-
Boil the potatoes or cook them in a pressure cooker, but be sure not to overcook. You want an overall boiled potato without it being mushy.
-
Peel the skin off the potatoes, and pierce the potatoes all over with a tooth pick or a thin skewer. You have to sort of pierce them through and through. This is an important step. So take your time.
-
Heat oil in a Kadahi or pan.
-
Deep fry the potatoes on medium heat until they get a reddish brown tinge and are crisp and light. The potatoes should feel lighter than when they were when boiled. If they are not light, the spices and oil won't steep in.
-
Remove from heat and place them in a bowl.
-
Now keep all spices, water and yogurt lined up and ready to go.
-
Take a separate pot, heat some oil on medium heat. (4 Tbs should be good to get a good taste going, but you should use more (if you can ) to get the real taste.
-
Add in cumin, then the cloves and sauté for just a few seconds. Add in the bay leaf, asafoetida, cinnamon, green cardamom, brown cardamom.
-
Add a Tbs or two of water to the chili powder, mix well and then add to the oil. This reduces the risk of the chili getting burnt. If you are comfortable, you can add in the chili and immediately add some water too. Either way, you need to ensure the chili powder doesn't burn or smoke.
-
Now add the yogurt and Keep stirring the yogurt until it comes to a boil and homogenizes with the rest of the spice, And oil floats on top.
-
Now add salt and all other spices to this mixture. Stir.
-
Add about 2 1/2 cups of water. And bring to a rolling boil.
-
Add in the fried potatoes.
-
The potatoes should be just about submerged in water.
-
Cook for fifteen minutes on medium heat; covered.
-
Add the garam masala, sugar and cover and cook for another 4-5 min until the gravy thickens.
-
Serve piping hot with White Rice , Dal and a Salad.