Serrano Jalapeno Peppers
If you really enjoy spicy hot foods, leave these serrano seeds and veins when you dice them for the samosas. Otherwise, remove them with a teaspoon or melon baller and then dice.
Remember that whatever you touch with your fingers after dicing these beauties will burn from the peppers oils... even if you wash your hands vigorously.
Perhaps a pair of surgical gloves would help those who are sensitive or just don't want that burning sensation.
Select serrano jalapeno peppers that are smooth and firm to the touch.
Chapati Flour Substitute
If you can't find Chapati Flour anywhere in you town, try this substitute:
1 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
A one-to-one ratio can be whisked together and then measured for the recipe.
Vegan Dinners
Curried Vegetable Samosas
India Pot Pies
The best way to describe samosas is to call them little turnovers. When ordered out they are usually deep fried, but I prefer oven baked to cut down on calories.
Make extra to freeze and cook later... just remember that they only need a LITTLE color, don't overcook.
Ingredients
4 large russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
2 tablespoons mustard seeds
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon crushed red chili peppers
1 yellow onion peeled and diced
2 whole green serrano chili peppers seeded, de-veined and finely diced
1 tablespoon turmeric
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup cilantro leaves roughly chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups frozen sweet peas
Tools
large bowl
knives
measuring spoons
cutting board
heavy bottomed skillet
spatula or spoon
parchment paper
scissors
insulated cookie sheets
Preparation
Filling for Samosas
In a heavy cast iron skillet with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, pan fry the diced potatoes until fork tender... don't overcook because they will get more heat in the oven later.
Scoop the cooked diced potatoes into a bowl and set aside.
Add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet.
Add the diced onions and sauté until the onions are translucent and soft.
Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, red chili peppers, onions, green chili peppers and salt. Stir until all the onions are coated with the spices.
Turn off the heat and add the potatoes and mix till coated with the spices.
Scrape all back into the bowl and let cool.
Once the potatoes, onions and spices are cool, add the cilantro leaves and toss into the mixture.
Remember, the filling must be cool before spooning onto pastry.
Pastry for Curried Vegetable Samosas
2 cups chapati flour...
1 cup organic unbleached white flour
4 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/4 cups warm water
1 teaspoon Hawaiian sea salt
Tools
Cuisinart
knife blade for Cuisinart
measuring cups
measuring spoons
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a Cuisinart using the knife blade, combine all the dry ingredients.
Turn machine on and slowly pour in the warm water.
More or less water can be used depending on the flour moisture.
Run the machine until all the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Dough should be smooth and velvety.
Set aside and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Divide dough into 10 balls for 10 large samosas or 20 balls for appetizer sizes.
Sprinkle the counter top with chapati or white unbleached flour to prevent sticking... add more for each pastry rolling.
Roll each piece into a thin circle.
Place a spoonful of the samosa mixture on half of the pastry.
Fold over and crimp the edges like making an apple turnover.
Place on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
You may spray each one with a non-stick oil spray or brush on olive oil.
Cook till barely golden brown... oven temperature 375 degrees.
Presentation
For a cocktail party, the smaller sized samosas are perfect.
The larger samosas make a perfect light meal served with Minty Onion Chutney, Mango Chutney and Trader Joe's India Relish and a few sprigs of fresh mint.
Recipes for A Complete India Dinner
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