Aloo Posto Bhaja | Fried Potato with Poppy Seeds

Aloo Posto Bhaja is one of the most loved appetizers in all Bengali household, which is served as a side dish combined with dal and plain rice. (Aloo= Potato, Posto= Poppy seeds, Bhaja= fried) there you have the full meaning of this delectable and yummy dish from the Bengali cuisine.

There are many version to the 'Aloo Posto Bhaja' recipe, depending on the way how we chop the potatoes, then adding up the poppy seeds either as a seasoning or as a garnishing. That is how this simple and easy recipe is done in one or the different, but the easier way.

Poppy seeds as you came to know is 'Posto' in Bengali, it is known as "Khus khus' in Hindi. And we normally use the 'White Poppy Seeds' for most of our delicacies. White Poppy Seeds are known to be as the 'Jewel of Spices' in Bengal because these tiny little white pearls are immensely costly in the markets. And they are so light and flowy that they are blown away with the speed of the wind, just like the pollens.

Posto

Aloo Posto Bhaja or Fried Potato with Poppy seeds is one of the simplest and tastiest potato dishes you would ever come across. This version of Aloo Posto Bhaja is my favourite recipe from the Bengali cooking. it is the ultimate solution to my rich food cravings and the scintillating aroma of the Posto just make my day beautiful.

There are many other vegetarian dishes prepared with Posto, which I might be sharing on my blog in the upcoming days. One of the best recipes from the Bengali culinary world is the classic  'Aloo Posto' which isn't the fried version, it is prepared either with onions, garlic, other main powdered or whole spices.

We often prepare the simple 'Aloo Bhaja' for almost our daily quick cooking solution, with just frying the potatoes with oil, however 'Aloo Posto Bhaja' is served especially during birthdays, marriages, festivals, or Puja occasions. It is the finest comfort food that you would come across when it comes to the Bengali cuisine food preferences.

I made these scrumptious 'Aloo Posto Bhaja' previous afternoon with other side dishes, some freshly made dal and piping hot steamed rice in the lunch for a thrilling meal. Well, Aloo is the most loved veggie in my house and this #AlooPosto just adds up a delightful joyous environment in the dining table during lunch.

Posto or #PoppySeeds is just an emotion to all the #Bengalis  We tend to prepare most of our dishes with #Posto in any condition especially for any #occasions for that extra dose to the sense of taste and royal likeliness.

Aloo Posto Bhaja | Fried Potato with Poppy Seeds

[Veg]

Author: Paromita.P

Prep Time: 4 minutes

Cooking Time: 6 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes (approx)

Recipe Type: Fry/Appetizer

Course: Additional side dish

Cuisine: Indian/Bengali

Serves: 2

Measuring Items: 1 cup=150 ml; Teaspoon (tsp)

Tips: Do not over fry the potatoes, as it has to be mild soft and crunchy, also succulent. 

Ingredients:

1. Potato- 2
2. White Poppy seeds- 1 tsp
3. Turmeric powder- half a tsp
4. Salt- half a tsp (or according to taste)
5. Mustard oil- half a cup

Method:

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

1. Peel the potato skin, wash and cut into slices.
   
2. Potato slices should be a little bit thick and not too much thin.
   
3. Sprinkle turmeric powder and salt.
   
4. Mix all the potato slices properly with turmeric powder and salt. Leave it for 5 minutes.
   
5. By then heat oil in a cooking pan.
   
6. Once the oil starts leaving fumes, lower the gas flame and slide in the potato slices in the hot pan.
   
7. Cover the pan with a lid for 2 minutes and let the potato get cooked well.
8. Open the lid of the pan, flip the potato slices and fry them on both sides.
   
9. Switch off the flame and remove the fried potato slices from the pan.
10. Heat a frying pan, put poppy seeds into the hot pan and roast for 2 minutes.
    
11. Finally, add the roasted poppy seeds with the fried potatoes.
    

'Aloo Posto Bhaja' is ready to be served hot in just less than 10 minutes. It is best combined with hot steamed rice, Dal (Indian lentil soup) with a dash of lemon juice mixed with the rice or it can be savored along ghee (clarified butter). Ahh!! this combination is just a blissful meal for all the Bengalis, and they love this simple food anytime be it either for lunch or dinner. And the after-meal effect is a strong #BhaatGhum (a nap after having rice).

Prepare this simple yet soul-satisfying dish for your quick side menu option or to please arrival of the unnoticed guest at your place, and I sure bet you that they would love this delectable treat. Till then enjoy cooking, serving and eating!!

Paromita Pramanick ©2018. All Rights Reserved.

Glitter Art on Paper

There are a number of innovative artwork that surrounds us throughout our life which we usually either do for our own artistic pleasure or we do it to teach our next generation (our kids). One such elementary Artwork on paper for kids is the Glitter Art.

Glitter Artwork on paper for kids is one of the most primary and essential creativity that preschoolers bring about to engage students amongst all the other prodigious activities. We usually settle on making some easy DIY Glitter Art with either glitter dust or tube and hang those shining artwork of the children on the walls in their classroom. This would help children to recognise their own talent and how they were able to put their focus while doing the artwork. We typically use a sheet of art paper or a thick chart paper or even an A4 sheet paper would be enough to catch the glitter and give a mesmeric sparkling figure.

You don't have to use any kind of acrylic or poster paints for the glitter art. The glitter art is carried out with three main materials - glitter, pencil, and paper. We normally use the glitter that comes in tubes, which is safer for the preschool children. However, we also use the dust glitter for which we need glue to stick, and this dust glitter work would be captivating for the upper-grade children who can be even cautious regarding the dust particles of the glitter.

