“Batato ani Piyava Upkari/ Potato and Onion Bhaji” … a hing flavored potato bhaji is a classic, comforting common Indian side dish prepared with boiled potatoes along with onions and spices ... a simple bhaji relished during meals almost in every home be it served with dal- chawal or roti/ poori/ parathas ... In my home we love it, do try it, tastes wonderful ... Yummilicious ...
** Batato/ Potato is a very versatile tuber variety veggies that can be included in any dish. It is loved by almost everybody especially children. A little bit of addition of potato to any curry binds the curry well, like for Kolumbo a famous sambar dish from Konkani Saraswat’s Cusine, where the addition enhances the dish. Without potato addition the kolumbo is most of the times somewhat bland. There are so many dishes using this humble vegetable that it is not feasible to count them out.
** This particular bhaji is prepared as a side dish to be served during lunch or dinner time almost once in every week in my home. I simply cannot understand how this simple curry got left out from blogging. It was only recently when I posted a thali in which this dish was included that it came to my notice. I must have assumed, such a common dish needs to be posted, but my friend insisted I do, claiming all dishes simple or not that belong to our cuisine should be included for our friends all round the globe.
** I have always included the health benefits of consuming simple upkari/ bhaji on daily basis on almost all of my upkari posts. The importance of including them as side dish during each meal may look cumbersome initially, however in the long run as you reap in the health benefits you will be glad you did so. Amma always insisted on doing so despite taking care of a large family, which was really not easy. Yet she always prepared a veggie as side dish along with masala curry even if it meant extra workload.
** If not a bhaji, then do include a raita/ salad along with meals like biryani/ pulav/ non. veg curries, making it compulsory for children to consume. These small inclusions not only make the meal healthier but they definitely build a lifelong of good eating habits. Well, just a few thoughts I share to encourage all on good healthy habits, I am sure you all do too. I have shared a simple easy to prepare dish here, do try and enjoy with family. There are plenty shared in the blog, do browse through for options.
** Here is the recipe to preparation of simple and delicious “Batato ani Piyava Upkari / Potato and Onion Bhaji” ....
** Peel off the skin of 3-4 medium sized potatoes/ batato/ aloo and cut them into julienne. Soak them immediately in a bowl of water to which a pinch of salt has been added. Let it remain so till rest of the preparations are done with.
** Peel off the skin of 3-4 medium sized onions/ piyavu/ kanda and slice them vertically into thin slices finely and keep them ready aside. Here I would like to mention that the quantity of potato and onions are slightly taken in the ratio of 1:1. You can do variations and add in a little bit of more potatoes if desired too. In my home we like some extra onions in bhaji so I keep it that way, its individual choice.
** In a thick bottomed kadai/ pan, heat 2 tblsp of coconut oil (nariyal tel/ narlel tela), when its hot, lower the heat to medium and add in 1 tsp of mustard seeds (Rai / Sasam), when they begin to splutter add 5-6 dry red chillies (sukki mirsanga/ sookhi mirchi) cut into pieces, 1 tsp of hing (asafoetida) powder and 8-10 fresh curry leaves (kadipatta/ karbevu). Fry all together for a few seconds without letting burn and then add in the finely sliced onions. Continue frying till they are translucent.
** Meanwhile drain off the water and rinse the potatoes under running water by putting them in an colander. Shake off as much water as possible and put this into the kadai once the onions have turned slightly pinkish and mix well. Lower the heat, cover and cook until the potatoes are half done. Add salt (namak/ meeta) to taste, mix well, sprinkle water if necessary, mix well, cover and cook till done.
** “Batato ani Piyava Upkari/ Potato and Onion Bhaji” is done and ready to be served. Tastes best served as a side dish along with any dishes of your choice during meals. In my home I usually serve it as a side dish along with any spicy curry dishes or with dalitoy- rice and it tastes fantastic. Do try this simple bhaji GSB Konkani Saraswat Style and enjoya healthy meal with your family and friends. All types of veggies including the tuber varieties are loaded with nutrients that give loads of health benefits and while these may not be visible immediately, it sure will do so in the end.
** Do make it a daily habit/ practice to serve one bhaji along with other dishes to your family from today if you have not yet done so and enjoy good health. There are plenty of simple- healthy upkari/ bhaji that can be easily prepared in my Blog, do give it a try and enjoy your meals. We should try including one bhaji be it veggie or leafy on a daily basis for health benefits. My Amma always included a upkari/ bhaji during meals and insisted that we eat it without tantrums, this way she made it a habit to us from childhood and I still carry on her advice studiously unless inevitable.
** Note : You can garnish the upkari/ bhaji once cooked and done with a tablespoon of freshly grated coconut (soyi/ nariyal) if desired, it tastes fantastic and is good for health as coconut has healthy protein in them. Over the years I have cut down on consumption of excess coconut as in our cuisine we always include coconut based masala dishes too. But then, if desired and you may do so.
** For more choice of “Upkari/ Bhaji” recipes shared in the Blog, please browse through the common link shared below ….
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Thanks.