Recipe For Simple Delicious Potato Posto

A simple, comforting Bengali dish where potatoes are cooked in a creamy poppy seed(Posto) paste—light, nutty, and perfect with steamed rice.

The benefits of ingredients- Poppy seeds provide healthy fats and calcium, potatoes give energy and potassium,

Ingredients

1. Potatoes – 3 medium (peeled and cubed)
2. Poppy seeds (Posto) – 3 Tbsp
3. Green chilies – 2–3
4. Mustard oil – 2 Tbsp 9optional)
5. Cooking oil- for seasoning
6. Nigella seeds (kalonji) – 1/2 tsp
7. Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon
8. Salt – to taste
9. Water – 1/2 to 3/4 cup -as needed.

Preparation:

Prepare Posto paste-

1. Soak poppy seeds in warm water (15–20 mins)
2. Grind green chilies into a smooth paste (add little water)

Cook potatoes-

1. Heat cooking oil or mustard oil until slightly smoky.
2. Add nigella seeds and let them splutter.
3. Add potatoes, turmeric, and salt.
4. Fry for 5–7 minutes until lightly golden

Add Posto paste-

1. Add the poppy seed paste.
2. To keep the consistency of the gravy mix well and add a little water.
3. Cover and cook on low flame for 8–10 minutes.
4. Cook until potatoes are soft and coated in thick Posto gravy.
5. Drizzle a little raw mustard oil on top (optional)

Serving-

1. Best enjoyed with steamed jeera rice
2. Pair with dal or a simple vegetable for a complete meal.

Tips for perfect aloo Posto:

• Do not overcook the Posto paste as it can turn bitter.
• Keep the texture slightly coarse for authenticity.
• Mustard oil gives the classic Bengali flavor.

Image credit; Image created using Gemini 26-03-2026