TURNIP AND PEAS SIDE DISH

Turnip and peas side dish

Shalgam aur matar ki subji

October is the most beautiful month if you are living in northern America. This is the season of “Fall”, I really enjoy the beauty of nature at this time. This is the time, when the colours of the leaves on all the trees are changing - some leaves are light yellow, some are dark yellow, some turn into light orange, some dark orange. Many trees in this area are pine trees, which are also called Christmas trees, or even green trees so their leaves do not change colour and remain green. As I sit on my couch and work on my post, I am really enjoying the autumn view from the big window of my living room. Today is a windy day, to me, it seems as if these colourful trees are dancing, and it seems some trees that are far away bending and glancing from behind other trees at me. This is the view I was describing of my garden...

 Turnip is not a common vegetable like potato, it can neither be mixed with many other vegetables nor many different types of dishes can be made with it. But still, as advised by the health professionals to eat different varieties of fruits and vegetables, turnip is a good change, particularly when they are fresh in shops in their season.

Their season starts in October here in Calgary, I mean in the northern hemisphere.When I was in Botswana, they were not available there, so I missed them for many years. I have already shared a recipe for its pickle with cauliflower and carrots, check the recipe here- .

Yes I know, turnips have a very distinct taste, that is the reason some people do not like or eat turnips. Even me, I was not a great fan of a turnip before I ate this side dish, but after eating this dish, I have changed my opinion, now I can say, yes I like turnip Though people have different tastes and opinion about different vegetables but a lot also depends on how the vegetable is cooked or how the dish is made. Any simple vegetable can be converted into a nice side dish depending on how it is made and how efficiently the spices and herbs are used in it etc. I think cooking is an art and it depends a lot on the artists (home cooks or chefs) to play around with ingredients to create a wonderful item out of it.

I really like this particular side dish. The first time when I tasted this dish in my sister-in-laws place, I couldn’t believe that the main ingredient in it, is turnip. Then I asked my sister-in-law to give me the recipe, now it is always made in my kitchen, whenever turnips are in season.

I am sharing this recipe on my blog for those, who particularly do not eat this white/nice vegetable which is full of good nutrients, to give it a try. I am very sure, you will definitely enjoy this dish.

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:-

• 500 grams white turnips
• 150 grams peas frozen/fresh
• 4-5 garlic cloves, grated
• small piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tbs tomato puree
• salt and red chilli powder to taste
• 1 tbs coriander powder
• 1 tsp mustard seeds powder
• 2 tbs oil
• 1-2 tbs fried onion
• Few leaves of fresh coriander for garnishing.

METHOD

• Peel, wash and boil turnip in pressure cooker for five minutes after the whistle.
• Mash turnip in food processor or with potato masher.
• Heat oil in a fry pan on medium heat.
• Add mustard seeds, garlic and onion till light brown.
• Add tomato puree with little water, add coriander and chilli powder, roast for few minutes.
• Add mashed turnip and green peas and cook for 8-10 minutes till the extra water evaporates.
• Garnish with fried onion and coriander on top.
• Serve with Nan, roti, parathan or rice.

This can be served to 4-5 people.

I am sending this recipe as my blog post entry for Meatless Monday, and with The Hearth and Soul blog hop, and with Tasty Tuesday Creative kids, and with Happy healthy and green party, and with Cook blog share, and with Way Wow link party, and What'd you do this weekend., and with Food and Fitness Friday, and with Friday Free for all, and with Full plate thursday  and My two fav things of Thursday, and with Real food Friday and with Fiesta Friday, and with Great Idea Thursday , and with Wordless wednesday, and with Food year linkup for october, and with Extra veg blog hop together with Fuss free Helen,,utterly scrummy, and with Credit crunch munch together with Fuss free helen, and I am sharing with yum yum link party.