Picnicking has long been a tradition for my family, generations ago on the shores of the Arabian Sea, then on the banks of Nile. When they moved to England, they picnicked at seaside at Cleethorpes — still in their saris, stoic in the face of the cold weather, wearing three sweaters each.
Although the landscape and weather changed when they moved here, the food remained the same. The key was always simple food that could travel well and was, most importantly, big on flavor.
It’s no surprise, then, that potatoes were always on the menu. They take flavor so well, are inexpensive and can be eaten either hot or cold. Over time these South Indian picnic potatoes, which found their way into my kitchen after a trip to the state of Kerala, India many years ago, have become a family picnic staple.
They are a distant, more tropical cousin of the classic potato salad but embellished with coastal Indian ingredients: crispy shallots, a few spices, crunchy golden cashews and a little coconut milk.
Because they are so rich and flavorful, they are best served with simple accompaniments: Some leftover chicken, chapattis, a tub of lime pickles (available online and in some supermarkets) and a simple salad that won’t wilt in the heat.
SOUTH INDIAN PICNIC POTATOES WITH COCONUT AND CASHEWS
Start to finish: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 – 6
Note: Coconut, shallots and curry leaves are the leading ingredients of South Indian food and together they make a great team. If you can’t find any curry leaves, just leave them out.
2 pounds baby new potatoes, washed
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds (substitute yellow or brown mustard seeds if you can’t find black)
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
10 fresh curry leaves
5 large shallots, diced
1-inch knob of ginger, peeled and grated
3 garlic cloves garlic, crushed
2 green chilies, finely sliced
1 large handful of cashews
¾ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
½ cup coconut milk
Can be eaten hot or cold.
Nutrition information per serving: 410 calories; 170 calories from fat; 19g fat (12 g saturated; 0g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 462 mg sodium; 53g carbohydrate; 7g fiber; 6g sugar; 9g protein.
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