Batata Vada / Vada Pav

A classic Batata Vada favourite, Batata Vada is a spicy potato filling coated in a thick gram flour batter and deep fried until golden and crisp. Best enjoyed hot with chutney, fried green chillies, or tucked inside pav for the ultimate street-style snack.

Ingredients

For the Potato Filling

• ½ kg potatoes, boiled and chopped

• 3 0r 4 green chillies, finely chopped

• 2 onions, finely chopped

• 1 tsp ginger garlic, finely chopped

• ¼ tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tbsp coriander powder

• 1 tsp cumin powder

• ½ tsp pepper powder

• ¼ tsp amchur powder

• Salt to taste

• 1/2 cup Coriander leaves, finely chopped

For the Tempering (Bagar)

• Few Mustard seeds

• Few Cumin seeds

• Few Chana dal

• Few Curry leaves

For the Batter

• Gram flour (besan), as required

• Salt to taste

• Chilli powder, as required

• A pinch of soda bicarb

• Water, as required to make a thick batter

Method

1. Heat a little oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chana dal, and curry leaves. Allow them to splutter.

2. Add the finely chopped ginger garlic, onions, and green chillies. Stir fry until the onions soften slightly.

3. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, pepper powder, amchur powder, and salt. Mix well.

4. Add the boiled potatoes and combine thoroughly with the masala.

5. Lastly, add finely chopped coriander leaves and mix well. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.

6. Shape the potato mixture into medium-sized balls.

7. Prepare a thick batter using gram flour, salt, chilli powder, soda bicarb, and water.

8. Dip each potato ball into the batter, coating well.

9. Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown and crisp.

10. Serve hot with chutney, fried green chillies, or pav.