Samosa (Potato Stuffed Pastry)

About Samosa

Samosas are perhaps the most popular vegetarian (usually) Indian appetizer, street food, tiffin (light lunch) in not only India but throughout whole Indian subcontinent and its diaspora throughout the world. Quintessentially, it is similar to pastry such as fried empanada (popular in rural area) with spicy boiled potato stuffing inside crispy flour dough served with spicy chutney. A popular non-vegetarian variant of this classic dish would have spicy ground meat (usually lamb) instead or along with potatoes. Some chef in west have been experimenting Somasa with different fillings and dough. How about spicy beet somosa in empanada dough or savory rhubarb stuffed somosa in phyllo dough?

Ingredients

For Pastry:
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoon oil
6 tablespoon water

For Potato Stuffing:
5 medium potatoes
4 tablespoon oil
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 cup green peas
1 tablespoon ginger, grated
1 hot green chili (finely chopped)
3 tablespoon green coriander (cilantro), chopped
1.5 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon ground cumin seeds

Oil for deep frying

Preparation

Dough for Samosa Pastry

1. Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
2. Add 4 tablespoons oil and rub until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Slowly add about 6 tablespoons water and knead the dough for about 10 minutes or until it is smooth.
3. Rub dough with oil. Cover it and set aside for 30 minutes or longer.

Potato stuffing for Samosa

4. Boil, cool and peel the potatoes. Dice it into 1/4 inch size.
5. Heat 4 tablespoons oil in karahi or wok in medium flame.
6. Lower the heat and carefully put the onion. Stir fry until golden brown in medium heat.
7. Add peas, ginger, green chili, and fresh coriander (cilantro). Add diced potatoes, salt and all spices.
8. Mix and cook on low heat for 3-4 minutes. Do not forget to stir while cooking.

Making Samosa

9. Knead the dough again. Divide it into about 10 balls.
10. Roll it into flat round shape with about 5 inch diameter.
11. Cut it into half. Make the half into a cone by sticking seam together with a little water.
12. Fill the cone with about 2.5 tablespoons of the potato mixture.
13. Stick the top of the cone together with a little water. The seam should be about 1/4 inch (5 mm) wide.
14. Repeat this again.

Cooking Samosa

15. Heat about 2 inches of oil for deep frying over a medium-low flame. (You may use a wok, Indian karhai or any other utensil you seem fit)
16. When the oil is hot, carefully put in as many samosas as it fits. Fry slowly, turning the samosas until they are golden brown and crisp.
17. Drain excess oil and serve hot.

Number of Servings:8



Tip for Low Fat
Instead of frying, bake somosa to reduce calories at preheated 375-400°F oven12- 15 min. Make sure to make dough with oil and also coat lightly with oil.