tired of samosas? Other options for spicy potatoes
I often get tired of the request for samosas, don't get me wrong, I love a samosa, but there are so many other great Indian foods out there to try. Here are two of my latest experiments: stuffed peppers and stuffed bread pakora. Both using the same potato filling.
Stuffed Peppers
It was a colorful dish for our Holi dinner.
Scoop out the inside of the peppers (I used the jumbo assorted bell peppers from Costco, but the small ones would make great appetizers) fill with spicy potato filling. Heat a few tablespoons of vegetable oil in a shallow pan, salt the outsides of the peppers. Place peppers in the pan and carefully blacken on all sides. I recommend a lid on the pan as it tends to splatter
Spicy Potatoes
3 to 4 pounds boiled and peeled red potatoes
3 tbs of veg oil or ghee
1 onion finely chopped
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
2 tbs blk mustard seed
1 tbs garam masala
1 tsp turmeric
8 to 10 curry leaves
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp cumin
dried chile powder or chopped fresh chile to taste
salt to taste
juice of 1 lemon
1 cup peas (optional)
3 tbs chopped fresh cilantro
Heat the oil/ghee add onion, mustard seed and curry leaf - mustard seed will start to pop after a minute, then add garlic- stirring occasionally. Once the onion gets translucent, add the potatoes, crushing them with your hand as you add them. sprinkle (on potatoes) the turmeric, garam masala, coriander, cumin and salt - mix well to incorporate all the flavors. Mix in lemon juice and gently stir in (optional) peas. Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro.
Stuffed Bread PakoraUse whatever bread you like, cut off crusts. Spread 1 bread with mint chutney, the other with tamarind chutney, fill with potato mixture. Dip the sandwich in the besan batter then shallow fry in hot oil, until browned.
Besan Batter
1/3 cup besan flour
2 tbs rice flour
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp chile powder
1/2 tsp ajwan seeds
water
mix to the consistency of pancake batter - adjust seasoning to your taste


