Aloo Poshto

Poshto or Poppy-Seeds is a popular ingredient for several dishes in Bengal. Poshto is supposed to “induce euphoria and sleep” and it’s one of the yummiest things to be used in cooking.

Ingredients:

1.    Potato chopped in cubes ~ 3 medium sized potatoes, peeled and cubed

2.    Poppy seeds ~ 5-6 heaped tbsp of the Poppy seeds paste

3.    Green Chillies – 2-3

4.    Dry Red Chillies ~ 2 (optional)

5.    Whole Jeera (Cumin seeds) ~ 3/4th tsp loosely packed

6.    Salt

7.    Turmeric Powder

8.    Sugar ~ 1/2 tsp or none according to taste

9.    Oil ~ for Cooking

10. Mustard Oil ~ a dash i.e. about 1 tsp of mustard oil to sprinkle on the top

Method:

1.    Grind the posto/poppy seeds to a fine powder. The consistency of the paste should not be too watery.

2.    Cut the potato in cubes and soak in water, else they develop black spots.

3.    Chop or slit the green chillies.

4.    Heat oil in a Kadai/Pan. Mustard Oil is preferred.

5.    Add the whole Jeera/Cumin seeds and wait till they sputter. You can add 2-3 dry red chillies too.

6.    Add the potato cubes in the oil with a pinch of haldi/turmeric powder.

7.    Saute the potato lightly till they develop a golden tinge. Do not over or deep fry them.

8.    Add the posto/poppy seeds paste

9.    Cook on medium heat till the paste has uniformly coated the potatoes

10. Add little water (around 3/4 cup), adequate salt, and the chopped green chillies.

11. You can sprinkle very little sugar if you want.

12. Cover and cook till the potatoes are done.

13. At this point you can add about 1 tsp of mustard oil and stir well before you remove from heat. Take care that the potatoes don't get mashed up though.

Serve with rice and dal.