Punjabi Samosa/ Fried Indian Pastry With A Savory Filling

Samosa is one of the most loved snack in India. Samosa is a fried or baked pastry with a savory filling, such as spiced potatoes, onions, peas, lentils, ground lamb, ground chicken. In Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and other Northern States of India, a bigger version of the samosa with spicy filling of 'masala potatoes' peas are found. Where as in Hyderabad, India, a smaller version of the samosa with a thicker pastry crust and mince-meat filling referred to as lukhmi is consumed, as is another variation with onion fillings.In South India, samosas are slightly different, in that they are folded in a different way more like Portuguese chamuças, with a different style pastry. The filling also differs, typically featuring mashed potatoes with spices, fried onions, peas, carrots, cabbage, curry leaves, green chillies, etc.. It is mostly eaten without chutney. But we in Bengali call it singharas and the stuffing is quiet simple with mashed poatoes ginger paste and cumin powder. In our last Potluck party my friend Pradnya Donge RKiran from Pranuvisworld. brought Punjabi samosa and I am the fortunate one to make it in my kitchen. We Bongs are not too much familiar with such spicy stuffing but I must say it's worth a try.I just missed coriander leaves and added pinch of sugar you can add and skip the one you desire. In a cozy evening when it's heavily down pouring outside just munch this yummy crispy delights with a cup of hot tea. Thanks Pradyna for sharing a wonderful recipe. So this is my take today in Potluck Party Cyber Style.

Preparation time 20 minutes
Cooking time 20 to 25 minutes
Serves 3 to 4

Ingredients :
For the Dough
11/2 cup all Purpose Flour
1tsp Carom Seeds (Ajwain) 
3tbsp Oil
Sal to taste
Water as needed

For Filling:
3 big Potato(boiled & mashed)
1/2 cup frozen Peas 
1tsp Cumin Seeds 
1tsp Cumin Powder
1tsp Coriander Powder
1 tsp or to taste Chilly powder
1 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tbsp Ginger & Garlic paste 
1 Onion chopped
1 Green Chilly finely chopped
1 tsp Garam masala powder
2 tsp Chat masala powder
2 pinch of sugar 
Coriander leaves for garnish
1tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

Methods Of Cooking

First of all make the dough. Take flour, ajwain, oil, salt in a bowl and mix well. Pour in water and knead into a stiff dough. Keep kneading it for 5-10 mins till to get nice dough. Cover with a muslin cloth and leave it rest for 30 mins. Now let us make the filling. Heat oil in a wok. Add cumin seeds and sauté well. Add ginger-garlic paste, green chilli, onions, salt and saute till translucent color. Add peas and remaining other spice powders and mix well.Add in mashed potatoes and mix well. Garnish with coriander leaves and leave it to cool down. Once the above stuffing cool down, knead dough once again so that it become soft and divide in equal portion. This is just needed each ball will have equal portion of dough. Otherwise last ball may be small. It is just a tip. Take a ball and roll in a thin circular way.Make two semi circle . Take one semicircle.Keep spoonful potato stuffing in the center. Fold one edge of circle to the center and do the same for another edge and seal with water paste. Now take samosa in the hand and try to fold bottom of samosa in the center and then make it in sitting position. and keep aside. Do same procedure for remaining dough. Cover the samosas with cloth Once it is done, now heat oil. Take care that oil should not be too hot and put samosas to fry. Don't crowd in the wok or else samosas will not cook evenly. This may take 5-7 mins. Because it is most important for samosas to cook in medium heat to get nice crispness. Once it is done, remove from wok and place on kitchen towel so that excess oil is soaked. Samosas are ready to serve , you can serve with ketchup or sweet tamarind chutney and relish with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Sending this to Potluck Party Cyber Style

Happy Cooking!