Simple Aloo Palak

Aloo chopped to small cubes
Palak chopped fine
Onions chopped(optional)

For tadka
Oil
Mustard
Urad dal
Red chillies
Curry leaves
Asafoetida.

Spices
Turmeric pow
Cumin powder
Dhania powder
Amchur powder

You can add your own spices to your taste.

I made a dry subji out of this, sprinkling just enough water to cook. Not too spicy since the only hot ingredient is the red chilli in tadka.

I wanted to do non-masala aloo palak and ended up with this.

Method

1. Heat a bit of oil and when its hot add the tadka and fry till they are done.
2. Add onions and fry till transparent and soft.
3. Add potato, palak, spices and salt to taste. Mix well and cook covered till cooked but not mushy. You can sprinkle a bit of water to help in the cooking.
4. Open the lid, stir it a bit to get an even look and you are done!!
5. Serve with roti or rice.
   

Basics of cooking

These are some basics which I learnt the hard way. All of them are fundamental to cooking, but I do not see them mentioned many places.

1. Invest in good, heavy pans.

2. Use good quality ingredients.

3. Try small quantities if you are trying out a recipe for the first time.

4. Give time for the food to cook.

5. Stay with the pan while its cooking. Atleast be in the same room. Do not let things burn.

6. Ensure the heat is correct, too little and it won't cook, too high and it will burn. Sounds simple, but I took my time to understand this.

7. If you are following a recipe, understand the complete recipe and then start making.

8. Ensure you have all the ingredients at easy access when you are cooking. You do not want your simmering dish to burn when you are busy searching for that pinch of saffron, do you?

9. When adding water to rava to cook, stir continuously with one hand while the other hand pours the rava. Else lumps will be formed.

10. If you have to add sugar or jaggery to a subji or gravy, add it close to the end. Do not add them at the beginning. This tip does not apply to sweet dishes.

Am sure there are more, will add as and when I get them .. :-)
Happy learning!!!

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I never ever thought I would blog at all. Watch this space for more!!