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 :)