Ingredients
Spice Mix
- 1 Tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1 Tablespoon coriander seeds
- 4 black peppercorns
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
Main Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil (or canola oil)
- 2 shallots (halved and thinly sliced)
- 1 serrano pepper (thinly sliced, omit for less spicy)
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 8 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 inch knob ginger (peeled and minced)
- 4 medium russet potatoes (about 2 pounds, peeled & cut into 1” cubes)
- 2 cups water
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
To Serve
- Greek yogurt
- Cilantro and mint
Instructions
- Toast and prepare spices: In a small skillet over medium-high heat, toast the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and black peppercorns until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer them to a spice grinder or mortar and grind to a fine powder. Mix in turmeric, paprika, and cinnamon; set aside for later use.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add mustard seeds, shallots, and sliced serrano pepper along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté until the shallots become golden brown and softened, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add tomato paste, garlic, ginger, and spices: Stir in the tomato paste, minced garlic, minced ginger, and the prepared ground spice mix. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture releases a fragrant aroma, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add potatoes and liquids: Add the cubed potatoes, water, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and an additional pinch of salt to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer gently for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork.
- Thicken the sauce: Remove the lid and continue cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes without the cover. This allows the sauce to reduce and thicken to your desired consistency, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with a dollop of Greek yogurt and fresh cilantro and mint leaves to add a refreshing contrast to the spicy vindaloo.
Notes
- Omit serrano pepper or reduce quantity to make the dish less spicy.
- Russet potatoes hold their shape well but can be substituted with Yukon gold or other starchy potatoes.
- The dish can be served with rice or flatbreads like naan for a complete meal.
- Adjust apple cider vinegar to taste for desired tanginess.
- For a vegan version, omit the Greek yogurt or substitute with plant-based yogurt.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegetarian