Aloo Kachori (Potato Puffs)

Potato is a staple vegetable loved by all, especially children. Can be consumed in baked, mashed, roasted whichever way, you will just love it. One of the first words my son uttered was batata(potato), he used to say it a lot:) It's easily available and there are countless ways to incorporate it in our meals. Here is one simple way that makes an impressive appetizer or a snack called kachoris.

Let us take a look at the recipe of Aloo Kachori,

Ingredients:
To make outer Shell

• All purpose flour (maida) 2 cups 
• Cooking oil 3 tbsp or 3 tbsp ghee
• Lemon juice 1 tsp 
• Salt as per taste (1tsp)

To make the Stuffing

• 4 potatoes medium size boiled and roughly mashed
• Mint leaves chopped handful (optional) 
• Green chillies minced 1 or 2 
• Ginger chopped 1 inch 
• Dried Pomegranate seed powder 2 tsp ( if you don't have it add more of amchur pwd)
• Red chili powder 1 tsp 
• Mango powder(amchur) 1 tsp 
• Coriander powder 1 tsp 
• Salt 1 tsp 
• Cooking oil 1 tsp 
• Cooking oil to deep fry

Preparation:

• Take a big bowl and add all the ingredients listed for making outer shell. 
• Mix well and make a soft dough with cold water, cover and keep aside for 10 minutes. 
• Knead well and make equal size balls. 
• In a bowl add all the ingredients for stuffing and mix properly. 
• Make equal size balls from the mixture, slightly bigger than the dough balls. 
• Now dust the dough balls with refined flour and roll to make a medium thick puri. 
• Place the potato ball in the centre and pull and close the poori from all sides,pinch off extra dough and make a round ball. 
• Heat oil in a deep pan(kadai), add the kachoris on medium heat . 
• Now lower the flame after a minute and fry the kachoris on low heat on both sides till golden in color. 
• You can drain on a paper napkin to absorb the extra oil 
• Serve with mint chutney or date-tamarind chutney or ketchup.  

recipe source credit: Maayeka.com [ made little changes in measurement of oil and spice powders ]

Health Benefits: Potatoes are an exceptionally healthful low calorie, high fiber food that offers significant protection against cardiovascular disease and cancer. Potatoes qualify as a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of potassium, copper, vitamin C, manganese, phosphorus, niacin, dietary fiber, and pantothenic acid. Vitamin B-6 helps in building cells, brain cells, cardio vascular protection (maximum benefits provided when eaten mashed, baked, roasted without oil/butter/cream)