1 potato, 2 potatoes, 3 potatoes more….4 potatoes, 5 potatoes, six potatoes in store. In this South Indian pan-roasted dish, baby potatoes are cooked or baked and roasted in oil with seasoning and sprinkled with a powder made of toasted coriander seeds, chick pea lentils, and red chili powder. Potato roast is a favorite dish of many young children and served at festivals and birthday parties.
Buying & storage: A variety of potatoes are grown in U.S.A : Starchy: Idaho or Russet – used for mashing; Less starchy: Blue potatoes – chips or salads Waxy: Red Bliss or New Potatoes hold shape well after cooking – used for roasting, boiling; All-purpose: Yukon gold – medium starch content. All potatoes picked, red, white, or blue should be firm, well-shaped, and blemish-free. They can be stored in a cool, well-ventilated place for two weeks. Refrigerating potatoes will make them turn dark when cooked.
Story: Potato roast is a delicacy served the night before the wedding at the wedding feast during dinner for the bridegroom’s party after the groom is taken in a procession { in a flower-decked fancy open car or on a horse surrounded by family members, who sing and dance to music}.
Health benefits of Baked potatoes
- A baked potato provides 6.28 g of protein and 6.3 g of fiber. It has 25% more magnesium and is more nutrient-dense than a boiled one, and also contains 40% more phosphorous and potassium.
- It has 4 times the amount of Folate than a boiled potato to benefit pregnant women who need more Folate to prevent neural tube birth defects in the fetus.
Spice Power
- Mustard seeds: nutrients like copper, iron, magnesium, and selenium present in mustard assist in the treatment of blood pressure and menopausal relief.
- Turmeric powder: Curcumin boosts brain neurons transmitters serotonin and dopamine acts as an effective anti-depressant.
- Red chili powder can act as an anti-inflammatory agent which helps decrease swelling of joints and increases blood flow to prevent osteoarthritis.
- Coriander seeds: may lower blood sugar, improve cholesterol levels, decrease blood pressure, and fight food poisoning.
Method to make Roast Potatoes (Aalu Subzee)
- Rinse potatoes thoroughly and drain in a colander.
- Cook in a pan with 2 quarts of boiling water or in the microwave. (10 min.)
- Heat oil in a medium-size frying pan, until it is smoking hot.
- Add seasoning; let mustard seeds splutter and gram flour turn brown.
- Add salt, turmeric powder, and boiled potatoes.
- Sauté on medium heat, until potatoes turn golden. (8 min.)
- Dry roast coriander seeds & chickpea lentils until they turn brown.
- Use a blender to grind into a powder. Mix with chili powder.
- Sprinkle powder on roasted potatoes and stir well. (2 min.)
Alternate Baking method
- Rinse whole potatoes (red, blue, purple, and white) and drain in a colander.
- Spice rub: mix 2 tbsp. olive oil with the spices (1 tsp. coriander, 1/2 tsp turmeric, and red chili powder and 1 tbsp. chickpea powder, 1 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. Asafetida powder)
- Place potatoes in a baking pan. Pour spice rub on the potatoes and mix well.
- Bake in an oven at 350 F for 20 min.
Serve Aalu Subzee with Quinoa, Rice noodles, Naan or Bread .
TIPS
Time saver: Use canned potatoes (drained) and stir fry with oil and spices on stove Buy Dosa chili powder from the Indian store
Substitute baby potatoes with whole potatoes (peeled and cubed) to bake and roast
Aalu = potatoes; subzee ( Karakari) = spicy roast
