefore Islamic dietary laws, this curry is most commonly made with chicken, but there are also variations on this dish using duck, beef, mutton, goat, or, less commonly so, pork.  As pork is haram meat - forbidden food in Islam - this last variant is of course not eaten by observant Thai Muslims. Vegetarians and vegans have created their own versions of this dish..
The flavors of the massaman curry paste (nam phrik kaeng matsaman) come from spices that are not frequently used in other Thai curries. Cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, cumin, bay leaves, nutmeg and mace would, in the 17th century, have been brought to Thailand from the Malay Archipelago and South Asia by foreigners, a trade originally dominated by Muslim traders from the Middle East, Indian subcontinent and from the archipelago itself, but increasingly threatened by the Portuguese, the Dutch and French East India Company.These are combined with local produce such as dried chili peppers, cilantro (coriander) seeds,  lemongrass, galangal/ ginger, white pepper, shrimp paste, shallots and garlic to make the massaman curry paste. Massaman curry paste is first cooked with coconut milk, before adding in the other ingredients. Massaman is usually eaten with rice, in a meal together with other dishes. There are also traditional versions using oranges, orange juice, or pineapple juice as additional ingredients.

Net source........

I have adapted this recipe as per the ingredients available in my kitchen.. 

For the Curry Paste
Ingredients
4 Dried Chillies 
1 small Onion sliced 
6 Garlic cloves 
1 small piece Ginger 
1 Lemongrass stalks sliced
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1 tsp Coriander seeds
2 tbsp Dry Peanuts 
2 Cardomom
2 Cloves 
4 Pepper corns
1 small Cinnamon stick 
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
2 Pinch Nutmeg powder 
1/2 tsp Shrimp paste
1/4 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Oil 

Method
Take a pan, add oil. Add chillies, garlic, lemongrass,onions and ginger. Sauté it for 2 minutes. Remove it and keep it aside. In the same pan add cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, coriander, cumin and peanuts. Sauté it for 2 minutes, let cool. Mix in all the remaining ingredients and grind it in to a smooth paste.

For the Curry 
Ingredients 
500 grams Chicken pieces
2 medium size Potatoes, peeled and cubed 
1 Onion sliced
6 tbsp Massaman curry paste
1 tetra pack Coconut milk
1/4 cup Chicken stock
1 tsp Fish Sauce
1/2 tsp Tamarind paste 
2 tbsp Roasted Peanuts 
Salt to taste 
1/2 tsp Sugar
1 tbsp Coriander leaves 
2 tbsp Oil

Method
Heat oil in a pot. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pot and keep it aside. Add the potatoes in the same pot and cook until brown. Remove from the pot and keep it aside. Add the onions. Cook the onions for a few minutes, until they begin to brown, and take it out and keep it aside. Add the Massaman curry paste and the coconut milk. Stir it for 5 minutes on a low flame. Add the chicken stock, fish sauce, chicken, potatoes and onions and bring it to a boil on medium flame.  Reduce the flame, cover and cook until the chicken is tender and the potatoes are cooked, stirring it occasionally.  Add the tamarind paste, salt, sugar and the peanuts. Stir in well.  Sprinkle the chopped coriander leaves. Serve with hot rice. 

Ruhi Maccher Aloo diye Jhol / Light Gravy with Ruhu Fish and Potato

Ruhi Maccher Aloo diye Jhol 

Light Gravy with Ruhu Fish and Potato  

Bengalis love Jhol to have it with hot steam rice. Jhol are usually light, liquid gravy. Jhol can be made with fish, meat or vegetables. The Jhol ingredients can vary according to the recipe. Here today I have made Jhol with fish and potatoes. Other vegetables can be added as per the availability.   

For the Fish Fry

Ingredients 

5 to 6 pieces of Rahu Fish 

1/4 tsp Turmeric powder

Salt to taste

1/4 cup Mustard oil 

Method

Marinate the fish with salt and turmeric powder for 10 minutes. Heat the mustard oil till smoking point. Lower the heat. Fry the fish till brown on both the side. Take it out on an absorbent paper. 

