Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      pounds        medium-sized boiling potatoes
   5      tablespoons   vegetable oil
   1      tablespoon    sesame seeds
   3                    good-sized cloves garlic -- peeled and slivered
     1/2  teaspoon      ground turmeric
     1/8  teaspoon      ground asafetida -- ground
   1      teaspoon      salt
     1/8  teaspoon      cayenne pepper -- optional

Preparation:

Peel the potatoes and cut into fingers ("French fries"), 1/3- to 1/2-inch thick. Put fingers into a bowl of cold water for half an hour or more. Drain and wipe dry. Heat the oil in an 8- to 9-inch skillet [or wok] over a medium flame. When it is hot, put in the potatoes and cook them, turning once or twice, for 8 to 10 minutes. The potatoes should be partially cooked and not browned. Remove potatoes with a slotted spoon to a plate and set aside. Put the sesame seeds into the same skillet. Stir once. Now add the slivers of garlic, continuing to stir and fry over a medium flame. When the garlic begins to turn brown [the browning happens quickly], put in the turmeric and asafetida. Stir once. Now quickly add the half-cooked potatoes, salt, and cayenne. Stir again. Cover. Turn heat to low and cook gently until potatoes are done. Stir frequently.