Odisha Mo Odisha

 It's a weeknight. The instant pot is looking at you with sad eyes because you have not used it in a while.  "Why have you not not opened me in a while?" it asks... I looked at the instant pot & said, "Because I don't want to eat Pulao or Biryani anymore" and I don't know what else to make in you which will have veggies & will be liked by the kids". The instant pot smiled back at me. It said "Do you have any bread at home? any kind?" I said " Yes we have some eggless dinner rolls. Why do you ask?" "Viola....... Let's make Bhaaji in the instant pot & surprise the family with it".. said the Instant Pot Making Bhaaji in the instant pot was so easy & so less time consuming that I could not believe I pulled off a proper pav-bhaaji dinner on a weeknight. YAY !! What I used My IP 6Qt Duo (of course) 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 cup each of cubed carrots + green peas + red potatoes (skinless) + cubed cauliflower + gr...

Let's start with translation first since the post title is actually Odiya. Machha : Fish Kobi  : Cauliflower Tarkaari : Curry So basically you must have guessed that today's recipe is about Fish & Cauliflower. It might sound weird to mix a vegetable into a non-veg curry but it so happens that in Odisha it is most common. We use potatoes in everything. All curries have some amount of potato. This recipe is an addition to that. In this recipe we will use Cauliflower to enhance the taste as well as the nutrient density of the dish.  What I used 10 pieces of Mirkali fish. It's a fresh water fish which we get from the Bangladeshi market The fish comes frozen so the store folks cut it into pieces & I have cleaned it afterwards Marinated with salt + turmeric 11 big florets of cauliflower 2 medium potatoes cut into wedges 2 tbsp Odiya Onion+Ginger+Garlic paste 1/4 med. red onion finely chopped Whole garam masala 1 cinnamon stick 2 cardamoms 2 bay leaves 2 tsp Pancha Phutana...

 Some days are just so lazy that they inspire you to do one-pot meals which is full of the right combination of Carbs + Veggies + Fat right in a Pressure Cooker. Those are the days when your hands & legs have given up totally. Those are the days when your mind has stopped thinking about food. Those are the days when the creativity has reached it's fullest content. When that happens to you, try this recipe. It is a super quick recipe because I used Organic Frozen Vegetables & Yes, I used my good old Indian Hawkins Pressure cooker for this recipe (as the title suggests).  This recipe is Gluten Free & gets done in like 15 minutes or so and is best enjoyed with some simple Raita  & Pakudi or Papad or may be a sprinkle of thin sev. Take your pick. It's a lazy day/night so do your best. You deserve a little downtime.  What I used 1 cup Basmati Rice Washed & soaked in water (till we are ready to use it) 1.5 cups organic Frozen Vegetables. I have the pre-...

The classic combination of green beans, cauliflower florets & bright orange carrots always reminds me of the Indian national flag... the ever so loved & respected... Tri-color Flag.. The Indian national flag has three stripes, Saffron (aka Orange) followed by White followed by Green. Each color symbolizes a trait that the nation follows. Saffron/ Orange shows strength & courage, White shows peace & Green shows growth. The flag also has the "Dharma Chakra" (Wheel of righteousness) in the middle. I remember back home, Baba will take out his National Flag & proudly let it fly on our roof top on every national holiday like the Republic Day or Independence Day. No matter, where we go, India has always been and will always be our first love, our homeland & our respectable dear nation !! We know we are always welcome there.. :) So here goes the tricolor bhaja ... in the memory of my dear nation... 8 -10 green beans, trimmed & cut int...

Craving for some veggies, not gravy but dry... don't know what masala powders to put...don't have enough time... well this is my way of answering the questions... Mixed veg with mustard paste... simple, elegant & yummy !! What I used Cauliflower - cut into small florets Beans - Cut into 1 inch pieces 1 Carrot - Scraped - cut into 1 inch pieces 1 small red potato - skin on - cut into 1 inch pieces 1/2 red onion - thinly sliced 1 tablespoon of mustard paste (Remember me? Black mustard seeds + garlic + Green chillies + water) Salt & Turmeric to taste Mustard oil for cooking How? Heat mustard oil in a pan (non stick or otherwise) Once oil's hot, add the onions & fry till they are golden brown. Next goes all the veggies + mustard paste + salt & turmeric Give it a good mix, cover & let it cook till the veggies are tender. (I needed to sprinkle some water because the veggies were sticking to my pan. Next time I'll use a non-...

I have decided, whenever I made non-veg, I'll make something with veggies too. That way, we eat a balanced diet. But when I am making non-veg, the whole process is so time consuming that there's hardly anytime for a vegetable preparation. So, here's a recipe which is fool-proof & works wonders when paired with rice + dal + any non-veg curry or with roti alone (at least in my household). Enjoy !! What I used 3-4 small florets of cauliflower - cut into smaller florets 1 small egg plant - cubed 1 small potato - cubed 1 small piece of red pumpkin - cubed 1 carrot - cubed 5 or 6 posts of garlic - crushed 2 tablespoons fo mustard oil (must use mustard oil) 1 teaspoon panch phutana (Five dry spiced medley) Salt + Tumeric + Any masala powder (I used store bought curry powder) Process Heat the mustard oil & when hot enough add the panch phutana After the spices have danced all over the place, add the crushed garlic Next goes all the vegetables ex...