FOOD

The Bird’s Nest

A snack makes an attractive whole-food

The food that you see in the picture above is called ‘The Bird’s Nest.’

I feel it actually looks like a nest with eggs inside the nest. It is very attractive and my visitors always love it. It is one of my popular dishes. I enjoy making it too.

It is made of potatoes and peas and is an excellent substitute for a change from the regular food we have at home.

Often we get bored with cooking and also eating the same thing. Try this dish above and enjoy your meal.

You may have a toast with it and you are happy and comforted with the meal.

For this dish, you need the following ingredients;

1️⃣Potatoes

2️⃣Peas

3️⃣Salt

4️⃣Chilly flakes as per choice.

5️⃣crumbs/ semolina crispies for binding

6️⃣Tomato sauce/hot and sweet chili sauce

7️⃣Mint chutney for taste.

8️⃣coriander leaves for aroma/ any other if required depending on your choice.

The Process of making the dish

The dish is simple and my friends love it. They think it is very difficult to make but actually, it takes very little time to make it.

The two main items are potatoes and peas. Everything else is per choice.

Step 1️⃣You need to boil the potatoes. When they are cool then you must mash them.

Step 2️⃣.I mashed the potatoes and added salt, chili flakes, and coriander leaves just for the nice aroma it gives. (You can avoid it if you like.)

Step 3️⃣ I boiled the peas. You need quite a few to fill the cutlet.

Now I kept the peas and the potatoes ready for the next step.

Step 4️⃣I filled the peas and shaped them like a cutlet. I covered it with semolina crispies. (In the Hindi language it is called seviyan). You may use crumbs if you like but the taste is different then.

I am sure this is available everywhere and it tastes good if you cover it.

Step 5️⃣I use my nonstick pan for shallow frying. I fry one side and turn it and when both sides are done, I take it down from the fire and put it on a plate.

Step 6️⃣See the procedure for cutting the cutlet. It should be cut in half in an elongated position as shown in the photo.

If you cut from the center all the peas will fall out. The right way of cutting the cutlet must be followed or the dish will not be called the bird’s nest. Cutting of the cutlet is important

Step 7️⃣If you feel like you may make some chutney with chopped mint and some chopped onions. Grind it in the mixer. Mix some lime juice and salt.

Step-8️⃣Do decorate your dish as above in photo 1 with sauce on all 4 sides to make it look attractive.

You may put a toast in the toaster apply some butter and serve with this wholesome dish.

At parties, I make this as a snack before dinner while people are having their drinks, I serve it to them.

Quite often my friends tell me to make only this dish for them and not only keep it as a snack.

©Dr. Preeti Singh, 2023.

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