Samosa – Potato Stuffed Pastry

Hi friends! A samosa, samoosa, sambusa, or samboksa is a fried or baked dish with a savoury filling, of spiced potatoes.

Ingredients

 For pastry:

• 2 cups flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoon oil
• 6 tablespoon water

For potato stuffing:

• 5 medium potatoes
• 4 tablespoon oil
• 1 cup green peas
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 1 hot green chili (finely chopped)
• 3 tablespoon green coriander (cilantro), chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin seeds
• 1 tsp amchoor/ Dry mango powder
• Oil for deep frying

Method:

 Dough for Samosa Pastry

Step 1.

Mix flour and salt in a bowl. Add four tablespoons oil and rub until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Step 2.

 Slowly add about six tablespoons water ( or little more if required) and knead the dough for about 10 minutes or until it is smooth.

Step 3.

 Rub dough with oil. Cover it and set aside for 30 minutes or longer.

Potato stuffing for Samosa

Step 1.

Boil, cool and peel the potatoes. Dice it into 1/4 inch size cubes.

 Step 2.

 Heat four tablespoons oil in kdahi /wok on medium flame. Lower the heat and carefully put the cumin seed, wait for it to splutter, add coriander powder, cumin powder, chili powder and cubed potatoes. Stir fry until golden brown on medium heat.

Step 3.

Add peas, ginger, amchoor powder, and fresh coriander (cilantro). Mix and cook on low heat for 3-4 minutes. Do not forget to stir while cooking, finally add garam masala.

Making Samosa

 Step 1.

Knead the dough again. Divide it into about ten equal portions.

Step 2.

Roll it into flat round shape with about five inch diameter.

Step 3.

Cut the rolled dough into two halves. Make each half into a cone by sticking seam together with a little water.

Step 4.

Fill the cone with about two to three tablespoons of the potato filling.

Step 5.

Stick the top of the cone together with a little water. The seam should be about 1/4 inch (5 mm) wide.

Step 6.

Repeat this process until all the Samosas are filled and ready.

Cooking Samosa

 Step 1.

 Heat oil for deep frying using a wok/ Indian kadhai over a medium-low flame.

Step 2.

When the oil is hot, carefully put in as many samosas as fit in the kadahi /wok. Fry slowly, turning the samosas until they are golden brown and crisp.

Step 3.

Drain excess oil on a paper kitchen towel and serve hot with mint/ coriander/ Imali chutney.

Health benefits of potatoes :

The health benefits include their ability to improve digestion, reduce cholesterol levels, boost heart health, protect from polyps, prevent cancer, manage diabetes, strengthen the immune system, reduce signs of aging, protect the skin, increase circulation, reduce blood pressure, maintain fluid balance, reduce insomnia, and boost eye health.

Weight Gain: Potatoes are primarily made of carbohydrates and contain very little protein. This makes it an ideal diet for those excessively lean or thin people who desperately want to put on weight. The vitamin content includes vitamin-C and B-complex, which also help in proper absorption of carbohydrates. That is one of the reasons that potatoes make up a large part of the diet of sumo wrestlers, as well as many other athletes who need large energy reserves to burn off in order to compete!

Digestion: Since potatoes predominantly contain carbohydrates, they are easy to digest and facilitate digestion. This property makes them a good diet for babies or for those who cannot digest hard food, but need energy.
Skin Care: Vitamin-C and B-complex as well as minerals like potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc are good for the skin.

Scurvy: The vitamin-C present in potatoes can help prevent this disease, caused by a deficiency of vitamin-C. It is characterized by cracked lip corners, spongy and bleeding gums, and frequent viral infections. Although it has been eliminated from most first and second world countries with ready access to vitamin C, it still exists in certain nations of the world, so the prolific presence of potatoes in the world helps with this problem.

Rheumatism: There are two parts to the effect of potatoes on this condition. Vitamins like the calcium and magnesium in potatoes help to provide relief from rheumatism. Also, water obtained from boiling potatoes can relieve the pain and inflammation of rheumatism.

Inflammation: Potatoes are very effective in reducing inflammation, both internal and external. Since it is soft, easily digested and has a lot of vitamin-C (a very good antioxidant that repairs tissue wear and tear), potassium and vitamin-B6, it can relieve any inflammation of the intestines and the digestive system.

Cancer Prevention: Certain types of potatoes, particularly red and russet potatoes, contain high levels of flavonoid antioxidants and vitamin A like zeaxanthin and carotenes, they can protect you against many types of cancer. Also, research at the Agricultural Research service has shown that potatoes contain a compound called quercetin, which has been proven to have anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties. Finally, the high levels of vitamin A and C both have antioxidant qualities that can protect your body from the devastating effects of cancer.

High Blood Pressure: Since high blood pressure can occur for a number of reasons that include diabetes, tension, indigestion, nutrient balance, food content and many others, different treatments are required. Luckily, potatoes can alleviate multiple possible causes; potatoes can be used to relieve high blood pressure due to tension.

Brain Function: Proper functioning of the brain depends largely on the glucose level, oxygen supply, various components of the vitamin-B complex and certain hormones, amino acids and fatty acids like omega-3. Potatoes cater to almost all the needs mentioned above.

Heart Diseases: Apart from the vitamins (B-complex, C), minerals and roughage, potatoes also contain certain substances called Carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin). Carotenoids are beneficial for heart health and the functioning of other internal organs.

Kidney Stones: Kidney Stones, also known as Renal Calculi, are caused mainly due to increased levels of uric acid in the blood. potatoes also contain magnesium, which inhibits the accumulation or deposition of calcium (calcification) in the kidney and other tissues, thereby proving beneficial for treatment of renal calculi.

Diarrhea: They are an excellent component of an energy-rich diet for those suffering from diarrhea, since it is very easy to digest and contains mild roughage. However, eating too many potatoes can cause diarrhea due to the excessive ingestion of starch.

Ref. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-potato.html

Nick’s kitchen medical Disclaimer:

• Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
• Nick’s kitchen provides some information on vegetarian and vegan diets to the best of their knowledge and abilities.
• Nick’s kitchen does not claim to be health care professional, nutritionist, nor does it claims to treat any illness through vegan or vegetarian diet.
• If you have a medical condition,Nick’s kitchen recommend that you consult your health care professionals before changing your diet.
• Any changes that you make to your diet, and the results of those changes, are your decision and your responsibility.