Monday, June 4, 2007

Turiya Patra

.Front: Turiya Patra, Back - carrot pickleMany a times over analysis makes us lose the right perspective on things that matter, IMHO!
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Take for example the dieting fad that has hit us in not so pleasing ways!
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While one group propagates the importance of getting rid of carbohydrates, others stress the importance of eating at certain times based on our body rhythm & cycles. In the meanwhile there are plenty who will swear by the success they achieved by following a rigorous exercise routine!
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While the product manufacturers are busy pumping millions trying to sway the clueless consumers into buying their products, It makes sense to take a conservative approach and act based on one's body type, daily activity level and general wellness. We know quite well by now that one size does not fit all!
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Remember the person who never missed a chance to step out of the office for a breath of fresh air and then hastened to puff a cigarette while he was out there !!!!!!!
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It makes sense to enjoy food with full awareness and joy that it brings us & sustains us with, rather than over analysing every morsel that goes in. It is now much apparent than it was ever before, that our thoughts affect the way our body assimilates food. It is better to eat in wholesomeness rather than analyse and break down food into categories every time.
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Lets forget the calorie counting and food group analysis for a moment, shall we, and appreciate the food when we eat :)
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I do not remember my grandmother ever talking about how many calories worth of food she has had or how much she needed to cut down on certain food groups, she just went about her daily work without complain and then ate well. She lived a healthy well balanced life and had her fair share of ghee and such pure products, not by-products, till the end. In fact, I remember her carrying a jar of her own 'desi ghee' when she went visiting, that was how she liked it and no marketing guru dared to sell her any NON-product :) She did not particularly care much for sweets, but when she did eat, she enjoyed it thoroughly. The right attitude towards food made a huge difference in her life, she was one tough woman and I salute her for that!
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Now Let's talk some food, shall we :)
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Turiya Patra is one incredibly tasty Gujarati dish!
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Fine pieces of Turai/tori/Ridge Gourd are cooked and then simmered with the ever popular Patra/Alu wadi. Patra, also called Alu wadi in marathi, is a lip-smacking snack made out of colocassia leaves smothered in layers of gram flour and seasoning, steamed and deep fried to perfection and then garnished with fresh grated coconut. I use the readily available frozen patra, they work amazingly well in this dish. Whenever I make this dish at home or for my friends, everyone always goes for seconds and thirds, it is a pretty simple to make dish but the taste far exceeds the simple process that goes into it's making :)
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And, don't be forgetting to go for a walk after the meal heh!heh! :)
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Here's how I make Turiya Patra.
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2 medium Ridge Gourds/ Tori/Turai
10-12 pieces of Patra ( I use Deep brand frozen patra, available at all desi grocery stores)
1 tsp ginger paste
2 green chili minced
1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1tbsp coriander powder, salt
1tsp jaggery
1 tbsp lemon juice
Tadka: 1tbsp oil, 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, a pinch asafoetida
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1. Scrape off the ridges from the ridge gourd and then peel it and chop into small pieces.
2. While you are doing all the prep work and cooking the ridge gourd, keep the frozen patra on the counter top to defrost.
3. Heat oil, add jeera and asafoetida, let splutter. Add turmeric powder, ginger paste, green chili, coriander powder and then immediately add the chopped ridge gourd. Stir and add salt and 1 cup water.
4. Cook covered till ridge gourd is cooked through, about 10 minutes. At the end of this there should be some water left, if not ad some more water and bring to a boil.
5. Add patra, cover and cook further till flavors blend well.
6. Garnish with grated coconut and coriander leaves and enjoy a bowl of steaming hot Turiya Patra with chapati/paratha/thepla and your favorite pickle or chutney if you like.
This one is not to be missed :)
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This is my contribution to Nupur's A-Z of Indian Vegetables for the letter 'T'.

Disclaimer: This is not to be confused with medical advice, just sharing some life snippets with you :)

36 comments:

FH said...

