Aloo Tamatar Ki Subzi - Potato and Tomato Curry

Quick and easy tangy potato and tomato curry

Aloo tamatar ki subzi is a classic combination and the most popular curry of North India.This is amongst the easiest and most delicious recipe to make with a combo of potatoes and tomatoes.This is made on all festive occasion as well as a daily quick fix curry. It goes very well with pooris, Bedvi ,  Daal poori , but you can serve it with any Indian bread.You can also make this for fasting as it is made without using onion and garlic like all my recipes

Boiled and mashed potatoes are cooked with tomato puree and then a simple but flavourful tempering is added in the end,so you don't need to stand beside the pan to stir fry all the masala etc.just add everything and let it cook for about 6-8 minutes and then just add the tempering and a delicious curry is ready to serve .
The consistency or thickness of the potato curry depends on individual choice ,as some prefer to make it quite thick and some like to have it on thinner side so add water according to your preference.

If you like potato curries then check these -Vrat ki aloo curry,  Mathura ke dubki waley aloo  , Dahi ke aloo,  Dum aloo masala , Aloo Gobhi ki subzi  and many more potato recipe in my blog

Prep time - 10 min
Cooking time -15 time
Difficulty level - easy
Spice level - medium
Cuisine - North Indian
Type - side,main
Serve - 5

INGREDIENTS-

• Potato/aloo, boiled- 4 (450 gms)
• Tomato/tamatar ,chopped -350 gms
• Green chilies/hari mirch ,chopped - 1 tsp
• Fresh coriander,chopped- 2 tbsp
• Turmeric powder/haldi -3/4 tsp
• Chili powder /lal mirch - 1.5 tsp
• Coriander powder/dhaniya - 1tsp
• Sugar/chini- 1 tsp
• Salt /namak- to taste

Temering /waghar/tadka

• Cooking oil /Tel - 1.5 tbsp
• Clarified butter /ghee - 1.5 tbsp
• Cumin seeds/jeera - 1 tsp
• Asafoetida /hing -1/4 tsp
• Curry leaves /kadi patta - 10
• Whole red chilies,dried - 4
• Kashmiri red chili powder - 1/2 tsp

PROCEDURE-

1. Peel and coarsely mash boiled potatoes.(don't make a paste)
2. Grind chopped tomatoes and green chilies in the mixer and make a fine and smooth paste.
3. Take a pan and add mashed potatoes and the ground tomato paste.
4. Add all the dry spices, few curry leaves  and 2 .5 cups of water in the pan.
5. Mix well and let it cook on medium heat for about 7-8 minutes or till it thicken slightly.
6. Now heat oil and ghee in a small pan.
7. Add cumin seeds ,when seeds become golden in color add asafoetida ,curry leaves and whole red chilies.
8. Switch off the flame and after 2-3 seconds add the kashmiri mirch powder in the tempering.
9. Now pour the tempering over the boiling gravy.
10. Switch off the flame and add chopped coriander in the curry.
11. Cover with a lid and wait for 5 minutes so it will absorb all the flavors.
12. Serve hot.

Serving suggestions-serve with poori ,paratha or any bread.

NOTE-

1. You can add little more or less water in the curry according to the consistency you want to have in the curry .
2. Can also add some boiled peas at step -3 

How To Make laapsi /Sweet Daliya

Healthy and delicious dessert made with broken wheat

Laapsi is a very popular sweet dish from the state of Rajasthan.It is quick ,easy and delicious dish made with broken wheat,ghee and sugar or jaggary,This is also very popular in North Indian states specially in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. It is specially made during wedding or any big or small festive occasions and a winter special recipe.

Though making laapsi is quite easy but often the cooked grains become little chewy if you directly add the sugar in the cooked daliya ,so add sugar in little water and boil till sugar dissolves and then adding it in the daliya makes a perfect laapsi.You can add any nuts of your choice but almonds and raisins taste great ,addition of saffron also gives a wonderful flavour.

