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Kerau ko tarkari
केराउको तरकारी (kerau ko tarkari): Nepali green peas and potatoes with tomato, cumin and timur
Kerau ko tarkari turns up on Nepali tables in winter, when fresh peas are cheap in Kathmandu's Asan market, and it is a favourite in children's tiffin boxes with beaten rice or roti. Potatoes and peas are simmered with cumin, tomato and a little timur pepper until the potatoes start to break and thicken a soft, golden gravy. It is mild enough for children and goes with rice, roti or sel roti. The usual mistake is adding the peas with the potatoes: fresh peas go grey and mushy, so add them once the potatoes are half cooked. Chef's tip: crush a few potato pieces with the back of the spoon at the end; it gives the gravy body without cream.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp mustard oil or sunflower oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 onionchopped
- 2 cloves garlicchopped
- 1 tsp fresh gingergrated
- 14 oz potatoespeeled, 2 cm cubes
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp timur (Nepali Sichuan pepper)crushed
- ¾ tsp salt
- 2 tomatoeschopped
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander (optional)chopped
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 2 tbsp mustard oil or sunflower oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and let it sizzle for 15 seconds, then fry 1 onion for 5 minutes until soft and light gold.
5 minStep 2: Add 2 cloves garlic and 1 tsp fresh ginger for 30 seconds, then the 14 oz potatoes, ½ tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground cumin, ¼ tsp timur (Nepali Sichuan pepper) and ¾ tsp salt. Stir-fry for 3 minutes so the spices coat the potatoes.
3 minStep 3: Add 2 tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes until they soften, then pour in 1 cup water. Cover and simmer for 8 minutes until the potatoes are half cooked.
10 minStep 4: Add the 9 oz green peas (fresh or frozen), cover again and simmer for 5–6 minutes, until a potato cube breaks easily with a spoon and the peas are bright green and tender.
6 minStep 5: Lightly crush a few potato pieces to thicken the gravy. Taste for salt, scatter over 2 tbsp fresh coriander and serve.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 190 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 28 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kerau ko tarkari take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 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 cumin seeds?
- Ground cumin, three quarters of the amount (add it with the other ground spices, not to hot oil first).
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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