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    Home » Main Course » Gravies

    Manipuri Mangal Ooti - Manipuri Side dish

    Published: Apr 17, 2014 · by Nisha

    North east India, the seven sisters as they are called, are not only geographically isolated but also differ largely in customs and practices from the rest of India. It is aptly called "Paradise Unexplored" and it is connected to the rest of Indian states by a narrow channel between Nepal and Bangladesh. Except for Assam and Tripura, the rest of the areas have a significant tribal population and breakfast as such is not common amongst them, at least till the previous generation. They generally have only two meals, one in the morning and one at night. Usually, the tribal people have rice from last night's left over dinner or they prepare the meal and have it before going to work. Due to much exposure and evolving lifestyle, changes are taking place. But it is mostly rotis, bread and other common dishes.
    Manipuri Mangal Ooti - Manipuri Side dish

    This habit of theirs reminded me very much of home. This same practice of mid-day meals directly is still followed at my house, especially on weekends and holidays. We have a full meal mid day and in the late afternoon used to have some snacks or tiffin. Early in the morning, we have a nutritious and filling drink - Kanji, that helps us till midday. I still remember fighting with my mom over this, saying that this is such a strange thing (as though we were doing practising Voodoo or something). I don't know why exactly. I felt weird when I found out that, this was not the case at all my friends home. They all follow the regular eating habit. As a child, I think I felt odd to be left out of the whole group. Now, I feel so silly of my thoughts. Even now, it is the same; the other way round at home, meals followed by breakfast  tiffin.  Some customs just stick with us no matter how much we adapt ourselves according to our situation.

    This "Ooti" dish from Manipur is served with Kichdi during Kang festival in their region. A simple peas dish that is very much prepared like dal. Cook the peas and add the tadka. This can be also served with dosa, Idly, rotis and parathas. A perfect alternative in the busy morning when you are time pressed for the regular accompaniments like peas masala or sambhar or any gravy.

    Manipuri Mangal Ooti - Manipuri Side dishManipuri Mangal Ooti - Manipuri Side dish The recipe is adapted from Anthony's Kitchen.

    A simple peas dish, very similar to dal, that is cooked with soda and in mustard oil Tadka.

    Prep time: 05 mins | Cook time: 20 Mins | Total time: 25 Mins | Serves: 2-3

     

    Ingredients

    • 1 Cup Yellow | Green Peas
    • ½ tsp Cooking soda
    • Salt To taste
    For Tempering
    • 2 Tbsp Mustard Oil (or any cooking oil)
    • 1 tsp Cumin seeds
    • 2 Red Chillies
    • 1 Bay Leaf
    • 1 Tbsp Grated ginger
    • ½ Cup Chopped Onions
    Instructions

    1. Soak the peas overnight or for a minimum of 4 hours. Pressure cook until it is soft by adding salt and soda to it.
    2. Heat a Kadai | Pan. Add oil. Once it is hot, add the cumin seeds, bay leaf and red chillies. Then add the grated ginger and onions.
    3. Saute until the onions turn translucent. Then pour this over the cooked peas.

    Notes

    1. This is traditionally served with Manipuri Kichdi during the Kang festival.  This can also be served with Poori or chapathi or had with rice.
    2. Also, this is made authentically with Yellow peas. But since I do not stock this yellow peas, I used the regular green ones. You can very well use both alternately.


    P.S. Out of the few online documentation on the internet, I found this no-breakfast concept of these people. So, if any north-east native happens to chance upon the blog, I would love to hear from you regarding the food habits and practices.

    View other "Gravies" recipes

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      Punjabi Rajma Masala - Rajma Chawal
    • Close up shot of the Dal makhani, rich and delicious lentil based dish.
      Punjabi Dal Makhani with tips & suggestions
    • Channa masala or chole masala displayed in a white bowl with raita, roti and a glass of water.
      Punjabi Chole Masala | Channa Masala

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nivedita Adhikari says

      November 12, 2017 at 4:53 pm

      I remember my mom using bamboo shoots, broken rice and chives to ooti.

      Reply
      • Nisha says

        November 12, 2017 at 9:48 pm

        Hi Nivedita. That's nice to know. Thanks for your feedback. Are you from Manipur ?

        Reply
    2. vaishali sabnani says

      July 10, 2014 at 10:16 am

      I read alot about ooti and found it similar to our rsgda..but surely a dish worth trying.

      Reply
    3. Archana Potdar says

      May 19, 2014 at 5:03 pm

      If i was not sold to ooti then your pics would have! Delicious.WIsh I can make it right now.

      Reply
    4. Suma Gandlur says

      May 09, 2014 at 7:31 pm

      Lovely ooti. I too made it with khichdi.

      Reply
    5. Chef Mireille says

      May 03, 2014 at 7:20 pm

      popular dish of the day - looks nice and creamy

      Reply
    6. Pavani N says

      April 29, 2014 at 1:53 am

      Simple and delicious Ooti.

      Reply
    7. Gayathri Kumar says

      April 25, 2014 at 9:00 am

      Today is Ooti day. Seeing so many versions of ooti. Yours look so nice...

      Reply
    8. Srivalli says

      April 23, 2014 at 1:05 pm

      Ooti has come out so well Nisha..

      Reply
    9. Jayanthi Padmanabhan says

      April 22, 2014 at 12:37 pm

      ooti looks fabulous.. lovely picture

      Reply
    10. Nivedhanams Sowmya says

      April 21, 2014 at 1:32 pm

      delicious side dish!! love it nisha!!

      Reply
    11. Harini-Jaya R says

      April 21, 2014 at 12:26 am

      Good one Nisha. Even today my parents follow the pattern you talked about 🙂

      Reply
    12. Varadas Kitchen says

      April 18, 2014 at 2:24 am

      The ooti is so similar to our peas curry. Nice write up on the different eating habits.

      Reply
    13. Usha says

      April 18, 2014 at 2:15 am

      So many ooti recipes. Nice clicks

      Reply
    14. Priya Suresh says

      April 17, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      I can have this mangal ooti happily with some rotis anytime of the day, wonderful choice. Seems like ooti is very easy and quick to make.

      Reply

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    Nisha freelances as a food & product photographer/recipe developer & content creator in the F&B space.

    She loves everything about food and their stories! You can find her mostly in the kitchen trying to whip up something or reading culinary anecdotes.

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