Stuffed fried bread is a popular Indian snack known by various names depending on the region, such as kachori, samosa, or vada. These are essentially fried or baked pastry pockets stuffed with a variety of savory or sweet fillings. The bread could be made from wheat, semolina, or refined flour, while the stuffing usually comprises lentils, potatoes, vegetables, or minced meat. Sounds yummy, right?
The good thing with stuffed fried bread is that it’s versatile and easy to customize. You can play around with the stuffing to suit your taste preferences or dietary requirements. A classic version of this snack would be the potato-based samosa, which is a triangular-shaped fried snack filled with spiced mashed potatoes, onions, and peas. However, you can also try alternatives like paneer stuffing, minced meat, or cheese, which are equally delicious.
Now, let’s talk about how to make stuffed fried bread.
Ingredients:
For the dough:
– 2 cups flour
– 2 tablespoons oil
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup water
For the stuffing:
– 3 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed
– 1 tablespoon oil
– 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
– 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
– 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
– Salt to taste
– 1/2 cup green peas, boiled
– 1 tablespoon coriander leaves, chopped
– Oil for frying
Instructions:
1. To prepare the dough, combine the flour, oil, and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix well.
2. Gradually add water to the flour mixture and knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
3. To prepare the stuffing, heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. Allow them to splutter.
4. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well.
5. Add mashed potatoes, boiled peas, and coriander leaves. Mix everything together. Your stuffing is ready.
6. Divide the dough into equal portions and roll each portion into a small disc using a rolling pin.
7. Place a tablespoon of the stuffing onto the center of each disc.
8. Fold the dough over the stuffing to form a half-moon shape. Pinch the edges together to seal the filling inside.
9. Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Once hot, drop 2-3 stuffed bread into the oil and fry until they’re golden brown on all sides.
10. Remove the bread from the oil using a slotted spoon and drain excess oil on a paper towel.
11. Serve hot with mint chutney or ketchup.
Tips to Remember:
– Be careful not to overstuff the bread, or they may burst open while frying.
– For a healthier version, you can also bake the stuffed bread in the oven.
– You can add other veggies to your filling such as carrots or beans to make it more flavorful.
Conclusion:
Stuffed fried bread is a delicious and satisfying snack that’s perfect for any time of day. Whether enjoyed as a standalone dish or as an accompaniment to your meal, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The recipe shared above is simple and easy to follow. So, gather your ingredients and give it a try. Trust us, you won’t regret it!