Odia food is undoubtedly my go-to abode when it comes to comfort food. There’s no joy compared to eating a homemade comforting Odia meal with my mom. One of my best childhood memories is coming back from school and eating a meal of dal, chawal with a dollop of ghee and Ghanta Tarkari. The simple yet quite indulgent dishes were enough to satiate my palate and soul. As dal-chawal are staples in most people’s homes, let’s talk about the Odia speciality- Ghanta Tarkari today. The dish is a melange of pulses, legumes and veggies and is a favourite in most Odia households. As winters are here, it's time to bulk up on nutrients, and we don’t think there’s anything better than Ghanta Tarkari for this purpose.
So, to help you make the Odia delight, here are a few tips and tricks for you to keep in mind.
- Not only vegetables but legumes and pulses also play a significant role in developing the flavours in Ghanta Tarkari. Experiment with the choice of legumes and pulses for Ghanta Tarkari. You can add kale chane, chana dal and moong dal sprouts to enhance the flavour and texture of the curry.
- To add to the flavour and aroma of the curry, you can add a secret spice made with cumin seeds and dry red chillies. Dry roast them, blend them into a fine powder and add to the curry.
- While cooking the vegetables, add some crushed ginger and a bay leaf for instilling the aroma and flavour in them.
- Temper the curry with ghee for flavour and fragrance. Also, don’t forget to add hing to the tempering.
- You can experiment with ingredients when it comes to Ghanta Tarkari. You can add grated coconut, deep-fried badis or dried mango pieces to enhance the flavour and texture of the curry.
Now that you know these easy tips, you can finally nail making Odia-style Ghanta Tarkari at home. Also, try the detailed recipe to make the rich curry.