You r photos are always so festive,I love it.Turiya Patra looks sounds tasty.I used up my Ridge gourd but I will save this recipe and make it next time I get it.Great write up.Thank you:))

archana said...

This so true our Grandmothers never thought of calories :)
This recipe of patra and turia is really interesting.
Gujarati recipes mast astat.Me hi bhaji ashich nusti khau shakeen.

Richa said...

thanks asha! oh! ur ridge is done, was hoping you still have some left with you :) but do try it next time u get it! glad you liked the write up! don't these discussions make us think about all the hoopla!!

thanks archana! hi bhaji nakki try kar baraka, pharach jabardast chav ahey, ani yes ashich khayla mast ahey - ambat, goad ani tikhat :) i'm sure tu ghari aluwadi banavates :) me mazhaya ajji barobar khup close hotey, tyanchya goshti mala phar avdaychya :)
enjoy dear ...

Sia said...

hear hear!!!!
do u know what i hate the most? when i cook elaborate dinner sweatting in my kitchen for hours and my guest says he/she is on diet!!! grrrr... everything in moderation with good daily habit will work as magic:) and salute to all our granny's who have followed this since decades:)
yummoo dish richa... i have got ridge gourd but canned patra...can u tell me if it will work?

Richa said...

thanks sia! i think the canned patra should work too, I wud just saute it a bit in oil before adding it to the gravy, this way it won't become a big mush! do try and let me know. Can adjust seasoning as per taste :) do you get frozen patra out there, if so definitely try it with that as well, it is one yum dish! and yup it is so true about moderation and looking at stuff with a broader view!
enjoy sweetie...

Anonymous said...

I bet $100 you're a GUJJU!

Turiya-Patra toh ekdam Gujjuoni recipe che! Mast lagey ne? Mari paan "turia" ni recipe che....paan maru toh khali shaak che...etle vandho nahi.

:)

TheCooker said...

This is a new one for me.
The photos are fab as usual.

sunita said...

I love ridge gourd in any form...your's looks delicious...and yes, moderation is the key...I mean I see so many people going crazy about this and that diet food and giving up the most natural things...for me, eating everything (in moderation, of course)combined with some form of exercise works out fine...

Jyothi said...

Photos are amazing Richa, looks delicious and great. Thanks for sharing.

Sharmi said...

I am very hesitant on trying out how a patra tastes. never done it before. your pics looks good though. have seen many recipes on patras now and have to put up some guts and go ahead.

Nupur said...

I agree...you can go crazy worrying about the food you eat. Eat in moderation, and enjoy, that seems to be the most sensible policy :)
Love the combo of turiya and patra...two of my favorite foods coming together!

Suma Gandlur said...

I like ridge gourd but never have eaten patra. Has to try your combo dish. Great picture.

Aruna said...

Richa, I have a ridge gourd But no patra else I would have tried it right now as ur pics have tempted me enough :-) Very nice!!

themistressofspices.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Richa, how did our mothers and grandmothers ever get by without food pyramids and fad diets, indeed. Everything in moderation, my mother always says, and I *try* to adhere! ;)

Turiya patra is totally new to me and I love ridge gourd, so I'll have to try this. It looks very tasty! :)

Richa said...

thanks trupti! tu mara swiss account ma $100 transfer kari nakh! us dollar joiye, canadian nai chaley heh!heh! euros hoey to vadharey saaru :) yup turiya patra is my fav!

thanks cooker, glad u liked it, do try with the easily available frozen patra, you will love it!!

thanks sunita! if you like turai, even more reason to try this delicacy, you will love it :) do you get frozen patra easily out there? yup moderation and enjoying with the senses, right!!
enjoy dear

thanks jyothi, glad you liked it, enjoy!

