Aaloor Dum

I first tasted this Aaloor Dum when I’d been to Kolkata with S about a year ago. The small roadside stalls near Esplanade serve such authentic and finger licking food. I just fell for the flavour of the masala. This dish looks very oily but it really isn’t! The liking made me try out a few variations of Aaloor Dum recipes (they didn’t vary much) just to see which one matched the one that I’d tasted in Kolkata.

My first 2 tries were not so good (flops actually). Then I decided to try out for one last time and told myself ..If this time too the Aaloor Dum doesn’t match up to my satisfaction, I should give up trying. But thank God! The dish turned out very well. S too appreciated my effort. And I’ve stuck to the recipe ever since that day. Here’s the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 10 boiled baby potatoes
• 1 tsp onion paste
• 1 small tomato, finely chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp hing (Asafoetida)
• 1 tsp jeera powder
• 1 tsp garam masala powder
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp aamchur (dry mango powder)
• 3-4 tbsp curd
• 2 tsp oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste
• A handfull of finely chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:

• Mix jeera powder, chilli powder, garam masala powder, turmeric powder, aamchur powder in 3-4 tbsp of curd and keep it aside (don't allow any lumps to be formed) and keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan, add bay leaves and asafoetida (hing), add onion paste, sugar and fry till it becomes pinkish.
• Add tomatoes and sauté till it blends well.
• Add the masala mixture to the pan and remove the pan from the flame for a couple of minutes.
• Stir well and again keep it on the gas stove on medium flame and saute till oil separates from the masala.
• Add the baby potatoes and mix it well so that the masala completely binds the potatoes.
• Add a little water and salt to taste and sauté for sometime.
• If you want your Aaloor Dum with gravy, take it off the flame. If you prefer it with thick gravy, sauté a little longer.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with rice or roti.
  

P.S: Along with Aaloor Dum I made raw banana thoran using Superchef's basic thoran recipe. It tasted nice. My thanks to Manju (Superchef):))

Click on the link for the recipe.

http://superchef-mirchmasala.blogspot.com/2009/03/mambazha-pulisseri-and-sprouts-thoran.html