Potato Bhagee Food

POTATO BHAJIS

Steps:

• Wrap the potato spirals in a cloth and squeeze all the excess liquid out of it. Snip the spirals with scissors to make them more manageable.
• Place the potato and onions in a large mixing bowl.
• Sprinkle the ginger, coriander, chilli, turmeric, cumin and salt on top and stir the potato mixture thoroughly.
• Measure the flour and baking powder into a separate bowl then systematically beat in the water to form a thick, smooth batter. Add a splash of water if you think the batter is too stiff.
• Fold the batter into the potato mixture until everything is evenly coated.
• Heat about 5cm (2in) of oil in a wok or deep pan.
• Test whether the oil is hot enough by dropping a small quantity of the batter into the oil. If it rises to the surface surrounded by bubbles and starts to brown, then the oil is hot enough for frying.
• Form a ball, with a diameter of no more than 7.5cm (3in) with your hands, place it on a slotted spoon and lower it into the oil. Remove the spoon. Repeat, but don't add too many balls at a time, because you risk lowering the oil temperature too much.
• Cook the balls for a few minutes, turning once, until they are evenly browned and crisp, so about 3-4 mins. Repeat the process until you have used up all the potatoes.
• Drain on kitchen paper, season to taste and keep warm while you cook the rest.
• Serve with raita and pakora sauce. Enjoy!

INDIAN VEGETABLE BHAJI

Steps:

• Place the potatoes, cauliflower florets, carrot, and peas into a microwave-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on High until the vegetables are very hot and starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap, and drain the vegetables in a colander.
• Place the vegetable oil in a large skillet, and heat over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion until it turns golden, about 10 minutes, and stir in the cumin seed, black mustard seed, and bay leaves. Cook and stir until the seeds begin to sputter, about 30 seconds, and then add the green chiles, garlic, and ginger. Cook and stir until the garlic begins to brown, about 1 minute.
• Stir in the ground cumin, curry powder, and chili powder, and then add the partially cooked potatoes, cauliflower, carrot, and peas. Cook and stir until the vegetables are tender and coated with spices, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro leaves.

PAV BHAJI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a wok over medium heat. Saute garlic and green chile for 30 seconds, then stir in onions and ginger. Cook until onions are brown. Add tomatoes, and cook until pasty. Stir in cauliflower, cabbage, peas, carrots and potatoes. Season with pav bhaji masala. Cover, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt, and stir in lemon juice.
• Toast the dinner rolls, and spread lightly with butter. Serve garnished with chopped onion, green chile and cilantro.

POTATO BHAGEE

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and cut into small 1/2 inch cubes. Peel and finely chop ginger root and garlic clove. Peel and chop onions.
• In a large pot on medium-high heat add 1/2 inch of cooking oil. Fry garlic, ginger root, and onions till golden brown, while frying add curry powder, coriander powder, pepper, and chili powder.
• Next add potatoes and frozen corn and peas, fry for about 5 minutes. Add salt to taste.
• Now add enough warm water to cover potatoes plus another 3/4 inch or so. Cook on medium heat for at least 1/2 hour and add a little more water if necessary. Stir every 10 minutes at least.
• Serve plain or over rice, with lemon wedges.
• I have not made this for a while but I do know that my family has been known to only use the seasonings according to taste, so please feel free to adjust as your taste buds see fit! Enjoy!
• We have also enjoyed this dish with a little sausage or lamb as well. Added when frying the onions.

POTATO BHAJI

Steps:

• Boil potatoes with skins on (boil as you would for mashed potatoes, just until soft).
• Remove skins.
• Mash potatoes lightly, but not as you would for mashed potatoes!
• There should be nice small chunks in the potatoes but partially mashed.
• Heat oil on medium heat in a nice sized vessel; add mustard seed.
• let mustard seed splutter.
• Add chopped onion, and fry lightly.
• Add diced tomatoes and fry until soft.
• Add the chopped coriander leaves (or parsley), curry powder; stir and fry lightly reduce heat to low and add the potato; stir well and just heat through until forms a nice consistancy and spices have mixed in well (approximately 5 mins wont take too long).
• If the consistancy of the potatoes seems a little too dry you may add a little water- less than 1/4c-- Should not be watery, but nice and thick, only a little moist.
• Serve!

SPINACH AND ONION BHAJI

Steps:

• If the spinach is frozen, thaw it and squeeze out all the water. Chop it, then squeeze out any leftover water.
• Heat oil and add the seeds. Cook until they start to pop, then add onion, garlic, chilli, and ginger in a wok and cook until onion is golden (but not dark brown).
• Add spinach, tomato, and salt and toss. Cook until well wilted and hot (about five minutes). Squeeze lemon juice over it and stir through to taste. Serve with rice or as a side dish with your favourite curry.

SAAG BHAJI

Steps:

• 1) In a medium sized skillet or frying pan, heat up the canola oil on medium heat.
• 2) Add the generous pinch of black cumin seed (kala jeera - you can find this in most South Asian grocery stores). Stir around a little. There will be a small sizzle.
• 3) Add the dried chilies either whole or torn up. Stir until fragrant.
• 4) Add the whole bag of frozen spinach. No need to thaw. Toss and stir until the spinach softens.
• 5) Keep stirring the spinach until it is cooked to the consistency you prefer. Cook longer for a drier consistency. At this point, add salt to taste and stir/toss the spinach.
• 6) Total cook time should be somewhere between 10-15 minutes. You can serve this immediately, but this also heats up well. My mother also makes this with shrimp, which you would add prior to the spinach. You could also mix in some fried up frozen shredded hash brown after the spinach is done.

CAULIFLOWER BHAJI

Steps:

• Dry fry mustard and cumin seeds over medium heat in none stick pan or wok until they pop.
• Add the onions and garlic and 1/3 cup water until softened.
• Add the chili,turmeric, ground coriander, fennel, curry powder (or garam masala).
• Add the cauliflower and potatoes and 2/3 cup water.
• Cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
• Add yogurt.
• Reduce heat, partly cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
• Add peas and cook for 5 minutes Garnish with coriander leaves and serve.