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Introduction
Chenna Tarkari is a lesser-known vegetarian delight from Odisha, made from soft cottage cheese cubes simmered in a mildly spiced tomato-onion gravy. A temple-style dish full of nutrition and flavor.
1. Prepping the Chenna
Ingredients:
1 litre milk
2 tbsp lemon juice
Muslin cloth
Instructions:
Boil milk and curdle with lemon juice.
Drain using a cloth. Let set for 30 mins. Cut into cubes.
2. Making the Curry
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
½ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp chili powder
Salt to taste
2 tbsp oil
Instructions:
Heat oil, sauté onion, ginger-garlic paste till golden.
Add tomatoes, spices, and cook into a masala.
Add chenna cubes and a little water. Simmer 10 mins.
3. Pro Tips for Perfect Tarkari
Use fresh homemade chenna for softness.
Don’t over-stir, or the cubes may crumble.
4. Serving Suggestions
Goes well with puris, rotis, or steamed rice.
5. Fun Fact
This dish is part of the Odia temple cuisine and is completely satvik (no onion/garlic version available too).