
This aromatic potato dish from the Kashmir region is pure comfort on a plate. The combination of gently baked potatoes and the spicy-creamy yogurt sauce, refined with hand-ground spices, makes it a special taste experience.
When I prepared this dish for the first time, I was surprised how intense the flavors could be without onion and garlic.
Essential Ingredients and Their Selection
- Potatoes: Small, waxy varieties
- Yogurt: Whole milk for creamy sauce
- Kashmiri chili powder: For color and mild flavor
- Fennel seeds: Freshly ground for intense aroma
Detailed Step-by-Step Preparation
- Preparing potatoes
- Thoroughly peel and soak in water
- Pat dry and prick
- Pre-bake in the oven for roasted flavors
- Preparing spices
- Freshly grind fennel and cardamom
- Mix chili powder with hot water
- Carefully fold in yogurt

The Perfect Sauce
The key lies in the right temperature:
- Roast spices in hot oil
- Add yogurt at low heat
- Let simmer slowly
Creative Variations
Over time I've developed different versions:
- With additional vegetables
- With different types of chili
- With Greek yogurt
Serving Suggestions
- With warm naan bread
- With fragrant basmati rice
- With fresh cilantro
This Dum Aloo is perfect proof to me that even simple ingredients like potatoes can become something very special with the right spice blend.

Storage
- In the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Add some water when reheating
- The spices intensify further
A dish that reflects the rich tradition of Kashmiri cuisine!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What is Kashmiri chili powder?
- A mild, color-intensive chili powder from the Kashmir region. Can be replaced by a mixture of regular chili powder and paprika.
- → Why pre-fry the potatoes?
- Pre-frying gives the potatoes a crispy outer skin and intensifies the flavor.
- → Can I use regular yogurt?
- Yes, but Greek or Turkish yogurt with 3.5% fat gives the best consistency.
- → Are all the spices necessary?
- The spice blend creates the special flavor. At minimum, use cumin, cardamom and chili powder.
- → How spicy is the dish?
- With Kashmiri chili, mild to medium spicy. The heat can be adjusted by the amount used.