Vegan Aloo Matar
This hearty potato and pea curry is the kind of weeknight dinner that fills your kitchen with the most incredible aroma — cumin seeds sizzling in hot oil, garlic and ginger hitting the pan, a rich tomato masala slowly coming together into something deeply satisfying. Yukon Gold potatoes soak up every bit of that spiced sauce as they simmer, turning buttery-tender while the bright green peas add a pop of color and sweetness at the end. The whole dish is built entirely from pantry staples and produce, so there's nothing to swap or substitute — it's naturally free of any animal products without any compromise in flavor or comfort. Blooming whole cumin seeds at the start and finishing with garam masala gives the dish that layered, slow-cooked depth you'd expect from a much more involved recipe. It comes together in about 40 minutes and serves four, making it a genuinely practical choice for busy evenings. Spoon it over basmati rice or scoop it up with warm flatbread, and don't skip the fresh cilantro if you have it — it lifts the whole bowl.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 3 tbsp neutral oil (such as avocado or canola oil)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 green chili (such as serrano or thai), finely chopped
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ lb yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into ¾-inch cubes
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ cups frozen peas
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
- cooked basmati rice or warm flatbread, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat the oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the cumin seeds and cook, stirring, until they sizzle and turn a shade darker, about 30 seconds.
- 2
Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden at the edges, about 8–10 minutes.
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