Indian Cuisine

Supporting the Fund Drive for Vaidehi Ashram of Destitute Girls, Hyderabad

2012-01-27T06:30:00.000+05:30

Image Courtesy : Siri

I am happy to support Siri's innovative fund raiser. Siri was organizing a fund raising event to raise money for Vaidehi Ashram. Vaidehi Ashram is home for about 108 girls who have no parents or a single parent who can no longer take care of them. Each one have a story of their own which will melt your heart and bring you to tears.

Please read about Vaidehi Ashram here and here.

I am being a small part of this fund raiser. I am giving away 2 cookbooks to one winner and will be shipping within India.

For more details regarding event participation, please visit Siri's blog

If you would like to bid for my cookbooks, the code is RF8

Ragi Flour and Peanut Laddu Recipe

2012-01-22T22:07:00.000+05:30

Ingredients :

Ragi Flour / Finger Millet Flour : 2 cups
Peanuts : 2 cups
Powdered Jaggery : 3 cups
Melted Ghee : 3/4 to 1 cup
Cardamom Pods : 6

Method :

1. Dry roast the ragi flour until a nice aroma comes out and set aside.

2. Roast the peanuts until golden brown color and cool.

3. Grind the roasted peanuts and cardamom seeds into a powder.

4. Take the roasted ragi flour and jaggery in a mixie and pulse for a couple of minutes.

5. Combine the ragi flour and peanut powder in a wide bowl and mix very well.

6. Add the melted ghee to the flour mixture and mix well.

7. Shape the mixture into small round balls and store in a airtight container.

You can also check other Laddu recipes here
Check out other recipes of Peanuts here
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Mixed Vegetable Broken Wheat Upma Recipe

2012-01-21T22:31:00.003+05:30

Mixed Veg Broken Wheat Upma

Ingredients :

Broken Wheat / Cracked Wheat : 1 cup
Mixed Vegetables : 1.5 cups ( I use carrots, beans, fresh peas, tomatoes and potatoes )
Onion : 1 medium sized
Chopped Ginger : 1 tsp
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 tsp
Chana Dal : 1/2 tsp
Urad Dal : 1/2 tsp
Cumin Seeds : 1/4 tsp
Green Chillies : 3
Dried Red Chillies : 2
Curry Leaves : 1 sprig
Oil : 2 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method :

1. Heat oil in a wok and add the mustard seeds, chana dal, cumin seeds and urad dal and let them splutter.

2. Then add the red chillies, chopped green chillies, curry leaves and ginger and fry for a minute.Now add the chopped onions and fry till the onions are translucent.

3. Sprinkle water, close with a lid and cook until the pieces become tender. When it's done, add 2 cups of water and salt and mix. Close the lid and bring the water to a boil on high flame.

4. Remove the lid and reduce the flame to low. Then add the broken wheat and mix well. Cover and cook until done.

5. Serve hot with chutney or fresh yogurt.

You can also check other Breakfast recipes here
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Biyyam Pindi Manugupoolu ~ Rice Flour Chakli Recipe

2012-01-19T22:19:00.001+05:30

Ingredients :

Rice Flour : 3 cups
Roasted Bengal Gram Powder : 1 cup
Ajwain Seeds : 1 tsp
Red Chilli Powder : 2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil

Method :

1. Combine the both flours with salt, red chilli powder and ajwain seeds and set aside.

2. Bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil with 2 tablespoons of oil. Add this boiling water to the flour and mix with a spatula. Mix very well and cool.

3. Make a soft dough by adding the cold water little by little. Knead the dough till very soft. The dough should be soft and smooth.

4. Take a small portion of dough and fill in the murukku / chakli press.

5. Grease a ladle with little oil. Press the chakli maker on the greased ladle. Slightly rotate the chakli maker round and round until it forms a spiral shaped chakli.

