Introduction: How to Make Vada Pav

By Banaao - A Makers' Playground

Vada pav is a very famous vegetarian fast food snack native to the Indian state of Maharashtra. You can find it almost everywhere in Mumbai.

It is basically a batata vada ( Potato is called 'Batata' in marathi ) which is sandwhiched between two slices of a pav (a small loaf of bread).

Following easy recipe is surely going to please the Spicy-Indian-fast-food fans.

  • Category: Vegetarian
  • Course: Snacks & Appetizers
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Technique: Deep Fry
  • Level of difficulty: Beginner
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Servings: 2 Persons
  • Learnings: Deep Fry

Ingredients:

  • Two large potatoes
  • 100 ml oil
  • ½ tsp mustard seeds
  • 7-8 curry leaves
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • Hing / Asfoetida
  • Salt
  • 4-5 Green chillis
  • 1 to 1¼ cups Gram flour
  • ½ cup water
  • 50 gm Ginger
  • 20 gm Garlic
  • 1 tbsp Red chilli powder
  • 2-3 Buns
  • 1 tbsp Butter

Utensils:

  • Kadhai ( Deep open frying pan)
  • Non-Stick Tawa
  • Bowl for batter prepapration
  • Wire strainer for frying
  • Plates for serving
  • Small pan for masala preparation

Step 1: Boil & Mash the Potatoes

Wash and then boil two large potatoes, weighing about 350 grams. Peel off their skin and then mash them with Potato masher in a bowl.

Step 2: Masala & Potato Preparation

Heat 2 to 3 tsp. of oil in a small pan. Add ½ tsp. mustard seeds, 7 to 8 curry leaves and crackle them.

Then, add the mashed potatoes, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, a pinch of Asafoetida (a.k.a. Heeng), Green chilli paste and salt to taste. Mix everything well.

Roll out small to medium sized balls from the mashed potato mixture. Flatten these balls slightly. Cover and keep aside.

Leave small amount oil in the same bowl and fry 2-3 chillies.

Step 3: Batter Preparation

In another bowl, make a smooth batter using 1 to 1.25 cups Gram flour (a.k.a Besan), ⅛ tsp turmeric powder, salt and ½ cup water. The batter should neither be too thick, nor too thin.

Dip the Frtslightly flattened potato balls in the batter. Make sure the balls are coated evenly with batter.

Step 4: Fry the Vada

Gently drop these batter coated potato balls in medium hot oil. Deep fry these batter coated potato balls (a.k.a Vadas) till they turn golden-brown.

Once the Vadas are golden brown, drain and set them aside on kitchen napkins.

Step 5: Prepare Buns

Heat 2-3 tbsp of butter in a thick-bottomed pan or a tawa.

Slice bun horizontally into two and pan fry in butter for half a minute, pressing two or three times or till pav is crisp and light brown

Place a generous amount of Red chutney on one side of the bun.

Step 6:

Finally, place a batata vada over a Pav and top off with a generous amount of Green chutney and Onion.

You may also Grill it.

Serve the vada pavs with some green chillies & Garlic Chutney.