I have always loved this bright blue flower since my childhood.
generally these flowers are sen growing on a kaman (fence in english).Deep blue flowers with light yellow markings peeping out dense light green foliage. This is another flower which attracts butterflies of the winged variety.
had got a bunch of seeds planted them in a pot and to my surprise within 1 month i saw the plants growing
I was delighted and my joy know no bounds when i saw the first beautiful blue flower today
This blue flower is named Clitoria ternatea, common names including butterfly-pea, blue-pea, and cordofan-pea, is a plant species belonging to the Fabaceae family.
It is called Butterfly pea, blue pea vine, mussel-shell climber, pigeon wings in English; Aparijita in Hindi and Gokarna or less commonly Shankhpushpa in Marathi.
gokarn means they resemble cows ears
the blue butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea)is more common than the white one. It is a perennial, herbaceous vine mostly grown on fences. The leaves are pinnate with 5 to 7 lobes and give good foliage.
The botanical name Clitoria relates to the shape of the flowers which are almost 2 inches long and borne singly. The term ternatea comes from Ternate, a cone shaped island in Indonesia.
The most striking feature about this plant are its vivid deep blue flowers; solitary, with light yellow markings. They are about 4 cm long by 3 cm wide. There are some varieties that yield white flowers.
The fruits are 5 – 7 cm long, flat pods with 6 to 10 seeds in each pod. They are edible when tender.
It is grown as an ornamental plant and as a revegetation species (e.g., in coal mines in Australia), requiring little care when cultivated. As a legume, its roots form a symbiotic association with soil bacteria known as rhizobia, which transform atmospheric N2 into a plant usable form, therefore, this plant is also used to improve soil quality through the decomposition of N-rich tissue.
Uses
1.In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, it has been used for centuries as a memory enhancer, nootropic, antistress, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, tranquilizing and sedative agent.
2.Extracts from the root and the flowers have a range of antimicrobial activity and is used in ayurvedic medicines. The extract contains biologically active peptides called cliotides which have potential to be lead compounds for novel antimicrobial and anticancer agents. Wow!
3.It is used to strengthen hair, improve eyesight and enhance immunity in Thai medicine.
4 In Burma the flowers are dipped in batter and fried .The flowers can also be used to color food; grind the flowers with water or milk to get blue or with little lemon juice to get red color.
Dahi wale aloo is a simple ,easy recipe with the boiled potatoes or aloo cooked in curd(yoghurt) mixture which is tempered with cumin seeds and seasoned with indian spice powders. Enjoy with rice.
A tangy curd flavoured potato vegetable preparation or potato subzi , dahiwale aloo is irrestible! try this spicy and mazedar dahi wale aloo recipe with puris or parathas and get ready to entice your family and guests.
Dahi ke Aloo can be served with Rotis and Parathas,Methi Bajra Poori, Kachori or Bedvi Pooris.
You can also serve this during upwas as fasting food/vrat ka khana ,in this case replace red chilli powder with black pepper powder,and skip turmeric,ginger,replace normal salt with black salt and skip all spices except jeera in tempering and avoid spices which you dont eat during fasting
INGREDIENTS-
Boiled potatoes-8-10 ( I HAD USED BABY POTATO)
Yogurt/curd-1 cup
Green chilies, slit lengthwise-4
Chili powder-1 tsp
Coriander powder- 3/4 tsp
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Ginger, grated- 1/2 tsp
Salt- to taste
Tempering-
Cooking oil-3 tbsp
fennel seeds-1/2 tsp
bay leaf - 2
3 cloves (laung / lavang)
2 sticks cinnamon (dalchini)
Whole red chilies-4
Cumin seeds/jeera- 1 tsp
Asafoetida- 1/3 tsp
coriander leaves for garnish
Method
1.pressure cook potato for 2 whistles. cool and remove skin. prick with fork and fry them in 1 tbsp oil till golden brown,drain on tissue and keep aside
2 Add salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder,coriander powder,jeera powder to fried baby potatoes, mix till the masala coats the potatoes evenly and set aside for 4-5 minutes.
3.Heat oil in a non stick pan. Add cumin seeds,bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon and let them turn a light brown. Add asafoetida, green chillies,ginger and sauté for a little while.
4.Add the marinated potatoes and mix. Add sugar, salt and and mix. Cover and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly. Add yogurt (see tip 2)and mix.
5 Add 1/2 cup of water and simmer till gravy thickens, Garnish with coriander leaves and serve.
Tips
1 can use whole potato instead of boiled ones. can crumble 1 boiled potato and add to above gravy
2.tO prevent curdling of yogurt use chilled yogurt and beat it well ,remove the pan from the flame while adding the curd,keep stirring the curry while cooking for approx 2-3 minutes after adding the curd.
3.can add 1/2 to 1 tsp of lemon juice if using fresh yogurt.
4.you can also serve this during upwas as fasting food/vrat ka khana ,in this case replace red chilli powder with black pepper powder,and skip turmeric,ginger,replace normal salt with black salt and skip all spices except jeera in tempering and avoid spices which you dont eat during fasting
Tel poli can be called as cousin of famous marathi sweet puran poli which is made in marathi homes during holi festival or ganpati
during my recent alibag visit my mami had got this tel poli .she makes ausome tel polis so thought of posting same
will update recipe once i get it from her