For the Gravy 

Ingredients

Fried Fish 

2 medium size Potatoes cut into wedges 

2 medium size Tomatoes cut into wedges

2Green Chillies slit 

2 tbsp Garlic, Ginger and Chilli paste  ( 3 Garlic cloves, 1 small piece Ginger and 2 Green Chillies)  

1/4 tsp Nigella Seeds 

1/4 tsp Turmeric powder

Salt to taste 

2 tbsp Mustard Oil 

2 tbsp Coriander leaves chopped

Method 

Use the same wok in which the fish was fried, take out the extra oil and keep 2 tbsp oil in the wok. Heat the oil, add Nigella seeds and green chillies. Saute it for a minute. Add the potatoes, stir fry for 2 minutes, add the ginger garlic chilli paste. Saute it for 3 minutes. Add the salt and turmeric powder, stir for a minute. Add the tomatoes. Saute it again for 2 minutes. Add 2 1/2 cups of water. Let it boil and then let it simmer till the potatoes are cooked. Add the fish and simmer for 2 minutes. Switch of the flame. Sprinkle coriander leaves. Serve with hot steam Rice. 

Cauliflower Kootu

Cauliflower kootu

Kootu in Tamil means 'add'. Any Vegetable can be added with the lentils. Different types of Kootu are made with different spice flavour.  It is an South Indian dish. The gravy here is not very thin. 

---  Net source 

Here I have made Cauliflower Kootu. The flavour of the Kootu powder here with the vegetable and lentil has an awesome taste. It is eaten with hot steam rice. 

For the Kootu Powder

Ingredients 

3 Dry Red chillies

10 Black pepper corns 

1 tbsp Coriander seeds 

1 tbsp Chana dal 

1/4 cup Dry or Fresh coconut 

Method 

Take a pan, dry roast all the ingredients except coconut on low flame for 5 minutes. Add grated coconut and roast for 2 minutes more and turn off flame. Cool and grind the ingredients into a fine powder. Keep it aside.

 For making the Kootu

Ingredients 

2 cups of  Cauliflower florets cut into small pieces 

1 Potato peeled and cubed

1 Onions finely sliced 

1 Tomatoe chopped 

1/2 cup Tur dal washed and boiled with 3 cups of water 

1/4 tsp Turmeric powder

Kootu Masala

1 tbsp Tamarind paste 

Salt to taste

For tempering

1/2 tsp Mustard seeds 

Few Curry leaves 

1/4 tsp Asafoetida 

2 tbsp Ghee

Method

Cook the Tur dal with 2 cups of water till done and keep it aside. Heat ghee in the vessel, add mustard seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida, let it crackle. Add the  onions and saute for 5 minutes. Add turmeric powder, potato and the cauliflower, saute for 10 minutes on low medium flame. Add the tomato. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add the boiled tur dal, ground kootu masala powder and salt, mix well. Add 2 cups of water.  Bring to a boil, cover and simmer till the vegetables are almost cooked. Add the tamarind paste, along with a cup of water and cook on low-medium flame with lid for another 10 minutes and the vegetables are fully cooked. Turn off the flame. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Peri Peri Grilled Chicken Sizzler servered with Sautéed Mushroom PeriPeri Rice, Stirred Fried Veggies and Mashed Potatoes.....

Peri Peri Grilled Chicken Sizzler servered with Sautéed Mushroom Peri Peri Rice,  Stirred Fried Veggies and Mashed Potatoes.....

Sizzler is one of my favourite dish... I love Jughead  sizzlers... And the Peri Peri Sizzler which is available is my daughter's and husband's favourite... Wanted to give it a try.... 

The piri-piri pepper, known as peri-peri in Africa, has been a staple of the Portuguese table since the Age of Discovery beginning in the 14th century. After Columbus brought the fiery fruit back to the continent from the New World in 1493, it was the Portuguese who carried it throughout the globe. In fact, the chili, including relatives of the African piri-piri peppers, has become so famous, that it’s used in world cuisines. This sauce, found everywhere in Portugal and several of its former colonies, specifically Angola and Mozambique. It can be used on kind of meat. The  piri-piri peppers are Thai bird, red jalapeño, santaka, arbol, cayenne, or Tabasco, depending on availability as well as  heat preference and tolerance. 

Net source 

I have used dried bedki chillies which was available in my kitchen... 

For the Peri Peri Sauce 

Ingredients 

12 Fresh Red Chillies or Dry Chillies 

1 tsp Red Chilli powder 

8 Garlic cloves 

Salt to taste 

1/4 cup Vinegar 

½ cup Olive oil

Method 

Soak the dry chilles in the vinegar for 15 mintues. Blend all the above ingredients in a blender and blend it into a smooth paste. After use the remaining sauce can be stored in a bottle and kept in the fridge. 

P.S. If using fresh chillies then blend it directly.

