While on vacation in August 2018 we covered over 22,000 airmiles through South Asia. Visited some places we had previously seen and visiting some new countries. Being on vacation with family is my most favorite thing to do and I include on our trips lots of new TRAVEL FOOD to taste. To write about. To recreate in my home kitchen. Makes a trip continue to go on long after you’ve unpacked and paid the credit card bills you racked up. This post is going to take you to Nepal, that remote country between India and China and the home to the Himalayas. I’m no trekker, hiker, or Mt.Everest climber. Sorry. My adventure sometimes borders “on the edge” but generally I stay within my comfort zone. Smarter. This way I can safely get back home again and blog for you!! LOL. So, Nepal. So remote. So rough. So beautiful. We stayed in 2 places, first in NAGARKOT which is up on a ridge, about 7200 ft. and commands views of the Kathmandu Valley which rise up to the majestic Himalayas. Our time of year is not optimal as it’s the rainy season but with kids in school we have to “vacation” in the Summer months when school is out. August is rainy, it’s Monsoon season. And who knew even though the travel sites and literature told us, that it would be so oppressively hot and humid??? Reasons why you travel. To find out things for yourself. We stayed at the CLUB HIMALAYA because they command an amazing view of the Himalayas when it’s clear. August? Not so clear. The clouds hang low, the fog is thick. But on day 2 the clouds briefly lifted the moisture curtain and blue skies broke through. The low clouds moved up just enough for us to get a pretty clear view of the entire range including Mt. Everest. SUCCESS. The waiters at the hotel informed us it was the first decent view in almost a month. A rare occurance. Within 1/2 hour the cloud and fog again shielded the range from our view. But we saw it. We really saw it. And will never forget it. That same day we were served these delicious potatoes. A little about my limited knowledge of Nepalese food. We found that there are dishes that are from Nepal but there seem to be more that are borrowed from India, especially Northern India’s cuisines. Exciting!!! This dish is a potato and CUMIN SEED dish. I love whole cumin seed. I toast it and grind it or use it whole in various treats from my kitchen But here my eyes were opened to how delicious they are with plain ol’potatoes. It is said that the unskilled bachelor in the kitchen finds this a common and easy dish to make. So there’s some legend and lore here too. Nice. Food with color and flavor. Travel helps to open one’s mind in so many ways and bringing new dishes home keeps that vacation feeling alive. Let’s go to Nepal now and make some ALOO JEERA, ok, maybe we don’t have to travel that far. Let’s go into our kitchens and make this tasty dish!!
1 lb PEELED, CUBED AND BOILED POTATOES
2 TBS. CUMIN SEEDS
2 SMALL GREEN CHOPPED CHILI (REMOVE SEEDS AND RIBS IF YOU WANT LESS HEAT)
1 TSP. CHOPPED GINGER
2 TBS. OIL
1/4 TSP. POWDERED TURMERIC
1 TSP. RED CHILE POWDER
2 TSP. CHOPPED CILANTRO
SALT (now here’s a great dish to use some ground Pink Himalayan salt in !!)
To start, heat the oil in a heavy wide pan. Add the cumin seeds and when they start to give off a wonderful aroma (oh it’s fantastic) then add the green chiles and the ginger, and 1/2 the cilantro. Fry this together for about 1 minutes then add the potatoes, season with the turmeric, red chile powder, and salt. Mix well. Place on high heat and get a nice color on the potatoes and cover. Reduce to low and cook this for 5 minutes. Stir a few times while this is cooking. Your Aloo Jeera should be done now. Transfer to a serving bowl or platter and garnish with the rest of the Cilantro. The dish can be served with Roti, or Paratha, types of Indian breads. A grilled flat Greek Pita or Flour tortilla can sub for the Indian breads if needed. In India and Nepal this is a Vegetarian dish. I’m not vegetarian and enjoy it with a few fried eggs and the breads. Easy and delicious. Thinking of the smiling faces of Nepal and the rough and beautiful landscape. Cooking globally gives you these experiences in your own home. HAPPY COOKING!! Namaste!
A FOOD OBSESSION 