- 1
Take 500 gms of potatoes and boil them until they are soft and well-cooked. Generally, it takes 15-20 minutes to cook them, depending on the size of the potatoes.
- 2
Once boiled, peel off the potatoes and mash them well in a big bowl devoid of lumps. This perfectly smooth consistency of the filling is very crucial for Aloo Bonda.
- 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium.
- 4
When the oil is hot, add one teaspoon of mustard seeds, which splutter and carry out its nutty aroma.
- 5
Proceed to add one teaspoon of cumin seeds, a pinch of asafoetida (hing), and one finely chopped green chilli for some heat.
- 6
Stir the mixture in for a few seconds to intensify the flavour.
- 7
Now add one finely chopped onion to the pan, and saut till it turns golden brown because the caramelisation of onions adds sweetness to the filling.
- 8
Add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon of red chilli powder, and salt to taste and mix well so the spices coat the onions.
- 9
Add the mashed potatoes to the pan.
- 10
Mix the potatoes with saut ed spices very gently so everything gets mixed well. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes for proper mixing of flavours.
- 11
Finally, sprinkle coriander leaves from a fresh batch into the mixture and stir them in.
- 12
Switch off the stove and let it get cooled.
- 13
Meanwhile, prepare the batter.
- 14
In a separate vessel, mix 1 cup gram flour (besan), half a teaspoon of red chilli powder, a pinch of baking soda, and salt to taste.
- 15
Add water to the dry ingredients slowly and whisk the mixture continuously until it forms a thick, smooth batter-like pancake so that it clings well to the potato balls.
- 16
Now heat oil for deep frying in a kadai or deep pan over medium heat. Heat the oil to the fry level.
- 17
Add a small piece of batter dropped into the oil. It will sizzle and go up so be done with it.
- 18
Now, take small portions of the potato mixture and shape these into small balls the size of a golf ball. Coat each ball with the prepared gram flour batter so that they are nicely coated. This is what gives Aloo Bonda its crispy outer.
- 19
Add the Bonda gently into the hot oil one by one. Do not overcrowd the pan, or that could lead to a drop in the temperature of the oil, and thus mushy bondas are the result.
- 20
Fry until they turn golden brown and crisp, which generally takes about 4-5 minutes.
- 21
Once cooked, remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon.
- 22
Place them on some paper towel so that extra oil can drain off of them. They'll stay crisp this way.
- 23
Serve it hot with green chutney or tamarind chutney.
- 24
This recipe of Aloo Bonda is sure to delight your family and friends with its tasty flavours and crunchy texture.
- 25
Enjoy this treat as a perfect accompaniment with tea time or a standalone snack at any gathering.