If I have to ever choose one dish that I cannot stay without, it would be a tough question to answer. However, if you ask me to pick one thing that I love the most and can eat everyday, that would be none other than humble potatoes. Mash it, sauté it, put it in soup, salad or curry. Deep fry it, bake it or give it any cut you like and I would always eat it with a smile.
Potatoes are used a lot in Indian cuisine and this is one of my favorite curries where potatoes just don’t work as a thickening agent or as an ingredient to add starch. This is a dish where tiny potatoes rule like a king.
In Hindi, Dum means pressure and Aalu means potatoes which would give you an idea how this dish must be prepared. There are probably hundred different ways to prepare dum aalu but the basic concept remains the same. Typically, bite size potatoes are fried and then slow cooked in yogurt gravy which is flavored with spices.
The original recipe called for cashew nuts. Since I didn't have any, I chose almond.
Even though I had always preferred the less spicy Bengali dum aalu, this version is my current favorite after I tried it at my friend’s place. It wowed me at the very first bite and I had to ask her for the recipe. Later she told me that it’s her dad’s recipe. Her Dad occasionally enjoys spending time in the kitchen and whenever he does, he prefers making something special other than the original. I think that's really sweet.
Today I am sharing this recipe to this month's Monthly Mingle hosted over at Jeanne’s of Cooksister. The theme is ‘ A Taste of Yellow’ – A tribute to Barbara Harris. Barbara, who used to write for the blog Winos and Foodies, lost her long battle with cancer on June 29th.
I didn’t know Barbara or her blog and I felt horrible to miss the opportunity I had to get to know a wonderful woman. Barbara was a strong woman and through her words, she has touched many souls, gave courage to fight and asked people to never to give up. LiveStrong with a Taste of Yellow was an event she started in 2007 coinciding with Lance Armstrong’s LIVEStrong day to raise awareness of cancer.
Yellow is the color of joy, hope, and sunshine. It is also considered as the happiest color in the color spectrum.
I feel so proud to be a part of the blogging community where we not only share happiness and success but we also share memories and moments. I am glad that I didn’t miss this event and got an opportunity to be a part of the tribute we are showing to Barbara Harris.
Dum Aalu
Ingredients
- 16 small potatoes (parboiled in salted water)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 1 medium onion chopped small
- 1 inch ginger grated
- 2-3 garlic cloves grated
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garam masala powder
- ¼ cup cream (optional)
- 4 tablespoon oil
- salt
- 8-10 almond soaked in water for 2hrs
- chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Grind soaked almonds into a fine paste using a little water.
- Heat a wok on a deep pan with 2 tablespoon oil.
- Fry the parboiled potatoes until they gets a slightly golden crust on the outside.
- Once done, take out the potatoes and keep aside.
- Add remaining oil to the pan.
- Add bay leaves, cinnamon stick and star anise to the hot oil and let it infuse the oil for couple of minutes.
- Add chopped onions, ginger and garlic.
- Season with salt and saute for about 5 mins or until the onions are slightly golden in color.
- In the mean time, mix turmeric, chili powder, cumin and coriander powder to the yogurt.
- Add the yogurt-spice mixture to the pan and cook for about 2 mins.
- Add the almond paste and cook until oil separates which should take about 7 to 10 minutes. Keep stirring in between.
- Add water for the consistency of your liking.
- Let is come to a boil and then add the fried potatoes.
- Cook until the gravy is a little thick.
- Add the cream and let it cook for a couple of minutes.
- Once done, garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.
Notes
- The original recipe called for cashew but since I had none, I used almond.
- Cream was added to the dish at the end but it is optional.
- As the dish sits for the while, the potatoes may soak more water. If I am not serving it immediately, I prefer to keep the gravy little runny.
Nutrition
Tes
Honestly, french fries was the only thing I know how to cook with potato 🙁 This is a recipe worthy trying 🙂 I will definitely try it soon 🙂
Mallika
Kankana, your photography is splendid! Undoubtedly, potatoes have been a hot favourite among most across the world. This recipe for Dum aloo can make a perfect presence for parties or even family gatherings. Creamy and delicious!
Anamika@madcooking
Lovely photos Kankana, need to try out your version of aloo dum with almond paste & yogurt gravy.
chinmayie @ love food eat
I am always amazed by the versatility of potato and dum aloo is a old-time favorite 🙂
Beautiful photos and styling.
dassana
i like the way you style your photos. dum aloo spicy or not that spicy is always a personal favorite.
Vishakha
Kankana, my first reaction to that final photo with the parathas - hunger pangs!! I love aaloo dum and I saw this photo just before lunch time here. I prefer the Bengali aaloo dum though.. My mom makes a version which is closer to Kashmiri style aaloo dum (with yogurt). I would love to give this recipe a try after hearing such good reviews.
Meeta
I love dum aloo. One of my favorite way to make potatoes. Thanks for taking part in the Monthly Mingle this month. I knew Barbara and she was indeed a lovely and very strong person.
Baker Street
What a wonderful post Kankana! Barb surely will be missed.
Your pictures are stunning as usual
mjskit
What a very kind and thoughtful post! I wasn't familiar with Barbara nor her blog so thank you for making both her, her battle with cancer and her blog known to me. This is a wonderful thing that you and other are doing! A perfect recipe - yellow, delicious, strong with spices and a little spicy. Probably something that Barbara would have loved. Love pics as always!
vimitha
I went through Barbara's blog and it was a pleasure to read through it. My deepest condolences to her family... She is one of the strongest lady I have known. That dum aloo looks so yummy. Gonna try this.
Poornima
Roasted potatoes are my all time favorite, could have them all day long! This is a lovely tribute to Barbara, wish I had known her too. I have to try this yogurt gravy sometime, sounds delicious!
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy
Love aloo dum...my recipe is much less indulgent but I cant totally imzgine how yuumy these potatoes will be with all almonds & cream..sort of a korma.. perfect with parathas! m gonna make it soon for P..he loves aloor dum 😉
Kiran
Super yum!! Dum aloo is one of my favorite all-time dish 🙂
Nandita
Ohhh dum aloo is my favourite!! Loved the recipe and photographs 🙂
Spandana
We are big fans of aloo too. It so versatile.. make it as fry, as curry.. simple or shahi, add in paratha... what ever dish it may be in it is bound to be delicious 🙂
Beautiful clicks as always! Love them.
anjana
super tasty!
I can eat anything if it has potatoes!
love dum aloo
reese@SeasonwithSpic
This is a wonderful post. I love potatoes and always welcome new way to enjoy it. Was that spinach pratha that you had on the side? You can tell how much I miss some crispy roti with a cup of pulled tea.
Kankana Saxena
Thanks Reese. You are really good! That is indeed spinach paratha 🙂
Leanne @ HP
Potatoes pull on my heart strings, sweet, red, yellow, I'll take them any way I can. If I had to choose one thing to eat for the rest of my life, I think it'd be dosa. I could live on the stuff, easily.
I'm so sorry to hear about Barbara. It's so great that everyone is coming together to pay tribute to a lady in our community.
Kankana Saxena
Funny you mention Dosa and here I am prepping it for dinner. Making it after a long time. Infact the batter is now fermenting in the kitchen 🙂
Leanne @ HP
Mmmm lucky you!
Rosa
Scrumptious! A tasty combination.
Cheers,
Rosa
Sanjeeta kk
Its Aloo for me as well..anytime. Mom used to tease me that if she will write 'potato' on a paper, I will eat that also. Lovely clicks Kankana...do I need to repeat it always..
Kankana Saxena
LOL LOL on eating the paper thing! Thanks Sanjeeta 🙂