Potato Masala Aloo Masala Food

ALOO MASALA, ALSO CALLED POTATO MASALA OR SPICED POTATOES

Steps:

• Use your fingers to gently smash the potatoes, giving them a chunky texture. You can use a fork to do this if you like, but be sure to not smash them too much, or you'll lose that lovely, chunky texture.
• In a frying pan, heat the oil over medium until it begins to shimmer.
• Add the mustard seeds to the hot oil. Once they begin to pop, add the cumin seeds, asafetida, and urad dal. Stir constantly to keep everything moving, and cook until fragrant and starting to brown - just a minute or two.
• Stir in the curry leaves or lime zest and chopped chilies, and continue stirring for another 15 seconds.
• Add in the chopped onion, turmeric, and 2 big pinches of salt, and stir well. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the onion begins to soften and turn translucent.
• Add the potatoes, along with 1/2 cup of water. Gently stir to coat the potatoes in the spices and onions, then cover with a lid and let it cook for a few minutes, or long enough to ensure the potatoes are heated through and the flavors have mingled.
• Remove from the heat, and gently stir in the chopped cilantro. If the texture is a little dry for your liking, stir in another splash or two of water.
• Give it a taste and add more salt or spices as desired. Transfer to a serving dish, or spoon into a dosa, and garnish with the reserved cilantro leaves.

POTATO MASALA (ALOO MASALA)

Steps:

• Boil potatoes either in a pot or pressure cooker.
• If cooking in a pot, bring water to a boil and add the diced potatoes. Cook them just until done or fork tender and not mushy. OR If cooking in a pressure cooker, add the potatoes to a bowl and pour little water. Cover and pressure cook for 3 whistles on a medium flame.
• Ensure potatoes are just cooked and not very soft or mushy.
• Heat oil in a pan and add mustard and cumin.
• When they begin to splutter, add chana dal and urad dal. Fry until golden and then add hing.
• Then add ginger and saute for 30 to 60 seconds until aromatic.
• Optional step to soften the dal - Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons water to the pan and cook until the dal turns soft. This is an optional step done to soften the dal. Ensure you evaporate all of the water before going to the next step.
• Add onions, green chili and curry leaves. Saute till the onions turn transparent.
• Once the onions turn transparent, add potatoes, turmeric and salt..
• Mash slightly and add very little water or potato boiled stock to make the entire potato masala moist. Stir and cook for one to 2 mins. Taste test and add more salt if needed.
• Add coriander leaves. Stir. Serve potato masala with dosa, puri, chapati, bread or rice.
• Press SAUTE button and pour oil to the inner pot of the instant pot.
• Add mustard, cumin, chana dal & urad dal. Fry all of these until the dals turn golden.
• Then add curry leaves, onions and green chilies.
• Saute onions well until they turn transparent or pink. Add ginger and fry for 30 seconds.
• Transfer the diced potatoes (1 inch cubes), add salt, turmeric and pour ⅓ cup (80 ml) water.
• Press CANCEL button. Deglaze the pot by scrubbing the bottom with a spatula to release bits of food stuck.
• Secure the instant pot with the lid. Position the steam release handle or vent to sealing.
• Next press PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer to 4 mins (high pressure).
• When the instant pot is done, press cancel. Release the pressure manually by moving the steam release handle from sealing to venting.
• If there is any excess moisture left, evaporate it in the saute mode first.
• Give a good stir and lightly mash only after the excess moisture has evaporated. Add more salt if needed. Garnish with coriander leaves.
• Serve potato masala with dosa, sandwiches, roti or even in wraps.

SOUTH INDIAN ALOO MASALA (DOSA STUFFING)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat. Fry the mustard seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida until they begin to crackle, then add the onions. Cook for 3-4 mins until the onions are slightly golden.
• Stir in the tomato purée along with the diluted sambar masala. Tip in the potatoes, 1¼ tsp of salt and mix well. Lightly crush the potatoes with a wooden spoon and cook for a further 3-4 mins. Taste for seasoning. Serve garnished with the coriander.

ALOO GOBI MASALA (CAULIFLOWER AND POTATO CURRY)

Steps:

• Place the cauliflower in a large, microwave-safe dish; cook in microwave on High for 3 minutes. Transfer the cauliflower to a bowl and set aside. Put the potatoes in the dish and cook in the microwave on High for 4 minutes. Pour into the bowl with the cauliflower.
• Heat the olive oil and cumin seeds in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the cumin swells and turns golden brown; stir the onions into the oil and cook about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook and stir another 3 minutes. Fold the cauliflower and potatoes into the mixture. Season with the curry powder and salt. Continue cooking until completely hot, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve hot.