Borboti Alur Torkari (Beans sautéed with spices and Potatoes)

Although the original recipe calls for asparagus beans or yard long beans, I have used French beans because well, I had them in my fridge and they were begging to be used. This stunningly fried torkari (side dish) tastes great with crispy hot Parathas but you can also enjoy it with rice/ roti and dal. There are different ways of preparing it. Some people add tomatoes and/ or garlic in it. I took the recipe from my mom and she said that this recipe tastes good as it is. Well, I prepared it as an experiment and it turned out very good. 

In other news, I am now at week 39 of my pregnancy which means that in one week I will have a tiny bundle of joy in my arms. With everything that is going on in the world with the Covid 19 situation, it is a bummer that no one from our family will be able to come and visit us. Even our friends who live only a street away wont be visiting us because a new-born does not have the same level of immunity as we have. Hence it is best to keep the baby isolated as much as we can. But thanks to social media, I will be sharing pictures and videos (whenever I can) so that everyone is updated on baby news. I am indeed thankful to our friends who have been buying gifts from the baby registry and who often do our shopping for us. I know I don’t usually thank them upfront on Instagram/ Facebook like many people do but I am truly grateful for everything people have been doing for us. Please continue to keep us in your good wishes and thoughts. 

Today I called and confirmed from the pediatrician that we need to wash all the baby clothes before baby Prisha can wear them. So, I spent the morning unwrapping all the baby clothes, towels and swaddles. You will not believe how small everything is! Just tiny! I couldn’t fit more than two fingers in her socks and mittens. And everything is so cute and pink and smells like babies. Even the washing liquid has that distinct baby smell. It just fills my heart with so much love and gratitude that we have something to look forward to in this time of social distancing. 

Now that you are all caught up on my pregnancy status, let’s discuss the delicious recipe without further delay. Please try this dish and then post your photos and comments using my hashtag #lifewithoutalu

Ingredients:

• Potatoes – 1 big, russet, peeled, washed and cut into small cubes
• Green/ French Beans – 24 Oz bag, washed and trimmed, cut into small pieces
• Mustard Oil – 2 tablespoons
• Asafoetida – ¼ teaspoon
• Cumin Seeds - 1 teaspoon 
• Coriander Powder - 1 teaspoon
• Red Chili Powder - ½ teaspoon 
• Turmeric Powder - ½ teaspoon 
• Salt - ½ teaspoon 
• Sabji Masala – 1 teaspoon
• Garam Masala – ¼ teaspoon
• Ghee – 1 tablespoon

Directions:

• Heat a wok on medium- high heat.
• Add the Oil in it. 
• Pat dry the Potatoes.
• When the oil begins to smoke, reduce the heat to medium low so that it cools off a bit. This is done to remove the pungent taste and smell of the Mustard Oil.
• Increase the heat to medium and add the Asafoetida and Cumin Seeds.
• When the Cumin seeds start sputtering, add the Potatoes and Beans. 
• Fry till the Potatoes are golden red in color.
• Reduce the heat to medium low and start adding the spices (Coriander Powder, Red Chili Powder, Turmeric Powder, Salt, Sabji Masala and Garam Masala).
• Mix well and continue to fry for about 5-7 minutes, then sprinkle about 1-2 tablespoons of water in it.
• Cover and cook for about 10 minutes on low heat so that the Potatoes are well cooked. 
• Press a piece of Potato with the spatula and if it breaks the dish is ready. 
• Add the Ghee and mix well.
• Serve hot with Parathas/ Puri.

Love Indian dishes with potatoes? Try these as well:

• Alur Dom (Bengali recipe: Potatoes with gravy)
• Alu Borir Torkari (Potatoes with sun dried Lentil Dumplings)
• Alu Tamatar Sabji (Curried Potatoes with Tomatoes)
• Masala Alu (Stir fried Potatoes with Indian spices)
• Alu Chochori (Bengali recipe: Potatoes with Indian Spices)
• Alu Shimla Mirch Sabji (Potatoes with Bell Peppers Stir Fry)
• Niramish Alur Dom (Potato Gravy Without Onion and Garlic)
• Kalo Jeere diye Alur Torkari (Bengali recipe: Potatoes with Nigella Seeds)
• Alu Potol Kumror Dalna (Potato, Pointed Gourd and Pumpkin curry)
• Alu Kumro (Bengali Torkari - Potatoes with Pumpkin stir fry)
• Alu Bhindi (Bengali Torkari - Potatoes with Okra stir fry)
• Korola Alu (Stir fried Bitter Gourd with Potatoes)
• Alu Begun-er Chonka (Bengali recipe: Stir-fried Potatoes and Eggplant)
• Alu Posto (Bengali recipe: Potatoes with Poppy Seeds)
• Gajar Alu Matar (Curried Carrots and Potatoes with Peas)
• Alu Kopir Torkari (Potatoes with Cauliflower Stir Fry/ Curry)
• Kopi Alur Chochchori (Bengali recipe: Stir fried Cauliflower with Potatoes)
• Kopi Chechki (Stir-fried Cauliflower and vegetables)
• Chanar Dalna (Bengali recipe: Fresh Cheese and Potato Curry)
• Bandakopi Alur Torkari (Mamma’s Cabbage in curried Potatoes)
• Kathal ki Sabji (Enchor/Jackfruit in a Tomato Curry)
• Alu Soa Sabji (Potato stir-fried with Dill)