This simple and easy potato and green pea curry is a classic Indian dish and very popular in many Indian homes.  On days when you want a mildly spiced Indian dish that will warm the body and the psyche, this is the one make. 

The curry is saucy and mildly spiced so if you want it can even be had as a warm bowl of stew.  The sauce is made up of fresh tomatoes that get cooked with onions and spices, then the potatoes and green peas are added and cooked together.  A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end adds some tang and then it’s topped with plenty of fresh cilantro. Usually served with chapatis or puris (fried whole wheat chapatis) this veggie curry makes for a deliciously comforting meal.

Pea Potato Curry
makes 4-6 servings
recipe contributed by Swati

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bag frozen peas – about 2 cups
• 4 medium Yukon potatoes cut into small chunks – about 4 cups
• 2 large tomatoes cut into small pieces
• 1 large onion finely cut
• 1 inch piece of ginger grated
• 3-4 curry leaves (optional)
• Spices
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds (optional)
  • 2 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp asafetida powder
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder or paprika
• Salt
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro for garnish
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Oil

Directions:

• In a large pot heat 2 tbsp oil and toast mustard seeds until they pop.  Then add cumin seeds  and brown for a few seconds. Next add the asafetida, onions and ginger and sauté until onions are tender about 2 minutes.
• Add cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and chili powder. Mix spices into the onions. Add the chopped tomatoes and and cook for 2 minutes until tomatoes are tender.
• Next add potatoes, frozen peas, 3 cups water, and salt to taste. Stir together then over the pot and cook vegetables for 10-15 minutes until potatoes are tender.

• Once the potatoes are cooked turn the stove off. Add juice of 1 lemon and garnish with fresh cilantro.  Potato Pea Curry is ready.

• Serve potato pea curry with naan, chapati, puris or tortillas.

Cook’s Notes: To make some quick puris purchase tortillas at the grocery store and deep fry them in oil until they puff up. Drain any excess oil and serve with potato pea curry.