These simple spiced potatoes are one of the most popular Indian side dishes. Serve as part of any Indian meal, although they are particularly good with chicken or vegetable curries.

Picture by werner Van Peppen

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 tbsp oil
¼ tsp mustard seeds
2 pinches of chilli powder
¼ tsp turmeric powder
350g/12oz potatoes, boiled and quartered
salt to taste

Preparation:

Heat the oil in a pan on a medium heat setting.
To check that the oil is hot enough, sprinkle in a few mustard seeds, if they pop the oil is ready. Then add the remainder of the mustard seeds.
Add the chilli and turmeric powders to the sizzling seeds, and salt to taste. Fry this pungent mixture of oil and spices for 1 minute then add the potatoes. Fry for about 4 minutes until the potatoes are smothered in seeds and appear to have crispy edges. They will look quite yellow in colour. Cover the pan and on a low heat, cook the potatoes for a further 5 minutes.

Serve immediately.