6. Heat oil for deep frying. Carefully drop the chaklis and deep fry them on a medium flame.

7. Remove and place them on a tissue paper. Let them cool completely and store in airtight container.

You can also check other Snack recipes here
Check out other recipes of Rice Flour here
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Happy Makara Sankranthi 2012

2012-01-15T08:57:00.001+05:30

~ సంక్రాంతి శుభాకాంక్షలు ~

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY PONGAL

Makki Ki Roti ~ Indian Corn Flat Bread Recipe

2012-01-13T22:22:00.000+05:30

Makki Ki Roti with Spicy Ivy Gourd Dal

Ingredients :

Fine Cornmeal / Makki Atta : 1 cup
Wheat Flour for dusting
Salt to taste
Oil

Method :

1. Combine the cornmeal and salt in a wide bowl.

2. Add required boiling water to make a soft dough. Mix well and cool.

3. Knead the dough till soft . The dough should be soft and smooth.

4. Divide the dough into balls and set aside.

5. Roll out each dough ball into a circle, using wheat flour for dusting.

6. Put the roti on a hot pan, cook for a minute. Add a little oil around the edges, turn and fry the other side.

7. When light brown patches appear on both sides take into a bowl and cover with a lid immediately. Serve with curry, dal or raita.

You can also check other Roti recipes here
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Chakra Pongali ~ Sankranthi Festival Special Recipes

2012-01-12T21:49:00.000+05:30

Ingredients :

Raw Rice : 1 cup
Moong Dal : 1/2 cup
Sugar : 1 cup
Ghee : 3 tbsp + 1 tsp
A pinch of Edible Camphor ( Pachha Karpooram )
Cashews and Raisins

Method :

1. In a pan, heat a teaspoon of ghee on medium flame. Add and roast the moong dal until light golden color. Switch off the flame and set aside.

2. Put the rinsed rice, roasted moong dal and 3 cups water in a pressure cooker and cook till 3 whistles.

3. Turn off the flame and wait until the pressure go off.

4. Heat the ghee in a pan. Add and fry the cashew nuts and raisins. Set aside when the nuts turn golden brown color.

5. Mix the sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a vessel and cook on a low flame till the sugar melts.

6. Now add the cooked rice, edible camphor, fried cashews, raisins and ghee and mix well.

7.Cook for 5 minutes and switch off the flame. Serve and enjoy :)

Paakundalu / Pakam Undalu ~ Makara Sankranthi Recipes

2012-01-10T20:25:00.000+05:30

Pakundalu ~ Andhra Traditional Festival Recipe

Ingredients :

Homemade Rice Flour : 2 cups
Powdered Jaggery : 1 cup
grated Coconut : 1 tbsp
Cardamom Powder : 1/2 tsp
Ghee / Oil

Rice Flour Preparation :

1. Wash and soak the rice overnight and drain the water completely.

2. Then grind the rice into a very fine powder and sieve it.

3. The flour should be slightly damp.

Method :

1. In a heavy bottomed pan, add the powdered jaggery and little water and cook till it melts.

2. Strain the jaggery water to remove any dirt.

3. And bring back to heat and cook on a low flame till it becomes thick syrup ( 2 thread consistency ). To test, add a few drops of jaggery syrup to the cold water, and it should become lumpy.

4. Switch off the flame and add the cardamom powder, grated coconut and a tablespoon of ghee to it and mix .

5. Slowly add the rice flour and mix well without forming any lumps.

6. Mix very well to make a soft dough and allow it to cool completely.

7. Divide the dough into a small and smooth balls and set aside.

8. Heat ghee / oil in a deep frying vessel. And deep fry the dough balls till it becomes golden brown color on medium flame.

