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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Alu Ki Tikki (Potato Patties) - Kalakho and Camel Caravans



Alu Ki Tikki.















From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...There are two Indias. One is modern and vibrant, the other is mired in poverty and tradition. My first real exposure to the dichotomy came while visiting a farm village outside the town of Kalakho in the state of Rajasthan. The villagers invited us into their homes and the men entertained us with local music and dancing. While much of what we saw was well orchestrated showmanship, the journey to and from local villages gave some insight into what was really happening in these remote areas of the country. We traveled in camel caravans and the slow pace made close observation possible. Despite best efforts by the government, much work still needs to be done. Women here are little more than chattels and a headcount while at a local school confirmed an unintended male bias. Old ways die very hard, yet these people do not seem to be unhappy. Television, with its exposure to undreamed of freedom and material goods, has not reached their villages and they remain a serene and patient people, seemingly lost in another century. I don't know how much longer that can last.

In the midst of all that, we were housed in a lovely resort that overlooked a monsoon lake. Our meals were regular and delicious and I brought several recipes home with me. These potato patties were part of our breakfast buffet each morning. They are a simple mix of seasoned potatoes, combined with peas and spices, that is held together with chickpea or all-purpose flour. Despite their appearance they really are delicious. Here's the recipe.


Alu Ki Tikki...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1 pound potatoes, peeled and cut in 1-inch cubes
2 teaspoons salt
1 bay leaf
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 red onion, finely diced
1 (1-inch) piece ginger, peeled and finely diced
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 tablespoons chickpea (besan) flour (all-purpose flour can be substituted)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
3 tablespoons vegetable oil or a mixture of vegetable oil and ghee

Directions:
1) Cover potatoes with cold water, add salt and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Then turn heat down to a simmer and let cook until soft enough to mash, about 15 minutes or so. Drain potatoes and return to pot.
2) Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a saute pan. Add onions, ginger and pepper flakes. Saute until soft. Add salt, cumin, coriander, turmeric and cook for a few seconds longer.
3) Mash potatoes. Gently fold in peas, onion-spice mixture, chickpea flour and lemon juice.
4) Using a 1/4 cup measures, form into patties.
5) Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet. When hot, add patties and cook until a deep golden brown, turn and continue cooking until reverse side is golden. Remove and drain on several layers of paper toweling. Serve warm or at room temperature with tomato or mint chutney. Yield: 12 to 14 patties.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Aloo Palak - eCurry
Spicy and Seedy Indian Potatoes - Herbivoracious
Chickpea Potato Curry - Simply Recipes
East Indian Potato Chops - Foodista

49 comments:

  1. Wonderful pictures! Again, all the vibrant color amid such poverty. I adore potato patties, and often make them the lazy way, out of leftover mashed potaotes, dipped in flour and egg. I actually think this picture looks very good, I am a carb addict!

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  2. I have been on a camel, how is it like?? I would probably get sea sick!!

    Great reportage and photos Mary, yes, much to be done, mostly on the education front... in regard to TV... maybe that could wait, there are other priorities :-)

    Thank you for sharing the recipe, it looks great.

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  3. This looks amazing! Fabulous photos as always! Glad you had having fun in India!

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  4. great photos!!honestly I would love to travel this kind of places like India. Want to know the culture and of course terrific food treat. I think you have fun and I am glad. Thanks for sharing

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  5. I'd love to read more about your travels to India... I've always wanted to go. I love your photographs; they're very honest.

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  6. As always beautiful pics and yummie recipe... maybe I have all the ingredients.... have a nice day..ciao Flavia

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  7. Hy!!! thanks for your compliments in my blog!!! and thnaks for your wishes! ^___^
    Elisa

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  8. Hey Mary,

    I just followed you...Lovely aloo tikki...:)

    Dr.Sameena@

    http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

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  9. Tempting patties, ur clicks tempting me to fly to India..beautiful clicks Mary..

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  10. Delicious, scrunchy patties and wonderful pictures.
    You're perfectly right, a lot is still to be done, and yet there is still hope...

    Thanks for the recipe!

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  11. Thanks very much for sharing with us your trip and that delicious-looking potato patties. The camels looks beautiful with the humps.

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  12. Heard about the two Indias. It must be heartbreaking seeing the poverty side of India. We just have to keep on praying that at least they will stay healthy and away from hunger.
    The potato patties looks delicious. I love potatoes and spicy Indian food is one of my favourites. Thank you for sharing the potatoes and also your photographs along with the interesting stories behind them.

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  13. Sounds FAAAABULOUS! And thanx so much for dropping by my blog - your visits and messages always give me such a lift!

