I was a bit hesitant to try out this recipe initially, since I'm not a big fan of cumin. If you've noticed I use fennel (perumjeerakam) regularly in my Indian cooking. It's one of my favourite spices. I feel that fennel enhances the flavour of the dish, especially non veg dishes. I sometimes think that fennel and myself were destined to be together.
During my first ever grocery shopping, I bought almost half a kg of fennel. That time, I didnt know there were different types of jeera. I just saw fennel and assumed it to be the “jeera” and bought it. I used it in all the recipes which uses cumin/jeera. I used it in thorans, dal curries etc; Until one day, when one of our friends told me I'm using the wrong kind of jeera!
But cumin, is a totally different story. I blame jeeraka vellom (cumin flavoured hot water)Â for that. During my school days, whenever we visit some place, the first thing offered was hot jeeraka vellom and I used to hate it those days. Somehow cumin reminds me of those days and I maintained my distance. Since change is the only constant thing in life, my attittude towards cumin also changed a bit. These days I like Jeera rice and I dont mind a bit of jeera in curries too.
Though this dish uses good amount of jeera, it's not overpowering. It's a very simple and quick dish to put together if you are in a hurry. It goes well with rice and roti.
Suggested rice dishes for this recipe: Veg Pulao, Jaldi Tomato Rice, Ghee Rice. You can also have it with plain rice.
Tried this recipe and it turned out awesome. My husband who doesn’t
normally eat potatoes loved it too! Thankyou Maria for your recipes and keep ‘em
coming! For an amateur like me, you are God send J
Cheers!
Hi Litty,
Good to know that this recipe was a hit with your husband :) Thank you so much for sharing your feedback here.
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria,
Was searching for an easy aloo recipe and came across this. I didnt have garam masala, so used sambar powder instead – the result was absolutely fabulous.
BTW though am not a Malayali, I grew up in Kochi and the recipes in your blog are so familiar to me.. will be a regular visitor from now on – great blog! :) :)
Hi Preeti,
Thanks a lot for leaving a comment here. Adding sambar powder sounds like a good idea :)
Hope you get to try more recipes from here and like them too..
Cheers
Maria
Hi maria,
I have been following ur blog for some time now bt this is the first time I’m commenting .this recipe turned out great.thanks for posting this :)
Thanks Subna for the comment :) Good to know that you’ve been following this space.
Potato is one of my fav veggies..love to have it anytime.Very delicious and tempting
Thanks Maria :) Hope you get to try it soon and like it too..