Looks can be deceiving !.. 🙂 This dish is an example of that phrase.. It looks calm and mild but it’s spicy and fiery.. and the heat comes from the whole spices, green chillies and black pepper.. Two types of potato stews are made in Kerala, one with whole spices and other using only ginger and green chillies as spices. Here I’ve written one with whole spices which is very tasty and an all rounder which goes with bread, appam, idiyappam and pidi.

If you’re using a pressure cooker it’ll take only 10 mts to cook this dish. Do not overcook the potatoes, you don’t want a mushy curry ! To be safe here I’ve cooked the potatoes in a sauce pan for 10 mts. If you want a creamy gravy, mash some potato pieces with the back of your ladle at the end of the preparation. Adjust the heat according to your taste.

Preparation time: 10 mts

Cooking time : 20 mts

Serves : 4-5

Ingredients:

  • Potato – 3 (medium)
  • Onion – 1 (big, cut into cubes)
  • Carrot – 1 (small)
  • Green chillies – 4-5 (according to taste)
  • Garlic – 4 ( julian)
  • Ginger – 1″ ( julian)
  • Curry leaves – 2 stems
  • Coconut oil / veg oil – 2 table spoon
  • Water – 1 1/2 cups
  • Coconut milk – 1/2 cup

Whole spices:

  • Black mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Cinnamon stick – 1/2
  • Cardamom pods – 5
  • Cloves – 5
  • Whole black pepper – 1/2 tsp

Method: 

  1. When the oil is heated add the whole spices and allow it to flutter.
  2. Add curry leaves too.
  3. When the spices starts to release its aroma saute ginger, garlic and onion.
  4. Allow the onion to loose its colour.
  5. Add in the potatoes and water and cook for 15 mts covered with a lid.IMG_1539.jpgresize
  6. When the potatoes have soften and water has reduced to 3/4 cup switch off the gas and add thick coconut milk.

Notes:

  1.  If you’re using fresh coconut milk, you can cook the potatoes in 2nd strain and add the 1st strain at the end.
  2. If you are health conscious, you can altogether omit the coconut milk and add 1/2 cup skimmed milk.
  3. You can always tie the spices in a muslin cloth and remove it while serving.
  4. When using pressure cooker, the steps are the same except that you are using a different vessel to cook. Be careful of the potatoes you use and how long you cook. You don’t want to turn your potatoes mushy !. 🙂