Trading an Indian Dish for an Italian Sport

Editors Note: I struck a deal. My friend G runs the famed DC Bocce League. And like every other organization in the world, they now have a blog, the cleverly named DC Bocce Blog. I told G I’d write him a post about this beloved sport (I’ve been a a proud league member since 2005) if he’d finally send me over one of his family’s recipes. Here’s his take on a classic Indian dish.

Here is a simple recipe for Aloo Jeera.  In Hindi, Aloo means potato and Jeera means cumin.  This is a very tasty dish that is really easy to make.  My 12-year-old cousin can make it (and not mess it up).

The only “special” ingredient you might need to pick up from an Indian Store is called Chat Masala.  Anyone will have it, it’s pretty much a necessity that gives this dish its distinct flavour.  Or you could try making the mix yourself based on the wikipedia definition.

You can eat the potatoes by themselves, they will compliment most meat and fish dishes really well too.  Or you can get some frozen naan (Trader Joe’s Garlic Naan is my personal favourite) to eat with your Aloo.

Aloo Jeera

Ingredients:
1 lb of potatoes
1-2 tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 tsp of cumin seeds
1/4 tsp of turmeric (in Hindi it is called Haldi)
1/4 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp of chaat masala

Optional: (for an additional kick)
1/8 tsp of cayenne pepper
1 chili pepper, diced

Directions:
1. Wash. Peal. Cube. Potatoes.
2. Boil Potatoes for 15 minutes. Strain water when complete
3. Heat Oil on Medium/High in a wok-ish type pan
4. Add cumin seeds and roast for a few minutes (careful not too burn them) (add chili peppers here if you have opted in)
5. Add in potatoes
6. Mix Well
7. Add Turmeric, Salt & Chat Masala (again, add in the cayenne pepper for the extra kick.)
8. Continue to mix, stir and cook for about 15 minutes or until completely cooked.

Serves 4