Potato Stir Fry - Simple Aloo Fry

This is the very basic version of potato fry with minimum ingredients. No seasoning. No onions. Simple yet yummy. It goes very well as accompaniment with dal-rice or sambar-rice. This is one such simple dish which can never get boring to see on our dining table :-)

Ingredients:
Potatoes - 4
Oil - 1 tblspn
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Red Chili Powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp (optional)
Salt 


Procedure:

1. Peel off potatoes and cut into small cubes. Wash them a couple of times in cold water. This removes the extra starch and cooking gets quicker.
2. Take a wide non-stick pan and heat the oil.
3. Add the potato cubes to oil. Keep the flame medium to high for the first five minutes. Keep stirring lightly.
4. When the cubes are a little fried add turmeric and reduce the flame to medium-low. Keep stirring. DO NOT cover with lid. It becomes mushy if covered with lid.
5. When half-done (takes approx. 10 minutes) sprinkle salt. Stir.
6. When potato is completely cooked (fork goes smoothly through the piece), add red chili powder and garam masala. Stir lightly so that it spreads evenly. Turn off the heat after a couple of minutes.

Tips:

• Do not use spatula for stirring, that would mash the potatoes and fry gets mushy. Keep mixing by gently shaking the pan, holding it's handle.
• If you can go easy on oil, use 2 tablespoons of oil. Fry gets done quicker and tastier too.
• Cut potato cubes of uniform size, smaller the better.
• If you are in hurry to get it done quick, after adding salt cover the pan with lid for 2 or 3 minutes. Remove lid and mix evenly. Repeat this a few times.