Monday, June 15, 2009

Sukhe Aalu

So I am loving the potato this season; big deal. Before the rains come down, you may want to try some. The rest you can try while it rains (hah, droll!)

Ingredients
  1. 3 Large, hard and shiny-skinned potatoes
  2. Masala A: Dhania powder (1 tsp), chilli powder (1/4 tsp), Aamchur powder (1/2 tsp), ajwain (1 pinch) and hing powder(1 pinch), turmeric powder(1/4 tsp) and salt (1/2 tsp)
  3. Masala B: Marathi goda masala (1 tsp), roast jeera powder(1/2 tsp), red chilli powder(1/4 tsp), turmeric powder(1/4 tsp) and salt (1/2 tsp)
  4. Masala C: Sambhar powder(1 1/2 tsp), chopped garlic (2 large pods), red chilli powder(1/4 tsp), turmeric powder(1/4 tsp) and salt(1/2 tsp)

Get going

  1. Wash, peel and cut the potatoes into 1.5 inch triangles and cubes (depending on where you make the cut)
  2. Soak in cold water and ready the pan
  3. Heat the pan and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
  4. Immediately add the potatoes and stir so that they do not stick
  5. Reduce the heat after 30 seconds and put in the first ingredient of the Masala Combo of your choice. Add the salt. It will start to sweat. Stir and reduce heat if it starts to burn
  6. Add the other ingredients keeping the chilli powder for the last
  7. If you are adding the garlic, add only half now. Keep the remining for last.
  8. Stir till it is nicely mixed; cover completely and heat it on low for 10 minutes. If required, lift once to give it a stir.
  9. Check after 10 minutes. Depending upon the quality of the potatoes, you may require 2 to 5 minutes more. Just prod the largest piece to see if the centre is still firm.
  10. If just a few minutes away, add the remaining garlic and cover till done.
  11. Do not over cook - they become mushy.

They are delicious with chapatti, of course. But the surprise is when you have it with nice aromatic rice, either basmati or kali mooch or even punjab boat. Don't smother with daal - just have the pristine rice with a piece of the aalu - you'll discern the flavours and texture of rice merging with the richness of the masala. Its different. Try.

Exit T20

So we have been kicked out by England. This should have brought my world crashing down a few years back (umm, maybe quite a few years back!) and I would have been fuming at the incompetence of Dhoni, the lethargy of Ishant, the arrogance of Yuvi, the block-headedness of Yusuf, and so on. Instead I found myself applauding Broad for his resilience, the English spectators for their goodnatured mirth....even Pietersen for his focus. True, it is disappointing to go out in this fashion, but somewhere one also realised that the team was not the best in the tournament, it was not working as well as it did the last time; somewhere one can see that Team India was underdone. And it is all right! The team is human, after all. In Mahi we have a potential great; let us give him the time and space to carve out a splendid team that does not get blown away by het or wet, rain or snow.

For me the best sight was the Windies winning and showing the joy that only they can show on the cricket field. I for one would be glad to see this Windies team claim its rightful place in world cricket. For too long have they been mismanaged. Those of us who have seen Lloyd's and Viv's and even Richie Richardson's team, they will know what the succeeding generations of fans have missed - the grace shown by a generation of unconquered champions in victory and defeat, in the field and off it.