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Mirchi Vada, or Mirchi Bhaji, is a popular Rajasthani snack. This dish of green chilies filled with spicy potatoes, dipped in batter and fried, makes a mouthwatering snack for people who love hot, spicy food.

makes 8.

Ingredients:

8 green chillies (I use yellow chilli peppers)

For Filling

1 cup potatoes boiled peeled and mashed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)

1 teaspoon coriander powder (dhania)

1/4 teaspoon mango powder (amchoor)

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (hara dhania)

1/4 teaspoon chilli powder (lal mirch), (optional)

For Batter

1/2 cup Besan (gram flour), (available in Indian grocery stores)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)

1/8 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon cilantro chopped (hara dhania)

Approx. ¼ cup water

Also need oil to deep fry

Method

Vertically slit the chili and remove the seeds,.but not the stems. Set aside.

Mix all the filling ingredients together and set aside.

To make the vada batter, mix all the dry ingredients together: Besan, cumin seeds, baking powder and salt. Add the water slowly to make thick smooth batter, the consistency of pancake batter.

Add cilantro and mix it well.

Stuff the chilies with potato mix.

Heat one inch of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. To test, put one drop of batter in the oil. The batter should form a small ball on the surface of the pan, but not change color right away.

Dip the filled chilies in the batter one at a time, making sure each is covered with batter all around. Drop slowly into the frying pan.

Fry the mirchi vada until all sides are golden brown, four to five minutes, turning occasionally. Take them out and place them on a paper towel.

Vadas are best served hot. Serve them Tamarind Chutney.

Suggestion

You can prepare the Mirchi Vadas in advance, and heat them in a 300°F oven before serving.

The left over makes great sandwiches.

Methi Thepla is favorite snack bread from the state of Gujarati. It is very flavorful and makes a good travel or picnic food.

Make 6 to 8

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour (atta)

1/4 cup gram flour (basen)

1/8 teaspoon asafetida (hing)

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)

1/2 teaspoon turmeric (haldi)

1 teaspoon red chili flakes adjust to taste

1 1/4 teaspoon salt adjust to taste

1/4 cup dry fenugreek leaves (kastoori methi)

2 tablespoons oil

1/4 cup yogurt (dahi)

About 3 tablespoons of water as needed

Approximately 1/4 cup of oil for cooking

Method

Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl: flour, gram flour, asafetida, cumin seeds, turmeric, chili flakes, salt, and fenugreek leaves.

Add oil and yogurt to the flour mix and mix well. Add water as needed to make firm dough. Knead the dough for a minute on a lightly greased surface to make it smooth and pliable. Set the dough aside and cover it with a damp cloth. Let the dough rest

at least ten minutes.

Divide the dough into six to eight equal parts. Using your oiled palm, roll each one into a smooth ball and press flat.

Take one dough ball and press it lightly on both sides on a surface covered with dry flour. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a circle of five to six inches. If dough starts sticking, dust it with more flour. However, do not use any dry flour toward the end of the rolling, as it will make the thepla dry.

Heat a skillet over medium high heat. To test, sprinkle a couple of drops of water on the skillet. It should sizzle immediately.

Place the thepla in the skillet. As it cooks, the dough will change color and have a dryer look. Turn the thepla over using a spatula. You should see golden-brown spots on the semi-cooked side.

After few seconds, spread ½ teaspoon oil onto the thepla using a spatula. Turn the thepla over. Using your spatula, lightly press the entire surface of the thepla to help it cook all the way through. It may puff up in some areas.

Turn over the Thepla over again and press with the spatula, making sure it is golden-brown on both sides. Remove from heat.

Repeat with the remaining dough, untill they are all done.

Serving Suggestions

Methi Thapla can be served plain or serve with Plain Yogurt or try with Date and Raisin Chutney, this sweet and chutney can really enhance the flavor.

Variation

This recipe uses dry fenugreek leaves, as they are available year-round. But fresh fenugreek leaves are ideal if you can find them. Substitute ½ cup fresh chopped fenugreek leaves for the dry leaves.