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Urulaikizhangu roast (Tamil potato roast)
Urulaikizhangu roast (உருளைக்கிழங்கு ரோஸ்ட்): crusty pan-roasted potatoes with sambar powder and curry leaves
In Tamil lunch boxes, curd rice almost always comes with this: small cubes of boiled potato roasted slowly in a cast-iron pan with sambar powder, chilli and curry leaves until they are dark, crusty and chewy at the edges. It is a dry side, so it does not leak into the rice, and it tastes as good cold as hot. The mistake is stirring all the time; the potatoes need to sit undisturbed against the hot pan for a few minutes at a time to build the crust. Chef's tip: a teaspoon of rice flour scattered over in the last few minutes makes the coating even crisper.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 3
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb waxy potatoesboiled until just tender, peeled, cut into 2 cm cubes
- 3 tbsp sesame oil (gingelly)
- ½ tsp black mustard seeds
- 1 tsp urad dal
- 12 curry leaves
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp sambar powdercheck it is gluten free (some contain asafoetida cut with wheat)
- ½ tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 tsp rice flour
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 3 tbsp sesame oil (gingelly) in a wide cast-iron or heavy pan over a medium heat. Add ½ tsp black mustard seeds and let it crackle, then add 1 tsp urad dal and 12 curry leaves and fry until the dal is golden.
1 minStep 2: Add 1 ⅛ lb waxy potatoes and spread them in a single layer. Sprinkle over ¼ tsp ground turmeric, 2 tsp sambar powder, ½ tsp Kashmiri chilli powder and ¾ tsp salt and toss gently to coat.
1 minStep 3: Turn the heat to medium-low and leave the potatoes undisturbed for 4 minutes, then turn them with a flat spatula. Repeat 3–4 times, for about 18 minutes in all, until crusty and dark golden on several sides.
18 minStep 4: Scatter 1 tsp rice flour over for the last 3 minutes and toss once so it crisps onto the potatoes.
3 minStep 5: Cool before packing beside curd rice. Pack curd rice with an ice pack.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 230 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 32 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does urulaikizhangu roast (Tamil potato roast) take?
- About 35 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 3 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of waxy potatoes?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
- What can I use instead of black mustard seeds?
- Cumin seeds, same amount (different flavour, same crackle).
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