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Ajwaini arbi
Ajwaini arbi (अजवाइनी अरबी): boiled colocasia pan-fried with carom seeds, chilli and amchur until crisp
Across Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, arbi is the vegetable that goes into a dabba with ajwain rotis or plain phulkas: the small colocasia roots are boiled, flattened slightly and pan-fried with carom seeds, red chilli and dried mango powder until crisp outside and creamy inside. Ajwain is there for its flavour and because it is said to help digest the starchy root. The mistake is boiling the arbi too long: it turns slimy and falls apart in the pan. Cook it until just tender, then cool fully before peeling. Chef's tip: press each piece gently with your palm to crack it before frying; the cracks catch the spices and crisp up.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 3
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb arbi (colocasia roots)washed
- 3 tbsp mustard or sunflower oil
- 1 tsp ajwain (carom seeds)
- 1 green chillifinely chopped
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp fresh coriander (optional)chopped
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Boil 1 ⅛ lb arbi (colocasia roots) in their skins in salted water for 12–15 minutes until a knife slides in but they still hold their shape. Drain and cool completely.
15 minStep 2: Peel the arbi (oil your hands if the sap makes them itch), cut larger ones in half lengthwise and press each piece gently to flatten slightly.
5 minStep 3: Heat 3 tbsp mustard or sunflower oil in a wide pan over a medium heat. Add 1 tsp ajwain (carom seeds) and 1 green chilli and stir for 20 seconds until the seeds crackle.
1 minStep 4: Add the arbi in one layer and sprinkle over ¼ tsp ground turmeric, ½ tsp red chilli powder, 1 tsp ground coriander and ¾ tsp salt. Fry for 10–12 minutes, turning every 3–4 minutes, until golden and crisp on the flat sides.
12 minStep 5: Sprinkle with 1 tsp amchur (dried mango powder), toss once and take off the heat. Scatter 1 tbsp fresh coriander, cool and pack with rotis.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 220 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ajwaini arbi take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 3 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 green chilli?
- A pinch of chilli flakes per chilli.
- What can I use instead of ground turmeric?
- Leave it out (it mostly adds colour).
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