Page 24 - ALG 1.21

cooking
with Erin
Swede Samosas
Everyone loves a good samosa, but have you ever tried a swede samosa? Don’t worry, potatoes can be used instead. This recipe makes a bundle of the
little parcels, but don’t worry if they’re not gobbled up because they freeze
well too. The secret to this recipe is
the amchoor powder, which is a fruity spice powder made from dried green mangos. It provides a citrusy seasoning and is readily available in world food shops. Lemon juice can be used instead. The mint chutney recipe is fresh, punchy and a great accompaniment to these samosas or any Indian dish. It’s also really easy to make.
Makes 12 large or 24 small
For the filling
500g swede or potatoes
3 tbsp oil - sunflower, rapeseed, coconut or ghee
1⁄2 tsp mustard seeds
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tsp ginger, finely chopped
100g fresh or frozen peas
1 tbsp ground coriander
2 tsp ground cumin
1⁄4 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp garam masala
11⁄2 tsp amchoor, or juice of 1⁄2 lemon salt, to taste
splash of water
4 tbsp fresh coriander, finely chopped
For the pastry
500g plain flour
2 tsp nigella seeds, optional
1 tsp salt
8 tbsp rapeseed oil, coconut oil or ghee 200ml water
If using swede: peel the swede and chop into 2cm pieces. Bring to a boil and simmer until tender then mash gently with a fork.
If using potatoes: boil the whole potatoes in a saucepan of salted water for 20-25 minutes, or until tender, then drain. When cool enough to handle, grate or put through a potato ricer.
To make the pastry, mix the flour, nigella seeds and salt in a bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the oil and
enough water to make a firm dough (you may not need all the water). Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth and roll into a ball. Cover in clingfilm and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Heat the oil in a small non-stick pan and fry the mustard seeds for about 10 seconds or until they begin to splutter. Add the onion and ginger and cook
for 2-3 minutes over a high heat. Add the peas, stir well and add the spices, amchoor, salt and a splash of water (if using lemon juice instead of amchoor, add this instead of the water). Cook
for 1-2 minutes, then add the cooked potatoes and fresh coriander and cook for 2-3 more minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
To make the samosas, cut the dough into six even-sized pieces for larger samosas or 12 even size pieces for smaller and roll into balls. Use a rolling pin to roll each ball into a thin circle, about 15cm (6 inch) diameter. Cut each circle in half to form two semicircles.
The secret to this recipe
is the amchoor powder, which is a fruity spice powder made from dried green mangos
Take a semicircle, brush the edges with water to seal and fold into a cone by lifting the bottom edge of the cut side across to the middle of the round side. Fill the cone about half-full with the samosa filling, then fold the remaining pastry over to create a triangle,
press tightly to seal. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
Heat oil in a deep fat fryer or deep wok to 190°C / Gas Mark 5. Fry in the hot oil, spooning oil over the top and turning over until golden, and bubbles appear. Drain on kitchen towels. Alternatively, the samosas can be baked. Brush with a bit of melted butter or coconut oil and place on a baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C / Gas Mark 6 for 15 minutes or until golden.
Samosa wrappers or filo dough can also be used to make samosas. The wrappers can be found in the freezer at world food shops.
Erin is a chef and teacher based in Stroud. Each issue, she will be sharing with us a few of her delicious recipes for using allotment produce. www.naturalcookeryschool.com
Photographs: ©Michael Ruggier
24 Allotment and Leisure Gardener