Gathi kochu aar aloo (Potato-Taro Curry)

There was a time when I couldn't think of eating taro let alone making it of my own volition. The home where I spent most of my childhood had some sort of taro plant in the backyard. We used to have taro made in different forms. I remember how my mother would highlight its rich mineral contents every time we had taro. However, nothing could have changed my dislike for taro until a few years ago a friend of mine made some taro curry for us. I can't say that was the best dish I have ever had, but it was definitely worth trying at home. Then I thought of how I could make it so different, that it would wipe off that nagging childhood taste. Why not make it a little chatpata (hot-and-sour-flavor) than the usual way indian vegetable curry dishes are made. I came up with this recipe that I made a few times since then and yaaayyy, we added one more vegetable to the list that our family now has on a regular basis.

Ingredients:
4 cubed taro
1 big potato, cubed similar to the size of taro
1/4th cup onion chopped (optional)
1 tsp amchur powder
green chili chopped
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Oil for cooking
Salt and sugar to taste

Recipe:

• Heat some oil
• Fry onion if using, then add taro to the pan and fry for a minute
• Cover and cook the taro until soft
• Add potatoes, cook until done, you can sprinkle some water to make sure it doesn't get stuck to the bottom
• Add the amchur powder, salt and sugar to it
• Turn the gas off, add the chopped cilantro and green chillies and cover for 2 minutes
• Serve with hot rice

Khoya Paneer

After a long break, I finally got some time to write today. Life changed a bit during this time, making my days busier. After making paneer for dinner tonight I suddenly felt a compulsion of sharing this recipe with you all. I have never made paneer this way before. After last weekend's biryani I had some left over khoya with which I could have made some dessert but as I am fighting an eternal war against my carb-craving, I decided against it. Hence, came up with this recipe.

Ingredients:
Paneer cubes (1 nanak slab)
1/2 cup green peas 
2 slit whole green chillies
1-2 tsp ginger paste (I added 2 tsp, you can add less if you like)
1/2 tsp garam masala (cinnamon, cloves, cardamom)
Oil
Salt and sugar as needed

Recipe:

• Heat some oil in a kadai
• Fry the paneer lightly with some salt. Keep aside
• Add ginger paste to the oil and saute well while sprinkling some water from time time
• Add the chilies
• Add the green peas
• Add the paneer back to the kadai
• Add salt, sugar and the garam masala
• Add about 1/4th cup water. Cover and cook for couple of minutes
• Your paneer should be ready to serve