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Bihari aloo bhujia
आलू भुजिया: thin potato sticks fried with panch phoron and green chilli
In Bihar, aloo bhujia is not the packaged snack but the everyday matchstick-potato fry that sits beside dal, bhaat and chokha on the lunch plate, cooked in mustard oil with panch phoron and a slit green chilli. Patna households make it most days of the week because it takes twenty minutes and pleases everyone. The common slip is crowding the pan and stirring too much, which turns the sticks to mash; give them room and toss gently. Chef's tip: soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes and dry them well; washing off surface starch keeps the sticks separate and lightly crisp.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the bhujia
- 1 ⅛ lb potatoescut into thin matchsticks
- 3 tbsp mustard oil
- 1 tsp panch phoron
- 2 green chilliesslit
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¾ tsp salt
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Soak 1 ⅛ lb potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes, drain and pat completely dry on a cloth.
10 minStep 2: Heat 3 tbsp mustard oil in a wide kadhai until it smokes lightly, then lower the heat. Add 1 tsp panch phoron and 1 dried red chilli and let them crackle for 20 seconds.
2 minStep 3: Add 2 green chillies, the potatoes, ½ tsp ground turmeric and ¾ tsp salt and toss gently to coat.
1 minStep 4: Cook uncovered over medium heat for 10–12 minutes, turning with a flat spatula every 2 minutes, until the sticks are tender, separate and golden at the edges. Serve with dal and rice.
12 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 190 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 25 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bihari aloo bhujia take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of potatoes?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
- What can I use instead of dried red chilli?
- ½ tsp chilli flakes per chilli.
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