Samosas
The ultimate comfort food, Samosas are golden, crispy pastries filled with spiced potatoes and peas. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, they bring warmth and flavor to any gathering. You won't be able to resist their crunchy exterior and savory filling. Make them tonight for an unforgettable treat!
Equipment
- Peeler
- Mixing Bowl
- Frying Pan
- Skillet
- Chef's Knife
- Whisk
- Cutting Board
- Large Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup ghee, clarified butter
- 8-12 tablespoons cold water
- 1 lb russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon ghee, clarified butter
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 green chili, diced
- 1 cup green peas
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fennel powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, minced
- salt to taste
- oil for frying
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add ¼ cup ghee to the flour mixture and mix well with your fingers until all the ghee has been incorporated. You should have a shaggy dough that can hold its shape when pressed together.
- Add 8-12 tablespoons of cold water, one tablespoon at a time, kneading the dough as you add it until it is fairly stiff. It shouldn't stick to your hands.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Peel 1 lb russet potatoes and cut them into 2-inch chunks. Then, boil them until they are just fork-tender. You don’t want them to be too soft and mushy.
- Drain the boiled potatoes, then roughly chop or crumble them; do not mash them. Set the potatoes aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a medium-sized pan over medium-high heat. Add the 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon of coriander seeds, and ½ teaspoon of fennel seeds and sauté until they begin to sizzle.
- To the pan, add 1 tablespoon of ginger, 1 green chili, diced, and 1 cup of green peas. Sauté everything for about 2 minutes.
- Lastly, add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of turmeric, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, 1 teaspoon of fennel powder, 1 tablespoon of cilantro, salt to taste, and the potatoes. Mix everything well and sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Remove the filling from the pan and set it aside to cool. Once the filling has cooled nearly to room temperature, it is ready to assemble.
- Divide the dough into six equal portions, form into balls, cover, and let them rest for about 10 minutes.
- Roll each ball into flat disks about 7 inches across. Press them between two pieces of parchment paper to roll flat.
- Cover the flattened dough sections to keep them from drying out. Work with one dough section at a time.
- Cut the round in half, wet the flat edge of one half of the round, and press the ends together to form a cone.
- Fill the cone with about two tablespoons of the filling and gently pack it in. Wet the inside edge of the open side and press it closed.
- Repeat with the other half of the round and then with the rest of the dough. This will yield 12 Samosas.
- Heat 2 inches of oil for frying in a large, heavy-bottom pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot enough, a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into the oil should sizzle.
- Add enough Samosas to the pan to leave some room in between. You will need to work in batches. Fry the Samosas for about 1 minute on each side. They should be golden and crispy but not develop dark brown spots.
- Remove the fried Samosas from the pan and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to allow any excess oil to be absorbed.
- Once all the Samosas are finished frying, serve them fresh with Mango Chutney or tamarind sauce.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
- Freezing: You can freeze unbaked Samosas and fry them fresh whenever you desire.
- Pairing: Serve with a variety of chutneys for a flavorful experience.
- Oven-baked option: For a healthier alternative, try baking the Samosas instead of frying.
- Experiment: Don’t hesitate to try different fillings to find your favorite!