Darjeeling’s famous ‘Aloo Bhuja’

Aloo Dum is the deliciousness in a bowl or plate or anything that it might be served into. Special to the masses of the Darjeeling people, this boiled potato dish amalgamated into thick gravy is a spicy treat.

The preparation of this dish is so simple and yet so beautiful. Let me outline the steps to make this happen.

First of all, boil the potatoes until they are ready. Full boiling is necessary.

Peel off the covers and then cut them into standard pieces according to your judgement.

While the potatoes are boiling, prepare a mixture of turmeric powder and powdered red chilly by adding a little water. The paste has to be thick. Once the potatoes are done, heat some mustard oil in a frying saucer. Mustard oil will bring out a different flavour. Authentic!

Now once the oil is ready, pour the mixture into the hot oil and let the spices fry themselves a little bit. Stir while you can.

As you can see, a little bit of variety in the spices can give good results. Some according to your taste.

Like for example, cumin seeds. You just have to sprinkle a handful after the oil is heated and before the mixture is put into the heated oil. This gives a distinct smell to the dish.

Now, you put the potatoes in the whole mixture that you have been frying at a low flame. Low flame is the best. Stir and add salt according to taste. Add a little water for the gravy according to your own estimation. Keep stirring till ready.

Now it could be dry or with gravy. It’s your choice. Depends on the water added while stirring in the end. But make sure you allow the spices to seep deep within the potatoes.

Now you may serve it in a plate or a bowl. You will only enhance the taste if you add the things as follows.

Just place one or two potato chops on top of the serving.

Cover them with a generous blanket of bhujia or wai wai.

 

 

Add a serving of curd.

 

Cover it with spoonfuls of green chutney- mint or coriander.

 

Have some tangy and spicy tamarind sauce ready to go over them.

 

Now just sprinkle some deep fried peppers and some mint leaves or coriander leaves to garnish.

While taking spoonfuls, make sure your spoon grabs a bit of everything. Heaven? Yup the taste will be sheer divine.