Saturday, May 4, 2013

Biji's Samosas (Deep Fried Pastry Stuffed with Spicy Potatoes)

English: Black Tea. Deutsch: Schwarzer Tee
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


  • Tea time was an important part of the day for my Biji. She insisted that all commotion stop, and everyone sit respectfully down and take tea. Darjeeling tea to be precise. Often she served a cookie, or cake, but the days she served samosas were my favorite. 

English: Samosa
English: Samosa (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

  • How to make Samosas - 

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus 3 to 4 cups for frying
    • 3 medium potatoes (about 2 pounds), peeled
    • 1 bunch green onions (white and green parts), chopped
    • 2 fresh green chiles, such as jalapeños, seeded and minced (optional)
    • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
    • 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon chile powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • Plain yogurt for serving


  • And to put it all together...
(Sorry for the weirdness - here... "Ah, the best laid plans of mice and men." The page insists on changing colors, and I can't get this to stop! Argh!)
  • 1. In medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add 2 tablespoons oil and, using fingertips, or I use a pastry cutter, bl
    English: A dough blender; also called a pastry...
     (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    end until mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. 
    • 2. Add 3/4 cup warm water and mix until dough just comes together. 
    • 3. On a lightly floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
    • 4. Lightly oil medium bowl, form dough into ball, and place in bowl. Cover with towel and set aside to rest.
    • ~
    • 5. In large pot, cover potatoes with cold water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender (about 20 minutes). Drain and, when they've cooled enough to handle, dice them finely.
    • 6. Put the potatoes in a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients. The moosh it all together :)
    • ~
    • 7. Now this next little bit takes some practice. Just go slowly, 
      12-crust on board
      12-crust on board (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
       emember this is fun! and you'll be fine. First, divide dough into 12 equal portions. 
    • 8. Roll portions into balls (work one ball at a time - cover the other balls with a lightly moistened kitchen 
    •    towel)
    • 9. On floured surface using floured rolling pin, roll out 1 ball into 6-
    •     inch circle. 
    • 10. Cut circle in half. Fold 1 corner of semicircle up and over 
    •      middle. Fold second corner over to make triangle, and pinch 
    •     corners of triangle to seal - leave rounded side open. Imagine that
    •     your making a little bag. 
    • 11. Holding this loosely in your hand - with open rounded side 
    •     facing up - fill the cone with about 2 tablespoons potato mixture.
    • 12. Pinch along rounded side to seal. Repeat with remaining dough
    •     and filling.
    • ~ Almost done!
    • 13. Heat your oil (about 2 inches) to 360 F in a heavy, deep skillet 
    •    over moderate heat. 
    • 14. Work in batches to fry samosas until golden brown, 1 to 2
    •    minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. 

    • Serve warm with yogurt or like in the picture above you can puree some cilantro for dipping.

Enhanced by Zemanta

No comments:

Post a Comment