Bengali Aloo Posto: Potato in Poppy Seed Paste

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Tender potatoes simmered in a rich poppy seed paste with fresh chilies, creating a deeply savory and aromatic vegetarian dish. This indian (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs medium, finely chopped Onions, finely chopped Green chilies, minced Ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Indian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a blender, combine soaked poppy seeds and their water, blending until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let sizzle for 30 seconds. Add onions and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced ginger and garlic, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add chopped green chilies and tomatoes, cooking until tomatoes break down, about 5 minutes. Stir in turmeric and poppy seed paste, mixing well.
  4. Step 4: Add potato cubes and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  5. Step 5: Season with salt and cook for 2 more minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Bengali Aloo Posto: Potato in Poppy Seed Paste take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Bengali Aloo Posto: Potato in Poppy Seed Paste?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, finely chopped onions from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Bengali Aloo Posto: Potato in Poppy Seed Paste?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Bengali Aloo Posto: Potato in Poppy Seed Paste for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Bengali Aloo Posto: Potato in Poppy Seed Paste vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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