Godi Batat

Godi Batat is a Kasar style recipe that my Surekha maushi (aunt) has been making for years for us. The best part of coming home from college during weekends or holiday breaks was walking into her home in Michigan on a cold snowy night to the aroma of this potato preparation. Many Indian dishes go with a certain other dish - For instance, butter chicken goes so well with Butter Naan or Pulav, Bhendichi Bhaji or Okra goes with regular phulkas, but there is no other way to eat this dish other than with hot steaming rice and ghee laden dal or marathi style varan.

Ingredients and method:

4 medium potatoes, cut in squares
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium onion, sliced lengthwise
1 inch cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
Pinch of clove powder
1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste
4 tsp tomato paste
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/4 tsp cumin and coriander powder each
Garnish: Cilantro n Lime

Note: You have to cook this dish in a flat bottom stainless steel pan.

1. Heat oil (a little more than your usual measurement). Add the cinnamom stick and bay leaf.
2. When fragrant, add the lengthwise cut onions. Sautee for a few minutes
3. Add the diced onions and mix and continue sauteeing on low heat till they are translucent and browned.
4. Add the tomato paste and mix together with the onions. Sautee for a few minutes Add a little water and get the paste going. Sautee and cook till oil leaves from the sides of the paste. The onions should be soft and cooked but do not cook till they are too mushy.
5. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin and coriander powder and sautee. Add a little water and cook for a few minutes.
6.  Add the potatoes and mix until the potatoes are well coated with the paste. Add some salt and mix.
7. Add some water and cook covered on low heat until the potatoes are tender. Garnish with cilantro and lime.

Note: In Step 7, you wil have to add very little water at a time to keep the potatoes from burning as they cook on low flame. I added water about three times through the process. Remember to cover and cook on low heat.