In less than 9 days, we have the auspicious Navratri days to begin. This is one festival along with Diwali which is celebrated with lot of rigor & gusto in almost every part of India. On each of the 9 days a different form of Shakti (Durga, Bhadrakali, Jagadamba, Annapoorna Devi, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandi, Lalita, Bhavani, Mookambika) is worshiped.
As a part of these celebrations, in our state of Andhra Pradesh we set up our own Bathukammas. It is a flower stack arranged with beautiful, seasonal flowers in concentric layers to form a cone. Bathuku in Telugu means live and Amma means mother. And in the evening, all the ladies adorned in silk sarees meet up in their localities , place these bathukammas in the middle and dance around them with synchronizing steps while singing folk songs. It is a visual treat to just watch these women worship Goddess Devi with such joy and gaiety.
Many also observe a seven day fast during Navratri, by following a specific diet and usually end their fast on Ashtami (the eighth day of the festival). For the next few days, I will be posting some fasting recipes and sweets which you can be make during Navratri.
One of the simplest of all is - Jeera Aloo.
Note: Rock salt is usually preferred instead of the normal salt in preparation of these dishes.
Ingredients:
10-12 baby potatoes (or cut 3 big potatoes into cubes)
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
2-3 green chillies
juice of 1/2 a lemon (or more)
rock salt - to taste
few springs of coriander and curry leaves
Preparation:
1. Boil baby potatoes (with their skin on), until fork tender. Chop coriander. Keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan, saute curry leaves and cumin seeds until aromatic. Add baby potatoes, green chillies. Fry for 5-6 mins.
3. Season with salt and mix in the coriander. Turn off the stove and then add lemon juice. Mix well and Serve with rice.
more to come..
As a part of these celebrations, in our state of Andhra Pradesh we set up our own Bathukammas. It is a flower stack arranged with beautiful, seasonal flowers in concentric layers to form a cone. Bathuku in Telugu means live and Amma means mother. And in the evening, all the ladies adorned in silk sarees meet up in their localities , place these bathukammas in the middle and dance around them with synchronizing steps while singing folk songs. It is a visual treat to just watch these women worship Goddess Devi with such joy and gaiety.
Many also observe a seven day fast during Navratri, by following a specific diet and usually end their fast on Ashtami (the eighth day of the festival). For the next few days, I will be posting some fasting recipes and sweets which you can be make during Navratri.
One of the simplest of all is - Jeera Aloo.
Note: Rock salt is usually preferred instead of the normal salt in preparation of these dishes.
Jeera Aloo (Potatoes with Cumin Seeds)
Ingredients:
10-12 baby potatoes (or cut 3 big potatoes into cubes)
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
2-3 green chillies
juice of 1/2 a lemon (or more)
rock salt - to taste
few springs of coriander and curry leaves
Preparation:
1. Boil baby potatoes (with their skin on), until fork tender. Chop coriander. Keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan, saute curry leaves and cumin seeds until aromatic. Add baby potatoes, green chillies. Fry for 5-6 mins.
3. Season with salt and mix in the coriander. Turn off the stove and then add lemon juice. Mix well and Serve with rice.
more to come..
I love aloo jeera I just prepared methi aloo last night now i have to eat this..
ReplyDeleteFirst time here and nice space loved ur punch line..:) Do vist minewhen time permits
One of my fav :) looks delicious
ReplyDeleteThat is one of our fav.. infact my husband taught me how to cook this dish :) Vrat or no vrat .. i love it all the time.
ReplyDeleteits interesting to see the different traditions for the same festival in different parts of India. Thats what makes us so special, doesnt it?! I am getting all geared up for Navrathri as well :)
ReplyDeletehey u changed the layout of your blog !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it looks super cool .... jeera aloo looks simple yet tempting :))
ReplyDeleteHi Siri, Your Jeera Aloo recipe has been selected to be featured in a Recipe Guessing Game. Please share the following link with your friends and fans. To play, go here: http://knapkins.com/guess_games/203?source=facebook Congrats again!! :)
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