Aloo Poshto (Potato with Poppy Seeds)

Aloo Poshto (Potato with Poppy Seeds) -

Alu Posto goes well with rice, roti and is one of the traditional dishes of Bengal. A lot many vegetables can be cooked likewise.

Ingredients:

5 – 6 medium-sized Potatoes – diced small or medium – as you like it but not large pieces.
3 Green Chillies
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
2 tbsp Mustard Oil
1/2 tsp Onion Seeds/ kalonji/ Nigella seeds
1/2 cup Poppy Seeds (khuskhus)  – grinded to fine paste with one green chili
1 1/2 cup water
Salt to taste

Method:

If you want to make a paste of  poppy seeds on your mixer grinder then you need to soak poppy seeds overnight in one cup warm water. If you are using the traditional stone grinder (which is still the best) then there’s no need to soak beforehand.

In a skillet or pan heat the oil and add the black onion seeds / kalo jeera. Listen to the crackle and wait for the flavor – add a slitted green chili to enhance the flavor. Mix the diced potato pieces and stir fry on medium heat for around 5–6 minutes . Mix in the posto or the poppy seeds paste, and stir. Add turmeric, Put half cup of water and cook on low heat till the potatoes are almost cooked. Now, mix in salt and the slited green chillies. Continue to cook for another few minutes till the potatoes are completely cooked. You can vary the quantity of water and number of chillies  depending on your taste. Optionally you can add a spoon of melted ghee before serving