Bhandare wala Alu Tamatar

Alu Tamatar or Potatoes in a Tomatoe curry is the most ubiquitious dish in North America. Every household has their own recipe, however I am including this recipe for its simplicity. It is sans onion and garlic and is therefore made as a prasad ( holy food) in temples and gurudwaras. This is my sister in law Anu's recipe and she is one of the best cooks I know. Sometimes in order to variate the recipe, I add a spoonful of mango pickle masala, when the recipe is done. Adds a whole new dimension.

Ingredients

3 potatoes ( Microwave for 7 minutes if large potatoes and break into rough lumps)
6 tomatoes finely diced
1 pinch of asfoetida
2 tbspn oil
1 tspn red chilli powder
1 tspn coriander powder
1/2 tspn turmeric powder
1 tspn garam masala
1 tbspn dried fenugreek leaves

Instructions

1. Heat oil and asfoetida to flaor the oil. Add red chilli powder and saute for a few seconds before adding tomatoes. Be careful, you don't want to burn the chilli powder.
2. Saute tomatoes. Add coriander powder, turmeric and salt.
3. Add 1 cup of water, and cover and cook till tomatoes are done.
4. Add potatoes.
5. Add garam masala and kasoori methi. Cook for 3 more minutes.