Aloo Matar

(Potatoes and Peas)

Ingredients:

4 tsps cooking oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cinnamon sticks, 5 cm/2 inches long, broken up
1.25cm/1/2 inch piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and chopped
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
2 tsps ground cumin
1/4 tsp chilli powder
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1lb potatoes
1-2 fresh green chillies
1 tsp tomato puree
1 tsp salt
225ml/8fl oz warm water
120g/4oz frozen peas
1 tsp freshly chopped coriander leaves(optional)

Method of preparation:
Heat the oil over a medium heat and fry the onion, cinnamon and ginger for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat the low and add the turmeric, cumin, chilli powder and black pepper. Stir and fry for 1 minute, then add the potatoes and green chillies, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spices are thoroughly blended. Stir in the tomato puree and salt, then add the water. Bring to the boil, cover the pan and cook over a medium to low heat for 10 minutes, until the potatoes are half cooked. Add the peas, cover the pan and cook until the potatoes are tender. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in half the coriander leaves and scatter the remainder on top.