Indian Potatoes with Mustard Seeds (Sookhi Bhaji)

Sue Lau's Note:

A great side dish, can be a vegetarian main dish also. Has been served at tea time in India as a snack, too! Oil-free, more low-fat cooking with high flavor! :)

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 3

• 1 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 serrano chilies, split lengthwise
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• salt, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Heat cumin seeds and mustard seed in hot dry skillet over high heat, swirling pan, until seeds start to pop.
2. Reduce heat to medium; add onions, chilies, and add a small amount of water; cook until onion is tender, adding more water as necessary to prevent sticking.
3. Add potatoes, ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt (to taste), and cayenne pepper, stirring to mix well.
4. Add 2/3 cup water, cover, reduce heat and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until spices are absorbed and potatoes are tender.
5. Add a small amount of water at a time if all liquid evaporates.
6. Fold in cilantro just before serving.

Reviews

[Charishma_Ramchandani]

Sue, Thank You!! I enjoyed this witout feeling guilty I was having potatoes! Made it for lunch this afternoon. These would go great with rotis and better still with hot puris, puris though would be questionable if one was on the health kick:) I had these with bread. I substituted the serrano chillies with green chillies as I dont use serrano chillies, and I used 1 1/2 cups more of water as 2/3 cup was falling short to cook the potaotes in. I dont have brown mustard seeds, so I used black ones instead. It was lovely and fantastic and will be a regular on our table. Thanks!

[Dr. Paul]

Good stuff. I was afraid to add the cayenne as well as the serrano chile. I'm Norwegian, not Indian! It came out great as a main dish for a meal that included a butternut squash casserole (modified with less sugar). #4100 I plan to use this recipe again.

[Anu]

Mmmmmm, very good Sue! Like Charishma, I used a green chili and black mustard seeds, and added 1/2 cup water (I scaled down to 1 serving). I also substituted black pepper for cayenne. I added the water in batches, and since the potatoes seemed to be taking quite a while to cook, I covered the skillet after a while, leaving a small gap for steam to escape, and they cooked much faster this way, and were "sookhi" (dry) as well. Thanks for this one; next time I'll make it for the whole family!