4 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
10-15 curry leaves
¼ tsp asafoetida
1 onion , thinly sliced
1 heaped tbsp tomato purée
1 tsb salt
chilli to taste
3 tsp sambar masala* mixed with ¼ cup water
4 large potatoes , boiled and cut into bite size chunks
handful fresh coriander , finely chopped
Heat the oil in a sauce pan, when the oil is wavy, fry the mustard seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida until they begin to crackle, then add the sliced onions. Cook until the onions are soft and slightly golden.
Stir in the tomato purée, water, salt and sambar masala. Mix till thick. Add a little extra water if too dry. Add the potatoes and mix well. Taste for seasoning. Add coriander and mix befoe serving.
Sambar masala* is a spice blend which also contains roast ground lentils – so it thickens the sauce as well as flavours. You can buy it. I made a small pot with:
1 tsp curriander seeds
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp turmeric
2 tsp orange lentils
1/2 tsp aseafidata
1/2tsp fenugreek seeds
2 curry leaves
1/4 tsp black mustard seed
1 dried chilli
5 black peppercorns
Roast them in a dry pan and mill to a fine powder.
(mine isn’t as good as a bought mix – be warned)