Ragda Patties

Ragda Patties: This is a street food item popular all over India. It is a combination of a potato-based patty served with thickened chick peas curry.

Serves: 2

Ingredients for Ragda:

- 1 cup white peas (popularly known as chana in India...soak them overnight)
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 cup finely cut tomato
- 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 tbsp of oil
- 1 tsp of garam masala(grind black peppers, cloves, cinnamon, cumin seeds, corriander seeds to prepare fresh garam masala)

- 1/4 tsp of red chilli powder
- Lemon juice
- 1 cup of thin sev (Fried Indian snack made up of Bengal gram flour available in any ethnic Indian store)

- Salt to taste
- Finely chopped cilantro to garnish


Ingredients for the Patties:

- 2 boiled potatoes (large)
- 1/2 tsp of ginger paste
- 1/2 tsp of cumin powder
- 1/4 tsp of red chilli powder
- 1 tsp of cornflower or besan(bengal gram flour)


Preparation of Ragda (the curry):

- Boil the soaked chana.
- Add oil in a pan/kadai/wok.
- After the oil is heated add ginger garlic paste, then add the garam masala.
- Saute it for a minute, then add the chopped onions. Let the onions and the masala cook on a low flame.

- Once the onions are tender add the chopped tomatoes. Cook them till they are tender.

- Now add the boiled chana.
- Stir the chana until its thoroughly mixed with the masala.
- Then add a cup of water.
- Add red chilli powder( quantity depending on the spice level you are comfortable with).

- Add salt.
- Let the chana cook until the water boils and thickens.
- Remove in a bowl.

Preparation for Patties:

- Mash the two boiled potatoes into a smooth mixture. There should be no lumps.
- Add the Ginger paste, cumin powder, salt, red chilli powder, cornflower and mix thoroughly.
- Make small balls and press them to make flat patties.
- Add oil to a frying pan.
- Once the oil heats up put in the patties and shallow fry (similar to cutlets) till they are golden brown.

- Place the patties in a serving plate or a bowl. Pour the Ragda on it.
- Garnish with onions, some sev, cilantro and lemon juice.