HERBED POTATO MEDLEY

Potatoes!!
Yes, potatoes are one single most popular vegetable all over the world. They are eaten by the rich, the poor, the young and the old, the famous, the infamous, by people living in the northern, southern, eastern and the western hemispheres of the world. May it be any race, any culture potatoes are loved by one and all.
It is a world-staple.
Some love potatoes so much that they even turn themselves into potatoes- couch potatoes.
Oh! that was surely a lame joke but I know I turn into just that everytime I open a bag of potato chips or fry some freshly cut potatoes, or make a spicy version of mashed potatoes. I plonk myself on the sofa with my legs up on its arm, and head nestled in the comfortable corner, propped up on pillows, the potatoes on my lap and the tv remote in my hand. Blissful!!

I always have a long list of things, for family, friends and foes alike, to buy for me when they travel.
This time it was purple potatoes.

Wanting the purple colour to be very prominent in my preparation I made this very simple dish for my lunch party to celebrate Raksha Bandhan, an Indian festival to celebrate a brother-sister love and commitment towards each other.



herbed potato medley

Purple potatoes contain Anthocyanin, an antioxidant, apart from all the other goodness.
Red-skinned potatoes are rich in minerals such as copper, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium and have smaller amounts of calcium, iron, sodium, zinc and selenium.
They are rich in  vitamins B6, folate, niacin, thiamin, vitamin C, and contain trace amounts of vitamin K, riboflavin and pantothenic acid.

I have talked more about the nutrition in potatoes in my earlier post Zingy Potato Upma.
However, I would like to talk about green potatoes and why they should not be consumed.

Green potatoes contain toxic substances called glycoalkaloids.
28mg/kg of body weight is considered harmful to human body. They affect the nervous system causing weakness and confusion.
These toxins are present in high concentrations in the leaves, stems, sprouts and the fruits. When exposed to light, or physical damage, or when aged this toxin content increases within the potato.
Bitter taste or burning in mouth and throat on eating the tuber raw is an indication that this toxin is present.

HERBED POTATO MEDLEY
serves 4 to 6
Ingredients:
.Baby purple potatoes............................10
.Baby red potatoes.................................10
.Ginger...................................................1 tsp., grated
.Garlic...................................................1 tsp., finely chopped
.Green chili............................................1 tsp., finely chopped
.Cumin seeds.........................................1 tsp.
.Black pepper powder...........................1/2 tsp., freshly milled
.Salt.......................................................to taste
.Mint leaves...........................................1/4th cup, finely chopped
.Coriander leaves..................................1 Tbsp., finely chopped
.Lime juice.............................................1 tsp.
.Olive oil................................................1/2 Tbsp.
.Butter.....................................................1/2 Tbsp.
.Red chili flakes(optional)......................1/4th tsp.



herbed potato medley


Method:
.Wash and boil potatoes with skin, taking care not to break the skin.
.Cut into halves lengthwise and set aside.
.Heat olive oil and butter in a wide pan.
.Add cumin seeds. When toasted add ginger, garlic and green chillies and saute for 30-40 seconds.
.Add the mint and coriander leaves and saute further for 2 minutes on medium heat.
.Add the halved potatoes cut-side down.
.Add salt and pepper and cook for 5-7 minutes or until they start to crisp and colour lightly.
.Gently flip each piece and cook further for 2-3 minutes.
.Sprinkle lime juice and toss.
.Serve hot as a side dish or as a starter.

Note:
.The herbs should be crisp and crunchy.