FOOD : Break.. fast :The Famous Tonak or Goan Vatana Bhaji

Goa-sounds exotic right!? i somehow have always seen Goa being associated to only the beaches and the sea food, they are of course very synonymous though, without any denial. But the vegetarian food too can fulfill any gluttony appetite. Goa for me, being a Gowda Saraswat Brahmin has always been about temples (a yearly visit to our temples is always a must) and obviously food outside the temples have always belonged to the vegetarian bracket. The spices used here are too unique and delectable. So this Tonak is a bhaji/sabji made out of pulses(specially dried peas or vatana as they call it) and is perfect with their famous pav. Goa literally wakes up to the call of poder (traditional baker) as he delivers the crisp fresh Pao/Pav, to each door. But the poders are on their way to extinction! :(

So, coming to the recipe, You have something called 'Samaaracho Pitho' (Pitho-means powder), you can keep this powder ready for your use.

To make this powder you will need

4 spoons of Coriander, 2 spoons of Saunf, 5-6 Cloves, 7-8 pepper pods, 2" Cinnamon, 7-8 Dry Red Chillies- Dry Roast all these and make a fine powder-and store-It might come to your use 'twice' for two people.

You will need 1.5 cups of Dried peas soaked overnight (i would not recommend the frozen peas here). Pressure cook with 2 medium sized potatoes.
In a pan, with a little oil, Fry about half an Onion, 1 Garlic (Garlic is my addition-though they don't use it. So this can be an option for you too), 1-2 spoons of grated coconut. Make a paste of this along with tamarind and Turmeric in your processor.

In a pan, with coconut oil (you could use the oil that you are conditioned to, I love it with coconut oil). Fry the remaining half Onion(finely chopped) add the cooked dried peas along with slightly mashed potatoes (mashed potatoes will give you a nice consistency). Add the Powder to the desired level of spice, Add water to the required consistency, salt, a little jaggery if you like, and bring it to a good boil. After it cools down, add finely chopped coriander leaves. Team with Pav that you get in the bakery (the softer pav, (if available) that they give in all the chat eatouts will be even better)
You could use this powder with any of the pulses... They simply transport me to that hotel outside the temple in Goa.