Vegetarian Food – Masaura and Potato Tarkari (Nepali Food Recipe)
(Potatoes and Lentil-Vegetable Balls Curried in Spices)
(Note: Masauras are dehydrated (usually sun-dried) balls of black lentil paste and minced vegetables. Allow ample time to make masauras before assembling the dish)
For Masauras (Sun-Dried Lentil-Vegetable Balls):
INGREDIENTS
- 4 cups split black lentil, presoaked overnight
- 3 cups finely chopped onion, scallions, radish, cauliflower
- 1 teaspoon asafetida
- 1 teaspoon red hot chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic
- 1 tablespoon ginger
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 cup water
DIRECTIONS
- In a blender, combine soaked lentil, water, salt and pepper to for smooth paste.
- Reserve the paste in a large bowl.
- To the lentil paste, add chopped vegetables and all other ingredients; mix thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients.
- Make 1-in. balls of the mixture and arrange them on a baking sheet.
- Allow sun-drying until the ball are completely dehydrated.
- Food dehydrator can be used instead.
- Store the dehydrated lentil balls in air-tight container.
For Tarkari:
INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups masauras
- 1 cup potatoes, diced
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon chili paste
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 tablespoon cumin powder
- 1 cup whole cream
- 1 cup broth or water
- 6 tablespoons oil
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (for garnish)
DIRECTIONS
- In a large non-stick sauté pan, heat three tablespoons of oil and fry masauras until golden brown. Reserve in a large plate.
- To the same sauté pan, add the remaining amount of oil.
- Fry cumin seeds until dark.
- Add chopped onions and turmeric and fry until lightly browned.
- Add potatoes, salt and pepper to the onion mixture and fry on low heat for ten minutes or so until potatoes are lightly browned cooked half way.
- Add garlic, ginger, chili and cumin powder and stir for a couple of minutes.
- Add browned masauras to the potato mixture followed by tomatoes, broth and cream.
- Cover and allow simmering for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked tender and a desired consistency of the stew has been achieved.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro.
- Serve with steamed rice.
Source: http://nepalicooking.tripod.com
Author: Tulsi Regmi