Punjabi Samosa

Samosa is a common snack item for afternoon tea or if you have any guests. Samosa is a savory snack which is great with Red and Green Chutneys. Sometimes it is served with curried chickpeas in which a red and green chutney has been added. In our school canteen I remember having it with a tangy potato curry as well.
Though it is a vegetarian snack but there are meat version of Samosa as well like Keema Samosa.

Ingredients

For Pastry

1. Maida or Plain refined Flour 1.5 cups ( Do not use Atta which has more fibre, use the white flour which is typically used for making cakes)
2. Ajwain 1 teaspoon (Carom Seeds)
3. Cooking Oil 4 tablespoons
4. Salt to taste.
5. Warm water for kneading ( 1 cup)

For Filling

1. Potatoes medium sized 2
2. Green Peas 1/2 cup
3. Finely Chopped Onion 1/2
4. Ginger Paste 1/2 teaspoon
5. Finely chopped Green Chilli  1
6. Red Chilli Powder 1/2 teaspoon
7. Coriander Seeds 2 tablespoons
8. Jeera Seeds 1 teaspoon
9. 1 tablespoon finely chopped green coriander
10. Chat Masala 1 tablespoon
11. Salt to taste (remember that Chat Masala is already salty)
12. Ginger Powder 1/4 teaspoon
13. Mango Powder(Amchur) 1/2 teaspoon

For Frying

1. Lots of Cooking Oil for deep frying

Preparation

1. Boil the vegetables
2. If using a microwave then wash and put the  potatoes in the microwave and microwave them for around 5 minutes( time varies based on size of potatoes)
3. Microwave the peas also by putting them in a microwave proof container  and microwave them for 4 to 5 minutes.
4. If using a gas/electrical  burner then boil the potatoes in water and then also boil the peas as well.
5. Keep aside and let them cool down

Kneading the dough

1. Take a kneading bowl
2. Add Maida in it
3. Add Ajwain seeds
4. Add  2 pinches of salt.
5. Add 2 tablespoon of Ghee
6. Start rubbing the salt and the other ingredients.
7. Add another tablespoon of oil if needed and mix well by hand.
8. Now add  2 tablespoons of warm water and start kneading.
9. The dough has to be a tight dough, so please ensure that you do not put more water.
10. If you need to add water then add it in very small quantities at a time.
11. Once done cover it with a wet towel and leave aside to rest.

Spices

We have to dry fry the spices now

1. Take a small frypan or a skillet (Tawa)
2. Put it on /low/medium Heat
3. Add Jeera Seeds
4. Add Coriander Seeds.
5. Add some Ginger Powder
6. Stir occasionally, do not let the spices burn.
7. Once you start getting the aroma then switch off the heat.
8. Put the mixture aside to cool.

Filling Mixture

1. Now peel the boiled potatoes
2. Mash it coarsely with the hands ( We do not want a smooth mixture at all) lightly just to break the potatoes into small pieces.
3. Take a small fry pan
4. Put it on medium heat
5. Add  1 tablespoon of oil
6. Add the ginger paste and stir for 30 seconds ( do not allow it to burn)
7. Add the dry fried spices mixture in it and stir for 30 seconds ( no need to cook the spices as they are already dry roasted), we just want the spices to release their flavour in the oil.
8. Add finely chopped onions and stir for 30 seconds ( we are not fully cooking the onions)
9. Add the  boiled peas in it and stir for 1 minutes ( remember the peas are already boiled and cooked).
10. Now add red chilli powder
11. Stir well.
12. Add the potato mixture and stir well to mix it thoroughly
13. Add Chat Masala
14. Add Amchur(Mango Powder)
15. Take it off from the heat.
16. Allow the mixture to cool. ( Do not start making the Samosa by filling the hot potato mixture in it.) Let it cool thoroughly.
17. Add chopped green coriander leaves

 Making the Pastry

Now take the dough and roll it into a circle. (not too thin and not too thick) – if it is too thin then it will be hard to handle and if it is too thick then it will not cook properly when frying.

Using a knife cut it into two semi circles.

Now fold it and put some filling in it ( do not put a lot of it, otherwise it will burst open while frying)

Seal it with some water. Pinch them on the side to seal the edges properly.

Prepare and seal all samosa this way.

Now deep fry them on medium heat, you can add a batch of  2 to 4 Samosas in the oil depending upon the size of your frying pan.
Once done on all sides the colour will change to slightly golden colour, do not let them go brown color as they will be burnt by that time, take them out and put it on paper towel to get rid of the excess oil.

Serve them  hot with Red and Green Chutney or with a dollop of tomato ketchup.