On today’s leg of our rambling culinary journey we are going back to the picturesque foothills of the Himalayas. The dish that we will be preparing today is a popular teatime snack in Himachal Pradesh but it also exists as regional variations in Goa and Maharashtra. The Himachali version is called Patrodu – and it is prepared with colocasia (Arbi) leaves. These leaves are locally available and are cooked in cold-pressed Mustard Oil along with a wide array of spices. The people of the Himachal region have been using Mustard Oil for thousands of years and they certainly know how to make the best use of this oil when they make their traditional dishes. Today’s recipe is a great example of this.
Here are the ingredients that you will require.
Ingredients:
• Colocasia Leaves (Arbi Ke Patte): 9, medium-sized
• Chickpea Flour (Besan): 100 grams
• Mustard Oil: 50 millilitres
• Ginger Garlic Paste: 2 teaspoons
• Turmeric (Haldi) Powder: Half a teaspoon
• Red Chilli Powder: Half a teaspoon
• Coriander (Dhania) Powder: Half a teaspoon
• Cumin (Jeera) Powder: Half a teaspoon
• Dry Mango Powder (Amchur): Half a teaspoon
• Garam Masala: Half a teaspoon
• Carom (Ajwain) Seeds: Half a teaspoon
• Asafoetida (Heeng): Just a pinch
• Salt: to taste
Selecting the right colocasia leaves is important for this recipe. Always choose new leaves that are fresh and bright green in colour. They taste a lot better.
The quantities mentioned above are for preparing a single serving (three pieces). Adjust the quantities proportionately to suit the number of servings that you require.
Preparation:
As in the case of any other recipe that uses colocasia, the preparation of the colocasia leaves is critical. The leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause itching or irritation in the mouth and throat. To avoid this, wash the leaves thoroughly and then carefully use a pair of scissors to remove the stems and veins (especially the large veins) from the leaves. Wash the leaves once again and use a towel or a napkin to pat them dry. Keep aside. In a mixing bowl, add the chickpea flour, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, dry mango powder, garam masala, carom seeds, asafoetida and salt to taste. Mix well.
Next, add the ginger-garlic paste and a little water to make a thick and smooth batter. Add water a little at a time to ensure that the batter does not become too watery.
Method:
Take a colocasia leaf and place it upside down, that is, with the smooth glossy surface facing downwards. Spread some batter evenly over the leaf and then cover it with another leaf. Again spread some batter on the second leaf and cover it with another leaf. It takes a minimum of three leaves to make one Patrodu. Repeat the process with the other leaves. With nine leaves you will get three Patrodu pieces, that is, one serving.
Now start rolling the Patrodu from one side. As you roll keep applying more batter to the inside surface to ensure the roll sticks together and does not inadvertently unroll. Repeat this same process for the remaining eight pieces.
Heat water in a large pan and bring it to a boil. Put the rolled Patrodu pieces on a sheet of wire netting and place it over the hot water. Let the Patrodu pieces steam for around 20 minutes. Then turn the flame off and allow the steamed Patrodu rolls to cool down to room temperature.
Heat the Mustard Oil in a pan on a High flame. After some time the oil will reach its smoking point and streams of white smoke will start rising from the surface of the oil. Turn the flame down to Medium.
Deep-fry the steamed Patrodu rolls for a couple of minutes. The rolls will turn crisp and take on a brownish colour. Turn the flame off.
Your Himachali Patrodu is now ready to be served. It can be eaten as a teatime snack with a sauce or chutney of your choice. It can also be served as a side dish with a main meal. Regardless of how you may choose to serve it, it’s a delicious dish.
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