Aloo Chop

A typical oriya evening snack. Most people just order these aloo chops or Vadas from the nearby road side snack stores. Each guy makes his a little different. This preparation is made by my mom and both my husband and I love it. In fact right after my mom came over from India, she made it for us. What jet-lag ?

I send this off to WYF:Side dish event ! In Orissa this is served with evening Chai or sometimes with Masala Mudhi (Jhaal Mudhi or Murmura)...

Ingredients

Filing

4 small potatoes boiled and mashed

1 sprig of curry leaves
2 green chilies chopped (skip for kids)
1 medium onion chopped finely
1 inch grated ginger
4-5 garlic cloves minced
1/4 tea spoon turmeric powder
handful of peanuts
salt to taste

Batter

1/2 cup of Besan
1/2 tea spoon turmeric powder
1/2 tea spoon red chili powder
salt to taste
1 cup water

Oil for deep frying

How To

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a non stick pan.
Add the curry leaves, onion,ginger, garlic and chopped green chilies and fry until the raw smell goes off (3-4 minutes)
Add the mashed potato and add the salt and turmeric powder.
Mix on low flame and add the peanuts (preferably dry roasted earlier - you can use raw ones too).
Keep aside and let it cool.

Prepare the batter by mixing the besan well with the salt and turmeric powder and chili powder, until no lumps remain.
Make the batter a little thick so that it coats the stuffing nicely.

Heat the oil for deep frying.
Divide the potato mixture into small balls and flatten them with your palm.
Dip each flattened piece in the batter and deep fry till golden brown.

Serve hot with ketchup or salad as I did...