Alleh Bolaypotato Balls For Iftar Food

CRISPY POTATO BALLS

Steps:

• Mix together the Mashed Potatoes, flour, egg, parsley, Parmesan, mozzarella and black pepper in a bowl. Place the breadcrumbs on a large plate.
• Form the potato mix into 12 golf-ball-sized balls. The mixture will be a little sticky, so wet your hands a little as you go. Place the balls directly on the breadcrumbs and roll each ball in the breadcrumbs, pressing to make sure they stick well. Put the breadcrumbed balls on a plate.
• Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 375 degrees F, or until the mixture bubbles when a breadcrumb is added.
• Add the balls to the oil and fry until golden brown on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes total. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle immediately with salt.
• Garnish with more Parmesan and parsley.
• Peel and cut the potatoes into pieces of approximately the same size. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until a fork easily slides into the potatoes with no resistance and the potatoes almost, but not totally, fall apart, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Drain the potatoes in a large colander. Place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove. Mash the potatoes over a low heat, allowing all the steam to escape.
• Turn off the stove and add the butter, cream cheese and half-and-half. Mash, mash, mash! Add the seasoned salt and black pepper.
• Stir well and place in a medium baking dish. Throw a few pats of butter over the top of the potatoes and place bake until the butter has melted and the potatoes are warmed through, a few minutes.

POTATO BALLS

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat eggs. Add potatoes. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir into potato mixture. , In a large saucepan or kettle, heat about 1 in. of oil to 375°. Drop mixture by heaping teaspoonfuls, four or five at a time, into hot oil. Fry 2-3 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Watch closely since they brown quickly. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

BONDA OR BATATA VADA (SPICED POTATO BALL FRITTERS)

Steps:

• Peel the cooked and cooled potatoes and crush them. You are aiming for a very coarse version of mashed potatoes.
• Put the 2 tablespoons of oil in a medium, preferably nonstick frying pan and set over medium heat. When hot, add the asafetida. A second later, add the mustard seeds. As soon as they pop, a matter of seconds, add the onions, ginger, green chilies, cumin, and fresh cilantro. Stir for a minute. Add the crushed potatoes, lime juice, and salt. Turn the heat to low and mix all the ingredients well. Taste for balance of flavors and make adjustments, if needed. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then make 16 balls, each about 1- inches in diameter. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
• Combine all the ingredients for the batter in a bowl. Slowly add water, about 2 tablespoons less than 1 cup, mixing and breaking up any lumps as you go. You should have a thick but flowing batter.
• Put a 2 inch depth of oil in a deep frying pan, wok, or karhai and set over medium-low heat. Give it time to get hot.
• Dip a potato ball in the batter, making sure it is well covered. Carefully lower it into the hot oil. Do this rapidly with half the balls. Fry, turning frequently for 5-6 minutes or until the outside batter looks crisp. It should not turn dark. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel. Make a second batch the same way.
• Serve while still crisp and hot.

ALLEH BOLAY(POTATO BALLS) FOR IFTAR

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients except the oil and flour in a large bowl.
• Grease your palms with a little oil.
• Shape the mixture into equal-sized balls with your palms.
• To make the outer part, mix the flour, a pinch of turmeric powder, salt to taste and water till it becomes a thick batter.
• Heat oil in a small wok.
• Dip the balls in the batter.
• Deep fry the potato balls in the hot oil on either side until golden.
• Drain on clean paper kitchen napkins.
• Serve hot with tomato ketchup or chutney of your choice.