Alu Posta and Khajur Khatta

RCI is a fantastic event started by Lakshmik of Veggie Cuisine- ‘Celebrating the Regional Cuisines of India‘ . It gives us an opportunity to explore the varied cuisines of India.

This month Swapna of Swad is hosting RCI: Oriya.

Searching for Oriya recipes made me realize how little I know about the cuisine from this costal state of India!Swapna was kind enough to provide links to some sites featuring authentic Oriya recipes, which were a great help.

Thank you, Swapna for hosting RCI:Oriya .I have learnt a lot about Oriya Cuisine!

Today I made Alu Posta (Potato in poppy seed curry) and Khajur Khatta- chutney like side dish with Tomato and Dates. 

I followed the recipes for both from here and here.

For the Alu Posta, I did not deep fry the potatoes as required in the original recipe. (I have been indulging in a lot of deep fried eats for the past week and my stomach can’t take it anymore.)

I loved Alu Posta with the potatoes soaked in the poppy flavour.

The Khajur Khatta was an instant hit with my little one, who otherwise is not very fond of sweet taste!

 __________________________________________________________

Alu Posta recipe

_____________________________________________________

 2 medium sized potato peeled and cubed

2 tbsp spoon of poppy seeds (Khuskhus) soaked in warm water for 15-20 minutes

½ tsp mustard seeds

½ tsp Cumene seeds

3 Green Chillies chopped

~ 4 tsp Oil

Salt to taste 

Grind the poppy seeds to a smooth paste using some water.

Heat oil in a Kadai/wok.

Add the mustard seeds and cumene seeds.

Add the potatoes.

Cook covered till the potatoes become soft.

Add the green chillies and fry for a few seconds.

Now add the poppy paste and salt.

Add a little water and mixed nicely.

Serve hot with Roti.   

 __________________________________________________________ 

Khajur Khatta recipe

_____________________________________________________

7-8 Dates (Khajur) deseeded

2 medium sized tomato cut into small pieces

2 green chillies chopped into pieces

½  tsp punch-phutana (½ tsp each mustard, cumene, fenugreek,fennel and ajowain/carom seeds)

1 lemon sized ball jaggery

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp of oil

Salt to taste

Heat oil in a pan.

Add the punch-phutana and let them  splutter

Add  green chillies.

Add tomato, turmeric powder, salt, dates, jaggery  and mix it properly

Add a little water and cook till tomatoes and Dates become soft. Cook to a thick gravy .

Serve as a side dish with Roti and Alu Posta.  

Surprise from Sweden!

Zlamushka (What a lovely name!) has sent these awards all the way from Sweden:

                           

The ‘Power of Schmooze Award’ is for bloggers who “effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello – all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship”.

                       

“The Rocking Girl Blogger Award” is for bloggers ,who are girls or women, who blog and who Rock”

I was really surprised and ecstatic. I have seen these awards floating around the blogosphere, but never thought I would get one!

Thank you dear Zlamushka. You know you rock!

Check out some really interesting and spicy recipes on Zlamushka’s Spicy Kitchen!

I am not sure about the etiquettes as far as the awards are concerned. But I have seen that they are passed on to your favourite blogger/s after you get one. 

I am passing these awards to (in random order):

1. My all time favourite Indira – Mahanandi ; Girls do I need to say why? Indira you are the Best J and long live Mahanandi.

2. Shilpa of Aayis recipes- for all her authentic recipes. Shilpa, I love all your recipes and keep them coming.

3. Sailu of Indian Food and Andhra Recipes- for her versatile recipes (Sailu you have made Mexican cuisine so easy for me!) Sailu you truly Rock.

4. Nupur of One Hot Stove- Nupur I know you have got these awards already (from Zlamushka) but You Rock! And so I am passing them again to you.

All of you Rock!