This is a wonderful snack to nibble on, especially when enjoying favorite TV programs and films at home. You could serve it with Simple South Indian Tomato Sauce, plain old tomato ketchup, or nothing at all. It is good just by itself.
SERVES 4
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 medium onion (about 5 oz), peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• A 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
• 1 hot dried red chili, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin seeds
• 4 medium potatoes (about 1¼ lbs in total)
• Olive or peanut oil, for frying
• 1 tablespoon whole sesame seeds
• ¾–1 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
1. Put the lemon juice, onions, garlic, ginger, red chili, and cumin into a blender or food processor. Whiz, pushing down as necessary, until you have a smooth paste.
2. Peel the potatoes and cut them lengthwise into slices ⅛ inch thick. (You can use a mandoline if you wish.) Stacking a few slices together at a time, cut them into strips of the same thickness. If not frying immediately, put the potatoes into a bowl of water, then drain and pat dry before the next step.
3. Put a ½ inch depth of oil in a large frying pan and set over medium heat. When hot, put in as many potatoes as will fit easily. Stir and fry until they are golden and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and spread out on a paper towel to drain. Cook all the potatoes this way.
4. Remove all but 4 tablespoons of oil from the frying pan. Put the sesame seeds into the hot oil. Stir and fry until they begin to pop. Pour in the onion mixture, then stir and fry slowly until it has browned and is quite dry. This is important.
5. Now put in the fried potatoes, salt, pepper, and sugar. Mix, breaking up the spice clumps and spreading them about. Remove with a slotted spoon and serve hot or at room temperature.