9. Remove from the oil and cool.

10. Store in a airtight container and serve as a sweet snack.

You can also check other Sweet recipes here
Check out other recipes of Rice Flour here
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Korra Biyyam Chitrannam ~ Millet Lemon Bhath

2012-01-09T22:54:00.000+05:30

Korra Biyyam Nimmakaya Pulihora ~ Millet Lemon Baath

Ingredients :

Foxtail Millet / Korra Biyyam : 1 cup
Green Chillies : 6 - 7
Dried Red Chillies : 4
Mustard Seeds : 1 tsp
Chana Dal : 1 tsp
Urad Dal : 1 tsp
Peanuts : 2 tbsp
Curry Leaves : 2 sprigs
Lemon : 1
Turmeric Powder : 1/2 tsp
Hing : 1/8 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil : 2 tbsp

Method :

1. Put the rinsed millet and two cups of water in a pressure cooker and cook till 3 whistles.

2. Turn off the flame and wait until the pressure go off.

3. Heat oil in a frying vessel and add the mustard seeds, chana dal, urad dal and peanuts.

4. Once they start to splutter, add the split green chillies, red chillies, curry leaves and hing and fry for a minute.

5. Then add the turmeric powder, cooked millet and salt and mix well.

6. Switch off the flame and add the lemon juice to it and mix very well. Serve immediately.

You can also check other Pulihora recipes here
Check out other recipes of Millet here
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Onion Pakoras ( Soft Pakora ) Recipe

2012-01-08T20:14:00.000+05:30

Ullipaya Mettha Pakodi / Bajji ~ Onion Soft Pakoda

Ingredients :

Onions : 2 medium sized
Besan : 1/2 cup
Rice Flour : 1/4 cup
Chopped Green Chillies : 1 tsp
Cumin Powder : 1/2 tsp
Red Chilli Powder : 1/2 tsp (Optional )
Curry Leaves : 1 sprig
Salt to taste
A pinch of cooking soda
Oil for deep frying

Method :

1. Peel and chop the onions into a small pieces and set aside.

2. Combine the both flours with salt, red chilli powder, curry leaves, soda, green chillies and cumin powder.

3.Add enough water to make a thick batter, similar to idly batter. Mix very well and set aside.

4. Heat enough oil for deep frying in a frying pan.

5. Take a small portion of batter and drop them into the hot oil.

6. Deep fry the fritters until golden brown and crispy and remove from the oil.

7. Serve on a cloudy day with a cup of hot tea.

You can also check other Snack recipes here
Check out other recipes of Onion here
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Sweet and Sour Elephant Yam Curry Recipe

2012-01-04T21:30:00.001+05:30

Ingredients :

Elephant Yam / Kanda Dumpa : 1 cup
Thick Tamarind Extract : 1 tbsp
Powdered Jaggery : 1/2 to 1 tsp
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 tsp
Chana Dal : 1/2 tsp
Urad Dal : 1/2 tsp
Red Chillies : 2
Red Chlli Powder : 1 tsp
Curry Leaves : 1 sprig
Salt to taste
Oil : 2 tsp

Method :

1. Wash, peel and chop the yam into medium size cubes.

2. In a saucepan, add the chopped yam, turmeric powder, salt and water and cook until yam pieces are tender. Drain and set aside.

3.Heat oil in a pan and add the urad dal, chana dal and mustard seeds.

4.Once they start to splutter, add the broken red chillies and curry leaves and fry for a couple of seconds.

5. Now add the tamarind extract and powdered jaggery to it and fry for a couple of minutes.

6. Then add the cooked yam and red chilli powder and mix very well.

7.Serve hot with rice, roti or dosa.

You can also check other Curry Recipes here
Check out other recipes of Elephant Yam here
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Other Names : Kanda Pulusu Posina Kura, Kanda Pulusu Bellam Koora

Ela Ada / Vazhayila Ada / Ila Ada Recipe

2012-01-03T23:20:00.000+05:30

Ela Ada / Ila Ada / Vazhayila Ada Recipe

Ingredients :

Rice Flour : 1 cup
Grated Fresh Coconut : 1 cup
Powdered Jaggery : 1/2 cup
Cardamom Powder : 1/2 tsp
Ghee : t tsp
A pinch of salt
Plantain Leaves

Method :

1. Slightly roast the rice flour for a couple of minutes and cool.

2. Combine the rice flour and salt in a wide bowl.

3. Add required boiling water to make a soft dough. Allow it to cool a little.

4. Grease your hands with oil / ghee and knead the dough till soft. The dough should be soft and smooth.

5.Mix the jaggery and water in a pan. The amount of water should be just enough to soak the jaggery and make a thick syrup.

