Simple Arbi Fry
Feb 18, 2020, Updated Oct 24, 2020
Arbi (Taro root) cooked with Indian spices makes a simple side dish which is also vegan and gluten-free. Pair with dal, rice for a complete meal.
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Simple Arbi Fry made by boiling arbi (taro roots) and then stir-frying it with spices.
This stir-fry pairs well with dal and roti.
I don’t cook arbi as often as I would like to.
I think the reason behind that is that I can find arbi only at Indian stores and usually I don’t buy vegetables from there and hence arbi doesn’t make an appearance in my kitchen regularly.
Arbi for those who don’t know is the Hindi name for taro root. It has a subtle sweet taste and often used in savory recipes in India.
One of the things that my mom used to make with arbi was this simple arbi fry or arbi masala.
The arbi fry was simpler with just few ingredients while for the masala she added onion, tomatoes and more spices.
Today, I am sharing one of my favorite ways to cook arbi- this simple arbi fry.
It is a super simple recipe where arbi is first boiled and then pan fried and cooked with the spices.
This Arbi Fry
✓ is vegan and gluten-free
✓ makes a great side with rice and dal or roti
✓ makes a nice change when you are bored of eating the same veggies
My way of cooking arbi is a little elaborate. Meaning I boil the arbi first, then pan fry it and then mix it with the spices.
I like it this way. But you can definitely skip the pan frying stuff and directly toss the arbi with spices after boiling it.
Arbi is a starchy vegetable so I like to pan fry it first to make it brown and crisp, you can do whatever way you want.
If you don’t care about it being brown, simply skip the pan frying part.
The ingredients are pretty simple, I don’t add any onion, garlic or tomato to this arbi fry. It is just the spices tossed with ginger, curry leaves and then finished with cilantro.
This pairs so well with roti or paratha. I also love to eat it with rice and dal.
I always thought that this style of arbi was so similar to aloo bhujia which mom cooked way more often. The arbi definitely made for a nice change!
Method
1- First wash arbi nicely with water. Bring a pot of water to boil. Once it starts boiling, add the arbi to it.
Boil for 12 to 15 minutes until you are able to insert a fork inside the arbi. You want it boiled but not over-boiled (not mushy).
Time will depend on size of arbi, the smaller ones may boil in 10 minutes, since my arbis were large they took around 15 minutes.
2- Rinse under cold water and let it cool down. Then peel the skin and cut the arbi into slices. Some people cut them round, I prefer cutting them lengthwise- 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide.
3- Heat 1.5 tablespoon oil in a pan. Once oil is hot, add the cut arbis to it.
4- Fry arbi on medium heat for around 10 minutes, 5 minutes each side until they are nicely golden brown. Remove the pan fried arbi from the pan and set aside..
5- To the same pan now add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and then ajwain. Let the seeds sizzle.
6- Add the ginger, chili and curry leaves. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the ginger starts changing color.
7- Add in the pan-fried arbi and mix. Now, add all the spices – turmeric, red chili, coriander, amchur, along with salt. Sprinkle very little water (like 1 to 2 teaspoons) just so that the spices stick to the arbi nicely. Toss to combine everything.
8- Let the arbi cook for 2 to 3 more minutes on low heat. Garnish with cilantro and serve Arbi Fry with roti and dal.
If you’ve tried this Simple Arbi Fry Recipe then don’t forget to rate the recipe! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram to see what’s latest in my kitchen!
Simple Arbi Fry
Ingredients
- 12 large arbi taro root, around 700-800 grams
- 2.5 tablespoon oil divided, I used avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon ajwain carom seeds
- 1 inch ginger finely chopped
- 1 green chili chopped, or add more to taste
- 6-7 curry leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/8 teaspoon red chili powder or add more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/4 teaspoon amchur dried mango powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- cilantro to garnish
Instructions
- First wash arbi nicely with water. Bring a pot of water to boil. Once it starts boiling, add the arbi to it.Boil for 12 to 15 minutes until you are able to insert a fork inside the arbi. You want it boiled but not over-boiled (not mushy).Time will depend on size of arbi, the smaller ones may boil in 10 minutes, since my arbis were large they took around 15 minutes.
- Rinse under cold water and let it cool down. Then peel the skin and cut the arbi into slices. Some people cut them round, I prefer cutting them lengthwise- 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide.
- Heat 1.5 tablespoon oil in a pan. Once oil is hot, add the cut arbis to it.
- Fry arbi on medium heat for around 10 minutes, 5 minutes each side until they are nicely golden brown. Remove the pan fried arbi from the pan and set aside..
- To the same pan now add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and then ajwain. Let the seeds sizzle.
- Add the ginger, chili and curry leaves. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the ginger starts changing color.
- Add in the pan-fried arbi and mix. Now, add all the spices - turmeric, red chili, coriander, amchur, along with salt. Sprinkle very little water (like 1 to 2 teaspoons) just so that the spices stick to the arbi nicely. Toss to combine everything.
- Let the arbi cook for 2 to 3 more minutes on low heat.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve Arbi Fry with roti and dal.
Notes
- If you don't have amchur powder, just add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice in the end.
- You can skip the part of pan frying the boiled arbi first. After boiling the arbi, slice it and then proceed to the step of adding the oil followed by cumin seeds, ajwain and so on.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thanks for your recipe and notes, very nice
Tried making after boiling arbi. Very tasty….loved it..
Very good recipe thank you so much. I used frozen arbi which was already peeled and still the recipe was perfect. Thank you I love your recipies
Actually bought a couple of these a few days ago, and stumbled across this recipe! Can’t wait to try it, btw…do you know how to store these? I’d like to freeze them. Do you know how I could go about it?
I have not tried freezing it. I am on the fence whether arbi will freeze well, I doubt it.
You can freeze them in an airtight Ziplock bag after peeling the skin with a peeler (without boiling) . Boiled ones can be frozen but, it will loose its structure.
Tried the Arbi fry receipe. It was amazing.
Loved it!!
glad to know Aarti!
Lovely n tasty.. ♥️
Lovely recipe -turned out great. Thanks for sharing it
Ginger is not shown in Ingredients !
Have followed many of your recipies as they are what I am looking for – match very well with what I consider tasty food.
1-inch ginger, will fix it. thanks!
Good.
Hi….I only have frozen arbi, how can I change the recipe to use frozen arbi?
Thanks!!!
I would probably put them in hot water to thaw and then pat dry with a paper towel and then stir-fry them and then follow the same recipe.
one of my favourite ingredient. Adding this recipe to my to-do list.
Wow! Yummy recipe. Will try soon.