Spicy Dum Aloo in Yogurt Sauce
Spicy Dum Aloo is a beloved North Indian dish that brings together the rustic flavors of Kashmiri cuisine with a modern twist. This recipe features tender baby potatoes simmered in a rich and spicy yogurt sauce, resulting in a dish that bursts with aromatic spices and a depth of flavor. Perfectly crispy from frying and enveloped in a creamy sauce, this dish is a delightful addition to any meal and pairs beautifully with rice, roti, paratha, or naan. It's a versatile recipe, ideal for special occasions or hearty weeknight dinners, and sure to impress family and friends with its vibrant colors and flavors.
N/A
Servings
130
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
baby potatoes
8 (boiled and peeled)
oil
as needed (for frying)
oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking)
cumin seeds
1 teaspoon (whole)
cinnamon stick
1 (whole)
green cardamoms
2-3 (whole)
onion
1 medium (finely chopped)
ginger-garlic paste
1 teaspoon (ready-made or homemade)
tomatoes
3 (pureed)
turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
chili powder
1 1/2 tablespoons (can be adjusted to taste)
coriander powder
1 teaspoon (ground)
fennel seeds
1 teaspoon (whole)
garam masala
2 teaspoons (can be adjusted to taste)
salt
to taste (adjust as needed)
water
approximately 2 cups (for cooking)
sugar
1/2 tablespoon (to balance flavors)
cilantro
for garnish (chopped)
Instructions
1
Begin by peeling the baby potatoes and piercing each potato several times with a fork to allow the flavors to penetrate.
2
In a deep frying pan, heat sufficient oil until hot. Carefully add the potatoes and fry them until they turn a deep red-brown color, creating a crispy exterior. Remove and set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.
3
In a separate heavy-bottomed pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the cumin seeds, green cardamoms, and cinnamon stick, allowing them to crackle and release their aromas.
4
Add the finely chopped onions to the pan and sauté until they become translucent and golden brown, stirring occasionally.
5
Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for a few minutes until the raw smell dissipates, ensuring to mix well.
6
Pour in the pureed tomatoes and cover the pan. Allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften.
7
Uncover the pan and add the turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder, fennel seeds, and half of the garam masala. Stir the mixture, cooking until the oil starts to separate from the spices, around 2-3 minutes.
8
Reduce the heat and slowly add the yogurt, continuously stirring until it comes to a gentle boil. This helps incorporate the yogurt without curdling.
9
Season the mixture with salt and add approximately 2 cups of water. Increase the heat to bring the sauce to a vigorous boil.
10
Carefully add the fried potatoes to the pot, giving them a good mix. Cover and simmer on medium heat for 15 minutes to allow the potatoes to absorb the flavors.
11
After 15 minutes, add the sugar and the remaining garam masala. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
12
Finally, garnish your Spicy Dum Aloo with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.
Nutrition Information
3.75g
Fat
22.5g
Carbs
1.5g
Protein
2g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Dum Aloo?
Spicy Dum Aloo is a popular North Indian dish from Kashmiri cuisine featuring tender baby potatoes simmered in a rich, aromatic yogurt-based sauce.
What type of potatoes are used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for baby potatoes that are boiled and peeled before being fried.
Why do I need to pierce the potatoes with a fork?
Piercing the potatoes allows the flavors and the spicy yogurt sauce to penetrate deep inside the potato during the simmering process.
How should the potatoes be fried?
Potatoes should be deep-fried in hot oil until they develop a crispy exterior and turn a deep red-brown color.
Which whole spices are used for the tempering?
The tempering uses cumin seeds, green cardamoms, and a cinnamon stick to create an aromatic base.
How do I prevent the yogurt from curdling in the sauce?
To prevent curdling, reduce the heat before adding the yogurt and stir it continuously until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
Is Spicy Dum Aloo a vegetarian dish?
Yes, this recipe is 100% vegetarian as it consists of potatoes, vegetables, and dairy-based yogurt.
What can I serve with Spicy Dum Aloo?
This dish pairs beautifully with Indian breads like roti, paratha, or naan, and is also delicious with steamed rice.
How much chili powder is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1.5 tablespoons of chili powder, though this can be adjusted according to your personal heat preference.
What is the purpose of adding sugar to the gravy?
A small amount of sugar (1/2 tablespoon) is added toward the end of cooking to balance the spicy and acidic flavors of the yogurt and tomatoes.
How long do the potatoes need to simmer in the sauce?
The potatoes should simmer in the sauce for a total of approximately 20 minutes (15 minutes initially, plus 5 minutes after adding final spices).
What are the nutritional values for this dish?
Per serving, the dish contains approximately 130 calories, 3.75g of fat, 22.5g of carbohydrates, and 1.5g of protein.
Can I use ready-made ginger-garlic paste?
Yes, you can use either ready-made or homemade ginger-garlic paste for this recipe.
What role do fennel seeds play in the recipe?
Fennel seeds are a key ingredient in Kashmiri-style Dum Aloo, providing a distinct sweet and earthy aroma to the spicy sauce.
How do I know when the spices are properly cooked?
The spices are properly cooked when the oil starts to separate from the mixture, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes of stirring.
Do I need to cover the pan while cooking the tomatoes?
Yes, it is recommended to cover the pan and allow the pureed tomatoes to simmer for about 5 minutes until they soften.
When should the garam masala be added?
The garam masala is added in two parts: half with the other ground spices and the remaining half at the very end of the cooking process.
What garnish is recommended for this dish?
Freshly chopped cilantro is the ideal garnish for adding a burst of freshness and color.
How many baby potatoes does the recipe require?
The recipe requires 8 baby potatoes.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Based on the ingredients list, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as it contains no wheat-based products.
How much water is added to the gravy?
Approximately 2 cups of water are added to create the sauce base.
Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby potatoes?
While baby potatoes are traditional for 'Dum' style cooking, you can use regular potatoes cut into smaller chunks if baby potatoes are unavailable.
What is the primary flavor profile of this dish?
The flavor profile is a complex mix of spicy, tangy from the yogurt and tomatoes, and aromatic from spices like fennel and cardamom.
What texture should the onions have?
The onions should be finely chopped and sauteed until they are translucent and golden brown.
Is this dish suitable for special occasions?
Yes, its rich sauce and vibrant colors make it an ideal dish for special occasions as well as hearty weeknight dinners.
How much fiber is in a serving of Spicy Dum Aloo?
Each serving provides approximately 2 grams of fiber.
How much turmeric is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric powder.
Can I make this dish vegan?
To make this recipe vegan, you would need to replace the dairy yogurt with a plant-based alternative like cashew or soy yogurt.
Does this recipe contain sodium information?
The specific sodium content is not provided, though salt is added to taste.
Is the dish served hot?
Yes, Spicy Dum Aloo is best served hot, immediately after garnishing with cilantro.