For the Chicken to Marinate and Grill the Chicken 

Ingredients 

2 Boneless Chicken breast pieces

4 tbsp Peri Peri Sauce

Salt

1 tbsp Olive oil

Method 

Take the chicken pieces and rub salt on it. Add the Peri Peri Sauce and marinate it for 30 minutes. Take a gas griller. Add oil. Let it heat.  Add the chicken pieces and cook till brown and grilled from both the sides. Don't  throw the marinated juices.

For the Peri Peri Sizzler Sauce

Ingredients 

Remaining Marinated Peri Peri Sauce

1 Onion chopped 

4 Garlic Clove chopped 

1 tbsp Corn flour 

1 tsp Olive oil

Method 

Take a pan, add oil. Let it heat. Add the onion and garlic. Let it sauté till translucent. Add the marinated sauce and 1/4 cup water. Cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 tbsp water to the corn flour. Stir it. Add it into the sauce. Stir it till it thickens a bit. Keep it aside.

For the Stir fry Veggies 

Ingredients 

1 Potato peeled and cut into wedges 

6 Baby Corn

1 medium size Carrot cut into strips 

Few medium size Cauliflower florets 

1/4 cup Green Peas 

Salt to taste 

1/4 tsp Pepper powder 

1 tbsp Olive oil

Method

Par boil the veggies and drain the water out. Take oil in a pan. Heat it. Add the veggies and sauté it till stirred fried.

For the Mashed Potatoes 

Ingredients 

2 Potatoes boiled and mashed 

1/4 cup Amul cream 

1 tsp Olive oil 

Salt to taste

1/4 tsp Pepper powder

Method 

Mix all the above ingredients into a smooth paste.

For the Sautéed Mushroom Peri Peri Rice 

Ingredients 

2 cups of Cooked Rice 

2 cups Mushrooms sliced 

1 Onion sliced 

4 Garlic cloves minced 

2 to 3 tbsp Peri Peri Sauce 

Salt to taste 

1 tbsp Olive oil

Method 

Take a pan, add oil. Let it heat. Add the onion and garlic, saute it till translucent. Add the mushrooms. Stir fry for 2 minutes. Add the salt, pepper powder and peri peri sauce. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add the rice and stir fry for another 2 minutes.

For Assembling 

Ingredients 

Cabbage leaves

Grilled Chicken 

Sautéed Veggies 

Mashed Potatoes 

Sautéed Mushroom Peri Peri Rice 

Piri Piri Sizzler Sauce

1 tbsp Olive oil

1 tbsp Oil and 1 tbsp Vinegar mix 

Method 

Take a sizzler skillet. Heat it till smoky and hot. Add oil, spread the cabbage leaves on the skillet. Lower the gas and let the plate remain on the flame till served. Arrange all the remaining ingredients as per the choice except for the sauce. At the end drizzle some sauce on top and serve the rest of the sauce in a bowl. For the sizzling effect, add the Oil and vinegar mix in between the empty space. Enjoy it.

Sabudana Tikki and Aloo ki kheer

Sabudana Tikki and Aloo ki kheer

Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival and celebrated in India in reverence of the God Shiva. It is believed to be the day shiva was born to save the universe by drinking "haalaahala" and Gaaja the poison and drug that emerged from the churning of the ocean (samudra manthana).Shivaratri is celebrated during the night by keeping a night-long vigil as its believed that Lord Shiva saved the universe from darkness and ignorance. This day is also believed to be the day that Shiva was married to the Goddess Parvati. The Maha Shivaratri festival, also popularly known as 'Shivaratri'-'Great Night of Shiva', marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti.

Net source... 

 People fast on this day, many have fruits and falahari food which is had on the fasting day. 

Today being Maha Shivarati I have made 

Sabudana Tikki and Aloo ki Kheer.... 

Sabudana Tikki (Sago Tikki)

Ingredients

1 cup Sago washed and soaked overnight

2 medium sized Potatoes boiled

Few Curry leaves

2 Green chillies chopped

Few Coriander leaves chopped

1/2 cup Peanuts coarsely ground

1/2 tsp Cumin seeds

Pinch of Asafoetida

1 tbsp Ghee

Salt to taste

Oil for shallow frying

Method

 Take 1 Potato and cut into small cubes. Take a pan, add ghee. Let it  heat. Add cumin seeds, chillies and curry leaves. Let the cumin seeds crackle. Add the asafoetida and stir for few seconds. Add the chopped potato and stir fry till light brown in colour. Add the sago, stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add salt and peanuts. Stir and mix well. Add coriander leaves. Let it cool. Mash the remaining potatoe and mix it well. Divide the dough into equal big lemon size portions. Flatten it. Take a pan and add oil. Let it heat. Shallow fry the Tikkis till brown in colour on both the sides. Serve hot with green coriander chutney.

