A Beginner’s Guide to Making Delicious Samosas

Samosa is a popular Indian snack that has become a global favorite, enjoyed by millions across the world. It is a savory pastry that is stuffed with a variety of fillings, such as potatoes, peas, onions, and spices, and then deep-fried until golden brown. If you are a fan of this delicious snack and want to learn how to make samosa, you have come to the right place.

Making samosas can seem like a daunting task, but with a few simple steps, you can create mouth-watering samosas in your own kitchen. Whether you are an experienced cook or a beginner, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to make samosas like a pro. So, get ready to roll up your sleeves and let’s get started!

Ingredients for Samosas

When it comes to making samosas, the first thing you need to pay attention to is the ingredients. Here are the essential ingredients for making samosas:

1. Dough

The dough is the most crucial ingredient for making samosas. You can make the dough using all-purpose flour, water, and oil. Mix these ingredients in a bowl, knead it into a soft and smooth dough. Cover it and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before making samosas.

2. Filling

The filling is another essential element for samosas. The traditional filling consists of minced meat, peas, potatoes, onions, and a combination of spices. Vegetarians can use paneer or potato filling. To give it a twist, you can add other ingredients like corn, carrots, and cheese to your filling.

3. Oil

You will also need oil for frying your samosas. Vegetable oil or any oil with a high smoke point is recommended for deep-frying samosas.

4. Spices

The spices are what make your samosas flavorful. Common spices used in samosas include cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, and garam masala. Adjust the spices to your taste.

5. Herbs

Herbs add a more pleasant flavor to your samosas. Popular herbs used in samosas are cilantro and mint. Add them to your filling or sprinkle them on top of your samosas.

6. Salt

Don’t forget the salt. It enhances the taste of the samosas. Use it sparingly but enough to taste.

7. Water

Water is required for sealing your samosas. Make sure to have a small bowl of water ready for sealing.

8. Ghee or butter

You can add a small amount of ghee or butter to your dough or frying oil. It helps to make your samosas flakier and adds a nice aroma.

9. Lemon juice or chaat masala

To give your samosas a tangy taste, add a little lemon juice or chaat masala to the filling.

10. Tamarind or mint chutney

Samosas are typically served with chutneys, and the most common chutneys are tamarind or mint chutney. You can make these chutneys at home or get them from an Indian grocery store.

With all the ingredients ready, let’s move onto making the samosas.

10 Steps to Making Delicious Samosas

Now that we’ve talked about the history of samosas and some of the variations you can try, it’s time to delve into the actual process of making them. In this section, we will give you 10 simple steps to follow when making your own delicious samosas at home.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Before you start cooking, you need to gather all the ingredients you’ll need for the recipe. These ingredients include:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Salt
• 1/2 to 3/4th cup of water
• 2 tablespoons ghee, melted
• 1 tablespoon ajwain seeds
• 2 cups of boiled and mashed potatoes
• 1/2 cup green peas
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon amchur powder

Step 2: Make the Dough

To make the dough, take a large mixing bowl and add two cups of all-purpose flour, a pinch of salt, and two tablespoons of melted ghee. Mix everything together, then gradually add water until the dough starts to come together. Knead the dough for 10 to 15 minutes until it becomes soft and pliable.

Step 3: Prepare the Filling

In a pan over low heat, roast cumin and coriander seeds for a minute. Then, add the mashed potatoes, green peas, salt, red chili powder, garam masala, and amchur powder. Mix everything well, then set aside to cool.

Step 4: Divide the Dough

Divide the dough into small balls, about the size of a golf ball. Flatten each ball to form a circle approximately 3 inches in diameter.

Step 5: Cut and Shape the Samosas

Cut the flattened circles in half, then form each half into a cone shape. Fill each cone with the potato mixture, leaving some space at the top. Wet the edges of the cone with water, then press them firmly together to seal them shut.

Step 6: Deep Fry the Samosas

Heat oil in a deep frying pan or kadhai over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the samosas in batches and fry until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides. Remove the samosas from the oil and place them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

Step 7: Make a Tamarind Chutney

For a sweet and tangy dipping sauce, mix tamarind pulp, jaggery, water, cumin seeds, red chili powder, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer until it thickens. Allow it to cool before serving.

Step 8: Serve Hot and Enjoy

Arrange the hot samosas on a plate and serve them with your tamarind chutney.

Step 9: Store Any Leftovers

If you have any leftover samosas, store them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to three days.

Step 10: Experiment with Different Fillings

Once you’ve got the hang of making samosas, try experimenting with different fillings to switch things up. For instance, you could try using chicken, lamb, or beef instead of potatoes. You could also add spices like turmeric, cumin, or coriander to enhance the flavor. The possibilities are endless!

Traditional Samosa Recipe

If you are looking for an authentic samosa recipe, you are in the right place. The traditional samosa recipe is an excellent way to experience Indian cuisine at its best.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Making the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, add all-purpose flour, clarified butter or ghee, and salt. Mix well until the flour looks like breadcrumbs. Add enough water, little by little, to make firm dough. Keep the dough aside and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.

2. Preparing the Filling:
Peel and dice the potatoes, boil them until tender and set aside. Then, heat oil in a frying pan, add cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and sauté. Add onions and ginger and fry until they turn light brown. Now, add all the dry spices – garam masala, turmeric, red chili powder, cumin powder, and stir. Add potatoes, salt, and peas, mix it properly. Add chopped cilantro and mix well.

3. Rolling Out the Dough:
Divide the dough into small equal portions. Take one portion, roll it into a ball, and then roll it into a circle with the help of a rolling pin. Cut it in half using a knife so that you get two semi-circles.

4. Folding the Samosa:
Take one semi-circle, make a cone by overlapping the straight edge with the curved edge, and seal the overlapping edge using a little water. Add a tablespoon of the filling inside the cone, leaving enough space at the top to seal it. Brush the edges with water and seal it by pinching it together.

5. Frying the Samosa:
Fill a deep frying pan with oil and heat. Once the oil is hot, add some samosas to the pan and fry them over medium heat until they turn golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried samosas and drain the excess oil.

Your traditional samosas are ready! Serve them hot with tamarind or mint chutney.

That’s a Wrap!

And there you have it, folks! Your very own batch of mouth-watering samosas. We hope you enjoyed reading through our step-by-step guide as much as we enjoyed writing it. Now, it’s time to dig in and treat yourself to these delicious snacks. Don’t forget to thank the wonderful cook who provided this recipe! If you want more amazing food articles, be sure to visit us again. Until then, happy cooking!