    Happy travels!!

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  14. I love the recipe name, sounds so good.
    Wonderful photos ♥

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  15. It's amazing to me to even imagine a place without television. Almost like the land that time forgot. For better or worse. Thanks for sharing this with us. Those alu tikki look so tasty.

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  16. These litte potatoes patties looks good to me... Your pictures are so beautiful!

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  17. Sometimes it's hard to imagine a place that has not been touched by television and iPods and computers, since we are so inundated with it in our own lives.
    Thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences and of course all the yummy regional foods. The potato patties look wonderful!

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  18. I've been on a camel in Egypt and it was such a funny moment. It sounds to us so strange not to have access to utilities we enjoy. Nevertheless, i don't know if this makes them less happy than we are. Your patties look very crunchy and perfectly shaped.

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  19. Those patties are really delicious! I like them. Great looking photos as well. Eye opener indeed.

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  20. I have a few questions that Ginny failed to ask = ).
    Is the little cart for those who did not want to ride a camel? Do I spy you in one of the photographs? Is that a true "pond" that the camel is standing beside or a mirage? The alu ki tikki looks delicious. I think that Indian cuisine is at it's best with vegetables.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  21. Beautiful photos, Mary. Your captions are also so interesting. As well, this recipe looks like something I would very much enjoy. Thank you.

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  22. Another lovely post, Mary. I'm really enjoying your photos and commentary about your time in India. The potato patties look fantastic, they're one of my favorites!

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  23. I love all things Indian, and love love love your photos. Beautiful.

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  24. My mom used to make potato patties with left over mashed potatoes, these sound wonderful

    Sad there is such poverty in the world, some have so little and some so much and yet often those with little seem the happiest.

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  25. The color on the patties is amazing. And I'm totally loving all your pictures of India!

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  26. I'm enjoying photos and stories of you trip so very much, Mary. I have to chuckle at the thought of riding in a camel caravan.

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  28. What awonderful experience you had; hope you are getting your body backk to normal; I know when I come back from a trip, I need a few days to re-balance.thank you for sharing.

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  29. oh my! What rich photos.
    I just stopped in as I am sure that you've got pumpkin recipes somewhere and look, camels in India! fascinating.

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  30. I just love how you are sharing your wonderful photos and these authentic Indian recipes!

    These potato cakes are lovely :)

    Thanks Mary

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  31. These potato patties look fingerlicking! And thanks, Mary, for sharing your culinary and travel experiences.

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  32. Mary you are posting some classic North Indian recipes and in a very authentic way. My husband hails from Rajasthan, although he grew up in a different state. We are yet to see most of the state in its palatial elegance and poverty as you have said. so true. With 2 little kids we do not get a long enough holiday to explore. You seem to have done so much more than us.

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  33. Fantastic photos and commentary on India. And the potato cakes look scrumptious! Thanks for sharing!

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  34. All of your photos are beautiful, and the food looks truly amazing -- can't wait to see more!

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  35. The photos are beautiful and the aloo tikki looks too tempting.

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  36. Hi Mary, I haven't been by in awhile but I'm glad I checked back in with you. You post such creative recipes here! The photos of India are beautiful and some interesting information to go with them. Hope you're having a nice week, Patty

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  37. What a fascinating trip you've had, Mary. One of my favorite books is A PASSAGE TO INDIA, and I just can't imagine being able to be there. They are truly the most polite nation of people I think I've ever seen, or at least all of the Indians I have encountered in the States and online are.

    Thanks for sharing part of their culture with us and for sharing this recipe in particular.

    Hope you are doing well...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  38. I was told by a cousin who visited India a few years ago the same thing you are saying, basically that despite their poverty people are accepting of their lot in life and have serenity. Wow!
    I am sure these potato patties are delicious, love spices and potatoes. Will try it soon.

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  39. Wonderful post, Mary and the recipe sounds and looks wonderful!

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  40. I just love potatos in the morning and those sound like they have a great spice!
    I am very much enjoying all of your pictures but it is REALLY making me want to travel!

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  41. elpi, I wanted to welcome you here. I can't post on your blog, but didn't want you to think I was ignoring you. I hope you return to read this comment. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  42. Thats really like i am doing India trip with you Mary through your post. I like that village life, calm serene tension and pollution free, and natural food too.
    http://www.subhiksa.blogspot.com/

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  43. I think these do look delicious actually. Great photos too.

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  44. These pictures tells the story of Rajasthan from where my mom is. I am missing home already!

    Thank you for sharing the essence of India.

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  45. The photos are very amazing and fabulous!!!

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