Aloo ki Kheer

Ingredients

2 medium sized Potatoes boiled, peeled and grated

2 cup Milk

2 tbsp Mawa crumbs

1/4 cup Sugar or as per taste

Pinch of Salt

1/4 tsp Cardamom powder

Pinch of Saffron

1 tsp Almond and Pistacho flakes

Method

Heat milk in a pot and let is simmer for 2 minutes. Add salt, sugar, saffron and mava to the milk. Stir it. Let the milk reduce a bit. Add the potatoe and cardomom powder. Stir and cook for 3 minutes more. Garnish with Almond and pistachio flakes. Serve with pooris. 

     

Pudina Aloo Namkeen Sev

Pudina Aloo Namkeen Sev

Got fresh Pudina (Mint) from the Balcony garden.... The aroma of fresh mint was all over the house. 

Couldn't resist myself from making this dish with Pudina purée. It goes well with a cup of hot Chai... 

Ingredients 

4 Potatoes boiled and mashed 

4 cups Gram flour 

2 cups Rice flour 

Salt to taste 

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 

1 tsp Chilli powder 

1/2 tsp Cumin powder 

1/2 tsp Garam Masala powder 

1/2 tsp Dry Mango powder 

2 pinch Asafoetida powder 

1/2 cup Pudina puree

2 tbsp Oil 

Oil for frying

Method 

Take a mixing bowl, add all the above ingredients except oil for frying. Mix it well and form a soft dough. Heat oil for frying. Take a sev maker and add the dough in it. Press and add the sev in hot oil. Fry on medium high heat till crispy. Drain the excess oil on an absorbent paper. When cool, store it in an air tight container and enjoy...

Shindi Kadhi served with Alu Tuk

Shindi Kadhi  served with Alu Tuk 

Brought up in Chembur from childhood, my husband has many Shindi friends. So when I got married and I also stayed in Chembur for 9 years after marriage, I made friends with his friend's family. As neighbours since we use to meet them daily, I learnt few Sindhi dishes from them. One of my family favourite is Sindhi Kadhi and Aloo Tuk served with hot steaming rice.

Ingredients
Mix Vegetables
12  Okras slit into 2 vertically
1/4 cup Carrots cut into cubes
1 small Potato cut into cube
1/4 cup Brinjal cut into cubes
1 Drumstick cut into 1 inch pieces
2 Big Tomatoes made into purée
Few Curry leaves
2 Green chillies cut into pieces
1 tbsp Ginger minced
3 tbsp Gram flour
1/4 tsp Fenugreek seeds
1/4 tsp Cumin seeds
1/4 tsp Coriander seeds
1/4 tsp  Asafoetida powder
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Red chilli powder
1 tsp Coriander powder
1 tsp Tamarind paste
2 tbsp Oil
1 tbsp Oil to fry the Okras
Few Coriander leaves chopped

Method
Take a pot and add 1 tbsp oil. Stir fry the okras till cooked. Keep it aside. Heat rest of the oil in the pot, add fenugreek seed, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds. Let the seeds crackle, then add ginger, curry leaves, chillies and asafoetida and stir for few seconds. Add the gram flour and roast it stirring it continuously till it has  become golden brown in colour. Add tomato puree and about 1 liter of water, stirring it continuously to avoid forming lumps. Let it cook on low flame for 15 minutes.  Add all the hard vegetables and let it cook till the vegetables are almost done. Add the brinjals and okras. Add the salt, turmeric power, chilli powder and coriander powder. Let it simmer until the vegetables are tender. Add the tamarind paste and let it simmer for another  5 minutes over medium low heat. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot. Sindhi kadhi taste great with hot steaming Rice and Aloo  tuk.

Aloo Tuk

Ingredients
4 big Potatoes peeled and cut into rounds
Oil for deep frying

Method
Heat oil in a wok. Put in the potato rounds, fry the potatoes till light brown in colour. Remove the fried potatoes and drain the excess oil. Keep it aside to cool a bit. Take the potatoes one at a time and flatten the potatoes.  Just before serving, reheat the oil and re-fry the potatoes to golden brown in colour.  Drain excess oil on an absorbent paper.

