Easy jeera aloo (Instant pot and stovetop method)

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This is an easy way of making Jeera aloo I do. This can be had with simple rasam rice or curd rice. This is an accompaniment kid will love to have.

Jeera Aloo

Do you have a question ‘What is Jeera Aloo’? It’s nothing fancy, just our own potatoes sauteed with cumin seeds and a few basic spice powders. You can enhance the taste by throwing a dash of dry mango powder or squeezing some fresh lemon over it. 

How to make Jeera Aloo

There are two methods of making Jeera aloo. The main difference, we use boiled potatoes in one and raw chopped in another. If you want to save time, you can boil the potato prior to making Jeera aloo. 

Method 1

Heat a wide pan. Add oil and then cumin seeds. When it splutters, add the spice powders and a tsp of water. Then add cubed potatoes. Cook it in medium flame until the potatoes are cooked. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with Rasam rice or curd rice.

Variations to try

• You can add Kasuri methi or dry fenugreek leaves at the end.
• For more tartness, add dry mango powder or amchur powder or squeeze a dash of lemon over the cooked potatoes at the end.
• You can also add finely chopped onions while sauteing. If adding onions, add it after adding cumin seeds.

Jeera aloo in Instant pot

Method 2

Making it in an Instant Pot is cooking the potatoes before making Jeera aloo. You can cook the potatoes whole and then cube them or you can cube the potatoes and cook (I prefer this). Pour a cup of water into the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Switch on. Place the steamer rack and add the cubed or whole potatoes. Set the manual button and then adjust the cook time to 6 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally once it is cooked. Then follow the above steps to make Jeera aloo. In this method, after adding the potatoes, you need not cook for a long time. Just until the masalas are coated well.

A short video to make jeera aloo

Ingredients used

Potato ( Obviously, lol)

Cumin seeds

Turmeric powder

Cumin powder

Sambar Powder (If you don’t have sambar powder, then add 1 tsp of red chili powder and 1 ½ tsp of coriander powder)

Asafoetida

Salt

More vegetarian side dishes for you

Aloo Kangmet

Potato podimas

Bitter gourd stir fry

Carrot beans Stir fry

Brinjal fry

Vazhakai Fry ( Raw Banana Fry)

Stepwise recipe to make cumin-roasted potato

Ingredients

1 Cup = 240ml 1 Tbsp = 15g 1 Tsp = 5g

Potatoes – 2

Jeera/ Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Turmeric powder – 1/2 Tsp

Sambar powder – 2 tsp (see notes)

Cumin powder – 1/2 Tsp

Asafoetida – a generous pinch

Salt – as required

Cilantro – few

Coconut oil – 2 Tsp ( use any vegetable of your choice)

Method

Stove Top Method

• Cut potatoes into small cubes.
• Heat the pan, add oil and crackle jeera.
• Add turmeric powder, sambar powder, asafoetida, and a tsp of water.
• Then add cubed potatoes and mix them.
• Cover it and cook on medium flame.
• No need to add water.
• When potatoes are half done add salt.
• Sprinkle water only if necessary.
• Add chopped cilantro. Let the flavor blend.
• Switch off.

Instant pot Method

• Switch on Instant Pot. Pour a cup of water into the inner pot.
• Place the steamer rack and add the cubed or whole potatoes. 
• Set the manual button and then adjust the cook time to 6 minutes. 
• Let the pressure release naturally once it is cooked. 
• Then follow the above steps ( method 1) to make Jeera aloo. 
• In this method, after adding the potatoes, you need not cook for a long time. Just until the masalas are coated well.
• Serve with Rice or Roti.

Notes

1. Adjust the sambar powder as per your spice level. If you don’t have sambar powder, add a tsp of red chili powder and 1 ½ Tsp of coriander powder.
2. You can also add chopped green chili while making aloo jeera.

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This post was originally posted on July 15, 2016. It has been updated with content, photos, and video.