Bengali style mashed aloo

BENGALI STYLE MASHED ALOO BENGALI ALOO BHORTA / ALUR BHORTA /ALOO CHOKHA  / ALOO MAKHA

BY KUSUM UMASHANKAR

Aloo bhorta is the easiest and tastiest thing to make with potato.

Aloo ka Bharta is a North Indian recipe made using potatoes and a lot of Indian spices. 

Aloo Bharta, Bhorta, Chokha, bhaate are various names of similar mashed potato dish from different regions in India (from Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar and other states). Mashed Potatoes are spiced and flavored depending on the the region, state, family, personal preference and served as side with dals and rice. 

These mashed potatoes are lightly spiced, generally flavored with mustard oil. They are generally not made creamy with milk or butter or served with gravy. They are just spiced mashed potatoes. Often they are served as a scoop or ball for portion control. 

INGREDIENTS

• 4 medium potatoes
• 2 tsp mustard oil
• 1/4 cup  finely chopped chopped onion
• 1 or 2 green chilli finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp  or more roasted ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp coriander leaves
• 1/4 tsp  more cayenne/red chili powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• salt to taste
• 1 to 2 Tbsp water

*Some also add hard boiled eggs in it .

PREPARATION

1. Pressure cook the potatoes. Peel and mash well until very smooth – there should be no lumps.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients one by one and mix in.
3. Add a Tbsp or so water if needed to smooth out the mixture.
4. Adjust taste – salt and spice.
5. Divide in to equal portions and roll into balls.
6. Enjoy with some steaming riceand dal.
7. Serve warm topped with butter or  oil and black pepper.

NOTE

You can add any indian spice to suit your taste like coriander pwdr / jeera pwdr / amchur/ chaat masala / red chilli pwdr / lemon juice / garlic etc etc etc .