Quick and Flavorful Shivratri Recipe: Preeti Sharma Shows How to Make Special Potatoes in Just 5 Minutes

On the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, many devotees observe a full-day fast. While fruit and light meals are essential to maintain energy, long hours in the kitchen can be challenging amid puja and rituals. Cooking expert Preeti Sharma has shared a quick and delicious recipe for vrat-friendly potatoes that can be prepared in just five minutes using a pressure cooker.

A Simple Alternative for Fasting Days
If you forgot to soak sabudana (tapioca pearls) or want to try something different, this recipe is ideal. Typically, boiling and frying potatoes takes time, but Preeti Sharma’s method allows you to cook raw potatoes directly in the cooker with just one whistle, creating a flavorful, energy-packed meal for fasting.

The Secret to Flavorful Potatoes
The recipe uses roasted peanuts and pure ghee to give the potatoes a rich taste while maintaining the sattvic (pure) nature of vrat food. Emphasis is also placed on using clean, home-ground spices for optimal flavor.

Step 1: Roast the Peanuts
Heat a little pure desi ghee in a pressure cooker. Add a handful of peanuts and roast until lightly golden. Remove and set aside. The roasted peanuts not only enhance taste but also provide protein and energy during the fast.

Step 2: Prepare the Tempering
In the remaining ghee, add cumin seeds. Once they crackle, add finely chopped green chilies and curry leaves. The curry leaves lend a fresh South Indian aroma, making this dish distinct from regular potato fries.

Step 3: Tomato and Spice Mix
Add two finely chopped tomatoes to the tempering and sauté lightly. Then, season with fasting-friendly rock salt, crushed black pepper, and coriander powder. Preeti Sharma recommends using freshly ground home coriander seeds for purity, avoiding store-bought powders that may contain adulterants.

Step 4: Magical Peanut Powder
Take a portion of the roasted peanuts, crush coarsely, and mix with the spices. This peanut powder thickens the gravy and coats each potato piece with a rich, nutty flavor.

Step 5: Cook the Potatoes in One Whistle
Add raw, chopped potatoes to the spice mix and combine well. Add just 2–3 tablespoons of water to prevent the spices from burning. Close the pressure cooker and cook for only one whistle. The potatoes become tender quickly while absorbing all the flavors.

Final Touch and Serving
Once the pressure releases, open the cooker and garnish with roasted peanuts and freshly chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot as a flavorful fasting dish, perfect alongside yogurt or buckwheat (kuttu) rotis. This simple yet delicious recipe ensures that devotees can enjoy a wholesome, spicy, and satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.