Having just blogged about the delicious Matar Kachori / Green Peas Kachori, how can I not talk about the spicy Dum Aloo recipe that I made along with it? When I first made/learned this recipe, I had made the exact combination and fell in love with it ever since. So anytime I come across baby potatoes in the stores, my first instinct is to make this Bengali Dum Aloo recipe. Also since I have learned to make it Niramish Aloor Dum (without onions and garlic), that is the only way I make it. Traditionally the potatoes are cooked until soft and then deep-fried. I never deep-fried the potatoes but pan-fried them. This was until I got my air fryer and ever since then I only Air Fry the Potatoes. The potatoes come out so evenly fried and golden and it is so much less hands-on work and not to mention healthier as well. This holds true to reheat potatoes in any form. If you have leftover tater tots, then check this post to see how to reheat tater tots using different equipment (my favorite way is to use the air fryer).
Ingredients needed
Fresh Produce - We need baby potatoes. The smaller they are, the quicker and easier they cook and also look beautiful. If a few of them are slightly larger, then slice them into halves and use them. Other than the potatoes we need tomatoes, green chilies, ginger and cilantro. We will be making a puree out of the tomatoes. Yogurt - The gravy is made of yogurt. Whisk the yogurt well before using for a smooth gravy. Homemade yogurt tastes and works so good for this recipe. Whole spices - We will be using cumin seeds, fennel seeds and bay leaf in the Dum aloo recipe. Spice powder - We need Asafetida, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin and coriander powder (dhania jeera powder) and garam masala. Apart from all these we need salt to taste and some sugar along with oil.
Step by Step Process
Prep Work
Puree the tomatoes, ginger and green chilies and keep it aside. Boil the baby potatoes in a open pot until they are fork tender. Make sure not to overcook them. Peel the potatoes and then add about a teaspoon of oil and place it in the air fryer basket (1). Air fry them at 390 F for about 12 to 15 minutes or until they are golden brown all around. Toss the basket couple of time in between for even roasting (2). Pan Frying - If pan frying the potatoes, add about 2 tablespoon of oil in a wide pan and fry the potatoes until they are evenly golden brown on all sides.
Making the Subzi
Heat a pan and add oil. Add the asafetida, bay leaf, cumin seeds and fennel seeds (1). Fry for minute until the spices are fragrant. Add the tomato, ginger and green chili puree (2). Mix well and add all the dry spice powders (turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and garam masala) along with salt and sugar (3). Fry well until all the spices are well mixed and the oil floats on the top (4). Now add the fried baby potatoes (5) and mix well (6). Cook for about 2-3 minutes. Then add the sour curd/yogurt and mix well (7). Add about half a cup of water to adjust the consistency of the gravy (8). Let the gravy boil in low flame for about 8-10 minutes. Serve Bengali Dum Aloo hot with kachoris!
Choose similar size potatoes. That helps in cooking them evenly. The potatoes are typically deep fried, but they can be pan fried or air fried. Air fryer works the best for this No onion and no garlic Dum aloo recipe as it evenly roasts the potatoes without much oil. Cook the gravy in low flame after the yogurt is added otherwise the gravy will appear curdled. The tomatoes can be used without pureeing as chunks if preferred. Sugar is optional, but it helps in cutting down the sour flavor to some extent.
More No Onion and No Garlic Recipes
Simple Uttar Pradesh Platter - A simple thaali made with different recipes that are popular in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Paneer Butter Masala - A very popular subzi recipe which is very similar to restaurant style paneer subzi but without onion and garlic. This is one such recipe where you will not miss the onion. Kerala style vegetable stew - This delicious and vegan Kerala Style Vegetable Stew made with assorted vegetables is the best side dish for string hoppers (idiyappam) or Idli / dosai. Love the flavor coconut milk and coconut oil in the recipe. Benarasi Aloo Matar - A simple yet very delicious subzi made with potatoes and green peas. If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter
Recipe
