Potato Ularthu

We've just came back from a long trip. The fridge is empty, no fruits and veggies. I do have potatoes and shallots (small red onions) in the pantry. Perfect! I will make potato ulathu. It will go well with steamed rice, paruppu curry (dal) and pappadams.

Ingredients :

Potato - 3 large sized ones
Turmeric powder -1/2 tsp.
Red Chilly powder - 1/2 tsp.
Coriander powder - 1 tsp.
Salt and Pepper to taste
Coconut Oil - 3 tbsp.
Whole red chilly - 2
Shallots - 6
Garlic - 4 cloves
Curry leaves - a handful
Fennel powder - 1/2 tsp.

Method :

Peel and cut the potatoes into 1" long pieces. Marinate them in the turmeric powder, red chilly powder, coriander powder, salt and pepper and keep aside for 15 minutes.

Chop the shallots and the garlic finely. Tear the whole red chilly and the curry leaves coarsely into the shallots and garlic mix. Crush this mix with your fingers to let the flavors mingle.

Heat a wok and when its hot, add the coconut oil and let it get hot. Add the crushed masala and stir until the shallots are translucent. Now add the potato (without the masala water which has oozed out from the potato) into the oil and stir fry in the hot oil for about 5 minutes.

Now add the masala water from the marinade, cover with a lid and cook on a medium heat. When potatoes are soft and cooked, sprinkle the fennel powder, and give it another stir. Remove from fire.

Serve with dal and steamed rice.