She comes home and finds an empty container, which, only a couple of hours ago, had the very best tangy-spicy, oily, fried taro.
A year is a long time to be away when you’ve stayed with someone for 21 years. A trip to India after I came to US was an in-explainable feeling, and an exciting one. There were a lot of things I wanted to enjoy, first being the food. All the things I was overwhelmed to cook or plain didn’t know how to cook were the things I asked mom to make. Sometimes we just have a mind block, don’t you think? You believe it’s hard to cook something, just because. This was one of those things.
Last Saturday, I woke up at 5:30 a.m., woke the hubby up, and said, “Let’s take a video.” I had an idea. It’s simple, and with just a few tricks, it’s not the mushy root vegetable. I also wanted to show how we can make this with less oil. A healthier alternative to the potatoes. So this is what we came up with. And who knew a short simple video would take so long, and also so much effort? I am so so excited for it, we tried, and we hope you enjoy it. I can’t wait to hear your feedback.
It’s a vegetable which takes a while to cook. I’ve seen it boiled in water which in my opinion makes it a bit mushy and requires a lot of oil to get it to that crispy stage. Steaming them is a neat way to keep the moisture away. The key to cook them thoroughly before mixing it with the spices.
Baking them and tossing in some tempered oil is a great, because you don’t have to stand over the stove turning and tossing them around. You could pan fry them for great results. Remember it is like baked vs deep fried fries:). A tad bit more oil for this just makes it tastier.
- 2 pounds taro
- Oil -2 to 3 tbsp
- tamarind pulp 2 tbsp(not the concentrate. The juice extracted from the solid tamarind)
- 1 tsp chili powder or more
- 1 tsp salt or accordingly
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- pinch of asafoetida(optional)/hing
- 10 fresh curry leaves
- Wash and prep the taro well. Steam it for 15 minutes or until a knife or fork goes through easily. Take it out of the steamer and let cool for few minutes or until you can handle it.
- Peel everything and slice to ⅛ of an inch thick and add to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the tamarind juice, chili powder, salt, turmeric and mix very well to coat everything.
- Line a baking sheet or you can line the taro on the baking try directly and bake at 400 degree oven for 20 minutes turning every 5 minutes to brown evenly. Keep a pan, add oil and let it get hot. Add the mustard seeds, cumin, asafoetida and curry leaves and add the baked taro to it and coat well. Let it brown in the pan for another 3-5 minutes.
- Alternatively, keep a non stick pan, add oil and add the mustard, cumin, asafoetida and curry leaves. Let it brown for a minute and then add the taro which is mixed and kept. You can fry them on medium to low heat slowly and roast them.
- Serve them hot with some Rotis or Daal Rice.
Thanks a lot for stopping by and I would love to hear your feed back on our video.
Have a wonderful week.
Asha
These look delicious and love your beautiful video!
Thanks so much Sabrina. Means a lot. xo
Absolutely gorgeous, Asha! The mood, the dish, the music, the colors!! Awesome…congrats!
Thank you so much Bina.
Oh Ash, your video!? I’m so impressed and inspired. I was first taken by the moody and beautiful music, but then seeing your process was so inspiring. Your comments are exactly why I’ve not delved into video myself. I can’t imagine adding ‘more’ to my plate. I’ve heard the time it takes and am not willing to go there.. yet, perhaps? I’ve tried taro in Hawaii and loved it, but I’ve not made it on my own. I’ve not seen it in stores either… but it hasn’t been on my radar. I’ll keep my eyes open for it. Thank you for this, Ash and your inspiration! Just beautiful!
Traci, thanks so so much. It was quite a challenge, but so much fun too. I agree, lots on the plate.
Taro is a vegetable many households in India make every week, quite a loved root vegetable. Did you have taro chips in Hawaii? I’d love to know how it’s prepared there. You can definitely find taro in Asian grocers, Indian gorcery store for sure. It’s interesting. Have a great one my dear.
How wonderful is this? Asha! You go girl! At first, I just let the music run while I read your post… then I went back and watched the video (again)… and now the music is playing as I write this comment! Beautifully done. I’m so excited for you. And cheers to your husband for helping out! He deserves some buttered toast 😉 And PS- how great is that pan?!
One of my favorite songs of all time. Thanks so so much Emilie. Husband definitely did the most of it;), deserves a buttered toast.;). Isn’t it?! the pan is just awesome for so many things.
xoxo
Love the video Asha! Well done…its really well made, and love the beautiful lighting! am sure the video making process is pretty tedious, but I guess once you get the hang of it, it will be smoother, and shorter in time? Would love to see more videos from you! and a YouTube channel 😉
Thanks so so much Amisha. That’s very nice of you to stop by my dear. It definitely was a lot of fun and hubby with the editing;)…
Hugs and have a wonderful weekend. xoxo
Loved watching the video Asha!! There has to be so much work in it, but it all comes together so beautifully. So complety inspiring and makes the recipe come alive! Have to give these taro’s a try too know!! And like a couple of ladies already mentioned, the music is beautiful!! Thanks for sharing
You are so so kind to stop by to watch, I really appreciate it. It’s a very beautiful song from a popular South Indian movie. Thanks again and big hugs your way.
xoxo
beautiful video Asha! and great tips of making arbi with less oil, I absolutely love it!!
Thanks so much Manali. You have a wonderful weekend.
