Monday 25 May 2015

NOTUN ALOOR DOM


This is a winter speciality back home. It is during winter only we used to get small potatoes which is called 'notun aloo', meaning new potato. It is perhaps grown in Nainital; a beautiful, picturesque hill station in the Himachal range. I never could or can equate it's scenic beauty with potato fields. Yet to visit the place, I am sure the inquisitive me will look for potato growing areas and justify the Kolkata vendors  shouting in early December mornings.... 'didi Nainital aloo niye jan'.... At times they would go to the extent of suggesting recipes.... I never  did mind; I could feel the warmth. Missing home is not only about missing family but every little thing taken into account.

So, since childhood Nainital meant both..... a beautiful tourist attraction and the source of small round, new potatoes flooding the Kolkata markets in winter. So far savouring its beauty is concerned, its in our retirement plans to explore the beautiful, incredible homeland, just the two of us. They say, a lifetime is not enough to explore through all the places of our homeland. And, I so crave to visit the nooks and corners of India; a bit differently than I did until now. I wish to explore the local food in each place, if possible the locally grown crops!

Coming to NOTUN ALOO R DUM, here we get the small potatoes throughout the year; I do not have to wait for a particular season to prepare it. At my home; these small potatoes were prepared without onion / garlic. I follow the same recipe. This goes very well with plain chapatis or a vegetarian pulao or just with toasted bread. Come, let us do it.





INGREDIENTS :

Small Potatoes : 300gm
Tomato : 2 medium
Ginger Paste : 1 tbsp
Cumin Powder : 1 tsp
Coriander Powder : 1 tsp
Red Chilli Powder : 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder : 1 tsp
Salt : As required
Cumin Seeds : 3 pinches
Bayleaf : 1
Sugar : 1/2 tsp[can be skipped]
Oil : 4 tbsp
Coriander Leaves : 2 sprigs

METHOD :


Wash and boil the potatoes over gas oven till it is 60% done.


Chop the tomatoes and coriander leaves and wash separately.

Once cold, peel the skin of the potatoes with fingers alone.

Rub turmeric and salt keeping it either whole or cutting it half.

Heat oil in the wok. Fry the potatoes in batches till light brown.

Take out draining the oil and keep aside.




Temper the same oil with cumin seeds, bayleaf.

Add the spice paste and fry till the raw smell goes away.

Add the chopped tomatoes and fry till it melts.





Add the potato pieces, fold in well. Stir for 2 minutes.

Add 1/2 cup water and boil for 3 minutes.

Add the sugar [optional] and the chopped coriander leaves. Stir, its done!!



Enjoy with your choice of mains!







9 comments :

  1. Omg....Thts looking so so delicious Soma dee!!! I am getting hungry:))).. Lovely

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  2. Omg....Thts looking so so delicious Soma dee!!! I am getting hungry:))).. Lovely

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  3. seems a simple dish which is easy to prepare .. will try it at home :)

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  4. Thanks monu...shall be happy if you may

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  5. Thanks monu...shall be happy if you may

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  6. Nainital is surely one amazing place... it's endless to explore the himachal region!!! Lovely recipe there! Love baby potatoes :)

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  7. Gauri Kulkarni...thanks....missed it earlier

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