6.Then add the grated coconut and cardamom powder to it and cook for a couple of minutes. Switch off the flame and cool.

7. Divide the dough into medium or large size balls.

8. Place each ball in the center of plantain leaf and flatten it to form a thin poori. Place a tablespoon of coconut mixture on it and fold the leaf to seal the edges.

9. Repeat the same process with rest of the dough.

10. Now steam cook for 10 - 12 minutes in idly cooker or steamer. Switch off the flame and let them cool completely.

11. Take the steamed dumplings from the idly cooker, remove the plantain leaf and serve as a evening snack.

Foxtail Millet Pongal ~ Healthy Diet Plan Recipes

2012-01-02T20:40:00.000+05:30

Millet Ven Pongal

Ingredients :

Millet / Foxtail Millet / Korra Biyyam : 3/4 cup
Split Moong Dal : 1/4 cup
Water : 3 cups
Green Chillies :3 - 4
Black Peppercorns : 1 tsp
Grated Ginger : 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds : 1 tsp
Curry Leaves : 1 sprig
Turmeric Powder : 1/4 tsp
Ghee / Oil : 2 tbsp
Hing : 1/8 tsp
A few cashews
Salt to taste

Method :

1. Put the rinsed millet, moong dal, turmeric powder and 3 cups of water in a pressure cooker and cook till 3 whistles.

2. Turn off the flame and wait until the pressure go off.

3. Crush the peppercorns coarsely with a mortar and pestle and keep it aside.

4. Wash and chop the green chilies into small pieces and set aside.

5. Heat two tablespoons of ghee for seasoning.

6. Add the cumin seeds and let them splutter. Now add and fry the chopped green chillies, grated ginger and cashews. Then add the hing, curry leaves and freshly ground peppercorns to it and fry for a few seconds.

7. Remove from the flame and pour over the cooked millet mixture. Add salt and mix very well.

8. Serve hot with coconut chutney.

You can also check other Breakfast recipes here
Check out other recipes of Millet here
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I am sending this recipe to New " U " Event

Happy New Year 2012 !!

2012-01-01T22:48:00.000+05:30

Wishing you all a very happy new year !!

how to make urad dal flour at home ( Homemade Urad Dal Flour )

2011-12-31T19:55:00.000+05:30

Ingredients :

Urad Dal : 1 cup

Method :

1. Dry roast the urad dal in a heavy bottomed pan until light golden brown color and nice aroma wafts.

2. Switch off the flame and cool.

3. Grind the roasted urad dal to a fine a powder and sieve it.

4. Then grind the coarse powder and seive it. Store in a airtight container.

5. Homemade urad dal flour works well for yummy Indian snacks.

Ada Pradhaman Recipe | Onam Sadhya Recipes

2011-12-29T20:03:00.000+05:30

Ingredients :

Recipe Reference : Sanjeev Kapoor

Cooked Ada : 1 cup
Fresh Grated Coconut : 1.5 cups
Powdered Jaggery : 1 cup
Cardamom Pods : 4
Ghee : 1/4 cup

For Garnishing :

Cashews, raisins and coconut slices.

Method :

1. Crush the cardamom seeds to a powder in a mortar and pestle and keep it aside.

2. Heat the ghee in a pan. Add and fry the cashew nuts, raisins and coconut pieces. Set aside when the nuts turn golden brown color.

3. Soak the grated coconut in one cup of warm water for a couple of minutes. Grind the coconut until smooth. Strain and extract the thick coconut milk and set aside.

4. Repeat the same procedure using the same coconut with another cup of water.

5. Combine the seconds coconut milk, one cup of water and cooked ada in a deep and heavy bottomed vessel and cook for 5 minutes.