I loveeee this video!!! I felt like I was watching a short foreign film…there was lots of emotion in you cooking that taro. Which, by the way, I love! Beautiful beautiful beautiful. I hope you do lots more! xo
Thank you, thank you. That was huge, what a kind kind compliment. Hugs my dear friend. We absolutely loved doing it and that music pulled everything together. Really appreciate you stopping by my friend.
xoxo
Oh Asha! It’s such a beautiful video! The music is gorgeous and I’m loving everything about it! You are such an inspiration! Cheers to this and many more come! Sending you loads of wishes, Ash ????????❤️
Wow Asha!! This is going to sound kind of strange but that video was so beautiful that it almost brought tears to my eyes! The combination of the music, movement and lighting just really hit home for me. You are so talented…thank you for inspiring all of us!! ❤️
We don’t have taro here, but no worries; we’ll try this with some potatoes. We LOVE turmeric, we use it all the time, in stews, soups, BBQs, marinades, pulses etc.
Your video was such a treat! Turns out, having an amazing photography isn’t the only thing you can do. Making an amazing video is also one of your talents! Excellent direction and cinematography, we really enjoyed it!
Fantastic work Ash. You’re an inspiration.
Have an amazing weekend dear!
Panos and Mirella
xoxoxo
Haven’t had taro in ages! This looks so delicious and the video is lovely, Asha.
Sounds amazing. I always make a stir fry of taro but I am loving this simple, healthy and delicious recipe.
This arbi looks really good. A few weeks ago I tried it myself for the first time but in a gravy form, tried to really capture how mom used to make it. Hers was always so so good! I have to try this method because I love arbi and I love how you have made it here. And as for the video, fantastic music and you know it just reminds me of back home. I’m clapping here! <3
What a beautiful, rustic dish, and your video is phenomenal! It really does take a long time to do a video, doesn’t it? It’s the editing, and I know I’ll get faster at it as I get better at it, but still….
Wonderful job, and have a great weekend!
Beautiful, Asha!! Your video was so touching — the music, the food, everything about it was magical. I enjoyed it so much. Have a great weekend!
Dear Asha – looking your amazing video over here in Switzerland! Really great – the pictures, the music, the setting, the whole work, all fits! And I could learn what taro is, I didn’t know it yet 🙂 – I like your blog very much and your delicious reciepes inspired me already several times! Thank you!
You’re cooking is amazing. With your recipes anything can happen, nothing is impossible. You inspire me everyday, and you work so hard at your job. Your video is so cool. The editing was amazing. Congratulations, and keep on working hard everyday because you are a star!
Oh wow, Asha!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the video! The mood, music, all of it is so inspiring.. and relaxing! Most people get nervous in the kitchen, so I can just imagine them feeling completely relaxed while watching your video and making this fabulous taro! Loving all the delicious flavors you have going on in this fried taro, honestly I could eat the entire pan in one sitting and probably still want seconds! Beautiful job, friend! Cheers to you! xo
Wow you woke the hubby at 5:30 to do a video??!! Awesome… The video is just WOW! Loved that you choose a beautiful tamil song and what a healthy stir-fry
This is just mind blowing! So very well done. I know it’s a lot of planning and hard work and it shows in the video. Coming to taro, I am not sure if I have tasted it but it certainly looks like an amazing vegetable. I will use your recipe as an inspiration to try it out. Looking forward to more videos…you go girl!
I love that you woke up early to make the video, with inspiration hits shoot it! The video turned out great!
The recipe is beautiful. I’m not very familiar with taro, but now I’m admiring it. Thanks for opening my eyes!
Love the video Asha! This looks so good. Would love to pair it with hot dal chawal:)
I’ve never cooked taro! Really should — you make it seem so easy. Not to mention tasty. Great recipe. And video! Thanks so much.
Sounds wonderful and I’ve never had them like this. I shall try it next chance I have.
You are the sweetest to drop by and comment. Thanks my dear. Love your profile picture. xoxo
Lovely video! We used to have these little taros once in a while and my mom would just steam them. I love fluffy potato-like root veggies and taro is wonderful. You opened my eyes to a new way of cooking it so thank you! I just saw some today at the Asian market; I now want to get some and get cooking!
OH WOW! Asha I am blown away – what a fantastic video – just like your gorgeous photos, it is mesmerizing! Love the music – even though I don’t understand it – it’s the perfect temp to the video – fantastic job! I never thought such a simple vegetable could be so glorified!
Thank you, THANK YOU so so much Sashi. It was so much fun to do the video. We chose a simple yet classic recipe to make a video of.
xx
Asha, the music you used on the video is great…. I couldn’t stop myself from playing it again & again ???????? ….. Also I loved the way u took the whole video, slow motion, rolling taro & the way u sprinkled the spices…. it was outstanding ????????????????….. Just loved it ????
That is such a nice compliment. Thank you so so much for all your feedback, means the world to me. You have a great weekend my dear.
xoxo
Hey Asha, you are so wonderful at cooking, and this is just such a good recipe. When I made this, (the exact way you made it), it turned out amazing. After I just thought how good it could have been if you made it. You are an amazing cook, and all the comments you get are worth it.
Thanks,
Adil
Hey Asha, you are so wonderful at cooking, and this is just such a good recipe. When I made this, (the exact way you made it), it turned out amazing. After I just thought how good it could have been if you made it. You are an amazing cook, and all the comments you get are worth it.