Kunduri Bhaja - Aau eka pakhala saathi

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Come summer and its always "pakhala bhata" for lunch. What can we do? We Odiyas are crazy about pakhala, the poor man's staple food. Hee Hee Hee.. thats such a big joke now, because big restaurants like Grand Hotel in Puri (Puri Jagannath) also serve Pakhala with delicacies that we dream of...

Here is one more bhaja (or hash as we say it in English) which goes very well with Pakhala bhata. Add some dahi into the rice+water mix and enjoy with this quick and easy kunduri bhaja.

Here are the ingredients
  • Kundru (1/2 Lb) cut into longitudinal slices.
  • 1 tea spoon Panch shoran
  • 1 tea spoon turmeric
  • 1 tea spoon red chill powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 table spoon Mustard paste {mustard seeds + garlic + green chilies}
  • Oil (as needed)
How you do it?
  • Heat oil and add turmeric.
  • When oil is hot, add the panch phoran and let it splutter.
  • Then add the kundru slices + salt and cook with the cover on. Fry regularly so that the veggies do not stick to the pan.
  • After the veggies are a little tender, add the mustard paste + red chilly powder and cover again.
  • Fry for 10 -15 mins or until the veggies are done.
  • Garnish with chopped green coriander leaves and serve with pakhala. 

If you are not a pakhala eater (which probably means you are not Odiya) this dish can be eaten with Roti/Paratha or Dal+Rice. Latter being the better choice.

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