Bhajas (Fries) from Oriya Kitchen

Bhajas (Fries) 

Alu-Beans Bhaja (Potato Beans Fry)

1 lb beans thoroughly washed and cut into small pieces
2 medium size potato piled and cut into small square size pieces
1 green chilli cut into pieces
1 small piece of ginger piled and minced
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 spoon mustard
1/2 spoon cumin seed
Salt to taste
oil for frying

1. Heat a fry pan on medium heat and put 1 1/2 spoon of oil
2. Add mustard and cumin after the oil is hot and let them splutter
3. Add green chillies and ginger and fry them for 2 minutes
4. Add turmeric powder and mix it properly
5.  Then add beans and potato and leave and stir it
6. Add chilli powder and cumin powder and cook in medium-low until beans is cooked
7. Serve it with rice or roti

Karadi Bhaja (bamboo shoot fry)

By Suparna Behera
(Source : OSA Journal 1998)

1 cup julienned bamboo shoots
2-3 tbs rice flour
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp cumin powder
Salt to taste
oil for frying

1. Pound the bamboo shoots to crush and flatten coarsely
2. Add rice flour, turmeric powder, chilli powder, cumin powder, salt
and mix together
3. Add enough water to make pakoda like batter
4.  Heat oil in a fry pan as if to fry pan cakes
5.  Make thin round cakes out of the batter and pan fry till crisp and golden brown
6. Serve with PAKHALA (watered rice) or plain rice as a side dish

Bhendi Masala  (Okra Masala)

By  Suman Samal of Reno, NV

frozen or fresh okra-2lbs
1 medium size onion
1 tomato
1 green bell pepper
coriander leaves-to garnish
1tsp cumin powder
1tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1tsp ginger paste
1tsp garlic paste
2 tsp oil
1tsp amchur powder
1 tsp whole cumin seeds
Salt-to taste


1. Cut all  okras into small pieces about one inch  size.
2. Cut t onion,bell pepper,tomato into small pieces and keep those aside.
3. Warm the frying pan and put oil into it and then turn it into medium flame
4. When oil is little warm ,a dd cumin seeds
into it and let it splutter
5.Add the chopped onions,fry it till little
golden brown and then add the chopped tomato and again fry it for two minutes.
6. Then add ginger paste,garlic paste,cumin and corriander powder, turmeric powder and
saute it for one to two minutes.
7. Then add the cut okras and bell pepper to it and just fry it for few
minutes and add salt  to taste.
8. When okra starts getting tender add  amchur powder  and mix it properly
9. Garnish your Bhendi Masala with chopped corriander leaves before you serve.

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