Dum Aloo – Baby Potatoes Cooked in Spicy Onion-Tomato Masala (Dhum Style)

Dum aloo is a rich and flavourful Indian curry where baby potatoes are cooked in a spicy onion-tomato masala and then slow-cooked using the traditional dhum method. This aromatic gravy pairs beautifully with naan, roti, jeera rice or pulao.

Ingredients

For the Potatoes

• 10–12 baby potatoes, peeled
• Oil for deep frying or baking

Onion Paste

• 1 onion
• Few mint leaves
• 1 green chilli

Tomato Base

• 2 tomatoes, blended into a smooth paste

Spice Powders

• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp jeera powder
• 1 tsp dhaniya powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder

Other Ingredients

• 2 tsp curd
• 1 tsp kasoori methi
• Dough (aata) for sealing the vessel during dhum cooking

Whole Spice Mix

Coarsely grind:

• 3 cardamoms
• 1/2 tsp saunf
• 1 tsp jeera
• 2 cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp whole coriander seeds
• 1/2 tsp peppercorns
• Small cinnamon pieces

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Method

Step 1 – Prepare the Potatoes

Wash and peel the baby potatoes. Prick them on all sides using a fork.

Either:

• Deep fry until golden brown
  or
• Bake at 200°C for about 20 minutes until nicely roasted.

Keep the potatoes aside.

Step 2 – Cook the Masala

Heat oil in a pan and add the coarsely ground whole spice mixture.

Add:

• Kasoori methi
• Onion paste

Cook until the raw smell disappears.

Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté well.

Now pour in the tomato puree and add:

• Turmeric powder
• Chilli powder
• Jeera powder
• Dhaniya powder
• Salt
• Garam masala powder

Cook until the masala turns thick and oil starts separating.

Add curd and mix well.

Step 3 – Add Potatoes

Drop the roasted/fried baby potatoes into the masala and coat them well.

Step 4 – Dhum Cooking

Seal the vessel with wheat dough around the rim and close tightly with the lid.

Cook on low flame for about 10 minutes.
This slow-cooking process is called dhum cooking, which helps the potatoes absorb all the flavours beautifully.

                           

  

Serving Suggestion

Serve hot with:

• Butter naan
• Tandoori roti
• Jeera rice
• Pulao

The smoky aroma and rich masala make this dum aloo absolutely comforting and delicious.  

Dum aloo is well-known spicy gravy served usually with naan.