A tried and true recipe for Koru Bateta nu Shaak (Gujarati-style dry potato curry). This is my mother's exact recipe and the only way we make it at home. She has a few fabulous tips for achieving intense flavours and the perfect dry bhaji-style texture every time. This shaak pairs perfectly with Masala Poori and dahi (plain yoghurt).
Prep Time25 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time40 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: cashews, curry, gujarati, potatoes
Servings: 4
Author: Sanjana
Ingredients
1kgany floury potatoes(I used Maris Piper)
3tbspghee
2tspwhole cumin seeds
12curry leaves
1/4tspasafoetida
20whole cashews
5cmpiece ginger, grated(about 1 tbsp)
2thin green chillies, finely chopped
2tbsptomato ketchup
1tbsptomato purée
1/4tspground turmeric
2tspsugar
1 1/2tspsalt
100mlwater
2tbspinstant mashed potato
1tspground black pepper
50gfresh coriander leaves, finely chopped
Instructions
To cook the potatoes:
It's always best to cook the potatoes whole, in their skins for this recipe. Wash the potatoes and prick them all over with a fork. Place on a microwave-safe plate and cook on high power for 8-10 minutes or until cooked all the way through. A knife should slide into the potatoes easily.
If you don't want to microwave the potatoes, you can steam them whole until tender. I don't recommend boiling the potatoes as they will absorb excess water which isn't ideal for a dry-style curry like this.
Allow the potatoes to cool slightly and then peel off the skins. Set aside to cool down completely.
Use clean hands to break the now cold potatoes up into large pieces. The edges should be rough and rugged all over. This will ensure the masala clings to the potatoes really well. Mash one potato up roughly using your hands. This will help everything stick together better.
For the masala:
Heat the ghee in a large pan. Add the cumin seeds and allow to sizzle for a few seconds. Next, add in the curry leaves, asafoetida and cashews. Sauté for a minute or two, just until the cashews turn a little golden.
Throw in the ginger, chillies, tomato ketchup and tomato puree. Cook over a medium heat, stirring all the time until the raw smell of the tomatoes cooks off, about 90 seconds.
Add the turmeric, salt and sugar. Stir well and then top up with water. Cook for a further 30 seconds.
Add the potatoes to the masala and stir to combine. Sprinkle over the instant mashed potato and stir well. This is an amazing addition to this style of curry as it helps to achieve the sukha aloo bhaji-style texture. Keep the potatoes over a medium heat and allow the base to turn slightly golden in colour. Mix well and repeat. The golden bits of potato add another layer of flavour.
Sprinkle over the black pepper and fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot with Masala Poori.
Video
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
This curry is not suitable for freezing as it will change the texture of the potatoes significantly.