- 1
Begin by boiling 4-5 medium-sized potatoes until they are soft and tender.
- 2
Once cooked, peel the potatoes and mash them in a bowl, setting them aside for later use. Make sure to mash them well to avoid any lumps. This step is essential to making the perfectly soft inside vadas.
- 3
Next, heat 2 tbsp of oil in a pan over medium heat.
- 4
Add 1 tsp of mustard seeds, 1/2 tsp of asafoetida, 8-10 curry leaves, 2 finely chopped green chillies, and 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder to the pan.
- 5
Saut the mixture for a minute, allowing the aromas to meld together.
- 6
The mustard seeds will start to sizzle and pop, filling the air with a nutty aroma.
- 7
Now, add the mashed potatoes to the pan and mix well.
- 8
Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are heated through.
- 9
Season with salt to taste, then let the mixture cool down to room temperature.
- 10
This will help the potatoes absorb the flavours.
- 11
While the potato mixture cools, grate 100 gms of processed cheese and set it aside.
- 12
This will be used to fill out the vadas.
- 13
You can also use other types of cheese, like mozzarella or cheddar, if you prefer.
- 14
In a separate bowl, you can now prepare the gram flour batter by mixing 1 cup of gram flour, 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp of red chilli powder, a pinch of baking soda, and salt to taste.
- 15
Gradually add water to the bowl, mixing until a thick, smooth batter forms.
- 16
Make sure the batter is not too thin or too thick.
- 17
Once the potato mixture has cooled, divide it into equal portions.
- 18
Stuff each portion with grated cheese, then shape it into round balls or vadas. Make sure the cheese is fully enclosed within the potato mixture.
- 19
Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat for deep frying.
- 20
Dip each cheese-stuffed vada into the gram flour batter, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- 21
Carefully slide the coated vadas into the hot oil and deep fry until golden brown.
- 22
Remove the vadas from the oil and drain excess oil on paper towels.
- 23
To assemble the vada pav, slice pav buns horizontally.
- 24
Spread some green chutney and garlic chutney on both sides of the bun.
- 25
Place a cheese vada in between the bun halves.
- 26
Serve the vada pav hot with additional chutneys and fried green chillies on the side.
- 27
Enjoy the crispy exterior and fluffy interior of the vada pav!