Aloo Tikkis (Potato Cakes)

The thing I most miss in the UK is the sound of "Taka Tak" made by the street food vendors on their tava while making pav bhaji, aloo tikki, patties etc. Aah! Especially after living so many years in the hub of street food (Delhi & Mumbai), I seriously get disappointed when I am unable to go out after 6 pm. You have only two options, either go sit in a pub or have a proper dinner at some expensive restaurants. There is no in between thing. And I have started hating the American fast food joints like KFCs, McDs & pizza outlets. My stomach gets bloated and  I gain 2 kilos just by the look of it. That's when I miss my Indian Street food. Its not just about the food, its the whole idea behind it. Go with your family and friends, get your hands dirty, eat while standing and haggle with the vendor saying..."Bhayya ..Aur Theeka karo na", Bhayya, ek aur papdi"!! :) 



Thanks to London, I have already discovered some Vada Pav shops & Chat restaurants but the experience won't be the same. And that's when I plan to cook something at home itself. Last Sunday was apt as it was raining & I wanted to make something different than the usual pakodas. I recollected  those stacked up hot Aloo Patties on the sides of a big tava made by the vendors in India. I couldn't resist and started boiling the potatoes....:)

Ingredients:

• 3 large potatoes
• 1/2 cup semolina (sooji/rava)
• 1 large onion (finely chopped)
• 2-3 green chillies (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 cup coriander leaves (finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup oil (for hallow frying)
• salt to taste

Method: 

1. Boil the potatoes in salted water. Peel and mash the potatoes with a masher or with your hand.
2. Take a mixing bowl and transfer the potato mash to it. Add finely chopped onion, chopped green chillies, cumin seeds, semolina, red chilli powder, coriander leaves & salt to the mash and mix well. 
3. Divide the mixture into lemon sized balls. Take a ball of mixture and flatten it on your palm like a round patty or cutlet. Repeat the same with other mixture and place it on a plate or kitchen towel. 
4. Heat oil in a flat pan for shallow frying. If the oil is hot, place the potato cakes in the oil and let it cook for 3-4 minutes on one side.Turn them to the other side and let that side too brown evenly. 
5. Remove the potato tikkis from oil and drain on a kitchen towel. Similarly cook the remaining potato cakes in batches.