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Bhindi (Okra) is one of those vegetables that is loved by almost all or so I thought. Being prepared on a regular basis at home I had the mindset that everyone loves and knows how to handle it. But to my surprise I realized not all know how to cook it properly and despise it for its slimy texture. Many friends of mine mentioned that they tried okra and didn't like it because it was too slimy. I am guessing they didn't cook it right. So here is a simple and delicious recipe for Okra which is for sure not slimy at all. The trick is to find the right okra. When buying okra do this simple test of trying to break the tip off with your thumb and if it breaks easily then its really fresh and young, but if it gives a hard time then let it go, because if you cook it its gonna be a tuff to enjoy it. Ingredients: Okra: 1/2 pound or about 10 -15 Aloo (potato): 1 medium cut into cubes Onion: 1 medium chopped Pancha Putana: 1 tsp Dry red chili: 2 whole  Salt: taste ...

Beans bhaja is one of Tanmaya's favorite side dishes, let it be with rice, roti or pakhala. Its easy, quick and delicious. Ingredients: French Beans: 1/2 pound cleaned and cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Potato: 1 medium peeled and cut into small cubes Ginger: 1/2 tbsp grated  Pancha Phutana: 1 tsp Dry Red Chilli: 1 Turmeric: 1 tsp Roasted red chili and cumin powder: 1 tbsp (adjust as per taste) Salt to taste Oil: 1 tbsp Procedure: In a kadhai heat oil. Add the pancha phutana and whole dry red chilli. As it stops spluttering add the turmeric powder to the oil and let it cook for 1 min, then add the grate ginger. Fry for 1 more minute and a beautiful aroma of ginger comes. Add the beans and potatoes to it, add salt to taste mix well, cover and cook till the vegetables are cooked through but not mushy. Remove the cover and cook on medium flame, string occasionally for 2 minutes. Add the roasted red chilli and cumin powder, mix well and cook till the vegeta...

A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. During pregnancy you need to follow a healthy diet so that you maintain a healthy sugar level (which I miserably failed at ) and iron level. Bananas help you with your  irons and make for a easy morning if  you catch my drift. The green banana is simply an unripened yellow banana, it has different uses. While you can eat the yellow banana immediately after peeling, the green banana is best eaten cooked, either boiled or fried. Nutritionally, the green banana is a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals, and contains a starch that may help control blood sugar, manage weight and lower blood cholesterol levels. It ...

Chuin or Drumsticks are available plenty in the state of Orissa. We have 4 trees in our backyard itself and fruit from 1 tree is too much to be consumed by a family of 4 ;) We distributed more than we ever used in our household. There are different versions of chuin bhaja and here is the most common and the easiest way to prepare it. Ingredients: Chuin (Drumstick) - about 4-5 longsticks Aloo (Potatoes) - about 2-3 small ones Oil - 1 tea spoon Panch Phutan Haldi (Turmeric) Salt Whole Red Chillies - 2  Procedure: Wash and Cut the Drumsticks to about 2 inches size. Wash and cut the potatoes in round shape. Do not take the skin off. Put the drumsticks and potatoes in a bowl with water and salt and turmeric and let it boil for 10-15 min until the drumsticks are a little soft. Drain water and keep aside. Take a deep pan, put the oil. Once it hot, add the red chillies and panch phutan. Let the phutan splutter for a ...

Janhi aloo bhaja is another common preparation using Ridge gourd and is relished with rice as with  chapati. Ingredients : Janhi (Ridge Gourd): 2 large Scraped and cut into large chunks Aloo (Potato): 1 big cut in lengthwise Onion: 1 small Finely sliced Green chillies: 2 Dry red Chilli: 1 Panch Phutan:  1 tsp   Turmeric powder:  1/2 tsp  Coriander powder:  1 tsp Oil:  2 tsp Salt to taste Procedure : Heat oil in a pan.  Add panch phutan and dry red chilli, when it start to splutter add sliced onion and green chillies to it. Fry for a while till onion will translucent.  Now add the vegetables;  ridge gourd and potato pieces and fry.  Add haldi powder and salt as per your taste and mix well.  Stir fry the vegetables for 5 minutes.  Cover it with a lid. After 5-7 minutes, sprinkle the roasted dhania powder and mix it well.  Then saute the bhaja till ridge gourd turns soft and br...

This is a very common part of Oriya meal. It is enjoyed with pakhala along with other side dishes like saag and aloo bharta. Ingredients: Pumpkin: 1 cup thinly sliced ( I prefer mine with the skin but you can peel it) Pacha Phutana: 1 tsp Sugar: 1 pinch Salt: as per taste Garlic pod: 2 crushed Whole red chili:1 Oil: 1 tsp Procedure: In a pan heat oil. Add the pacha phutana and red chilli. As the phutan stops spluttering add the pupkin slices, salt, sugar and crushed garlic. Sauté it and cover and cook till the pumpkin is cooked through. Remove the lid and saute till the pumkin pieces turn a little crispy. It would be about 4-5 mins. Remove from heat and serve with rice, dal or pakhala or even roti or paratha and enjoy. Enjoy this dish and do let me know. Till then happy blogging. Rakhee