Richa said...

thanks sharmi! if you have never tasted patra this might be the time to do it. lemme' know if u try this curry.

thanks nupur, so true it is easy to get carried away over analysing! if both these are ur fav, this is definitely a must try!

thanks suma. as i said, maybe this dish maybe the starting point to try patra :) glad u liked it.

thanks aruna! glad to know my pics tempted you to try it immediately. do try when u get patra. enjoy

thanks linda! you are absolutely right, we have lots to learn from our older generations & a lot to be thankful about.
do try this and lemme' know how u like it.

Swapna said...

That's a new dish for me..Looks good and tasty.

Roopa said...

wow another classic dish. will try this next time i get patra. EVerytime i get a huge bunch after cooking pathorde and gojju i am left out with so much not knowing what to do. This would be a great idea i am learning so many new dishes. Thks dear :)

Pravs said...

Beautiful pictures richa.Dish looks tempting..though i have no clue how it will taste :D

Bharathy said...

Good recipe..have never heard of this before..
Love those,yummy stuffed chillies..:)

Anonymous said...

Atyare amaro Canadian dollar bahu strong che!!!!

joje kehti. :)

trupti

Coffee said...

Turya patra!!! The pride of gujju food!!!!! Loved it. :)

Liked your post as well. :) Well written

Cynthia said...

You are my kind of gal! Love, love, love this post Richa.

Sig said...

Oh girl, nicely put, my sentiments exactly :) Your grandma really had it right... pics look great, colorful as usual...

Rachna said...

patra with turai, wow nice combo... great recipe richa and lovely pictures...

DEEPA said...

wow!!!u r coming up with such great things ...yummy and tasty it looks ...Nice pics

Vini K said...

Hey Richa,thanks for visiting my blog.My my you have a very nice blog indeed.Enjoyed reading the post before the patra recipe.another recipe for ridgegourds..thanks dear.I am going to come back again and go through all of your posts:)

Kribha said...

Turiya patra is new dish to me. Never knew about Patra also. Thanks for all the info and the recipe. It's really nice of you to share your authentic Gujarati dishes. Picture looks sooooo good.

Suganya said...

Hay this sounds new to me....They look delish....Love it...

Bong Mom said...

Richa
Looks so colourful and festive.

Had a request...saw your comment at Linda's. Where did you get amla ? Would love to get hold of some too. If you are in NJ, where did you see them ?

Richa said...

thanks swapna, pravs & bharathy! I'm happy to introduce this new dish to you, do try it sometime. enjoy.....

thanks roopa, yes you can definitale make this when you make pathrode, i've seen u make it so well. make extra pathrode & use it for this dish. enjoy...

thanks coffee, glad u liked the food & the post. enjoy sweetie..

thanks cynthia! ur words make me happy :) it is so nice to know you share my thoughts on this and are not getting swayed by all the new fads which come up every single day!! enjoy...

Richa said...

thanks sig. good to know u share these sentiments, girl!!!!
yup i was very close to mu granny, used to love listening to her wonderful stories all the time, she was a great story teller & a greater human being! enjoy sweetie...

thankjs dumela, glad u liked the pics! had fun clicking them :)

thanks deepa, for ur kind words. means a lot to me dear!

Richa said...

thanks vini! 'blush' you are too generous with your words for my blog :) great to see you around here and welcome to my corner!! look forward to 'meeting' you more often, enjoy....


thanks kribha! i'm happy to introduce this new dish to you, do try it sometime. i guess you must be tied up in packing now, enjoy....

thanks sukanya. glad you found this to be so yummy, do try sometime.

thanks sandeepa!
i saw amla at patels in the frozen section. also, earlier i saw fresh amla & was so excited seeing that. but lately it has been frozen stuff only! if i do see fresh ones again will be happy to let you know. In the meanwhile i'm enjoying store bought amla murabba! have you tried that?
enjoy...

Chef Jeena said...

Hi great pictures what a lovely recipe :)

Arts said...

Never heard of this :D
baghte try karun!

Raaga said...

Amchis make a dish called patrado which is very similar to patra, but has rice, coconut and chillies ground to a paste among other things. I don't even know where to get the colocasia leaves in Delhi... someone help.