Vegetarian Recipes

Today I'm going to share the two most Simple Vegetarian Recipes for your hotchpotch weekdays lunch or dinner option. These two recipes do not need much time for preparation, and also you don't have to rush in around for too many spices to put in them. I've used very simple ingredients for these recipes, they are also very less oily and does not contain too many spices. Both the recipes are vegetarian, now that I've added onions to these recipes, there are some parts in India which carry the myth for onions, as considered to be a non-veg.

Lauki ki Sabji

There is a story which tells that onions are said to take birth from the Chamdi (thick skin) of the cows and buffaloes. And another story tells that onions are actually born from the shits of cows. Yeah, you read it right, onions born from the cow dung. Well, I'm not too sure about these stories, however pure vegetarian dishes in India do not contain onions and garlic in the recipes. And these recipes without onions and garlic are mostly prepared during the festivals or the fasting time.

Aloo Matar

I'm a too nonbeliever of these facts thinking onion as a non-veg because when I used to study Botany it shows that onion is a plant and it grows just like how another plant such as potato or carrot grow. Anyways, we are not in a notion to discuss the Botanical theories on my Recipe page. So let's enjoy the recipes given below, and it depends on my friends to consider onions as veg or non-veg. These recipes are not for the Indian festivals though, so do not hesitate to add the primary seasoning to savor the flavor of efficacious onions. Hence, I've prepared these recipes keeping the basic ingredients intact, but you can skip the onions for these recipes.

Bottle gourd (Lauki)

These recipes have nothing much to do with the onion stories, and whereas the main ingredients are Green Peas, Potato, Lauki (Bottle gourd) which we call 'Laao' in Bengali. The recipes are 'Lauki ki Sabji' and 'Aloo Matar'. Recipes are shared below.

[Veg]

Tips: These Simple Vegetarian Recipes are made keeping in mind the health factors, so do not add more oil and spices to these recipes, keep them as simple as possible.
Remove the seeds if using a large Lauki. Tender ones seeds are however okay to eat after cooking.

Lauki ki Sabji

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Course: Side

Cuisine: Indian/Bengali

Serves: 4

Measuring Items: Teaspoon

Ingredients:

1. Lauki (Bottle gourd) - 1/4 (from a large one)
2. Potato- 2
3. Onion- 1
4. Green Chili- 5
5. Mustard oil- 4 Tsp
6. Panch Phoron- 1 Tsp
7. Turmeric powder- half tsp
8. Red Mirchi powder- 1 Tsp
9. Cumin (jeera) powder- 1 Tsp
10. Salt- for taste

Method:

How to prepare ‘Lauki ki Sabji’ with step by step pictures and instructions-

1. Wash the vegetables properly with water. Chop them into thin slices.
   
2. Heat mustard oil in a large cooking wok. Add the PanchPhoron in the hot oil.

   

   PanchPhoron

3. As the seeds start spluttering, add onion and green chili. Saute for 2 minutes, until onion turns slightly brown in color.
   
4. Now add the chopped Lauki and Potato, along with all the other four spices. Mix them well and cover the lid until the vegetables are cooked.
   
5. After 5 minutes, keep stirring the vegetables. If Lauki releases water, then remove the lid and cook for another 10 minutes. Finally, add two more slit green chili and switch off the flame.

Aloo Matar

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Course: Side

Cuisine: Indian/Bengali

Serves: 4

Measuring Items: 1 cup= 150 ml; Teaspoon

Ingredients:

1. Potato- 7
2. Fresh Green Peas- 2 cups
3. Onion- 2
4. Green chili- 4
5. Tomato- 4
6. Coriander leaves (for garnish)
7. Turmeric powder- 1 Tsp
8. Red Mirchi powder- 2 Tsp
9. Cumin seeds (jeera)- half tsp
10. Mustard seeds- half tsp
11. Salt
12. Oil- half a cup

Method:

How to prepare ‘Aloo Matar’ with step by step pictures and instructions-

1. Heat oil in a cooking wok (kadhai). Add the Mustard and Cumin seeds.
2. Once the seeds splutter, add the sliced onions, green chilies, and cubed potatoes. Toss them well, add turmeric powder and salt. Cover the wok with a lid and cook for 10 minutes.
   
3. Now add green peas, Mirchi powder, and tomatoes. Cook for two minutes.
   
4. Add 1 cup of water, bring to a boil and finally add chopped coriander leaves.

So here are the Simple Vegetarian Recipes for your humble appetite. Lauki ki Sabji and Aloo Matar are ready to be served along with hot Ajwain Pooris, it also goes well with steamed rice and chapatis. Simple recipes, yet healthy and delicious at the same time. Enjoy these easy recipes on your weekdays when you gotta catch up with your work too. There are other Bengali Veg Recipes which I've shared with you in the past. My recipes are quite simple, keeping the ingredients simple and the Bengali culinary touch intact. Enjoy cooking, serving and eating!!
Paromita Pramanick ©2018. All Rights Reserved.