Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Ragda Patties ( Potato cutlets in a white pea gravy)

Ragda Patties
Ragda patties is another street food which comes in the category of 'chaat' in India. The ingredients for Ragda pattes are 'white vatana' or dry white/yellow whole peas (which makes the main part of the ragda/curry) and potatoes for the patties/cutlets. 
Ingredients for the Patties:
  • Potatoes:4-5 big (I use the red skin potatoes as they don't get too mushy when boiled and mashed)
  • Ginger+garlic paste: 1 tbsp
  • Green chillies: 1-2 (finely chopped)
  • Onion: 1 small/1/2 big (chopped fine)
  • Cilantro/coriander leaves: 1 small bunch (finely chopped)
  • Rava/semolina/frarina: 1 cup (to coat the patties)*
  • Salt : to taste
  • Oil: 2 tbsp (for shallow frying)
*I use rava/semolina(cream of wheat) to coat the patties before frying as it tends to absorb less oil. You can also use bread/bread crumbs.
Method:
  1. Boil and mash the potatoes.
  2. Add the ginger+garlic paste,chopped onions, green chillies,cilantro and salt and mix it well with the potatoes.
  3. Check for salt. Make 15-20 portions of this mix, flatten into a cutlet/patties.
  4. Roll the patties in the rava.
  5. Heat the oil in a pan, when it's hot, add the patties and shallow fry till it becomes golden brown. Remove from pan.
Ingredients for the Ragda:
  • White vatana/dry white peas: 1 cup(soaked overnight)
  • Onion: 1 small/1/2 big (finely chopped)
  • Tomatoes: 3 (finely chopped)
  • Ginger+garlic paste: 2 tsp
  • Zeera/cumin seeds: 1 tsp
  • Bay leaves: 1
  • Chole masala: 1 tbsp
  • Water: 1-2 cups (depending on how thick you want the gravy)
  • Chili powder,amchur(dry mango powder),chaat masala : to taste (optional)
  • Salt: to taste
  • Oil: 2tsp
Method:
  1. Pressure cook the vatana/white peas in about two cups of water. Keep aside.
  2. Heat the oil. Add the zeera/cumin seeds and the bay leaves.
  3. Then add the chopped onions and fry till it changes colour.
  4. Add the ginger+garlic paste and the chole masala and fry till the oil leaves the sides.
  5. Add the chopped tomatoes and stir till the tomatoes are cooked.
  6. Add the vatana, water,salt and let it cook for one boil.
  7. Check for taste(you can add the chili powder,amchur and chaat masala if needed).
To serve the ragda patties:
  1. Place two patties on a quarter plate/bowl.
  2. Pour the ragda (curry)over the patties.
  3. Garnish with freshly chopped onions and cilantro.
  4. Add a dollop of tamarind+date chutney on top (you can also add some 'sev' on top) and serve.
Enjoy Ragda Patties  in any season!