For Seasoning
Ingredients
Fried Potatoes
Salt to taste
1 tsp Red chilli powder
1 tsp Dry Mango powder
1 tsp Cumin powder

Method
Mix all the above ingredients together and sprinkle the seasoning properly on the Aloo Tuk and toss it.

Khatte Aloo

Khatte Aloo 

Ingredients
1/2 kg Baby Potatoes boiled and peeled
1 cup Curd
1 tsp Ginger and Green chilli paste
Salt to taste
1 tsp Cumin powder
1/2 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp Fennel powder
1/2 tsp Chilli powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Dry Mango powder
1/2 tsp Garam Masala powder
Oil to fry
For Seasoning
1/2 tsp Fennel seeds
1 Red Dry Chilli broken into pieces
Pinch of Asafoetida
Few coriander leaves chopped for garnishing 

Method
Take a wok, add oil to fry the potatoes. Let it heat, fry the potatoes till light brown in colour. Keep the potatoes on an absorbent paper to drain out the oil.  In a mixing bowl add the potatoes, curd, ginger - chilli paste, salt and rest of the spices. Mix it. Keep it aside for 30 minutes. Take a fresh wok, add 2 tbsp oil, add the seasoning, let it saute for a minute. Add the potatoes, stir, cover and cook till the oil starts to leave the spices. Garnish with coriander leaves, serve hot.

Aloor Chop / Potato Fritters Bengali Style

Aloor Chop / Potato Fritters Bengali Style 

Aloor Chop is a famous street food of Kolkatta. It is found in any Tele Bhaja shop (Shop which sales fried food) in any corner of the street. It is normally had in the evening with garm... garm.. chai ( hot... hot.... tea) and served with Muri (Puffed Rice).

For Stuffing.. 

Ingredients 

2 large Potatoes boiled and mashed

1 tsp Green chillies chopped

1/4 tsp Ginger paste 

1 tbsp Bhaja Masala (Roast Cumin seeds, Coriander seeds in equal portion and 1  Red Dry Chilli and ground it) 

2 Pinches of Garam Masala 

Salt to taste

Few Coriander leaves chopped 

Method 

Mixed all the above ingredients together properly. Divide the mashed potatoes into equal proportions. Make balls of each portion and flatten it. Keep it aside while the batter is made.

For the Batter and frying 

Ingredients 

1 cup Gram flour  (Besan)

2 tbsp Rice flour 

1/4 tsp Chilli powder 

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 

Salt to taste 

2 Pinch of Soda bicarbonate 

Oil for frying

Method 

Take a mixing bowl, add all the above ingredients, except oil. Add water little at a time to make a thick batter. Heat the oil in a wok. Take the potato chop one at a time, dip it into the batter. Add the chop into the hot oil and fry till golden brown in colour. Serve hot with Muri (Puffed Rice)...

Muri (Puffed Rice)

Ingredients 

2 cups Puffed Rice

2 tbsp Fried Peanuts or Roasted Peanuts 

2 tbsp Chana chur / Bengali Mix Chewda (Optional)

1 Green Chilli chopped 

1 tbsp Aam Tel Or Mustard oil

Salt to taste 

1/2 tsp Murir Masala

Method 

Mix all the above ingredients in a mixing bowl together.

Murir Masala 

Ingredients 

1/4 tsp Cumin seeds roasted

1/4 tsp Coriander seeds roasted

1 Red Dry Chilli roasted

2 Pinches of Dry Ginger powder

1 cloves

2 Pepper corn

1small stick Cinnamon 

1/4 tsp Amchoor powder / Dry Mango Powder 

Rock Salt as per taste

Method 

Ground all the above ingredients together.

Aam Tel

It is made in summers, the raw mangoes are cut into pieces and sun dried with turmeric and salt. Mustard oil is heated up.... Asafoetida, Panch Phoran,ginger paste and mustard paste is add to the hot oil. Then the mangoes are added and then it is bottled up and keep in the hot sun for a week. It stays for a year.

PiyajKoli

PiyajKoli
Piyajkoli in Bengali,  are the stem of the Onion buds, it  is a winter veggie and a delicacy of Bengal. It is very surprising that Onions are grown in Maharashtra, but these onion buds are not known and seen much in the markets of Mumbai. It is one of my most favorite vegetable and I wait for it eagerly. Very simple to cook and extremely delectable.

I am sharing  2 very easy recipes with Piyajkoli / Onion buds.   

