Rai wale Aloo is close to my heart. Growing up, this was our family favorite lunch dish. So many memories attached to it while eating these delicious potatoes.
What is Rai Wale Aloo?
My mother made Rai Wale Aloo aka masala potatoes other week because we loved munching on these perfectly spiced potatoes tempered in mustard seeds and served with with warm Roti(flat Indian bread) and Bhungra(Indian fryums) also known as Fur-Fur.
Rai wale Aloo(Masala potatoes) is one of the very famous street foods in South Gujarat, India. Vendors with their small carts wander around the streets of Bharuch selling these delicious potatoes. The bite-size potatoes are tempered in mustard seeds and sautéed in flavorful Indian spices. Vendors serve these "Rai wale Aloo" with Chili-Garlic Chutney and Indian tube fryums.
Masala Potatoes with Fryums
Fryums are like Papadum, crunchy, crispy, and perfectly shaped into a tube. The tube-like shape of fryums is perfect to poke and carry bite-size potatoes and manage to get Chili-Garlic Chutney. The crunch of fryum with mustard seed tempered potatoes and chili-garlic sauce is an explosion of flavors in the mouth. My mother served masala potatoes with Roti(Indian flatbread) without chili-garlic chutney.
What is Bhungra-Fryum?
There are many different varieties of Bhungra(fryum) you can purchase from Indian grocery stores. The majority of Bhungra is made from Wheat flour. However, some are Gluten-Free and Vegan diet friendly. The Gluten-Free kinds are usually made of potato and tapioca starch. There is also an option to purchase Papadum for a Gluten-free option if you end up not finding the fryums. Veggie Straws are also a great gluten-free option.
Kashmiri Chili Powder
Kashmiri red chili powder is made from dried Kashmiri chilies. Origins of Kashmir, India, the Kashmiri chilies are red and wrinkly when dried and they produce a bright red chili powder with moderate heat. Kashmiri chili powder has a smoky flavor to it.
Substitute for Kashmiri Chili Powder
I have tried cooking my Masala Potatoes-Rai wale Aloo recipe thousands of times throughout my life and it never seems to disappoint me. My husband and his family aren't Indian so I tend to experiment a lot with different substitutions for red chili powder. Years ago when we lived with my in-laws I used to try different substitutes for hot Indian spices lol.
I have tried different Paprika to substitute for red chili powder and I find Hungarian Smoked or Sweet Paprika to be the best substitute for Kashmiri chili powder for a non-spicy version. So, If you find that chili powder isn't for you then try using red Smoked or Sweet paprika. It works wonders as well. Although, I prefer Kashmiri chili powder over any other substitution for an authentic taste.
I have always said, there is something magical about a mother's food. I hope you experienced that in your life. If you haven't had that opportunity to do so, then start with my mother's recipe to feel the warmth and love that comes from mother's food.
More Indian Recipes with Potatoes
Masala Potatoes-Rai Wale Aloo
Ingredients
- 2 pound Baby Potatoes
- 3 tablespoon Cooking Oil
- 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
- 1 ½ teaspoon Ginger-Garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri Chili powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon Chopped Cilantro
- ½ Lemon
- Water to boil potatoes
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash and clean potatoes under running water. Boil the potatoes with enough water to cover them and a pinch of salt in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker for 6-8 minutes on low pressure.
- Release the steam and transfer the potatoes into a large bowl with cold water. Let the potatoes rest in cold water for about 10 minutes for easy peeling. Peel the skin off of the potatoes and set them aside.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or a wok on medium heat. Add mustard seeds to the hot oil. Once the mustard seeds start to pop, bring the heat down to low.
- Now add ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, salt, and cumin-coriander powder. Stir continually and cook for few seconds then add Kashmiri chili powder.
- Quickly add boiled potatoes and toss them gently to coat the spices. Turn off the heat and garnish it with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Serve it hot with Roti or Indian fryums.
Anonymous says
What a wonderful treat