It is that time off the year ,when almost every household in India observes a 15 day Vegetarian meal only  food practice . Yes,it is Pitru Paksha ,also known as Mahalaya Paksha . 

These fifteen days starting from Poornima /Pournami (Full Moon Day) to Amavasya / Amavasai (New Moon day) people abstain from eating non veg , alcohol and also most people avoid the usage of Onion,garlic as part of their  cooking. 

Pithru Paksh / Shraadh Paksh is one fortnight where we pay obeisance to the departed souls ..it is believed that during this period ,our ancestors visit our homes to bless us and partake the food offered to them as part of the ritual.

If you ever thought, that cooking without Onion and Garlic will not make a tasty meal,then you are mistaken my dear friends. 

Here,I have a curated a simple Thaali with lipsmacking delicacies made totally without Onion and Garlic. Click the links below to get a detailed recipe of every item on the Thaali . You can include Fulkas or Puris if you want it to be a little more elaborate. 

Menu on the frame ,
Jeera Rice 

Matar Paneer 

Boondi Raita 

Masala Chaas 

 Poori Aamras and Aloo Bhaji is almost everyone's favorite in Maharashtra and Gujarat. There will hardly be anyone who wouldn't like this combo.  During the mango season, this made in heaven match features in my home quite a few times  but surprisingly it never made to the blog .

The recipe for Aamras and Puri is already there on the blog while that off this simple yet tasty Aloo Bhaaji or Sabji will be shared today with you all . Every household has an heirloom recipe for making the aloo sabji depending on the family's liking . I am going to share a very very easy recipe which has been our favorite always. Preethi my blogger friend has a delicious recipe of Adraki Aloo which will also pair well these puris . The aamras has a little milk added while the aloo sabji is purely vegan . If you want to make the entire combo vegan friendly,you can skip the milk while preparing the aam ras .

This combo is so popular  and a hearthrob that people swarm like bees at restaurants to enjoy. Some popular restaurants in Bombay have carved a niche for serving this delectable mini thali during the Mango Season and have been featured in various food magazines and shows for their superior quality and popularity. 

Recipes for Poori & Aamras click below 

Ingredients 

Method 

• Peel the skin of the potatoes and roughly crumble them.
• Heat oil in a thick pan ,crackle the mustard seeds followed by udad dhall until the dal turns golden brown.
• Fry the green chillies,  ginger , curry leaves and asafoetida. 
• Add the crumbled potatoes, corriander leaves, turmeric ,red chilli powder ,salt and mix it well .
• Sprinkle some water and cook covered for 2 to 3 mins till all the flavors blend well . Turn off the stove ,add the sugar,chopped corriander and mix it gently .
• Serve hot with hot hot puris and Aamras .
• You can also serve some thick coconut chutney also as an accompaniment. 

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