Dum Aloo is a popular North Indian dish made with baby potatoes cooked in a rich, creamy, and flavorful gravy. The potatoes are simmered slowly in a blend of aromatic spices, yogurt, and tomato puree, creating a dish that is both hearty and indulgent. With the addition of cashews, fresh cream, and a touch of honey, this recipe balances spice with a subtle sweetness, making it an excellent dish to serve with naan, roti, or rice. Perfect for special occasions or a cozy dinner, Dum Aloo is a crowd-pleaser with its luxurious texture and bold flavors.
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons cashew nuts
- ½ kg baby potatoes (or regular potatoes, cut into small pieces)
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3-4 cloves
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 2 black cardamom pods
- 5-6 black peppercorns
- 1½ cups finely chopped onion
- 2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste
- 2 green chilies, slit into half
- ¼ cup tomato puree
- ½ cup yogurt
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoons Kashmiri red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala powder
- Salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh cream
Instructions:
- Prepare the potatoes:
- If using baby potatoes, peel them. If using regular potatoes, peel and cut them into small pieces.
- Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are just tender but not fully cooked.
- Drain and set aside.
- Fry the potatoes:
- In a large pan or skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the parboiled potatoes and fry them until golden brown on all sides.
- Prepare the cashew paste:
- Soak the cashew nuts in warm water for 10-15 minutes.
- Drain and blend into a smooth paste using a little water. Set aside.
- Sauté the whole spices:
- In the same pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
- Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, black cardamom, and black peppercorns.
- Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
- Cook the onions and ginger-garlic paste :
- Add the finely chopped onions to the pan and sauté until golden brown.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the pungent aroma fades away.
- Add the tomato puree and spices:
- Add the tomato puree to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until the oil starts separating from the mixture.
- Stir in the coriander powder, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, and salt.
- Incorporate the yogurt and flour:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt and all-purpose flour to prevent curdling.
- Add this mixture to the pan and stir continuously to combine.
- Add the cashew paste and fried potatoes:
- Stir in the prepared cashew paste and mix well.
- Add the fried potatoes to the gravy and gently toss to coat them in the sauce.
- Simmer on low heat:
- Cover the pan and let the potatoes cook on low heat (dum) for 10-12 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Finish the dish:
- Once the potatoes are tender and the gravy has thickened, stir in the honey, lemon juice, and fresh cream.
- Sprinkle garam masala powder and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Serve:
- Garnish with chopped cilantro (optional) and serve hot with naan, roti, or basmati rice.
Conclusion:
This Dum Aloo recipe brings together creamy cashews, aromatic spices, and tender potatoes in a luxurious sauce. The slow-cooking technique ensures that the potatoes absorb all the flavors, making each bite rich and satisfying. Serve this dish at your next gathering or enjoy it on a cozy evening for a meal that’s sure to impress.
Authentic Dum Aloo
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons cashew nuts
- ½ kg baby potatoes or regular potatoes, cut into small pieces
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3-4 cloves
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 2 black cardamom pods
- 5-6 black peppercorns
- 1½ cups finely chopped onion
- 2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste
- 2 green chilies slit into half
- ¼ cup tomato puree
- ½ cup yogurt
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoons Kashmiri red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh cream
Instructions
Prepare the potatoes:
- If using baby potatoes, peel them. If using regular potatoes, peel and cut them into small pieces.
- Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are just tender but not fully cooked.
- Drain and set aside.
Fry the potatoes:
- In a large pan or skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the parboiled potatoes and fry them until golden brown on all sides.
Prepare the cashew paste:
- Soak the cashew nuts in warm water for 10-15 minutes.
- Drain and blend into a smooth paste using a little water. Set aside.
Sauté the whole spices:
- In the same pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
- Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, black cardamom, and black peppercorns.
- Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
Cook the onions and ginger-garlic paste :
- Add the finely chopped onions to the pan and sauté until golden brown.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the pungent aroma fades away.
- Add the tomato puree and spices:
- Add the tomato puree to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until the oil starts separating from the mixture.
- Stir in the coriander powder, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, and salt.
Incorporate the yogurt and flour:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt and all-purpose flour to prevent curdling.
- Add this mixture to the pan and stir continuously to combine.
Add the cashew paste and fried potatoes:
- Stir in the prepared cashew paste and mix well.
- Add the fried potatoes to the gravy and gently toss to coat them in the sauce.
Simmer on low heat:
- Cover the pan and let the potatoes cook on low heat (dum) for 10-12 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Finish the dish:
- Once the potatoes are tender and the gravy has thickened, stir in the honey, lemon juice, and fresh cream.
- Sprinkle garam masala powder and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Serve:
- Garnish with chopped cilantro (optional) and serve hot with naan, roti, or basmati rice.