Alur Dom -- Spicy Potato Curry

Since it was Poila Baisakh (Bengali New Year) I thought of making something special for dinner. And no Poila Baisakh is complete without the luchi. Since we were having a gala potluck party over the weekend at my sis-in-law’s place in celebration of the Bengali New Year I decided it was best to keep today’s dinner simple. So I made alur dom and chholar daal to eat with the luchi.

Ingredients:
Potatoes – 5-6 (peeled and diced into cubes)
Onion – 1 small (thinly sliced)
Ginger paste – 1 tbsp
Garlic paste – 1 tsp
Frozen green peas – ¼ cup (optional)
Fresh chopped cilantro – for garnish
Yogurt – 1 tbsp
Turmeric – ½ tsp
Garam masala – ¼ tsp
Chili powder – 1 tsp
Sugar – 1 tsp
Salt – to taste
Oil
Water

Procedure:
Heat oil in a pan.

When oil starts to ripple add the sugar and let it caramelize.

Once the sugar turns brown add the garlic and ginger paste and the sliced onions and start frying.

Now add the chili powder, turmeric and the garam masala powder and continue frying.

Keep frying until the raw smell of the vegetables are gone and the oil starts to separate from the masala.

Now add the yogurt to the masala and stir it in.

Next add the potatoes and mix well with the masala.

Season with salt.

Add enough water so that the potatoes are covered halfway.

When the potatoes are cooked and the gravy has reached a consistency of your liking remove from heat.

Add the frozen peas (if using).

Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro leaves and serve.