Winter special - LASANIYA BATATA/ LASOONI ALOO

Lasaniya batata is a popular dish made in Kathiyawada (Saurashtra) region of Gujarat. Lasaniya Batata means ‘Garlic Potatoes’. It tastes delicious as it is flavoured with fresh garlic which is available during winters. Can be served with rice or any Indian bread of your choice.

Ingredients:

· Oil – 2 tbsp

· Baby potatoes – 500 gms (boiled & peeled)

· Kashmiri Red Chillies (deseeded & boiled) – 5-6

· Magaz (Melon) seeds – 1 tbsp or Cashew nuts – 4-5 (soaked)

· Tomatoes - 4-5 medium size (boiled & peeled)

· Ghee/Oil - 1 tbsp

· Cumin seeds (Jeera) - 1 tsp

· Ginger paste – 1 tsp

· Onion – 1 medium (chopped)

· Fresh Green Garlic – 100 gms (with leaves finely chopped)

· Coriander powder - 1 tsp

· Cumin powder - 1 tsp

· Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp

· Chaat masala – ½ tsp

· Black salt – ½ tsp

· Water as required

· Garam masala powder - 1 tsp

· Salt to taste

· Kasuri methi - 1 tsp

· Fresh coriander leaves (finely chopped)

Method:

· Soak the deseeded red chillies in hot water for 25-30 minutes.

· In the meanwhile, boil water and add the roughly chopped tomatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes. Once cooled peel off the skin.

· Wash the baby potatoes thoroughly. Take a deep utensil add salt and water, cook the potatoes till is completely done.

· Once the potatoes cool, peel the skin. Take a pan with 2 tbsp oil and fry these potatoes till they turn slightly brown in colour.

· Now take a mixer jar, add the soaked chillies, magaz (melon) seeds or soaked cashew nuts and boiled tomatoes. Grind to make a fine paste. Keep it aside.

· Take a pan, set it on medium heat, add ghee/oil, jeera and sauté for a minute.

· Add the ginger paste and chopped onions. Fry till the onions turn slightly brown in colour.

· Now add the chopped fresh garlic with the leaves. Stir and cook for 15—20 seconds.

· Add the tomato paste, fry till it turns aromatic and releases oil and now add all the powdered spices coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, chaat masala, black salt and salt. Mix well while stirring continuously, you can add water at this time.

· Now bring it to a boil and add the fried baby potataoes. Mix well.

· Add garam masala, kasuri methi and freshly chopped coriander leaves, mix gently, stir and cook further for 2-3 minutes.

· Your Lasaniya Batata is ready to be served, garnish with some more freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with phulka, roti or any paratha of your choice.