OREGANO CHILLI POTATO

"Aloo Bhoonjiya" with a twist. Usually the aloo bhoonjiya, prepared in the northern parts of India, has the broken red chillies, onions & powdered masalas in its preparation. But I had this packet of Oregano, which I thought of adding, in this preparation.

Generally, Oregano is associated with "THE PIZZA". So one can easily learn that, this herb originated from Italy. It is called Sathra or Mirzanjosh in hindi. But I 've not heard the usage of these terms, till date. Nor my hubby did. Anyways now that I have used this herb in my preparation once, I would continue using it in many other preparations as well. It tastes & smells good.



Ingredients:

Potatos - 2 medium, cut into cubes
Onions - 1 medium, chopped lengthwise
Chilli Flakes - 1 - 1 1/2 tsp
Oregano - 1 - 1 1/2 tsp
Salt to Taste
Mustard Oil - 1 tbsp
Turmeric Powder (optional) - 1/4 tsp

Method:

Soak the cut potato cubes in water till required for preparation. This is to avoid the potatoes from turning brown.



Heat oil in a pan or a deep bottomed wok. Then add chopped onions & fry till translucent.
Then add the potato cubes & saute for a minute.





Now add salt, chilli flakes & oregano & stir fry continously on high flame till the potatoes turn golden brown. Take care not to burn it up.



Then reduce the flame to low, & cover the pan or the wok with a lid & fry it further, till the potatoes are well cooked. Not only well cooked, but the texture of the potatoes should be such that, when you try breaking it with a spoon, it breaks shying away. Not breaking with a raw feel. That is when you can say that the potatoes have been fried the way it has to be. Also take care not to use more oil. If the oil content is greater, then after the preparation just tilt the wok or pan to a side to let the extra oil collect on the other side.



Serve it hot with rotis or with rice & dal.

GREEN PULAO (Hara Pulav, Hasiru Palav)

As I said in my previous post, Simple Veg Fried Rice, when I get sick & tired of all the veggie gravy & it's preparation, it is then I turn onto some kind of rice where, I would be able to save time & energy. The thought of preparing a full fledged meal, when I'm feeling lethargic or down with mood swings, makes me kitchen phobic. That is when I think of preparing something, which is a full fledged meal in itself, without the necessity of preparing any side dish for the main course.

This is one such preparation, which banks less time & energy compared to your otherwise full meal preparation. A Green "Close TO Nature" Pulao.



Ingredients:

Basmati Rice - 2 cups
Fresh or Frozen Peas - 1 tbsp
Round Beans - 1 tbsp, chopped
Carrot - 1 tbsp, chopped
Onion - 1 medium, Sliced Lengthwise
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 1/2 tsp
Salt to Taste
Rice : Water - 1:1 1/2



To Be ground Masala Paste:

Coriander Leaves - 1tbsp, finely chopped
Mint Leaves (pudina) - 1 tbsp, finely chopped
Dessicated coconut - 1 morsel or 1 tbsp
Cinnamon - 2, 1 inch piece
Cloves - 2-3
Oil or Ghee - 2 tbsp

Method:

Wash & soak the rice in water for 10-15 minutes.



Now empty all the above mentioned ingredients for the masala paste in a mixie jar & grind till you get a smooth paste.





Heat a cooker on medium flame & add oil or ghee or mixture of both.



When the oil is ready, add onions & fry till translucent.



Now add the ginger garlic paste & saute for 2 minutes.



Then add the carrots & after a minute or two add the beans & fry for another 2 minutes.





Now add the washed peas & fry further for 2-3 minutes.



Once the raw smell of the veggies disappear, add the masala paste & fry for 3 minutes, stirring continously.



Take care, to not let the masala stick onto the bottom of the vessel or the cooker. Add salt to taste.



After the entire masala thickens up add the washed & drained rice & fry further for another 2-3 minutes, till the rice changes its color.



Once the rice has changed its color, add 3 cups of water or a little more, considering the veggies as well. Take care, not to overcook the rice & veggies, as we need them to be grainy.

Cover the lid & let the whistle blow ................... a hundred miles. Oooops!!! sorry!!!! Na! Na!! I just got carried away with the lyrics of the song A HUNDRED MILES AWAY FROM HOME........ Hmmmm....

"ऐसे थो बन चुका खाना" ;)) . Let the whistle blow for 4-5 whistles.



Then uncover the cooker & serve the steaming, delicious, & simple & time saving Green Pulao, with any raitha of your choice. I savour it all by itself. It stands strong & yummy, all by itself, needing no support.