Prep time- 5 min
Cooking time-15 min
Difficultylevel -easy
Spice level-sweet
Cuisine-North Indian
Type-dessert
Serve-5

INGREDIENTS-

• Broken wheat/ daliya/fada- 1 cup
• Clarified butter/ghee- 1/2 cup *
• Cloves/lavang- 3
• Green cardamom /elaichi -4
• Cinnamon stick/daalchini -1/3 inch
• Sugar/chini -1 cup
• Saffron /kesar - few strands
• Milk /dudh- 2 tsp
• Water/paani -3.5 cups
• Almonds /badam -12
• Raisins /kishmish- 3 tbsp
• Cardamom powder- 1/2 tsp

PROCEDURE-

1. Heat ghee in a heavy bottom pan.
2. Add cloves ,cardamom(crush lightly to open it up) and cinnamon 
3. Add daliya and roast on low heat till it become pink and start giving a nice aroma.
4. Now add raisins and chopped almonds and just give a stir.
5. Add 3 cups of water and pressure cook for 3 whistles or cook till done.
6. In a separate pan add sugar and water and cook till sugar melts.(A)
7. Soak saffron in 2 tsp of milk and crush in a mortar and pestle.
8. When cooker cool down completely then open it.
9. Add sugar water(A) and mix it.
10. Now give it a boil and then simmer on low heat,till it almost drys up.
11. Now add cardamom powder and saffron and mix.
12. Serve hot garnished with pista and almond slices.

My Notes-

1. Use thick grain/coarse daliya to make laapsi ,don't use the fine variety otherwise it may become mushy.
2. The amount of water and pressure cooking time also depends on the quality of wheat used so adjust accordingly.
3. Traditionally a good amount of ghee is used in making laapsi but you can easily reduce the quantity of ghee if you want 
4. You can also use jaggary /gur instead of sugar.
5. It will become dry after some times,so its fine to have some moisture after finishing it.

Sama Ke Chawal Ka Uttapam

Sago barnyarn millet and potato pancakes -food for fasting

Sama /samu /varai  or Barnyan millet is a seed ,which is very easily available in Indian stores.It is quite small in size and round in shape,almost similar to thick semolina.It is a complex  carbs and rich in fibre so can be easily used on daily basis.It absorb a good quantity of water so is quite filling.
In North India it is mainly used during fasting as grains ,lentils and rice are not consumed during fasting,fox tail millet,sago,water chestnut flour  are few commonly used seeds or millets which are used during fasting.there are many recipes to make with samu.
I have already posted-

• Sama ki khichdi
• Sama aloo ki tikki
• Sama ki idli

Prep time-10 min
Cooking time- 15 min
Difficulty level-easy
Spice level- medium
Cuisine-North Indian
Type-snack,vrat ka khana
Serve-3

Sama uttapam

Ingredients

• 1 cup - Samu /samak /tandul /varai
• 1/2 cup - Sago pearls /Sabudana
• 1 medium - Potato,boiled
• 1.5 tbsp - Yogurt/dahi
• To taste - Salt/namak
• 3/4 tsp - Pepper powder /kali mirch
• 2 tsp - Green chili,chopped
• 3 tbsp - Fresh coriander,chopped
• 1 tsp - Cumin seeds

Cooking Directions

1. Wash and soak samo and sabudana in enough water in separate container for about 6 hours.
2. Grind them into fine paste with little water(don't add too much water )
3. In a bowl add yogurt,salt and the ground paste and make a batter of pouring consistency.
4. Add finely grated or mashed boiled potato and mix.
5. Grease a non stick griddle and pour a ladle full of batter.
6. Spread to make a medium thick pancake.
7. Sprinkle pepper powder,cumin seeds,green chilies and fresh coriander.
8. Drizzle some ghee or oil on the pancake.
9. When get cooked then flip the side and let it cook from other side.
10. When become golden then remove from the pan.
11. Serve hot with green chutney and aam papad chutney

NOTE-

You can also add some grated or chopped vegetables on the uttappam at step 8

Roasted Phool Makhana Namkeen

Crisp and low fat lotus seed snack

Makhana or phool makhana is a seed from lotus plant so commonly used during fasting days.This is very easily available in all Indian stores and is very light in weight.
There are so many recipes made with phool makhana.it is also used to make curries and the roasted makhana powder is used to thicken curries.I have posted -Makhana ki kheer and makhana paag and both are fasting recipes.
It is also good for health as it is light on stomach and have many medicinal properties. It is rich in calcium, it regulates high blood pressure,good for arthritis, detoxify body, cure insomnia and very good to have as a post natal food .
This namkeen makhana is very filling and a low fat snack.Though it is very easy to make but it takes some time to become crisp so you have to roast it on low heat else it will become crisp from outside but the inner portion remain raw and chewy.

