Farari Bateta (Simple Potato Curry)

Farari Bateta is usually cooked along with other 'Farar' food on days of fasting. These simple alternatives omit many spices and seasonings, often just using cumin, ginger, salt and black pepper.

I love Farar, and this Farari Bateta is so delicious, that I often make it regardless of whether it is a special day in the Hindu calendar or not. Each family has their own variations - in my case, my mum has always added ground peanuts, and sometimes a handful of plum tomatoes for a little extra flavour.

Recipe (serves 4):

6-8 medium white potatoes, steamed, peeled and chopped into 1" cubes
1/2 cup peanuts
1 thumb fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp cumin (jeeru)
5 large curry leaves
3 fresh green chillies, chopped (optional)
A handful of plum tomatoes, chopped
1-2 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Chopped corriander to garnish (optional)

Method:

1. In a blender, blitz the peanuts and ginger together until coarse crumbs
2. Heat the oil in a large pan on a medium-high heat
3. Add the cumin, curry leaves and chillies (if using) and stir for 10 seconds
4. Add the ground nuts and ginger mix
   Stir and fry for 1-2 minutes, until the nuts begin to brown but ensure they do not burn
5. Add the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper
6. Add the cooked potatoes and toss to coat in the nut mixture
7. Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid and allow to heat through for 10 minutes
8. Garnish with corriander and serve hot or cold

Tips:

• When steaming the potatoes, make sure that they are JUST cooked, and not over-cooked. This will ensure that they do not become mushy when mixing into the spices
• Add more oil if necessary - this is a dry dish, and naturally needs a little more oil than usual
• This can be made without peanuts! So if you have a nut allergy then fear not. A simple potato curry with cumin is a classic Farar dish and will still taste fantastic
• Same for the tomatoes - if you're not a fan of tomatoes then just leave them out!
• Farari Bateta can be eaten on it's own, or served with other Farar foods such as Sabudana ni Khichdi

Enjoy! If you have tried this recipe then please feel free to comment below and let me know how it went. If you have any questions then please ask and I'll do my best to answer!

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