15 minute Rasaaloo also known in some north Indian states as Taariwale Aloo is perhaps the sole potato-only dishes that goes well with rice, especially white rice. Potatoes in India are often cooked in combination with some meat or other vegetable.

This recipe has a rather soupy gravy

This is another of Dhiraj Srivastav’s 15-minute office lunches and as yummy as it comes.

INGREDIENTS:

250gms Potatoes;

2 Onions (peeled and finely chopped);

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh coriander leaves;

1 tablespoon Ginger-garlic Paste (made from 6 to 8 garlic cloves and ½ inch piece of peeled ginger);

1 large Tomato chopped;

1 tablespoon Cumin seed (Jeera);

10 to 12 Fenugreek seeds (Methi);

1 tablespoon Chili powder;

½ tablespoon Turmeric powder;

1 table spoon Garam masala powder;

1 tablespoon Coriander powder;

Salt to taste;

1 tablespoon ghee or oil (Cooking medium of your choice).

The taste of the dish will change with the cooking medium. Ghee best, failing which peanut oil highly recommended.

METHOD:

Boil the potatoes whole and unpeeled;

Peel and roughly mash with your fingers when done;

You will get unequal and odd shaped pieces.

Heat the ghee/oil in a pot on a high flame but don’t let it smoke;

Add fenugreek seeds (Methi) and Cumin seeds (Jeera);

When the seeds splutter, add the chopped onions;

Fry till the onions begin to brown (takes about 4 or 5 minutes);

As the onions begin to brown, add the ginger-garlic paste;

Fry for about 30 seconds;

Add chopped tomatoes, Chili powder, Turmeric powder, Garam masala powder, Coriander powder and salt;

Lower the flame to medium and continue to fry the masala till it becomes a homogenous mixture;

Add the boiled potatoes;

Bring the flame down to low;

Continue to fry for a few seconds till the potatoes are coated with the fried masala;

Add 2 cups of water;

Cover and let cook for about 3 to 5 minutes;

Add chopped fresh coriander leaves;

Mix;

After 2 minutes turn off the heat.

Pack with white rice or poori or chapatti or any leavened /unleavened bread of your choice; goes well with all manner of bread except sweet breads like buns or brioche.