Cooking time-15 min
Difficulty level-easy
spice level -mild
Cuisine-North Indian
Type-snack,vrat ka khana
Serve -4

Ingredients

• 50 gm - Makhana/ phool makhana /fox nut/Lotus seeds
• 2.5 tbsp - Ghee or oil
• As required - Rock salt /Sendha namak
• 1/2 tsp - Pepper powder/ Kali mirch
• 1/2 tsp - Mango powder /amchoor

Cooking Directions

1. Heat ghee or oil in a pan.
2. Add lotus seeds and roast on low heat and keep stirring.
3. Roast for about 10-12 minutes till they become crisp.
4. Press a roasted seed to check, if it is roasted well then it will break into pieces,and if it still feel soft and chewy then roast for some more times.
5. When roasted then add the spices and 1 tsp of ghee and mix well.
6. Let it cool down completely.
7. Store in air tight jar.

Serving suggestions-serve as a snack with tea,coffee or any beverage

Aloo Ka Halwa / Potato Pudding

Simple and delicious potato pudding

Aloo ka halwa is a popular and delicious dessert from North India specially in Uttar Pradesh. It is the easiest and quickest halwa I have ever made. It can be eaten during fasting or as vrat ka khana/falahaar. My mom used to make this halwa especially during ekadashi and other fasting day as it is quick and filling and I learnt to make this from her. I have seen that many prefer to make this halwa from raw grated potatoes but personally I like to use boiled and mashed (not grated) potatoes to make this. Do not use oil to make this halwa, use desi ghee to get that wonderful taste and aroma.

Preparation time-5 min
Cooking time-20 min
Cuisine-North Indian
Type-Dessert
Serve-4

INGREDIENTS-

• Potatoes, boiled-400 gms(3 medium)*
• Sugar-3/4 cup to 1 cup**
• Pure ghee-4-5 tbsp
• Cardamom powder-1/2 tsp
• Water-1 tbsp
• Almonds-10
• Pistachios-10

PROCEDURE-

1. Peel and mash the boiled potatoes.
2. Heat ghee in a heavy bottom pan or use a non stick pan.
3. Now add the mashed potato and saute on medium heat.
4. Keep stirring the halwa else it will start charring and sticking at the bottom.
5. After approximately 10 minutes it will change colour and turn light golden and start giving out a nice aroma.
6. Add sugar and water and keep stirring till it starts leaving the sides of the pan .
7. Now add cardamom powder and chopped almonds and pitachios.
8. Mix well and serve hot.

Note-
1-*you can also make this halwa with boiled sweet potato/shakarkand,then you have to use little less quantity of sugar.
2-* *You can adjust the quantity of sugar according to your taste.

Sama and Potato Tikki - Navratri Special Recipe

Crisp and delicious patties made with barnyarn millet,potato and spices (food for fasting)


Most of the people in North India fast during Navratri and eat only satvik food as grains and pulses are prohibited during fasting .
Sabudana(sago),Singhora ka atta(Water chestnut flour),kuttu(buck wheat flour), Sama(Barnyarn millet ),Rajgiri atta,Ramdana are commonly used  for making pattices, pooris and pilafs.
All fruits can be used but in vegetables only Potato,sweet potato,colacosia ,yellow pumpkin,yam,bottle gourd,cucumber,raw banana are prefered,and only some selected spices can be used during fasting i.e sendha namak(rock salt),pepper powder,mango powder,asafoetida and cumin seeds.But it may vary from region to region and family traditions and rituals.

