Aloo Ka Bhurta

I thought of all my friends who love international food but face a holiday keen on typical American fare: brats, burgers and hotdogs (I can literally hear arteries clogging up like the pre-long-weekend-traffic on friday afternoon...) I occasionally enjoy a mustard/mayo potato salad, but maybe you're like me:tired of the same blase side dishes. Over the next few days, I'll share two favorites. Today Indian. Tomorrow, Russian Potato Salad. This one is on the zippy side. On a scale of one to ten, this is a solid six. If you like zippy make it as is. If you prefer less heat, leave out the red chilis, or use a 1/4 tsp. of red pepper flakes.

Aloo Ka Bhurta -- Indian Potato Salad
3/4 # potatoes -- 1/4 tsp. turmeric
2 Tb oil -- 1/3 chopped tomatoes
1/2 Cup chopped onion -- 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin -- 3 Tbsp Chopped Cilantro
2-3 dried chilis broken -- 1 green chili chopped

Boil potatoes, cool and break into lumpy mash with hands. In skillet add oil, saute onion, cumin seed and dried chili till brown.

Add potatoes to skillet, sprinkle in turmeric, tomatoes, green chili and salt.
Blend in 3/4 C. of water and cook till bubbling. Remove from heat and cool.

Stir in half of cilantro and garnish with other half. Chill till needed.
Is also good warm, and room temperature.