About

Cost: $ $ $ $ $

Difficulty: • • • • •

Time: 1h00

BATATA WADA
MAKES 10-12

The veritable Batata Wada is a mainstay for thousands of Bombay’s residents when it comes to an affordable midday filler. Many even start with a good Wada for breakfast. For my wife it is an absolute must to eat almost daily whenever we visit Bombay. The basic spiced potato and onion mix can be served three ways: as it is as an accompaniment with bread or chapattis, made into potato bhajias, or, as here, made into Wadas.

Posted by Hardie Grant from London, United Kingdom • Published 18th June 2014 • See Hardie Grant's 83 projects » © 2024 Cyrus Todiwala / Hardie Grant Books · Reproduced with permission. · Mr Todiwala's Bombay by Cyrus Todiwala (Hardie Grant, £25.00) Photography: Helen Cathcart

Print • Embed

Kirsty T. favorited Spiced Potato Fritters Or Balls 30 Jun 12:40
Pimke added Spiced Potato Fritters Or Balls to Essen 21 Jan 21:09
Emma H. favorited Spiced Potato Fritters Or Balls 06 Oct 20:03
KelliDroze added Spiced Potato Fritters Or Balls to Food 25 Jun 01:24
Hester A. favorited Spiced Potato Fritters Or Balls 19 Jun 18:43
ale_corason favorited Spiced Potato Fritters Or Balls 19 Jun 01:12
Hardie Grant published his project Spiced Potato Fritters Or Balls 01 Apr 17:45

Step 1
Put the mashed potatoes into a large bowl, season and add the chopped coriander then set aside.
Step 2
Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan (have a lid or a frying pan mesh to hand).
Step 3
Add the mustard seeds, cover with the lid or mesh, reduce the heat and cook for 15-20 seconds, shaking the pan until they crackle and pop. Be careful not to burn the seeds.
Step 4
As soon as the crackling dies a bit add the curry leaves and asafetida and swirl round the pan.
Step 5
Add the ginger and chilli and sauté for a minute or two then add the chopped onions. Saute gently until the onions are pale and soft then add the turmeric and the lime juice and add this mixture to the potatoes.
Step 6
Mix well, taste and re-season if necessary.
Step 7
Now to make the mixture into wadas. Sift the chickpea flour into a bowl and add enough water beating all the time with a whisk to make a smooth, creamy pouring batter the consistence of batter when frying fish or making pancakes. Season, cover and leave to stand for at least 30 minutes.
Step 8
Beat the potato mixture well to make it as smooth as possible and shape into 10-12 equal sized balls. IUs serving as a canapé snack, make the balls much smaller.
Step 9
Heat the oil to 180°c/ 350°f or until a tiny dribble of the batter dropped in sizzles, rises to the surface immediately and browns in 30 seconds.
Step 10
Fry all the Wadas a few at a time until crisp and golden, turning over if necessary. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain in a colander over a bowl, or on paper towels. Serve in soft rolls with fresh chutney.