Batate Vaagu - Spicy Potato Side dish

Potatoes are all time favourite at our place. We love anything with potatoes in it. Thus over time I have collected a lot of recipes with potatoes. Batate(Potato in Konkani) Vaagu is one such of them that I learnt from my mom. Vaagu in Konkani means Tiger. I do not know why this side dish is called Vaagu. But this is feircely spicy and goes well either with rice or Chapathi. Last night we had Batate Vaagu with white rice and valval. This dish is a combination of flavours that is imparted from the addition of grated Coconut, Tomatoes Tamarind and Chilli powder. Without further explanation here is What's needed:

4 medium sized Potatoes boiled and cubed.

2 medium Tomatoes chopped.

juice of marble sized Tamarind.

1/2 - 1 tbsp Red Chilli powder (adjust as per your spice level tolerance)

1 1/2 tbsp grated Coconut

1 tsp hing(Asafoetida) water or generous pinch of hing powder

Salt to taste

For tempering:

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp urad dal

few curry leaves

To garnish

Finely chopped coriander leaves.

Procedure:

1)Heat oil in a non stick pan. Add mustard when they splutter add Urad dal. Fry until pinkish and add curry leaves.

2) Add tomatoes and cook until mushy. To this add chilli powder, Hing water, Tamarind paste, salt and fry well. Mix in chopped potatoes. Sprinkle some water and fry for some time(around 3-4 mins). Add grated coconut and further fry for 10 mins or until all the water is absorbed and the potatoes along with coconut are roasted well. Garnish with corainder leaves and serve hot with chapathi or rice.