Piyajkoli Bhaja / Stem of the Onion Buds stirred fried with potatoes...
Ingredients
2 bunch of Onion buds cut into 1 inch size pieces
2 Potatoes, peeled and cut into long stripes
2 Green chillies slit
1/4 tsp Nigella seeds / Kalonji
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
2 tbsp Mustard oil

Method:
Take a wok and heat oil to smoking point and add green chilli and nigella seeds. Let it crackle. Add the potatoes. Saute it for a minute. Sprinkle some salt, stir fry and cook potatoes until they are half done. Add the stem of onion buds, turmeric powder.
Stir occasionally in between and cook on medium high flame till done. Serve with hot dal and rice.

P.S. Small size Prawns can be added to the stir fry...

Aloo ar Piyajkoli Diye Macher Jhol / Fish gravy cooked with Potatoes and Onion buds Stem....

For Marinating and frying the Fish
Ingredients
6 pieces of any Fish like Tangra (Cat Fish) or Rani (Red Mullets) or Barramundi (Bhetki) or any medium size fish...
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Mustard Oil to fry the fish

Method
Marinate the fish with salt and turmeric powder and keep it for 15 minutes. Heat oil in a wok. Fry the fish till brown on both the sides.

For the Gravy
Ingredients
Fried Fish
2 Big size Potatoes cut into wedges
1 Bunch bunch of Onion buds cut into 1 inch size pieces
1 large Tomato sliced
2 Green Chillies slit
2 Green Chillies paste
1 tsp Ginger paste
1/2 tsp Panch Phoran
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
2 tbsp Mustard oil

Method
Heat mustard oil in a pan till smoking hot. Add the Panch Phoran and the slit green chillies, let the Panch Phoran crackle. Add the potatoes, saute and cook for 2 minutes, add the tomato, ginger, chilli paste, salt and turmeric powder. Stir and cook for 3 minutes on medium high flame. Add 2 cups of water, half cook the potatoes. Add the stem of the onion buds. Cover and let it simmer till the potatoes are almost done. Add the fish.. Cover and cook on medium heat till the fish is done and the potatoes are cooked. Serve with hot rice.

P.S. Brinjals can also be added to the gravy if wanted..

Aloo Begun diye Ilish Marcher Jhol Hilsa with Brinjal and Potatoes

Aloo Begun diye Ilish Marcher Jhol
Hilsa with Brinjal and Potatoes
Ingredients
6 pieces of Hilsa
2 Potatoes cut into thick strips
2 Brinjal cut into strips
1 Tomato cut into strips
4 Green Chillies slit
1 small pieces Ginger
1 tbsp Mustard paste
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp Cumin powder
1/2 tsp Chilli powder
1/2 tsp Panch Phoren
1 Bay Leaf
Mustard Oil for fry
Coriander leaves for garnishing
Method
Marinate the  fish with salt and turmeric powder, let it rest for 15 minutes. Heat the oil. Fry the fish in mustard oil till brown on both the sides. Keep it aside. Remove the excess oil from the wok. Add Panch Phoren, bay leaf and green chillies, let the Panch phoren crackle. Add the vegetables, sauté it for 2 minutes. Add mustard paste, salt, turmeric powder, chilli powder, and cumin powder. Stir and cook for 2 minutes more. Add 2 to 3 cups of water as per the gravy required. Cover and boil till the vegetables are tender. Add the fish and cook for 2 minutes. Add coriander leaves for garnishing. Serve hot with rice.

Aloo Tikki Chaat

Aloo Tikki Chaat
For the Aloo Tikki
Ingredients
2 potatoes boiled and mashed
1 /2 tsp Aam chur powder
1/2 tsp black salt
1 green chilli chopped
1 tsp coriander chopped
1/4 tsp red chilli powder
Oil for shallow fry
Method
Mix all the above ingredients except the oil. Take one small ball and flatten it . Make rest of the Tikkis in the similar manner. Shallow fry the Tikkis. Keep it aside

For Base
2 cups curd
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp black salt
2 tsp sugar
Method
Add milk to the curd and beat the curd. Add black salt and sugar. Beat it well.

For assembling Aloo Tikki chaat...
Ingredients
Aloo Tikkis
1 tbsp Mithi imli chutney
1 tbsp Green chutney
Chilli powder for sprinkling
Roasted cumin power for sprinkling
1 tbsp sev
Coriander leaves for garnishing
Method
Take 2 Aloo Tikkis.... Add 2 tbsp curd on the Tikkis. Add green chutney and Mithi imli chutney. Sprinkle roasted cumin powder and chilli powder. Garnish with sev and coriander leaves....