Aloo-matar & Puri

 

 

 

Shubir, my husband always loves to plan his vacations. He prepares an entire schedule with day, date and the contact numbers of hotels and friends he knows in the area we are visiting.
Our trip to Jammu, Vaishnodevi and Patnitop was no different. He showed me the print out, perfect to the last detail. Shubir's FTII class-mate Sudhir Chowdhury is a Jammu resident. Shubir called him up just to get a few tips. Shubir rattled the contents of the plan . Sudhir patiently listened to his excited chatter, when Shubir was done, Sudhir just said, "dost tera paperwala plan badiya hai, par yahan life mausam pe chalti hai".

We paid our respects to Vaishnodevi and decided to proceed to Patnitop. It was snowing in Patnitop. Wow, that's what we came for. Our car drove up to Kud. At Kud we were informed that we could travel no further. Heavy snowfall, all hotels shut due to non availability of electricity and water.
Sudhir was right . Man has to surrender to Nature.

Our driver helped us out, a small hotel, the manager agreed to accomadate us but with some conditions.
No running water, no electricity. Generator would work only at night due to shortage of diesel.
Extra Blankets would be supplied.
We were with our college going daughter. Lets take the risk of enjoying the snow without the luxuries.
We were very tired, It was 5pm then. We relaxed and after an early dinner tucked into our blankets.
Next Morning we pulled the curtains and saw the mountains covered with snow.

Raju was the young boy assigned to look after our needs. He was preparing for his final exam of class 10.
Saabji, Nasta? he called from the door. "Kya milega?" we asked in excitement,  bread omlette  ya phir puri subzi.
Snow peaked mountains, cool, cool breeze a slight drizzle, chill in the air. Hot puri and subzi it had to be.
"Ek plate me kitne puri", Shubir asked, we are light eaters. "Paanch", Saab . Shubir said "Do plate lao".
Half an hour later he came with the breakfast of hot puris and alu matar ki subzi.
In minutes we finished the two plates and each of us wanted more.
Raju, ek aur plate laoge?  Raju said "Koi baat nahin, milega saab, abhi laata hun". Together we ate about six plates between three of us.

This then is the subzi we ate. I tried to extract the recipe as much as I could, from the cook. This is what he reluctantly gave away.

Ingredients:

•  250 gms Green peas
• 2 medium boiled potatoes
• 1 large tomato
• 3 green chillies
• Masalas
• 1tbs coriander powder
• 1tbs fennel powder
• 1tbs ginger paste
• 1tsp red chilli powder
• 1/4tsp haldi powder
• 1/4cup water

Method:

• Mix all the above masalas in 1/4cup water and keep aside for 5mins.
• Heat 1tbs oil and1tbs ghee in a vessel when hot add 1tsp jeera and apinch of hing, chopped green chilli
• Stir in the masala water and let it cook for 2mins.
• Add green peas and 1/2cup water and cook till peas are soft.
• Mash the boiled potatoes by hand it should be rough mash like small pieces and add salt.
•  At this point adjust the gravy, add water if you like. Cover and cook for 5mins.
• Now add 1tsp amchur powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala powder and 2tbs chopped coriander leaves.
• Add the finely chopped tomato and give one boil.
• The subzi is ready.

I like to puree the tomato.
Serve hot with fluffy puris

Enjoy, remembering the cool snow capped mountains.

 

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