Batatasmashi Recipes

BATATAS MASHI

Steps:

• In a pan over medium heat cook the onions in butter until almost soft and then add the ground lamb or beef. Cook until it is no longer pink, drain any remaining fat.
• Add the the baharat, tomato paste, sea salt, freshly ground black pepper and pine nuts. Mix well and cook until the pine nuts turn golden.
• Wash and peel the potatoes. Carefully core out the middle leaving a smaller whole at the top but taking out most of the middle so there is just enough potato to hold it all together. Set aside.
• Carefully fill the potatoes with the meat mixture. Stuff until the top but not extremely tightly. In a pan on medium heat add the tomato sauce and chicken stock. Carefully place the potatoes into the pan and cover. Raise heat to come to a full boil and then reduce to medium-low. Cook for 1 hour or more until tender when pricked with a fork, carefully switching sides half way through.
• You may serve this over white Basmati rice, with a fresh salad and Balkan (thick) yogurt on the side if you don't add extra sauce.
• Enjoy!

ASH-ROASTED BATATAS WITH LIME-CUMIN BUTTER

Steps:

• Tear off 4 (2-foot-long) sheets of heavy-duty foil and stack. Arrange batatas in 1 layer on top in center. Working with top sheet of foil, fold each side of foil over batatas to enclose, then turn package a quarter turn and fold over each side of second sheet of foil to enclose. Repeat folding with remaining 2 sheets of foil, turning package a quarter turn before each layer.
• Open vents on bottom of grill and remove top grill rack, leaving bottom rack in place. Light charcoal in chimney starter, then pour out onto bottom rack, using tongs to clear a space in center of rack just large enough for foil package. Put package in cleared space and arrange lit coals around package. (Do not put coals underneath or on top of package.)
• Roast batatas, turning package over every 10 minutes, checking and adding charcoal to keep a steady heat around package, until a sharp paring knife inserted halfway into a batata passes through easily but with slight resistance, 45 to 50 minutes.
• While batatas are roasting, stir together butter, lime juice, parsley, cumin, salt, and pepper in a small bowl with a fork until combined well. 3Unwrap batatas carefully. When cool enough to handle, peel and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Season batatas with salt and pepper and serve with lime-cumin butter.
• Batatas can be roasted (instead of grilled), wrapped in 1 layer of foil, in middle of a preheated 400°F oven 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

BATATA NU SHAK (POTATO CURRY)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, and red chile peppers in the oil until the seeds begin to splutter. Stir the asafoetida powder into the mixture. Add the onion, ginger, and turmeric; cook and stir for a few minutes. Add the tomato and simmer until the tomatoes are soft. Sprinkle the ground cumin, coriander, and ground red pepper over the mixture.
• Fold the potatoes into the mixture until coated. Pour the water into the skillet; season with the sugar and salt. Cover and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. The gravy should be nicely thickened. If not, add a teaspoon of chickpea flour to thicken it. Garnish with the cilantro to serve.

BATATA MERHIYA (ALGERIAN MASHED POTATOES LAYERED WITH BEEF )

Steps:

• Mash potatoes with butter and salt.
• Heat oil in skillet, add onion, beef and pepper.
• Saute for 5 minutes.
• Drain beef mixture.
• Butter a 1 quart casserole.
• Put half of the potatoes in the bottom of the dish.
• Add the meat mixture and cover with the remaining mashed potatoes.
• Smooth the surface.
• Cover with the beaten egg and sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake in 350 degree oven until the surface is golden about 30 minutes.