6. Add the powdered jaggery and continue cooking till the mixture thickens.

7. Add the remaining ghee and cardamom powder to it and mix well.

8. Now add the thick coconut milk and switch off the flame. Mix well and garnish with fried nuts.

9. Serve as a dessert.

You can also check other kheer / Payasam recipes here
Check out the recipes of Coconut here
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How to Make Fresh Ada at Home | Homemade Ada Recipe

2011-12-28T19:55:00.000+05:30

Homemade Ada for Ada Pramadhan

Ingredients :

Recipe Reference : Sanjeev Kapoor

Raw Rice : 1/2 cup
Plantain Leaves for wrapping

Method :

1. Soak the rice for about one hour in sufficient water.

2. Drain the water completely and grind until smooth and thick paste by adding water little by little.

3. Spread the rice batter as a thin layer on the banana leaf. Roll the leaf and fasten with a string.

4. Steam cook the roll for 10 - 15 minutes over high flame.

5. Switch off the heat and let it cool completely.

6. Then cut into small pieces.

7. If you want to keep the ada for longer, let them dry in hot sunlight and store in a airtight container.

Idly Milagai Podi Recipe

2011-12-27T19:43:00.000+05:30

Milagai Podi for Idly and Dosa

Ingredients :

Urad Dal : 1/2 cup
Chana Dal : 1/4 cup
Dried Red Chillies : 15
Grated Dry Coconut : 1 tbsp
White Sesame Seeds : 2 tsp
Curry Leaves : 1 small sprig
Hing : 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste

Method :

1. Dry roast all the ingredients separately except the salt.

2. Remove from the heat and let them cool completely.

3. Grind the roasted ingredients into a fine or little coarse powder.

4. Add the salt and mix very well. Store in a airtight container.

5. Serve with idli or dosa.

You can also check other Powder recipes here
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Kanda Nimmakaya Koora ~ Elephant Yam Lemony Curry

2011-12-27T10:05:00.001+05:30

Ingredients :

Elephant Yam : 1 cup
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 tsp
Chan Dal : 1/2 tsp
Urad Dal : 1/2 tsp
Green Chillies : 2 - 3
Curry Leaves : 1 sprig
Lemon Juice : 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Oil : 2 tsp

Method :

1. Wash, peel and chop the yam into medium size cubes.

2. In a saucepan, add the chopped yam, turmeric powder, salt and water and cook until yam pieces are tender. Drain and set aside.

3. Heat oil in a pan for seasoning. Add the mustard seeds, chana dal, urad dal and let them splutter.

4. Add the split green chillies and curry leaves to it and fry for a couple of minutes.

5. Then add the cooked yam and mix well. Switch off the heat and add the lemon juice and mix well.

6. Adjust the salt and serve with rice or roti.

Kanda Garelu ~ Elephant Yam Vada Recipe

2011-12-25T20:49:00.000+05:30

Kanda Garelu / Vadalu ( కంద గారెలు ) ~ Elephant Yam Fritters

Ingredients :

Elephant Yam : 1 cup
Rice Flour : 1 tbsp
Green Chillies : 3
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying

Method :

1. Wash, peel and chop the yam into cubes.

2. Grind the chopped yam and green chillies into a paste.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground yam, rice flour and salt. Mix very well and set aside.

4. Heat oil for deep frying. Apply little water or oil on palm and take lemon size ball of yam batter, flatten them a little, make a hole in the middle.

5. Deep fry them in hot oil, till they turn golden brown color.

6. Remove from the oil and serve hot with tomato ketchup or coconut chutney.

You can also check other Snack recipes here
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Easy Rava laddu Recipe ( Version 1)

2011-12-23T21:33:00.000+05:30

Ingredients :

Semolina : 1 cup
Sugar : 1 cup
Cardamom Pods : 2
Cashews and Raisins
Ghee : 1 tbsp
Warm milk as needed

Method :

1. Grind the sugar and cardamom seeds into a fine powder and set aside.

2. Dry roast the semolina until very light golden color and fragrant.

3. Transfer the roasted semolina to a mixing bowl and cool.

4. Heat the ghee in pan. Add and fry the cashews and raisins. Set aside when the nuts turn golden brown color.

5. Combine the powdered sugar, fried nuts and roasted semolina and mix very well.

6. Sprinkle the warm milk little by little and shape the mixture into small round balls.

You can also check other Laddu recipes here
Check out other recipes of Semolina here
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Gutti Vankaya Koora ~ Stuffed Eggplant Curry Recipe

