Aloo Matar (Potatoes And Peas In Onion-Tomato Sauce)

Ingredients	Quantity
Small potatoes	1 ½ pounds
Onions	2 medium
Garlic cloves	2
Ginger – fresh ½ “ piece	1
Vegetable oil	3 tbsp
Asafoetida – crushed, optional	1 pinch
Cumin seeds	½ tsp
Salt	to taste
Cayenne pepper	¼ tsp
Turmeric – ground	½
Tomatoes – coarsely chopped	2 large
Peas	1 cup
Water	¼ cup
Garam masala	½ tsp

Cook the potatoes until tender. Peel and set aside. In the container of a blender or food processor, mince together the onions, garlic and ginger. In a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the asafetida (if used) and cumin. When spices darken (1 to 2 seconds) add the minced onion mixture and sauté until browned (about 12 minutes). Add the salt, cayenne, turmeric and tomatoes and cook until they soften (about 5 minutes). Add the peas and water; reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 5 minutes.

Halve the cooked potatoes if they seem too large. Add them to the pan and cook covered for another 5 minutes. Mix in the garam masala just before serving.