Batata Vada (Potato Dumplings)

This is the poor man's food on the Streets of Mumbai. Costs Rs. 4/- for 2 vadas in 2 loaves of Pav (bread) Garlic and red chilli chutney and fried green chillies :oops: are also used in this tongue teasing sandwich. But you can also have these vadas plain with a chutney or even with sauce. Posting this recipe for a friend.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 500  g potatoes
•  oil, and tempering (for deep frying)

• Tempering

• 1  teaspoon mustard seeds
• 15  curry leaves
• 3⁄4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon red chili powder
• 3  green chilies, chopped
• 1  inch gingerroot, chopped fine
• 4  cloves garlic, chopped fine
• 1  lime, juice of
• 3  tablespoons coriander leaves, chopped fine
•  salt

• For the Batter

• 200  g gram flour
•  water, to make a paste
• 1  teaspoon red chili powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cumin powder
•  salt
• 2  g bicarbonate of soda (optional)

Directions

1. Cook the potatoes until tender, peel and mash (do not need to mash it completely).
2. Heat 1 tsp (or more) oil and add mustard seeds, after they crackle add the curry leaves.
3. Add the green chillies, garlic and ginger and the spice powders.
4. Do not let the powders burn.
5. Add this to the mashed potatoes.
6. Squeeze lime and add the cilantro leaves.
7. Mix well.
8. Make a thinnish batter out of the chick pea flour and all the other ingredients.
9. Divide the potato mixture into equal sized portions, approximately the size of a small orange.
10. Dip each ball in the batter and deep fry until golden brown in colour.
11. Serve hot with a chutney.