BENARASI BHARWAN ALOO (patato)

Stuffed potatoes Benarasi style Preparation Time : 30-40 minutes Cooking Time : 10-15 minutes

Ingredients

Potatoes , medium sized 20-25 Cottage cheese (paneer), grated 100 grams Fennel seeds (saunf) 1 teaspoon Oil to deep fry+2 tablespoons Fresh coriander leaves, chopped 2 tablespoons Green chillies, chopped 4 Raisins 10 Cashewnuts, chopped 10 Salt to taste Asafoetida a pinch Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon Ginger, grated 1 inch piece Tomato puree 2 cups Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon Red chilli powder 1/2 teaspoon Tamarind pulp 1 1/2 tablespoons Dry mango powder (amchur) 1/2 teaspoon Jaggery (gur), grated 1/2 cup Fresh cream 2 tablespoons

Method

Peel and halve potatoes. Wipe dry. Dry roast fennel seeds and crush slightly. Heat sufficient oil in a kadai ( pan )and deep-fry potatoes till they are golden brown. Drain onto an absorbent paper and set aside to cool. Scoop out the middle of each half potato. Chop the scooped out portion of the potatoes. Add paneer, coriander leaves, green chillies, raisins, cashewnuts and salt. Mix well. Stuffed the scooped out potato halves with this filling. Heat two tablespoons of oil in a kadai. Add asafoetida, roasted fennel seeds, cumin seeds, ginger and sauté. Add tomato puree and mix well. Add turmeric powder and red chilli powder. Add half a cup of water and cook for three to four minutes. Add tamarind pulp and stir. Add amchur powder, grated jaggery and salt to taste. Add stuffed potatoes to this gravy and cook on low heat for three to four minutes. Add fresh cream and stir gently. Cook till the gravy is reduced slightly. Serve hot.