Puff Recipe

Puff Pastry Sheets – 1 box (from the frozen section of a grocery store)

For the Stuffing:
Oil – 1 tsp
Onions – 1/4 small, finely chopped
Potato – 1 small, shredded
Salt – to taste
Carrots – 1/4, shredded
Paneer – 1/4 cup, shredded - Cottage Cheeze (Optional)
Cumin Powder – 1/4 tsp
Coriander Powder – 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder – 1/8 tsp
Chaat Masala – 1/4 tsp
Dry Mango Powder (Amchur) – 1/4 tsp
Red Chili Powder – to taste

Method:

1. Take the sheets of Puff Pastry out and thaw them at room temperature for about 40 minutes.
2. Pre-heat the Oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Now for the stuffing, take a small skillet and heat Oil on medium heat.
4. Once hot, add in the Onions and saute till they turn translucent.
5. Add in the Potatoes and a little salt. Mix well, cover and cook for 2-3 minutes till the Potatoes are cooked.
6. Add in the Carrots and the Paneer. Mix.
7. Add in the spices – Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Turmeric Powder, Chaat Masala, Dry Mango Powder and Red Chili Powder.
8. Mix really well and keep aside.
9. Cut the Pastry sheets strips into 3s to form a square.
10. Put 1 tbsp (approx) of the stuffing in the center.
11. Fold the Pastry Sheet to make a triangle.
12. Use a fork and gently, but firmly, press into the sides and press away (to form a design and help seal)
13. Put the Puffs on a cookie sheet lined with foil.
14. Place in the pre-heated oven at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes.
15. Once they are out of the oven, transfer them to a cooling rack and allow them to rest and cool down for 5 minutes.
16. Serve with chutney or ketchup.

Samosa Recipe

Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Makes: 12 (approx)

Ingredients:

For the crust:

All-purpose Flour – 1 1/2 cups
Salt – 3/4 tsp
Ajwain (Carrom Seeds) – 1/4 tsp
Oil – 2 Tbsp
Lemon/Lime Juice – 1 Tbsp
Water – 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp

For the filling:

Potatoes – 1 1/2 lbs, boiled, peeled and cubed
Whole Coriander Seeds – 1 tsp
Fennel Seeds – 1 tsp
Salt – to taste
Garam Masala – 1/2 tsp
Dry Mango Powder – 1/2 tsp
Sugar – 1/2 tsp
Cilantro (Coriander Leaves) – 10 sprigs, chopped
Ginger/Green Chili – 1 Tbsp, minced
Lime/Lemon Juice – to taste
Oil – 2 Tbsp
Cumin Seeds – 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida – 1/8 tsp
Frozen Green Peas – 1/2 cup

Method:

1. Soak Coriander Seeds and Fennel Seeds in a few tablespoons of warm water and keep aside.

2. In a bowl, mix All-purpose flour, Salt and Ajwain.
3. Add 2 Tbsp Oil and mix until all the oil is well incorporated into the flour.
4. Add Lemon/Lime Juice and Water and knead into a smooth firm dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and let it rest for 20 minutes.
5. To the boiled, cubed Potatoes, add Salt, Garam Masala, Dry Mango Powder, Sugar, Cilantro, Ginger/Green Chili, Lemon Juice, and the drained Coriander/Fennel Seeds. Mix well.
6. Heat Oil in a pan on medium heat.
7. Add Cumin Seeds, Asafoetida and Green Peas. Cook for 1-2 minutes until peas are tender.
8. Add Potato mixture and cook for a few minutes until heated through. Keep aside to cool to room temperature.
9. Divide Dough into small portions (slightly bigger than a golf ball).
10. Roll out each portion into a thin oval shape.
11. Cut the oval down the center to make two semi-ovals.
12. Lift one side of the flat edge and brush plain water on it. Lift the opposite side and overlap the two edges to form a cone shape. Press the seams gently to seal.
13. Stuff the Potato mixture into the cone. Brush plain water around the top edge and seal shut.
14. Deep fry until golden.
15. Serve hot with Tamarind Chutney, Mint Chutney or Ketchup.