Niramish Aloo Potol

Summer has officially begun in India and the breezy heat waves in the air proclaims the onset of the hot weather. This also means that there will be a slight change in the eating habits with dishes containing fewer spices and not very rich content. Summer is the time when we prefer light and simple meal. While we Bengalis always love maach bhaat in our lunch or dinner, and that, of course, goes to a jhaal jhol in the everyday meal, what if that everyday jhol turns out to be healthy and easily digestible in summers without getting too boring. One vegetable that we Bengalis often prepare during the summer is the Parwal.

Parwal or Pointed Gourd is a native vegetable found throughout the year, however, we do not cook it that often during the winters due to the availability of other veggies in the market. Parwal is grown in abundance during the Spring and Summer months and that's what makes us cook this medium rated veggie almost every alternate day. Another reason is there is no other vegetable cultivated in the state depending upon the climate which is so hot.

Pointed Gourd (Potol)

Therefore today my recipe is specialized on our very own Parwal or Potol in Bengali. This dish is a regular one from the Bengali cuisine and it is a summer special. 'Niramish Aloo Potol' is a delicious Bengali curry prepared with aloo(=potatoes) and potol (=parwal or pointed gourds).  Niramish Aloo Potol is a homely recipe that is prepared very often at our home, I usually give a bit of twist to my recipes with the traditional 'Niramish' dishes, so that we aren't bored of eating the simple vegetarian food alternatively. 'Niramish' word means vegetarian, which clearly indicates this recipe is a 'no onion garlic' recipe.

'Niramish Aloo Potol' or Bengali Parwal Potato Curry is a purely vegetarian dish, cooked with minimal spices and veggies, therefore no need to spend your time in arranging and chopping more ingredients. Niramish Aloo Potol is an easy peasy recipe cooked within 35 minutes, leaving you no much time to spend in the kitchen. Head on to the full recipe details with instructions and pictures below:

Niramish Aloo Potol

[Veg]

Author: Paromita.P                                                                     

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes (approx)

Recipe Type: Curry

Course: Side dish

Cuisine: Indian/ Bengali

Serves: 4

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

Ingredients:

1. Potol (parwal) - 300 grams
2. Potato- 6
3. Green chili- 4
4. Ginger- an inch

Spices:

1. Bay leaf- 1
2. Panch phoron- 1 tsp
3. Turmeric powder- 1 tsp
4. Red mirchi powder- 1 tsp
5. Cumin powder- 1.5 tsp
6. Salt to taste
7. Mustard oil- half a cup

Method:

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

1. Wash and peel off the skin of the parwal.
   
2. Chop these veggies in large cubes.
   
3. Heat oil in a pan, slide in the parwal cubes and fry then till golden brown.
   
4. Remove the fried parwal, now fry the potato cubes in the same pan. Keep fried parwal and potato aside.
   
5. Add little amount of oil in the same pan (if required), add bay leaf and panch phoron.
   
6. Now add ginger paste and slit green chili. Saute for 2 minutes.
   
7. Add turmeric, red mirchi, salt, and cumin powder. Saute until the spices mix with the oil (say for 2 minutes, add few drops water if needed here, however, I avoided adding to retain the flavour of the bhuna masala)
   
8. Now add the fried parwal and potatoes. Mix them well by stirring the total content.
   
9. Cover the pan with a lid and cook the vegetables.
   
10. After 10 minutes add 1/2 cup water and allow it to boil under the medium flame and cover the pan. Simmer for 5 more minutes and its done.
    

Tips: Frying parwal and potatoes, gives a flavorful aroma to the dish. however, this can be skipped and directly start from the seasoning in the pan, which would minimise the intake of oil in the dish to some extent.

I've made a few more simple and easy, healthy and delightful recipes shared on this blog which you may like Healthy Aloo Paratha, Toor Dal Fry, Carrot Greens Bhurji, Niramish Phul Kopi. I prepared this dish very similar to 'Niramish Phul Kopi', these are a traditional vegetarian side dish that goes well with plain rice or chapati. There are many similar recipes in the Bengali cuisine, keeping the quintessential potato intact varying the other vegetables. Do prepare this on weekend and buzz me with your comments on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr or Instagram! Till then enjoy cooking, serving and eating!!

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