2011-12-20T20:24:00.000+05:30

Ingredients :

Eggplants : 1/4 kg
Dry Coconut : 3 tbsp
Urad Dal : 2 tsp
Chana Dal : 3 tsp
Coriander Seeds : 1 tsp
Dried Red Chillies : 6 - 8
Cinnamon Stick : 1 inch piece
Thick tamarind extract : 1 tsp
Cloves : 3
Oil : 2 tbsp
Sugar : 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Cilantro for garnishing

Method :

1. Dry roast the coriander seeds, chana dal, urad dal, red chillies,cloves and cinnamon stick on medium flame until fragrant. Let it cool completely.

2. Grind the roasted spices, salt, sugar and grated dry coconut into a powder and set aside

3. Wash the eggplants and make a plus shape slit and stuff them with the ground masala.

4. Heat oil in a pan and add the stuffed eggplants.

5. Then add any remaining ground masala and little water to it. Cover with a lid and let it cook completely.

6. Now add the tamarind extract and cook for another 2 minutes.

7. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot.

You can also check other Curry recipes here
Check out other recipes of Eggplants here
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Sweet Poha | Festival Naivedyam Recipe

2011-12-19T22:40:00.000+05:30

Ingredients :

Poha / Flattened Rice :1 cup
Powdered Jaggery : 3/4 cup
Grated Coconut : 1.5 tbsp
Cardamom Powder : 1/2 tsp
Ghee : 2 tsp
Cashews

Method :

1. Wash the poha. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat the ghee in a pan. Add and fry the chopped nuts. Set aside when the nuts turn golden brown color.

3. In the same pan, mix the jaggery and water. The amount of water should be just enough to soak the jaggery and make a syrup of two thread consistency.

4. Switch off the flame and add the cardamom powder, coconut and poha and mix well. Garnish with fried cashews and serve.

You can also check other Sweet recipes here
Check out other recipes of Poha / Flattened Rice here
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Other Names : Vella Aval, Sweet Pohe, Sweet Avalakki, Teepi Atukulu, Jaggery Poha.

Chikoo Milkshake ~ Sapota Milk Shake Recipe

2011-12-18T17:54:00.000+05:30

Ingredients :

Sapota / Chikoo : 1 cup ( peeled, deseeded, chopped )
Boiled and Cooled Milk : 1 cup
Sugar to taste
Ice Cubes

Method :

1. In a blender, add the chopped chikoo fruit, sugar and milk and blend until smooth.

2. Add more milk if you want a thinner consistency.

3. Then add the ice cubes and blend it again for a few seconds.

4. Pour the milkshake into glasses and serve immediately.

You can also check other Beverage Recipes here
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Sweet and Sour Potato Curry Recipe

2011-12-17T19:00:00.001+05:30

Bangaladumpa Pulusu Bellam Koora

Ingredients :

Potatoes : 3 - 4 medium sized
Thick Tamarind Extract : 1 tbsp
Powdered Jaggery : 1/2 to 1 tsp
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 tsp
Chana Dal : 1/2 tsp
Urad Dal : 1/2 tsp
Red Chillies : 2
Red Chlli Powder : 1 tsp
Curry Leaves : 1 sprig
Salt to taste
Oil : 2 tsp

Method :

1. Cut the potatoes into quarters and pour just enough water to cook the potatoes.

2. Pressure cook until 3 whistles.

3. Remove the skin and chop into pieces.

4. Heat oil in a pan and add the urad dal, chana dal and mustard seeds.

5. Once they start to splutter, add the broken red chillies and curry leaves and fry for a couple of seconds.

6. Now add the tamarind extract and powdered jaggery to it and fry for a couple of minutes.

7. Then add the potatoes, salt and red chilli powder and mix very well.

8. Serve hot with rice, roti or dosa.

You can also check other Curry Recipes here
Check out other recipes of Potato here
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