PATATE JO SEERO / ALOO KA SHEERA

Potato sheera is made usually on fasting days. It is very easy to make and really very delicious.

Ingredients:
Potatoes ... 2 large
Sugar ...... 1/2 cup (adjust as per your preference)
Green cardamoms ... 3-4
Saffron .. as needed
Ghee .... 2 tbsps
Pistachios / almonds .. few for garnishing.

Method:
1. Boil the potatoes. Peel and cut them into small pieces.
2. Heat ghee in a pan and add the lightly crushed cardamoms.
3. When they give out aroma, add the potatoes and saute for few minutes.
4. Add a pinch of saffron and sugar.
5. Keep stirring until the sugar is absorbed and the sheera starts to leave the sides.
Garnish with saffron strands and chopped nuts.

LAHORI GAJARA GUR MEIN / SWEET POTATO IN JAGGERY SYRUP ( Vrat Ka Khana )

We make this on Ekadasi day. Thick slices of sweet potato cooked in cardamom flavored jaggery syrup or sugar syrup. I remember during my childhood grandma used to read out religious stories and we would listen while eating this sweet.

Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes ..... 2 ( select small ones)
Jaggery ................4 tbsps. (I used organic jaggery powder)
Salt ............ a pinch
Ghee ......... 1 tsp.
Cardamom powder ... 1/4 tsp

Method:

1. Wash and cut the sweet potato into half inch circles. Peel the skin ( it is easier to peel after slicing)

2. Heat the ghee and add the sweet potato. Stir fry for a minute.

3. Add one and half cups of water and bring to a boil.

4. Now add the jaggery, cardamom powder and a pinch of salt.

5. Simmer and cook until done. It takes about 4-5 minutes.

Serve warm or cold.









Note: I have used organic jaggery powder. If you are using the normal jaggery it is better to melt it in water and remove the impurities. Then recuce the quantity of water while cooking accordingly.

DAAG / BROWN ONION GRAVY PASTE

This is the basic gravy for all most of the veg or non veg curries in Sindhi Cuisine, We call it daag. Preparing this ahead saves us the time and effort of chopping and frying specially when we are busy or having some guests. You can freeze it in small plastic containers or zip lock bags.

Ingredients:
 Onions ........... 6-8 (sliced)
Tomatoes ...... 2 (chopped)
Green chillies ... 4-5 (chopped)
Ginger paste .... 1 tbsp
Garlic paste ...... 2 tbsp
Oil ...................... 6 -7 tbsp

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan and pour oil. Add the sliced onions and saute them until brown.

2. Add the chopped tomatoes, chillies, ginger and garlic pastes.

3. Pour 1 cup water and simmer it till the onion is cooked.

4. Let it cool and grind it with a hand grinder or in a mixer.

5. This is a basic gravy used for most of the curries and non-vegetarian dishes.