Banarasi Dum Aloo: Spiced Potato Delights
Banarasi Dum Aloo is a popular Indian dish that showcases the rich culinary heritage of Varanasi. Featuring succulent boiled potatoes seasoned with aromatic spices, carefully fried to golden perfection, and served in a creamy tomato-yogurt gravy, this dish offers an explosion of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This beloved recipe won the prestigious R.O. 20 Golden Oryx coupon in the Thursday magazine for the week of September 13-19, 2007. Serve it hot with warm parathas, freshly made rotis, or fragrant basmati rice for a truly satisfying meal that embodies the essence of Indian cuisine.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
boiled potatoes (grated)
1/2 kg (boiled and grated)
sesame seeds
50 g (to be used for garnishing)
turmeric powder
1 teaspoon
red chili powder
2 teaspoons
cumin powder
2 teaspoons
coriander powder
2 teaspoons
ginger-garlic paste
2 tablespoons
salt
to taste
coriander leaves
3 tablespoons (washed and finely chopped)
mint leaves
3 tablespoons (washed and finely chopped)
cornflour
as required (for rolling the potato balls)
onions (sliced)
3 (sliced thinly)
fresh yogurt
250 g
oil
for frying
butter
2 tablespoons
tomatoes (chopped)
2 (chopped)
onions (chopped)
2 (chopped)
tomato paste
2 tablespoons
fresh cream
50 g
whole spices
as required (for tempering)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine the grated boiled potatoes with turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, ginger-garlic paste, and salt. Mix well until fully blended.
2
Shape the mixture into small balls and roll each ball in cornflour to coat lightly.
3
Heat oil in a deep frying pot and carefully add the potato balls. Fry them on medium heat until they turn golden brown. Once fried, drain them on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
4
In another pot, heat oil and deep fry the sliced onions until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove the onions and set them aside.
5
In a blender, combine the fried onions and fresh yogurt, blending until you achieve a smooth paste.
6
In a large pan, melt butter over low heat. Add whole spices and sauté briefly, then add the blended onion-yogurt paste along with chopped tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, and let it cook for about 15 minutes to develop flavors.
7
Stir in the tomato paste and all the remaining spice powders (cumin, red chili, turmeric, coriander). Cook for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the spices to incorporate into the mixture.
8
Gently fold in the fried potato balls, ensuring they are well coated in the gravy. Let the dish simmer for a few more minutes.
9
Before serving, garnish with fresh cream, mint leaves, and chopped coriander.
10
Serve hot alongside parathas, rotis, or rice for a delightful meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Banarasi Dum Aloo?
Banarasi Dum Aloo is a popular Indian dish from Varanasi featuring succulent boiled potatoes seasoned with aromatic spices, fried to golden perfection, and served in a creamy tomato-yogurt gravy.
What award did this recipe win?
This recipe won the prestigious R.O. 20 Golden Oryx coupon in the Thursday magazine for the week of September 13-19, 2007.
How are the potatoes initially prepared for this recipe?
The potatoes are boiled and grated, then mixed with turmeric, red chili, cumin, coriander powders, ginger-garlic paste, and salt.
What spices are used to season the potato mixture?
The potato mixture is seasoned with turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, and coriander powder.
How are the potato balls shaped and coated?
The seasoned potato mixture is shaped into small balls and rolled in cornflour to coat them lightly before frying.
What is the process for frying the potato balls?
Heat oil in a deep frying pot and fry the potato balls on medium heat until they turn golden brown, then drain them on paper towels.
How do you prepare the onions for the gravy?
Sliced onions are deep-fried until golden brown and crispy, then set aside to be blended into a paste.
What is the base of the creamy gravy?
The base of the gravy is a smooth paste made by blending 250 grams of fresh yogurt with the fried onions.
How do you start the gravy preparation in the pan?
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat, add whole spices and sauté briefly before adding the onion-yogurt paste.
How long should the onion-yogurt paste and tomatoes cook?
The mixture of onion-yogurt paste, chopped tomatoes, and ginger-garlic paste should cook for about 15 minutes to develop its flavors.
Which spice powders are added to the tomato-yogurt gravy?
Cumin powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and coriander powder are stirred into the gravy mixture.
How long do the spices need to incorporate into the gravy?
After adding the tomato paste and spice powders, the mixture should cook for an additional 10 minutes.
When should the fried potato balls be added to the gravy?
The fried potato balls are gently folded into the gravy after the spices have fully incorporated, then allowed to simmer for a few minutes.
What are the suggested garnishes for Banarasi Dum Aloo?
The dish should be garnished with 50 grams of fresh cream, 3 tablespoons of mint leaves, and 3 tablespoons of chopped coriander.
What are the best side dishes for Banarasi Dum Aloo?
It is best served with warm parathas, freshly made rotis, or fragrant basmati rice.
Is Banarasi Dum Aloo a vegetarian dish?
Yes, this dish is categorized as a vegetarian Indian recipe.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, based on the recipe tags, Banarasi Dum Aloo is a gluten-free dish.
How much potato is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 1/2 kg of boiled and grated potatoes.
What is the purpose of cornflour in this recipe?
Cornflour is used to lightly coat the potato balls, helping them maintain their shape and texture during the frying process.
How much yogurt is used in the onion paste?
The recipe calls for 250 grams of fresh yogurt to be blended with the fried onions.
What role does butter play in the recipe?
Butter is used as the cooking fat for sautéing the whole spices and the primary gravy ingredients.
What is the purpose of tomato paste in the gravy?
Two tablespoons of tomato paste are added to the gravy to enrich the flavor and color of the dish.
Are mint leaves used in the cooking process?
Mint leaves are used specifically for garnishing the dish before serving to add fresh flavor.
How many onions are needed in total?
The recipe uses 3 thinly sliced onions for the fried paste and 2 chopped onions for the gravy base.
How should the fried onions be processed?
Once deep-fried until crispy, the onions are blended with fresh yogurt until a smooth paste is achieved.
How much ginger-garlic paste is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of ginger-garlic paste, divided between the potato mixture and the gravy.
Is sesame seeds used in the recipe?
Yes, 50 grams of sesame seeds are included for garnishing the final dish.
What type of spice powders are used for the main gravy?
The gravy uses a combination of cumin, red chili, turmeric, and coriander powders.
Can I use cream to garnish the dish?
Yes, 50 grams of fresh cream is recommended as a garnish to add richness before serving.
How should the final dish be served?
The dish should be served hot to fully experience the succulent potatoes and creamy, aromatic gravy.