Bengali Aloo Dum Playful Cooking

In India, there are several different versions of baby potato curry, “aloo dum” or “dum aloo”. In Kolkata, it is a famous winter food, prepared with newly harvested baby potatoes. We love to pair it with luchi or koraishutir kochuri which is another winter favorite, and even with Bengali fried rice or pulao. Bengali Aloo Dum is easy to make and very comforting. The baby potatoes just melts in the mouth as it soaks up all that flavor while simmering in the gravy. Even kids love this dish.

Ingredients for Aloo Dum

Baby Potatoes - We prepare this dish using newly harvested baby potatoes. If you cannot find baby potatoes, you can definitely make with the big potatoes too. Green peas - We like to add green peas in Aloo Dum as it adds a mild sweetness to the dish. You can use either fresh peas or frozen. Onion, Garlic, and Ginger - The dish is sometimes prepared “niramish” which means pure vegetarian in which case onion and garlic is not added. In this particular version, I did add onion, garlic and ginger too. Tomatoes - Potato and Tomato goes hand in hand. If you cannot find good quality tomatoes during winter months, you can use canned tomatoes too. Spices - I use Bengali five spice (panch phoron), the usual mix of cumin coriander and chili powder along with turmeric. And I like to finish it with freshly grounded cinnamon stick, clove and green cardamoms. Green Chili - Most Bengali recipe calls for whole green chili which not only adds heat but also a very refreshing aroma. Mustard Oil - This dish is prepared in mustard oil, which gives a pungent flavor to the dish.

Is this different from North Indian Aloo Dum

Every region has their favorite potato curry. The difference often comes from the spices that are used in preparing the curry. Also, the Bengali Aloor Dum is prepared in mustard, which adds to the overall flavor of the dish.

Steps to prepare Bengali Aloo Dum

Heat mustard oil in a heavy bottom skillet and add panch phoron (Bengali five spice) along with bay leaves. Stir it around for a few seconds.
Add garlic, ginger and green chili paste and cook for a few more minutes.
Scatter the onion and let it softened for a while.
Then add the chopped tomato followed by the spice paste (cumin powder, coriander powder, chili powder, turmeric powder with water)
Cook the spices, onion and tomatoes until the oil releases from the side and everything softens down to a jam like texture.
Add the boiled potatoes and mix it around. Let it cook for a while in the spices.
Pour enough water to submerge the potatoes, cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes. The potatoes will soak up all the flavor and will turn very soft. Taste for salt and add more if needed.
Finally, add green peas, freshly grounded cinnamon stick, cardamom and clove. Aloo dum tastes best when serve freshly prepared and warm.