Spicy Potato Fritters (Bujia)
- 2 tablespoons black mustard seeds
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 2 tablespoons clarified butter (ghee)
- 2 tablespoons crushed, dried neem (curry) leaves
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 bunch cilantro, leaves roughly chopped
- 1 serrano chile, seeded, stemmed, and very finely diced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled
- 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
- Mint and Cilantro Chutney, to serve, recipe follows
- Yogurt Sauce, to serve, recipe follows
- For the batter: Combine dry ingredients in a bowl, add the water, and mix with a spoon until smooth and creamy.
- Set aside.
- For the potato fritters: Roast the mustard seeds in a dry pan until they turn gray, become aromatic, and begin to pop.
- (This will happen quickly.)
- Lower the heat, add the cumin seeds, and roast until brown, being careful not to burn them, about 2 minutes.
- Add the clarified butter and crushed neem leaves, and cook until lightly brown.
- Add the onions and cook 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and turmeric, remove from heat, and stir in the cilantro, serrano chile, salt, and pepper.
- Meanwhile, cook the potatoes in salted water until soft.
- Drain and cool.
- Coarsely grate the potatoes and mix gently with the onion and spice mixture.
- Adjust seasoning.
- To form the fritters, press some mixture tightly between your palms into half dollar rounds.
- (They can be held in the refrigerator a few hours.)
- To cook: Heat the oil in a large saucepan to 350 degrees F. Dip the potato fritter rounds into the batter and drop them into the hot oil.
- Fry until golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes total.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Serve immediately with Mint and Cilantro Chutney and Yogurt Sauce for dipping.
- Fritters can be made early in the day and reheated.
- 3 bunches cilantro, stems trimmed and finely chopped
- 1 small bunch fresh mint, leaves only, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
- 1 to 2 serrano chiles, with seeds, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 small lemon, juiced
- 1/2 tablespoon peanut oil
- Mix the ingredients in a bowl.
- Turn out onto a board and chop until a paste is formed.
- Yield: 1 3/4 cups
- 3 tablespoons peanut oil
- 2 teaspoons black or yellow mustard seeds
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 pint plain yogurt
- Have ingredients measured and nearby before beginning.
- Heat the oil in a small skillet over high heat.
- Add the mustard seeds.
- (They will begin popping immediately so have a cover close at hand for escaping seeds.)
- Cook until popping stops.
- Lower the heat, add the cumin seeds, and cook until they turn golden, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the garlic for 10 seconds, then the ginger for 10 seconds more, and remove from the heat.
- Stir in the turmeric, paprika, pepper flakes, and salt.
- Mix the spices and yogurt together in a bowl.
- Chill before serving.
- Yield: 2 cups
black mustard seeds, cumin seeds, butter, neem, onion, garlic, turmeric, cilantro, serrano chile, salt, freshly ground black pepper, russet potatoes, vegetable oil, cilantro, yogurt sauce
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/spicy-potato-fritters-bujia-recipe.html (may not work)