Manipuri Mangal Ooti - Manipuri Side dish • The Magic Saucepan

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.

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 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

Soak the peas overnight or for a minimum of 4 hours. Pressure cook until it is soft by adding salt and soda to it.
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.
Saute until the onions turn translucent. Then pour this over the cooked peas.

Notes

This is traditionally served with Manipuri Kichdi during the Kang festival. This can also be served with Poori or chapathi or had with rice.
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.

Comments

Nivedita Adhikari says
November 12, 2017 at 4:53 pm
I remember my mom using bamboo shoots, broken rice and chives to ooti.
- Nisha says
  November 12, 2017 at 9:48 pm
  Hi Nivedita. That's nice to know. Thanks for your feedback. Are you from Manipur ?
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.
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.
Suma Gandlur says
May 09, 2014 at 7:31 pm
Lovely ooti. I too made it with khichdi.
Chef Mireille says
May 03, 2014 at 7:20 pm
popular dish of the day - looks nice and creamy
Pavani N says
April 29, 2014 at 1:53 am
Simple and delicious Ooti.
Gayathri Kumar says
April 25, 2014 at 9:00 am
Today is Ooti day. Seeing so many versions of ooti. Yours look so nice...
Srivalli says
April 23, 2014 at 1:05 pm
Ooti has come out so well Nisha..
Jayanthi Padmanabhan says
April 22, 2014 at 12:37 pm
ooti looks fabulous.. lovely picture
Nivedhanams Sowmya says
April 21, 2014 at 1:32 pm
delicious side dish!! love it nisha!!
Harini-Jaya R says
April 21, 2014 at 12:26 am
Good one Nisha. Even today my parents follow the pattern you talked about 🙂
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.
Usha says
April 18, 2014 at 2:15 am
So many ooti recipes. Nice clicks
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.

Manipuri Mangal Ooti - Manipuri Side dish

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