Baby Potatoes with a Caramelized Onion Sauce

The technique of trapping steam in a pan by sealing it closed with a piece of wheat flour dough stretched across the top is called dum; the contraption sits atop hot coals. This not only provides essential moisture but also contributes a smoky flavor to the dish. In India, some upscale north Indian restaurants offer menu items, such as this one, cooked in this fashion, and the server brings the dish to the table with the dough cover intact. When he pierces it, enticing aromas are rel