Vada Paav

One of the best street foods from Mumbai and one of the things I sorely missed in USA. None of the indian restaurants I visited with exception of Chai pani in Asheville gave me the satisfaction of eating vada paav like I had growing up..Finally I decide to do my research and make the perfect vada paav with its special garlic chutney :)

Vada Recipe:
Ingredients: (for stuffing)
3 potatoes (boiled and mashed)
3/4 tsp mustard
1 tsp cumin,
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 green chilly (or as per taste)
5-6 cloves garlic,
2 tbsp lemon juice
5-6 curry leaves
salt to taste

For the outer coating:
1 cup besan/ chick pea flour,
2 tbsp rice flour,
1cup water,
1 tsp chilly powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp salt

In a pan, take some oil, heat, add mustard seeds and let them splutter (takes a couple minutes), now reduce flame and quickly add cumin, green chilly, garlic, curry leaves and saute for couple minutes on low flame, add turmeric and mix and add mashed potatoes.
For the batter, mix all ingredients mentioned with water. It should be thick enough to coat the potato balls and stick to it.
take a small portion, around 2-3 tablespoon, form into a ball and dip in batter bowl and coat with batter. size of ball should be such that you have big enough container to deep fry it.
deep fry the vadas..

Now the next step is chutney or the dry spice powder that goes with the vada paav.
Ingredients:
20 cloves garlic,
2.5 tbsp chilly powder,
1/4 cup sesame,
1/2 cup coconut
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp oil

saute garlic in oil, till golden brown, add sesame seeds and coconut. once sesame and coconut arelight brown, add salt and dry chilly powder. lastly, blend everything in dry spice blender.    

To assemble, just put some chutney on a bun or paav, put the vada in between and enjoy this awesome treat

Printable Version: Vada Paav