This glitter art was carried out on the auspicious occasion of 'Ganesh Chaturthi', dedicating to the Lord who is believed to remove obstacles, barriers bless everyone with joy, knowledge, and wisdom. This occasion is mainly celebrated to welcome the season of festivals. Hence bringing in the art to welcome the Lord by making his figure on the paper sprinkled with glitters. Find the full video of the Glitter Art on my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAfP-CD42-M&t=5s

Tips: You can use Glitter Tube which is an easier process with ready made glued glitter in the tube and quickly gets stick as compared to the glitter dust.

Materials Required:

1. Glitter (either dust or tube)
2. Glue
3. Pencil
4. Art Paper

Procedure:

1. Start drawing the desired figure on the paper using a pencil.
   
2. Complete the figure.
   
3. Apply glue on the required portions.
   
4. Put glitter dust on the glued portion and leave it to dry for two minutes.
   
5. Dust the unwanted glitter from the remaining portion.
   
6. This is how it would look after sticking the glitter on the paper.
   
7. Now apply glue on the remaining portion.
   
8. Put any different coloured glitter on that glued portion only.
   
9. Leave it to dry again say for two minutes and dust the glitter particles.
10. You can also use tube glitter to fill the remaining portions.
    

This is how the Glitter Artwork would look like on the figure. This is one of the most simple artworks for children, as they would love the sparkling colours while doing the activity. Get along with your child for the Glitter art activity in your leisure time and it will surely help you to bring out some of the creative talents of your child. After doing this activity you can frame the artwork forever and hang it on the walls of your child's room.

Paromita Pramanick ©2018. All Rights Reserved.

Hindi Short Story 'Little Rabbit'

(This short story is adapted from the book series named as 'Suno Kahani' written by Dr.Suresh Panth. There are numerous other short stories in the book, some of which I've presented here on my blog with the images sketched and edited by myself, mostly by referring to the images in the book. This short story is about a little Rabbit who was in the midst of his playtime, however he was left alone by his mother in the burrow to find some fresh grass for him. Read the story as to what did the little Rabbit do to fulfil his playful childhood)

नन्हा खरगोश | Little Rabbit

एक छोटा-सा खरगोश एक बड़े से मैदान के बगीचे में रहता था। उसका नाम ननकू था। ननकू अपने माता पिता के साथ रहता था। कभी वह हरी घास खाता तो कभी मैदान में इधर-उधर दौड़ता और मस्ती करता रहता था।

एक बार की बात है जब आस-पास की घास सूख गये थे। नन्हे खरगोश की माँ ने उससे कहा, " हम घास की खोज के लिए कुछ दूर जाएँगे। तुम्हारे लिए कोमल घास लाएंगे। तुम बिल से कहीं बाहर मत जाना।"

ननकू ने कहा, "ठीक है।"

माँ ने ननकू को कहा, "तुम कुछ देर के लिए विश्राम कर लेना। हम जल्द ही लौट आएंगे।"

यह कहकर वह निकल पड़े और ननकू बिल के अंदर ही रहा। कुछ देर से वह सोता रहा और फिर जागा। माँ अभी तक नहीं लौटे। वह उठ गया और बिल के दरवाज़े की तरफ गया।

ताज़ी हवा उसकी नाक से लगी। ठंडी हवा से ननकू खुश हुआ और वह बिल से बाहर निकल आया। वह भूल गया कि माँ ने उसे बाहर निकलने को मना किया था।

ननकू दौड़ा और वह पहुँच गया तालाब के पास। बत्तखें तैर रहे थे तालाब में। नन्हे खरगोश ने सोचा पानी में बड़ा मज़ा आएगा। छपाक! ननकू पानी में कूद गया। पर उसे तैरना तो आता ही न था। इसलिए वह पानी में डूबने लगा।

एक बत्तख ने उसे डूबते हुए देखा। उसने जल्दी से अपनी चोंच से ननकू को ऊपर उठाया। उसे अपनी पीठ पर रख लिया। बत्तख ननकू को लेकर तैरने लगी। उसने पूछा, "तुम्हें तैरना आता है?"

ननकू ने कहा, "नहीं।"

बत्तख बोला, "तो तुम पानी में क्यों कूदे?"

तब ननकू चूप रहा। और बत्तख ने उसको कहा, "जो काम जानते नहीं तो उस काम को मत किया करो। पहले तैरना सीखो, फिर पानी में कूदो।"

ननकू खरगोश ने कहा, "ठीक है। अब से मैं सोच समझकर काम किया करूँगा।"

सीख: अपने से बड़ो की बात पर ध्यान देना चाहिए।

Moral: You should pay attention to your elders advice.

Reference: Adapted from Suno Kahani Book Series.

Find more Hindi Short Stories on this blog:

चालाक खरगोश | Chalak Khargosh

छेद वाला मटका | Chhed wala Matka

छोटी तितली | Chhoti Titli

दो कंजूस |Two Miser

खेल के मैदान | Playground

बातूनी कछुआ  | The Talkative

प्यासा कौआ |Thirsty Crow

बताशा और चींटी | Ants and the Sugar Candy

मूर्ख कौआ और चालाक लोमड़ी| Foolish Crow and Cunning Fox

लालची कुत्ता | The Greedy Dog

नन्हा खरगोश | Little Rabbit

समझदार तोता | Clever Parrot

Paromita Pramanick ©2018. All Rights Reserved.