Potato Pitali Podi Roast - Roasted Potato using South Indian Seasoning Mix

 I love potato and when i came across this recipe with a unique seasoning mix "Pitali Podi" in Viji Varadharan's Samayal i had to try it and the result was yummy:). 

Pitali Podi  ( Modified recipe)

Coriander Seeds - 3 tbsp

Chana dal - 1 tbsp

Red Chilies - 4

Hing Powder - 1 marbled size piece

Dry Grated Coconut - 2 tbsp

Oil - 1/2 tsp

1. Heat oil and roast the hing and crush into small pieces.
2. Roast each other ingredient individually to golden color.
3. Blend into coarse powder  and store in air tight container.

Potatoes - 5 medium sized , yukon gold

Onion - 1 medium sized , chopped fine

Turmeric - 1/4 tsp

Hing -  1/4 tsp

Pitlai Podi - 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp

Urad dal - 1 tsp

Curry leaves a few

Oil - 4 tbsp

Salt to taste

1. Peel  the potato , dice each into 6 pieces.
2. Boil with salt and turmeric till fork tender and drain and keep aside.
3. Heat oil and pop mustard and add hing, curry  leaves and urad dal.
4. When dal turns golden add onion and cook till onion turns translucent.
5. Add turmeric , potatoes and cook  for a minute.
6. Spread the pitlai podi alll over the potato and mix well light handedly.
7. Cook till the potatoes are roasted to your liking.
8. Serve as a side to rice or with roti.

Turai Curry/ Ridge Gourd Curry

I love ridge gourd and usually cook my mom's recipe  and then i came across Vidu Mittal's recipe in her book "Pure and Simple". This book is really a delight just loved the photography. And planning to try more of her recipes. And regarding this recipe it required very few ingredients and sounded traditional  so thought of giving it a try and liked it . Ghee is used here and that is what gives this recipe its unique gramma's recipe kind of flavor . Modified the recipe a bit to my taste. 

Turai /Ridge gourd - 2 lb , Peeled and diced

Green Chilli - 4 chopped (not in original recipe)

Lemon Juice - 2 tsp or to taste

Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp

Hing - 1/8 tsp

Turmeric - 1/8 tsp

Salt to taste

Ghee - 1 tsp

1. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker and add hing and cumin.
2. Cook till cumin turns golden add turmeric and green chilli.
3. Add turai , salt and 1/2 cup of water and cook till one whistle.
4. Let cooker cool add lemon juice and serve.