The Govinda Dasu Aloo Fry Recipe

Anyone who knows me should know that Aloo Fry has to have a chapter of its own in the Govinda Dasu recipe book. Few Friday evenings in Santa Clara went by without Aloo Fry on the menu. Besides, if you have been to my room at home or been to my grade school presentation, you would have seen my famous Aloo Fry poster.

My father tells me that his maternal grandmother owned a heavy brass fry pan, which played the most crucial role in the preparation of her famous Aloo Fry. A heavy 12-inch non-stick pan is definitely an acceptable substitute, as her brass pan has long bitten dust.

Although not part of the Govinda Dasu Aloo Fry recipe, you may want to start to cook some plain rice in the back burner before you start preparing the fry.  You will want to immediately start eating when the fry is ready!

1. For the Govinda Dasu Aloo Fry, you should always plan on at least two medium potatoes per person, or you will not have any aloo fry left for yourselves when it comes to the concluding yogurt-rice course.
2. The number of potatoes should be between four and ten for a 12-inch skillet, otherwise you will end up with either burnt or lumped up fry.
3. California white rose potatoes work the best, but those rose-peeled versions are acceptable. If you are using Idaho potatoes, do get rid of those pesky black spots. I would avoid the yellow-gold potatoes from Yukon.
4. It is of utmost importance to cut the potatoes properly. If you manage to get the potatoes peeled and cut in cubes with sides measuring 0.6 ± 0.2 cm you are doing well.
5. I would definitely recommend practicing the peeling of the entire potato without ever breaking the peel. Such obsession will ensure that potato cubes are properly cut. My mother certainly disagrees with this recommendation, although my father approves, having passed this important tidbit to me.

5 Aloos Potatoes for Govinda Dasu Aloo Fry

Red Chili Powder for Govinda Dasu Aloo Fry

Govinda Dasu Aloo Fry and Rice

Govinda Dasu Peeled Aloos

Govinda Dasu Frying Aloo

Govinda Dasu Aloo Fry Pan with Oil

Govinda Dasu Karipatha (Curry Leaves) added to Aloo Fry

Govinda Dasu Frying Aloo

Govinda Dasu Salt for Aloo Fry

Govinda Dasu Peeled and Cut Aloos

Salt, Karipatha (Curry Leaves), Red Chili Powder for Govinda Dasu Aloo Fry

Govinda Dasu Aloo Fry with Karipatha (Curry Leaves)Ready

Peeled Cut Govinda Dasu Aloos Frying

Red Chili Powder for Govinda Dasu Aloo Fry

1. Put two to four table spoons of peanut/sunflower/safflower/sesame oil (do avoid using lighter canola oil) in the pan and heat at medium-high level.
2. Before the oil fumes, add the potatoes and mix them carefully so that the oil coats all the potato pieces. Do not ever put pressure on the potatoes. Rather, you should tilt the pan slightly and mix the potatoes with the plastic spatula using gravity assistance for tossing!
3. Do not overdo the mixing, but do not leave the kitchen to watch the TV show either.
4. Periodic mixing till the potatoes are golden-brown does need some level of obsession.
5. You can go to the fridge and get green curry leaves, wash, dry and keep ready for future use, to keep you occupied.
6. You can also ensure that the water from the rice dish on the backburner is not spilling over.
7. Do keep powdered salt, inguva (asafetida), turmeric and red-chilies handy.
8. As the potatoes turn light brown, add powdered salt (0.5 teaspoons per person), inguva (a pinch) and turmeric (a pinch).
9. Turn the potatoes with light touch and gravity assistance. If you have already got some potato stuck to the pan, do not fret.
10. Try to scrape the potato mash out with plastic spatula without putting undue pressure on the remaining potato cubes. The scrapes will fry to darker brown adding texture and taste.
11. After that minute of struggle and cussing, lower the heat and add green curry leaves and red-chili powder (0.25 teaspoons per person).
12. Your mouth should be already watering watching the golden-brown potatoes with hues of red. You will thank yourselves for having the foresight of preparing the plain rice ahead of the Govinda Dasu Aloo Fry.

If you are tempted to eat the Govinda Dasu Aloo Fry with all courses of meal including the yogurt-rice course, it is normal. If you finish the aloo fry without sharing with anyone, you should feel free to forgive yourselves, as it is not your fault.

Potatoes and chili peppers trace their origins to South America, but make no mistake that this recipe is definitely from Krishna Region, where the ancestors of Govinda Dasu are from. After all, red chili peppers have made Guntur their home.

#govindadasu #aloofry #govindadasualoofry

For more Govinda Dasu recipes please see: govindadasu.com/category/family-recipes.