Aloo - narkel (Potato with coconut)

My grand mother prepared this dish in our Bagh Bazar home. Usually, we had this dish on the days of Hindu calender called "Ekadasi" or other vegetarian days . Prepared in Desi Ghee(Clarified Butter) it tasted heavenly. My grand mother made even simple dishes exhotic.

What You Will Need :

Potato (Aloo).................................................4, large,cubed

Coconut,grated.(Narlel)..................................1/2
Bay Leaf............................................................2
Dry Red chilly.................................................2
Cumin Seeds( Gota Jeere).................................1 pinch
Cumin Powder(Jeere Guro)...............................1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder(Dhone Guro)...........................1/2 tsp
Chilly Paste........................................................1 tsp or according to taste
Green chilly......................................................4
Salt..................................................................as per taste
Sugar(Chini).....................................................1/2 tsp
Garam Masala Powder......................................1 pinch
Refined Oil......................................................2 tbsp

Preparation :

Peel the potatoes and make cubes.

Grind the grated coconut coarsely. Keep a little for garnishing.

Heat refined oil in a deep pan and add the bay leaves and dry red chilly's. Also add the cumin seeds and let them splutter. Stir a bit.

Add the potatoes pieces and stir fry till reddish.

Next, add the dry spices,salt, sugar and green chilly paste mixed in a little water. Cover and cook them with the potato.

When the potatoes are soft, add the coconut and cook, stirring . Cover and cook for a minute or two. 

Add green chillies, slit. Sprinkle a pinch of garam masala powder. Switch off the flame and transfer to a serving bowl.

This is a dry preparation.

Earlier in my grandmothers kitchen, this dish needed at least 6-8 tbsp of Ghee for preparation and Paratha or Luchi fried in  Gawa ghee (Clarified Butter made from cows milk) was served along with it. Now a days, we use minimum quantity of oil for health purposes.  When  nice smell starts to fill your kitchen you will know the dish is ready !!

Aloo-Narkel