By Nandini Bhushan
Odiya cuisine, hailing from the eastern state of Odisha, is a delightful blend of flavour and tradition that reflects the cultural tapestry of the region. The food culture is a beautiful combination of influences of various dynasties and communities that offer a wide variety of vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian delight. Lesser on spices and high on flavours, it is known for its emphasis on satwik as well as seafood delicacies. Due to similar geographic conditions, the food is to an extent similar to the neighbouring states of Bihar and Bengal.
Also try: Indian Food Recipes: Pokhala Bhat
Mansa Aloo Tarkari
The spicy and lip-smacking Mansa Aloo Tarkari is an Odiya-style mutton curry cooked with potatoes in a thin onion and tomato gravy. It is mostly cooked on weekends with steamed rice for lunch.
Ingredients
(Serving for 2 to 3 persons)
Mutton: ½ kg
Onion: 4
Tomato: 2
Potato: 2
Ginger: 1 ( 5 inches)
Garlic clove: 10
Coriander powder: 2 tsp
Cumin powder: 1 tsp
Chili powder: 2 tsp
Turmeric powder: 1 tsp
Bay leaves: 2
Cinnamon sticks: 2
Green cardamom: 2
Clove: 4
Peppercorn: 1 tsp
Dry red chilli: 2
Mustard oil: 3 tsp
Salt to taste
Step 1
Marinate the mutton with salt and turmeric powder and leave it aside for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 2
Make a smooth paste of onion, ginger, garlic and tomato.
Step 3
Heat oil in a thick bottom pan and shallow fry the halved potatoes until golden brown. Take out an absorbent paper and keep it aside.
Step 4
Add the remaining oil. Temper with bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, clove and peppercorn. To this add a pinch of sugar.
Step 5
Add the tomato onion paste, coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder and salt. Saute them all together until the oil leaves the side of the pan.
Step 6
Add the marinated mutton and stir along with the masala to combine them all.
Step 7
Add the fried potatoes and water to cover the ingredients. Cover and cook until the mutton and potatoes are tender.
Step 8
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve the delicious Mansa Aloo Tarkari with rice.
