Mumbai! The city famous for its marine drive, Gateway of India, monsoons and street food. When I was back in India, Mumbai was among the top 5 places left I wanted to visit. Someday though. Talking about monsoon I remember, we always used to have pakode (Chickpea potato fried snack) with some coriander chutney back at home.
Vada pav, its one of the most popular instant street food loved by all. It’s like a sandwich made from two buns with fried potato coated in chickpea flour with garlic sauce. What is special about it is the sauces that go inside & the dried chilly.
Growing up in Delhi, I was not fully aware of this authentic Mumbai street food. I experienced my first vada pav very late, but it was worth every word. I remember eating a lot that day! Living here in USA, I crave for that similar taste every time.
On a rainy day here tried recreating the exact taste. Step by step recipe is below:
How to make vada pav?
INGREDIENTS
- 2 Pav
- 4 Potatoes
- Spices- 3/4 tbsp Mustard seeds, 1/2 Hing,1/2 Haldi powder, pinch of Baking soda, 1 tbsp Dhaniya powder, 2 tbsp Cumin powder, Salt, 1/2 Chat masala
- 1 tbsp Ginger garlic paste
- 4 tbsp Garlic chutney
- 1/2 cup Chickpea flour
- 3-4 Curry leaves
- 1 bunch Cilantro
- 5-6 Green chilies
- 1/2 Lemon
- Water
- Butter
- Oil
Corriander Chutney
In a blender add coriander leaves, green chilies, garlic cloves, cumin powder, salt, chat masala, water & grind together. Add half lemon.
Vada
- Filling– In a pan add oil on medium heat. Once hot add mustard seeds, curry leaves, hing, haldi powder, dhaniya powder, ginger garlic paste & salt.
- Once all the ingredients are roasted properly, add the boiled potatoes & chopped cilantro.
- Make medium sized balls & keep aside.
- Batter– In a separate bowl, add chickpea flour. Add pinch of haldi, pinch of baking soda, salt, chat masala.
- Mix well by adding small amount of water slowly. The batter should be of medium consistency.
- Frying– Fill the kadai with oil & heat the oil on medium flame. Coat the potato balls with the batter & put into the kadai.
- Fry till its golden brown. Do this with all the potato batter.
Assembling the vada pav
- Slice pav in a way, that its joined on one end. Toast the pav on a pan with some butter.
- Appy green chutney one side and garlic chutney on another.
- Now put the fried potato ball at the center & serve with chutneys.
Tips
- You can have fried chilly along with the vada. Cut green chilly vertically in way that its not cut completely into two. Fry it along with potaoes.
- Boondi Chura– In Mumbai, chura is filled inside vada pav. Also given alongside. To make chura, you need a boondi-making-jhara spoon. Pour the batter on it into the oil & fry.
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