RECIPE: Indian Potato Salad with Cilantro Omelet

Back when all our forests were enchanted and the hippies had just arrived in Ithaca, the Moosewood collective was formed. I come from good hippie stock, despite my father having missed the bus to the march on Washington, and my best friend Julia went through several hippie incarnations in high school. Through that time the Moosewood collective's cookbooks followed them all because of their emphasis on yummy vegetarian cooking.

In my case, the hippie gene and the social environment did not a good hippie make. Until Moosewood's Simple Suppers cookbook. This is hippie vegetarian cooking that is good for the planet but also, actually, delicious. My favourite recipe is truly a simple supper, and the potato salad makes delicious leftovers. Better yet, it's ready in 30 minutes. If you like the recipe, buy their book. It was worth every penny.

Indian Potato Salad

4 c. cubed potatoes
3 T. olive oil
2 t. whole cumin seeds
1 1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 t. garam masala Indian spice
2 or 3 scallions, sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro

Cilantro Omelet

4 eggs
1 T. olive oil
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
salt

plain yogurt (optional)


Directions:

To cook the potatoes, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Lower the potatoes into the hot water and cook until tender but not falling apart, about 5 minutes after the water returns to a boil. While the potatoes cook, warm the oil in a saucepan on medium heat. Sizzle the cumin seeds for a few seconds and then stir in the salt, garam masala and a dash of cayenne if desired. Remove from the heat. Drain the cooked potatoes and place them in a bowl. Pour the hot seasoned oil over the potatoes and add the scallions, bell pepper and cilantro. Stir gently and set aside.

To make the omelet, whisk the eggs in a small bowl until frothy. Heat the oil in a skillet on medium heat. Pour the eggs into the skillet. When the bottom is set, sprinkle on the cilantro and a little salt and fold the omelet in half. Cook covered until the eggs are set and the bottom is browned. Slice into wedges.

Bee