Dum Aloo (moghlai Potatoes)

Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 20 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 1/2 lbs small potatoes
• 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8 -10 blanched almonds
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2 large black cardamom pods
• 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
• 1 1/2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 8 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
• 5 cardamom pods, very lightly crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon garam masala

Recipe

• 1 peel the potatoes and prick them well with a fork.
• 2 soak them for 1 hour with 4 cups of water and the kosher salt.
• 3 meanwhile, put the almonds, sesame seeds, black cardamom, coriander, and 1 teaspoon of cumin seed in a small cast iron skillet and dry-roast, stirring frequently, until the almonds turn golden in spots.
• 4 put in a spice or coffee grinder and grind as finely as possible.
• 5 put the garlic and ginger, along with 1/3 cup water, into a blender, blending to a smooth paste.
• 6 drain the potatoes and wipe them well.
• 7 heat the oil in a heavy 10-inch wide pot over a medium flame. put in the potatoes and fry them until golden brown on all sides.
• 8 remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• 9 add remaining 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds to the oil and stir once. put in the onion.fry, stirring, until the onion turns light brown.
• 10 add the 5 cardamom pods, cayenne, and turmeric.
• 11 fry and stir for a few seconds. put in the ginger paste, the spice mixture, and 1 teaspoon salt, continuing to stir.
• 12 whenever the mixture seems to dry up, add a tablespooon of yogurt. keep stirring and frying, adding yogurt whenever necessary, until the yogurt is used up.
• 13 add the garam masala and 1/2 cup water, mixing well.
• 14 put in the potatoes and mix gently.
• 15 cover the pot tightly with foil and then with its own lid.
• 16 turn the heat to very low and cook for about 30 minutes or until potatoes are cooked through.
• 17 stir gently a few times, always replacing the foil and lid. remove from heat and serve when potatoes are fully cooked.