Mumbai’s very own burger. The vada is made of a spicy potato filling deep fried in a gram flour batter. Along with a hot and spicy garlic chutney, it is served inside a small "Laddi Pav". I have fond memories of sharing a vada pav with my son while travelling on a business trip to Vapi by train. Although vada pav is a Maharashtrian dish, I was surprised to find it popular even in Gujarat. Another travelling ritual on my frequent drives to Pune is to stop at a small café on the highway to grab a quick vada pav and a steaming hot cup of masala tea that chases away all my travel fatigue
Preparation Time:
Cooking Time:
makes 8 pieces
Ingredients
8 ladi pavs (small squares of white bread)
1 recipe Dry Garlic Chutney
For the vada filling
1 1/2 cups boiled and mashed potatoes
2 green chillies, chopped
1 1/2 tbsp grated garlic
1 tsp mustard seeds ( rai / sarson)
1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
6 to 8 curry leaves (kadi patta)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
1 tbsp oil
For the outer covering
3/4 cup besan (Bengal gram flour)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
a pinch of baking soda
1 tsp oil
salt to taste
Other ingredients
oil for deep-frying
Method
For the vada fillling
For the outer covering
How to proceed
For the vada fillling
- Pound the green chillies, ginger and garlic using a mortar and pestle.
- Heat the oil and add the mustard seeds. When they crackle, add the asafoetida and curry leaves and sauté for a few seconds.
- Add the pounded mixture and sauté again for a few seconds.
- Add the potatoes, turmeric powder and salt and mix well.
- Remove from the fire and cool.
- Divide into 8 equal portions. Shape into rounds.
For the outer covering
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and make a batter using approximately 1/3 cup of water.
- Dip each round of the vada filling into the batter and allow it to coat the mixture well .
- Deep fry in hot oil, till golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper and keep aside.
How to proceed
- Slice each pav into half and spread some dry garlic chutney inside.
- Place one vada in each pav and serve immediately.
Tips
- Laddi pavs are small square shaped white bread rolls which are available at local bakeries.
- You can also use bread roll or slices if the pav is not available.