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Ooti
Soft dried pea curry
উতি: Manipuri dried peas cooked very soft with soda, garlic and spring onion
Ooti is a Meitei comfort dish from Manipur, especially loved in winter and at the community feasts of Ningol Chakouba: dried peas simmered with a pinch of soda until they collapse into a soft, mild stew scented with garlic and spring onion. It goes with rice and a fiery eromba. The mistake is adding too much soda, which tastes soapy; a small pinch is enough. Chef's tip: soak the peas overnight and they will be soft in about 40 minutes.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the ooti
- 7 oz dried white or green peassoaked overnight
- 3 ¾ cups water
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tbsp mustard oil
- 4 garlic clovescrushed
- 2 green chilliesslit
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 spring onionscut in 3 cm lengths
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander (optional)chopped
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Drain the 7 oz dried white or green peas and put in a pot with 3 ¾ cups water and ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda. Bring to a boil, skim, then simmer until very soft and starting to break up.
40 minStep 2: Meanwhile heat 1 tbsp mustard oil and fry 4 garlic cloves and 2 green chillies until the garlic is pale gold.
2 minStep 3: Tip the garlic oil into the peas with 1 tsp salt and 4 spring onions. Simmer 3–4 minutes, mashing a few peas against the side, until thick and creamy.
4 minStep 4: Finish with 2 tbsp fresh coriander and serve with rice.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 220 kcal
- Protein
- 13 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fibre
- 10 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ooti take?
- About 55 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 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 bicarbonate of soda?
- Baking powder, three times the amount (the bake may taste slightly different).
- What can I use instead of garlic cloves?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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