aloo gobi

Aloo gobi is a classic North Indian dish made with potatoes (aloo) and cauliflower (gobi) cooked with aromatic spices. Here's how to make aloo gobi:

**Ingredients**:

- 1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets

- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

- 2 tablespoons oil or ghee (clarified butter)

- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

- 1 onion, finely chopped

- 2 tomatoes, chopped

- 2 green chilies, slit lengthwise

- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

- 1 teaspoon cumin powder

- 1 teaspoon coriander powder

- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)

- Salt to taste

- Fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves for garnish

**Instructions**:

1. **Prepare the Vegetables**:

   - Wash the cauliflower florets and potatoes thoroughly. Cut the cauliflower into medium-sized florets and peel and cube the potatoes. Keep them aside.

2. **Sauté the Spices**:

   - Heat oil or ghee in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.

   - Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it turns golden brown.

3. **Add the Aromatics**:

   - Add the slit green chilies and ginger-garlic paste to the pan. Sauté for a couple of minutes until the raw smell disappears.

4. **Cook the Vegetables**:

   - Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook until they turn soft and mushy.

   - Add the turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, and salt to taste. Mix well.

   - Add the cauliflower florets and cubed potatoes to the pan. Mix until the vegetables are coated with the spice mixture.

5. **Simmer**:

   - Cover the pan with a lid and let the vegetables cook over low to medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. If the vegetables start to stick, you can add a splash of water.

6. **Cook Until Tender**:

   - Cook the aloo gobi until the cauliflower and potatoes are tender but not mushy. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes.

7. **Garnish and Serve**:

   - Once the vegetables are cooked, garnish the aloo gobi with freshly chopped cilantro leaves.

   - Serve hot with rice, roti (Indian flatbread), or naan bread.

**Variations**:

- You can add other vegetables like peas, carrots, or bell peppers to add more color and flavor to the dish.

- For extra richness, you can add a dollop of butter or cream at the end of cooking.

Aloo gobi is a simple and delicious dish that pairs well with various Indian bread or rice dishes. Its hearty and comforting flavors make it a favorite in Indian cuisine.