Sunday, April 29, 2007

Stir-fried Sweet Potatoes (Delicious Fast Food)


Now fasting is something I have tried to do umpteen times. I have friends who religiously fast atleast once a week. The reason behind the fast may be religious or a self-imposed dietery restriction but they never fail. Taking inspiration from one such friend I have tried fasting on several occasions . What normally happens on the day I decide to fast is this:
I wake up that day full of conviction that today I will not succumb to my hunger and will successfully complete my fast by having only liquids throughout the day. Well , I do manage to survive on liquids (plain water,milk, juice and butter-milk) ,but only till 2 p.m. I drink something or the other on an hourly basis. After 2 o'clock my body and mind start their protests. The mind is already into overdrive and torturing me by conjuring up all possible images of delicious foods. Then the body starts protesting with the onset of a headache. And headaches are something I just cannot handle. I tolerate the headache for about 1/2 an hour and then resign to the fact that I cannot not go on with this fast. I have to eat something solid . And that is just what I do and thats the end of my fast.
Now another kind fasting is the one done by eating only certain kinds of foods that day and that is a different ball-game altogether. That is a treat. I really look forward to such days which are few and far in the whole year .I cook all the different types of food that one is allowed to eat on that day. And one of my favourite food is this dish I make from sweet potatoes . The sweet potatoes available in UK are just terrific in colour as well as in taste and this dish is the easiest thing in the world. Here's how you make this dish
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You need:
2 medium sized sweet potatoes (about 300 gms)
2 tblspns clarified butter (ghee),
2 tblspns coursely ground peanuts,
2 tspns cumin seeds,
2 green chillies chopped,
1/2 tspn sugar,
2 to 3 tblspns chopped fresh coriander
salt to taste
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What next:
1. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into uniform cubes,
2. In a flat pan (kadhai), heat the ghee (ghee can be replaced with oil),
3. When the ghee is hot add to this the cumin seeds and green chillies and fry for 10 to 15 seconds,
4. Next add the diced sweet potatoes, sugar and salt and mix well,
5. Cook the potatoes by alternating between stirring them and covering the pan with a lid and keep the heat low.
6 Sweet potatoes cook very fast and should be done in 15 to 20 minutes.
7. Once the potatoes are cooked sprinkle the ground peanuts all over and mix well Just before serving add the coriander.
This dish can be eaten as a part of a meal or its great even on its own.

12 comments:

Pavani said...

Delicious looking dish. I never tried cooking with sweet potatoes. Will start using with your dish. Thanks Anupama..

Sreelu said...

wow looks beautiful, I do fast on Thursdays and this might be a good option to break the fast

ServesYouRight said...

Beautiful recipe + picture. 240% Vit A in Sweet Potato (atleast thats what the plastic sticker on it said!!!)

Smita

Roopa said...

hey me too! i just can't tolerate after a certain time then decide to atleast have something!

The recipe looks delicious.we raita and sambhar too!

Menu Today said...

Hi Anupama,
Excellent Picture!!!! I will try this version soon and let you know. Thanks for sharing.

TheCooker said...

Beautiful picture!
I, too, have had no success with the liquids only fast....it completely bomerangs.
The certain-foods-only fast is more do-able.
-TC

DEEPA said...

excellent pics ...Totally a new one to try out ...too good ..something different

Prema Sundar said...

Nice picture and nice recipe too. I buy sweet potatoes once in three months but I steam it and eat it just like that...
Now got a new recipe for sweet potatoes. thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

How beautiful does that look! My fasting story is similar to yours. I just can't do it! You have lasted longer than I have though - I usually gave up by noon! :)

Catherine said...

I had a old friend who fasted every Monday. I've never tried to fast, but you've reminded me, I was always inspired by how composed he was about this. It seemed like something worth trying. I think it's important to remind ourselves how lucky we are to have so many food options,

Mahek said...

Wow!!!!!
The picture is soooo good i feel like just putting my hand out and taking a piece.
great blog!!!!

Aarthi said...

Anupama,
I had bookmarked this recipe long time ago and today I finally made it. It turned out perfect.thank you so much :) enjoy your parents visit.