Vada Pav

Description

Vada Pav is a quintessential Mumbai street food that consists of a spicy potato fritter (vada) sandwiched between soft pav (buns). This delicious snack is typically served with chutneys and fried green chilies, offering a perfect blend of flavors and textures. It's a favorite among locals and visitors alike, making it a must-try dish for anyone exploring Indian cuisine.

Ingredients

• 3 medium-sized potatoes (boiled and mashed)
• 2-3 green chilies (finely chopped)
• 1 inch ginger (grated)
• 2-3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ¼ tsp asafoetida (hing)
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
• Oil for frying
• ¾ cup gram flour (besan)
• 2 tbsp rice flour (optional)
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed
• 6 pav (buns)
• Sweet tamarind chutney
• Green chutney
• Fried green chilies
• Chopped onions (optional)

Steps

1. Prepare the Vada Filling:

   Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, and let them splutter. Then add ginger, garlic, green chilies, turmeric, hing, and sauté briefly. Mix in the mashed potatoes and coriander leaves, season with salt, and cook for a few minutes. Allow to cool and form into small balls.

2. Make the Batter:

   In a bowl, combine gram flour, rice flour, turmeric, salt, and enough water to form a thick batter.

3. Fry the Vadas:

   Heat oil in a deep pan. Dip each potato ball into the batter and fry until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.

4. Assemble the Vada Pav:

   Slit each pav bun without cutting through completely. Spread sweet tamarind chutney and green chutney inside. Place the fried vada inside the bun and add chopped onions if desired.

5. Serve:

   Serve hot with fried green chilies on the side.