BATATA USLI

BATATA USLI

Batata Usli gets its name from Batata which means Potatoes in Konkani, my mother tongue. Usli is a form of side dish which can be served with puris or rotis or with rice. Elsewhere in this blog, you will find recipes for other Konkani dishes using potatoes such as Batata Losne Saung, Batata Vaag, and Potato & Drumsticks Upkari.

This dish is adapted from a recipe shared by my friend Shamala Bhat in a cooking group in which we are members.

Ingredients:

• Batato ( Potatoes), medium-sized, 3-4
• Fresh Coconut Gratings, 1/4 cup
• Green Chillies, 4
• Ginger, 1/2 " piece
• Hing, ( Asafoetida), a pinch
• Coriander Leaves, a few sprigs
• Turmeric Powder, 1/4 tsp
• Cumin Seeds, 1/2 tsp + 1/2 tsp for tempering
• Mustard Seeds, 1 tsp
• Jeera ( Cumin Seeds) 1/2 tsp
• Urad Dal ( Black Gram Dal) , 1 tsp
• Curry Leaves, a sprig
• Lemon Juice, from 1/2 a lime
• Salt, to taste
• Oil, 1 tbsp

Method: 

Wash and pressure cook the potatoes in adequate water for 2-3 whistles or till they are cooked

After the cooker cools, remove the potatoes, peel the skin and mash the potatoes. Keep aside

In a small mixer jar, grind together the fresh coconut gratings, green chillies, ginger, hing, cumin seeds and coriander leaves to a coarse paste without adding any water

Heat oil in a kadhai and when it gets hot add mustard seeds and when they splutter add the cumin seeds and when they sizzle add the urad dal and fry till the dal turns golden

Add the curry leaves and fry for a few seconds

Now, add the mashed potatoes, salt and turmeric powder 

To this add the ground masala and mix well and cook for a while till the potatoes get well mixed with the masala

Finally, add the lime juice and mix well

Serve the batata usli with puris, rotis or as a side dish with the main meal