Odisha Ghanta Tarkari Mixed Vegetable Odia Temple Style

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed vegetables — potato, raw banana, yam, drum stick pods, raw papaya, flat beans — cut into 3 cm pieces
• 8 to 10 badi (sun-dried urad dal dumplings) — fried in 1 tsp oil until golden
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp panch phoron
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 tsp asafoetida
• 1 dried red chilli
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• Salt
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp fresh grated coconut (optional)

Method

1. Heat 2 tbsp oil. Add panch phoron — all five seeds sizzle together.
2. Add bay leaves, asafoetida and dried red chilli.
3. Add harder vegetables first (yam, raw banana, drum stick). Toss to coat. Cook 3 minutes.
4. Add remaining vegetables. Add turmeric, coriander powder, sugar and salt. Toss.
5. Add fried badi pieces. They will absorb the gravy and soften.
6. Add 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook on medium for 12 to 14 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
7. Uncover. Cook 3 minutes until the vegetable mixture is mostly dry — ghanta tarkari is a dry-ish preparation not a gravy curry.
8. Add grated coconut if using. Stir once. Serve with steamed rice.