Cumin-Scented Potatoes With Tomatoes (Ghurma Aloo)

A fragrant Indian potato dish featuring tender cubes of potato and tomato cooked with aromatic cumin seeds, turmeric, and cayenne. The dish is finished with fresh cilantro for a burst of flavor.

4 servings
30 min

Ingredients

  • pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 1 small red onion
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons coarse kosher or sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 medium tomato
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Drain the potatoes and pat them dry.

    2 min

  2. 2.

    Heat the oil in a medium-size saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the cumin seeds and cook until they sizzle, turn reddish brown, and are fragrant, 5 to 10 seconds. Add the potatoes, onion, and turmeric, and stir-fry until the potatoes and onion are lightly browned around the edges, 4 to 6 minutes.

    6 min

  3. 3.

    Sprinkle in the salt and cayenne, and stir once or twice. Pour in 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are almost fall-apart tender, 18 to 20 minutes.

    20 min

  4. 4.

    Stir in the tomato and cilantro, and cover the pan. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the tomato is warmed through, about 2 minutes. Then serve.

    2 min