Simple cumin spiced dry potato curry, perfect for beginners
Jeera Aloo (Cumin Potatoes), is a very basic dry curry recipe which is perfect for beginners. if you have never made a curry before, this is the one I would recommend you start with. Potatoes flavored with simple Indian spices like cumin. Bland potatoes take on the flavors of these spices very well and can easily be adjusted to the level of heat you can handle.
The recipe and amounts are very flexible and easy to adjust if more or less spice is preferred. Most of the ingredients are common ones which most Indian pantries would have. I especially like MDH brand Chana Masala which I use in many dishes beyond just chole. In fact, I use chana masala so frequently that it even has a spot in my masala dabba (spice box). It is a versatile spice mix that goes well with many ingredients. These are also available at Indian grocery stores as well as online like Amazon. (PS. I do not benefit from recommending any particular brands)
This homely dish eaten with Indian breads like roti, chapati or naan perfect for a midweek dinner. It makes a complete comfort food thaali with soft Khichri and Kadhi. and It can also be a great side dish with any other grilled or baked meats like chicken or fish. It even makes a great vegetable sandwich filling along with some sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and green chutney perfect for office or school lunchboxes.
Makes 4 servings
Time: 10 mins to prep, 10 mins to cook
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 tbsp oil
- 1/2 tbsp whole cumin seeds (jeera)
- 1/4 tbsp black mustard seeds (rai)
- 4-6 curry leaves
- 4 small potatoes or approx 4 cups – peeled and sliced approx 1/4″ thick
- 1/2 cup sliced onion
- 1/4 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 1/4 tbsp salt
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder (Haldi)
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp chili powder or chili flakes
- 1/2 tbsp Cumin Coriander powder (dhana jeeru)
- 1/2 tbsp Chana masala powder
- 1/2 cups crushed tomato
- Optional: chopped Cilantro for garnish
Method:
- In a nonstick pot, add oil, cumin seeds, mustard seed, curry leaves. heat on medium until the mustard seeds start to splatter.
- Add sliced onion and stir fry for 2 mins, no need to color them
- Add ginger garlic paste, stir fry a min
- Add tomatoes, salt, turmeric powder, Cumin Coriander powder, Chana masala and stir fry for a min until all spices are mixed in well
- Add potatoes and cook for 10 mins stirring occasionally to ensure it does not stick to the bottom of the pot. A little bit of browning on the potatoes is ok. Cook until potatoes are fully cooked.
- Add lemon juice and chopped coriander leaves at the very end.
- Enjoy!
Tips:
- If you have time, dry roast whole cumin and coriander seeds, once you smell the flavors then grind them to a powder. Use this instead of the ready made cumin coriander powder.
- Along with roti, khichri, yogurt, achar, papar, its perfect homemade comfort meal for any weeknight