Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Potatoes and Peas curry ( Aloo matar )

There is something about potatoes,it is always well liked and well recieved by people of all ages. As a result when I am entertaining and in doubt as to what the guests will like I try and include at least one dish with potatoes and find that it always works.The other benefit of potatoes is that there are so many ways in which it can be made,it works with all kinds of cuisine.

Last week on one such occasion when I was planning to entertain and inevitably one of the dishes being planned turned out to be something with potatoes I thought of making it as aloo matar (peas and potatoes ). Authentically Aloo matar is from the northern part of India and is usually a gravy based dish that is flavored by garam masala.Some variants of this dish include either a little cream or yogurt too.

For a change I wanted to try and vary the spices used in making this dish as I was not very much in the mood for a gravy flavored by garam masala and also wanted to exclude the cream and I am glad I did..so much so that I think I may not go back to making aloo mutter in the old style again.........maybe....but then again who knows for sure....

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Click here for a printable view of this recipe

Ingredients and Method to make the Aloo Matar curry

6 cups of white potatoes peeled and cubed (approximately 6 to 8 large potatoes)
3 cups peas
3 small tomatoes (chopped finely)
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp chili powder (or according to taste)
salt to taste

2 tbsp oil
handful of cilantro cut fine for garnish.
water as required to achieve desired consistency

To grind into paste for the for the masala paste

1 yellow onion
1 tbsp khus khus
1 tbsp coriander seeds
15 peppercorns
1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 inch ginger
4 red chillies (or according to taste)
1 clove
1 tbsp grated coconut
1/2 tsp minced garlic

Grind all the items mentioned for the masala paste into a fine paste. For this, powder the dry ingredients first until it is almost fine powder, then add the onions and other wet ingredients and grind to a smooth paste adding water if required to move the blades. Keep this paste aside.

Cook the peeled and cubed potatoes on the stove top or the microwave for a few minutes so that it is almost cooked. I do this in the microwave by sprinkling a few drops of water and cooking for a few minutes.

Heat oil in a large heavy bottomed pan and add this ground paste to it and saute for three to four minutes until the paste is almost dry on medium heat. Take your time with this step to ensure that the onion loses its raw taste in this process.

Add the chopped tomatoes and saute until the tomatoes are softened.
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Add turmeric powder,chili powder, semi cooked potatoes and green peas.

Mix well, add water and salt and simmer until the peas are soft and cooked.

Garnish with chopped cilantro.Serve hot with rice or roti's

Notes:
In case you like the gravy to be on the thinner side increase the quantity of water.
You can easily halve this recipe to make a smaller quantity.
Serves about 6

Related Recipes:
Potato Khara curry (south Indian style dry curry)

32 comments :

anudivya said...

Rightly said, cant go wrong with potatoes now, can we... nice recipe. And I love the pic. There is something homely about it.

aTxVegn said...

This looks really tasty and filling. What would you recommend as a substitute for the khus khus? I don't really like them. Sesame seeds?

Unknown said...

Looks tasty & yummy... i will try .. usually i am making with gobi. thxs for sharing...

Vidhya said...

Looks delicious. try it for sure.

Deepthi Shankar said...

lovely recipe .. n lovely pic

Unknown said...

looks delicious..I make a simialr masala paste for my curries..

Cham said...

Who say no to the tuber ! Make it in any form, i am ready for it! Looks yum:)

VG said...

Aloo matar? The best with chapattis. I like the pic. Did you crochet the doilly? Very nice

Dershana said...

That's true, potatoes seem to be the most acceptable of all vegetables. anybody and everybody, including fussy kids, love them.

nice entry.

ST said...

ITS MY FAVORITE ONE....Looks tasty and delicious.

Indranee Batabyal said...

Lovely recipe! Great to be enjoyed with roti or paratha.

Laavanya said...

I love the south-indian twist to aloo-matar.

Siri said...

this simple curry is my all time fav Usha and urs look yummy..:)

Cheers,
Siri

Lore said...

You're right, I have yet to meet someone who doesn't like potatoes. I am a big fan of them and I'm sure I would enjoy them in your curry too.

EC said...

Whatever new combis we try in veggies, this one of potatoes and peas is one to die for...inviting pics

raaji said...

nice entryusha..loves the combo...perfect and easy to make...

Anonymous said...

How right you are about potatoes being liked by all ages...this looks just right...

Pam said...

I love potatoes! This dish looks comforting and tasty. I like that you added coconut.

Lisa Turner said...

A classic for sure. One of my favorite potato dishes!

Sagari said...

deleciousssssss combo ,looks soo good

Vijitha said...

lovely combo!! looks yummy

Nidhi said...

Nice variation to the traditional Aalo matar.

Indian Khana said...

Looks nice and gud new recipe..

Sia said...

yum yum, simple comfort food :)

Usha said...

Thanks Divya.....


Atxvegn you can just skip the khus khus and increase the coconut scrapings a little or just skip the khus khus and proceed with the rest of the recipe...


Thanks for dropping by Sripriya ...


Thanks Vidhya...

Usha said...

Thanks Vegetable Platter....


Thanks Sowmya...


Nice seeing you here Cham....

Usha said...

Yes VG this tastes yummy with roti's/chappatti's....and yes I crocheted the doily,actually it is being used more as a coaster now...thanks...

Thanks Dershana...


Thanks Sireesha good to see you here...

Usha said...

Thanks Indranee it really works well with roti's/chappatti's...

Thanks Laavanya....


This is one of my faves too Siri...

Usha said...

Lore, potatoes are a sure fire success especially while entertaining...people seem to love it in all forms...

Thanks EC...

Thanks Raaji...

Usha said...

Thanks Rachel...

Thanks Pam...nice seeing you here...

Thanks for dropping by Lisa...

Usha said...

Thanks Sagari...

Thanks Vij...

Usha said...

Hey Nidhi,thanks...I just felt like making something a little different...

Thanks Priti...

Yes Sia this is the ultimate comfort food...

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