Dum Aloo

Dum Aloo: Dum Aloo (also spelled as Dam Aloo) or Alu Dum belongs to, specifically, Kashmiri cuisine. The potatoes, usually smaller ones, are first deep fried, then cooked slowly at low flame in a gravy with spices. Dum Aloo is a popular recipe cooked throughout India.

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 10-12 baby potatoes
• 1 large onion
• 1 large tomato
• 1/2 inch ginger
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp broken cashews, soaked in water for 30 minutes
• 1 black cardamom
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp fennel powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
• 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2.5 to 3 cups water
• Oil, for deep frying
• 2 tbsp coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:

• Rinse the baby potatoes under running water.
• Wipe the washed potatoes dry and keep the peel on.
• Heat the oil in a pan, for deep frying, on medium heat.
• Deep fry the wiped baby potatoes till they are golden brown and completely cooked.
• Grind the soaked cashews to a smooth paste.
• Keep aside.
• Grind the onions, ginger and garlic to a smooth paste.
• Keep aside.
• Blend the tomatoes to a smooth puree.
• Keep aside.
• Heat 2 to 3 tbsp oil in a pan, on medium heat.
• Add in the black cardamom and cinnamon.
• Fry till the oil becomes fragrant.
• Add the onion-ginger-garlic paste.
• Fry the paste, on a low flame,  till it becomes golden brown and the oil separates.
• Takes about 9-10 minutes.
• Add the tomato puree to the browned paste.
• Stir well.
• After 3-4 minutes, add in the turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, garam  masala powder and fennel powder.
• Mix well.
• Fnd fry till the oil separates.
• Takes about 10-12 minutes.
• Add in the cashew paste and yogurt.
• Fry the mixture till the oil separates.
• Add about 2.5 to 3 cups of water.
• Bring the gravy to a boil.
• Add in fried potatoes.
• Simmer for some 4-5 minutes till the gravy thickens.
• Add lemon juice and season the gravy with salt.
• Garnish dum aloo with some chopped coriander leaves.
• Dum aloo is ready to be served.
• Serve dum aloo hot with rotis or steamed basmati rice.

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