Once when I was around 11 years old, my Mom went into an emergency hospital situation, and I stayed with a kindly neighbor’s family. They were very sweet, simple, north Indian vegetarian people. Unfortunately, the ungrateful pre-teen that I was, I didn’t appreciate their food.
They seem to eat a lot of squash, potatoes and of course, chappatis and parathas (Indian tortillas).
I even complained to another neighbor, who was young, always seemed fun and open to anyone who had dreadful woes to tell. In my case, at that time, was the terrible food that poor me had to eat while my parents were away.
Fry till potatoes form a crust
The gleeful neighbor spiced it all up and presented it to my kindly host at the very first opportunity she got. I learned my first important lesson of life – never be ungrateful of kindness, and NEVER complain about one neighbor to another. All that shines is not gold, right?
My host turned out to be truly magnanimous people. Turns out they were well aware of the vicious nature of my other friendly neighbor. They decided to forgive me and even made me some sweet, apologetic that they couldn’t make what I wanted to eat. They were such wonderful people. I was so overwhelmed by their kindness that I made an extra effort to appreciate whatever they did for me after that.
Today I have learned to appreciate vegetarian dishes and love cooking them. We Indians cook a lot of potatoes. There, potatoes are often cooked dry, seasoned with spices, or in a variety of gravy. They are also added to curries to add to the flavor or increase quantity of a dish. This particular dish is very popular homemade potato recipe and best part is, it takes minimum effort and is ready in minutes.
- #ingredient#
- #instruction#
- 1 lbs potatoes boiled and roughly smashed.
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 whole red chilies
- 2 tsp red chili powder/cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp chopped green chilies (Thai peppers or jalapeno)
- 1 tsp garam masala powder
- 1 tsp whipped yogurt (optional)
- 1/4 c finely chopped cilantro leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp oil or clarified butter
- Boil, peel and roughly break the potatoes by hand (the should be uneven but solid)
- In a skillet, heat oil or clarified butter and season whole red chili and cumin seeds.
- Once the seeds start crackling, fry minced ginger and green chilies
- Add the potatoes. Fry well. They will start forming a nice crisp crust.
- When the potatoes have nice crispy look to them , add cayenne/red chili, turmeric and garam-masala powder.
- Turn them over till the potatoes are well coated with all the spices.
- Add whipped yogurt at this point.
- Add garam masala, turn around the potatoes.
- Garnish with cilantro leaves.
http://www.thelady8home.com/2012/09/20/weekend-gala-dinner-extravaganza-party-3/
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Aaah my friend, I’m glad you like vegetarian Indian dishes now
Though definitely, your aloo is one of the highlights!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks Uru
I definitely do!
Minnie recently posted..Spiced dry potatoes!
I’ve got to make these potatoes. I made my first kanda pohe and onion bhajis last week. I’m on a roll!
These look really good, Minnie!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted..Real Food Festival
Wow!! kanda pohe and onion bhajis are a hot fav at my house too! I can’t wait to know how they turned out for you
Ha minnie potatoes r the most used items yaar.. you should try in variety and i love the version u have shared here
meena recently posted..Baked vegetables
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I luuuurve potatoes!!
And that story is so sweet-what nice neighbors!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) recently posted..Michael’s Birthday in Photos
Me toooooo
looks yummy…
don’t have to think about dinner tonight…:)
Yayyyy!!!!
These sound really good. I love gravy from potatoes, and it’s got to be get with all these spices!
Mireya @myhealthyeatinghabits recently posted..Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs with San Marzano Tomato Sauce
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One of my favourites! And quite often served at my house on the days I don’t want to cook! I think India has by far the best vegetarian food and when I cook vegetarian, it is always some Indian food.
These are nice and dry to stuff and make samosas or aloo parathas…also my favourites
Nazneen xx
Nazneen | Coffee and Crumpets recently posted..Chicken, Shrimp and Vegetable Paella~September 2012 Daring Cooks’ Challenge
I have my story too with people I trusted my complaints and they failed me! But as you said I learned my lesson. Indian kitchen is very rich in flavors and dishes. This one looks particularly tasty and inviting!
Katerina recently posted..Little Chocolate Zucchini Bundt Cakes
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Aww what wonderful people! And that’s nice that they recognised that your neighbour was a real troublemaker!
Love the look of these potatoes, all caramelised and spicy 
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Sweet Li’l Strawberry Hand Pies
I know…..very sweet of them no?
Minnie recently posted..Spiced dry potatoes!
“I learned my first important lesson of life – never be ungrateful of kindness, and NEVER complain about one neighbor to another.” – Haha, I can’t bear malicious gossips! I read a very good phrase: “Don’t trust others to keep your secret, if you can’t even keep it yourself!”
Love the look of the potatoes – I adore Indian food, and especially these kind of dishes. Good, simple ones, rich in flavour and tradition!
I have learned to be prudent over the years, and basically separate whey from the curd…..Thanks Charles. Hope you will try these
Minnie recently posted..Weekend Gala Dinner Extravaganza Party #3
This looks and sounds great, Minnie! So many spices I’m sure it would taste amazing
. I love me spuds in general so this would be my kind of recipe ^^
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Minnie recently posted..Weekend Gala Dinner Extravaganza Party #3
I told you about our friend Rakesh, the kitchen chemist. =)) And he made this today. And then half of it he turned them into aalu ka paraha. It tasted yummy!!
That is awesome!! Must have tasted so yummm!!!
The burnt (you said “crust” – that sounds better!
) part of potatoes are my favorite too. I love the last picture, totally appetizing and making me hungry!
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