I often make sabudana vadas but today I wanted to try something different, so just tried this sama and potato pattice and it turn out crisp and delicious,we all loved this new and delicious recipe:)

Prep time-20 minutes
Cooking time-10 minutes
Difficulty level-easy
Spice level-mild
Cuisine-Indian
Type-snack,vrat
yields-approx 25 pieces

INGREDIENTS-

• Sama/Maraiyo/Mordhan/Varai -1/2 cup
  
• Potatoes/aloo ,boiled-4 (medium size)
• Green chilies,chopped-1.5 tsp
• Ginger/adrak, chopped- 1tsp
• Fresh coriander/dhaniya,chopped- 3 tbsp
• Pepper powder/kali mirch- 1tsp
• Cumin seeds/jeera- 1 tsp
• Mango powder/amchoor - 1.5 tsp
• Salt/namak -to taste
• Cooking oil/Ghee- 3 tbsp 

PROCEDURE-

1. Add sama and 1 and 1/4 cup water in the pressure cooker and pressure cook for 3 whistles on medium heat.
2. When cooker cooled down completely then take out the cooked sama in a bowl and mash with a spoon and then let it come to room temperature.
3. Mix together grated potato,sama and all the ingredients and mash well.(the proportion of cooked sama and boiled potato mixture should be almost same)
4. Grease your palms and make patties of same size from the mixture.
5. Heat oil/ghee in a flat nonstick pan and shallow fry the patties on medium flame till  they become golden and crisp from both the sides.(avoid deep frying)
6. Drain on a paper napkin and serve hot.

Note-
you can also add 2 tbsp of crushed peanuts at step-3

For more fasting recipes please check -vrat ke recipes

Aloo Chiwda / Vrat ki Falahari Namkeen

Fried potato sticks,peanuts and cashews tossed Indian style

During Navratri and other fasting days we need some snacks or munchies along with the main course meals.As there are only few option to use during fasting ,so often we have to try something mainly with potato,banana and yam.This aloo chiwda can be easily used during fasting.
Potato is grated and fried and then fried peanuts,cashews,green chilies and few spices which are acceptable in fasting are added .You can also make this with sundried potato sticks if you want to make it quick and easy.but the taste and texture will be slightly different.

Prep time- 10 min
Cooking time-20 min
Difficulty level-medium
Spice level-mild
Cuisine-North Indian
Type-snack,vrat ki recipe
Yield-approx. 5 cups

INGREDIENTS-

• Potatoes /aloo - 4 medium(500 gms)
• Peanuts/moongphali - 3/4 cup
• Cashew nut/kaju,halves- 3/4 cup
• Raisins /kishmish - 2 tbsp
• Green chili/hari mirch ,chopped- 2 tsp
• Curry leaves/kadi patta - 10

Spice mix-

• Castor sugar/pisi hui chini-1.5 tsp
• Tatri/citric acid,powdered -1/4 tsp *
• Pepper powder/kali mirch - 1 tsp
• Rock salt/sendha namak-to taste

PROCEDURE-

1. Peel potato and then grate it with a thick grater .
2. Wash the grated potato with enough water and then squeeze well.
3. Now spread it on a kitchen towel for 20 minutes.
4. Take a small bowl and mix all the spices and keep aside.
5. Heat oil in a deep and wide pan.
6. Add the grated potatoes in the pan and fry on high flame for 2 minutes.
7. Then lower the flame and fry till they become golden and crisp.
8. Drain the fried potatoes on a paper napkin.
9. Repeat the process and fry potatoes in batches.
10. Then fry peanuts on low heat till they become golden and crisp,drain on a paper napkin.
11. Fry cashews on low heat till golden and then drain
12. Add chopped green chilies in the hot oil and fry,after few seconds add chopped curry leaves .
13. When curry leaves become crisp, add raisins.
14. When raisin floats on top of the oil then take out and drain on a paper napkin.
15. Now sprinkle the spices over all fried ingredients and mix well.
16. Let the chiwda cool down completely then serve or store.

Note-
1-Citric acid can be substituted with mango powder,or you can skip both.
2-Instead of making with freshly grated potatoes,you can also make this potato chiwda with readymade sun dried potato sticks/sev .But the taste and texture will be different

To make sun dried Aloo sev and papad-check the recipe here