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Mizo panch phoran tarkari

Panch phoran tarkari: Aizawl's gentle mixed vegetables cooked with five seeds and very little oil

Mizo cooking uses very little oil and few spices, and this Aizawl tarkari of pumpkin, potato, brinjal and beans is a good example: a few seeds of panch phoron bloom in a spoonful of oil, the vegetables steam in their own juices and dinner is ready. It is eaten on weekdays with rice, dal and a sharp chilli relish. The common mistake is stirring too often, which mashes the pumpkin; turn it gently only once or twice. Chef's tip: cut everything about the same size so it cooks evenly.
Total time
32 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
4
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Ingredients

Serves4

For the tarkari

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Fresh ingredients (5)

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Method

0/5 done
  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp mustard oil over medium heat. Add 1 tsp panch phoron and 2 green chillies and let the seeds crackle for a few seconds.

    1 min
  2. Step 2: Add 1 potato and stir for 2 minutes.

    2 min
  3. Step 3: Add 9 oz pumpkin, 1 brinjal (aubergine), 3 ½ oz green beans, ½ tsp ground turmeric and 1 tsp salt and turn to coat.

    2 min
  4. Step 4: Pour in ½ cup water, cover and cook on low, turning gently once, until the potato is tender to a knife and the pumpkin is soft but holding its shape.

    15 min
  5. Step 5: Uncover and cook 2 minutes to dry off excess liquid. Serve with rice.

    2 min

Nutrition per serving

Calories
110 kcal
Protein
3 g
Carbs
18 g
Fat
4 g
Fibre
4 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does mizo panch phoran tarkari take?
About 32 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 22 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
What can I use instead of potato?
Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
What can I use instead of ground turmeric?
Leave it out (it mostly adds colour).

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