Samosas with Potatoes and Peas

samosa
Photo: Bryan Gardner
Prep Time:
1 hr 25 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 30 mins
Yield:
20

Our homage to the savory Indian pastries calls for a cumin-studded dough and a hearty potato-and-pea filling. Serve fresh out of the fryer with a duo of homemade chutneys.

Ingredients

Dough

  • 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces

Filling

  • 1 ½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (4 to 5), peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces (4 cups)

  • Kosher salt

  • ¼ cup vegetable oil, plus about 2 quarts for frying

  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds

  • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1 large onion, finely chopped (1 ½ cups)

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped peeled ginger (from 3-inch piece)

  • 1 large serrano or jalapeno chile, seeded for less heat if desired, finely chopped (3 tablespoons)

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic (from 2 to 3 cloves)

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • ½ cup tightly packed coarsely chopped cilantro

  • ½ cup frozen peas, partially thawed

  • Fresh Cilantro Chutney, for serving (optional)

  • Tamarind-Date Chutney, thinned with water until dippable consistency is reached, for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. Dough:

    Whisk together flour, salt, and cumin. Work in butter with your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 1/3 cup water and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer to a clean surface; knead until smooth, about 4 minutes. Cover with a bowl. Let rest 1 hour. (Dough can be made ahead up to this point and refrigerated, wrapped in plastic, up to overnight.)

  2. Filling:

    In a medium saucepan, cover potatoes with 2 inches water. Add 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 4 to 6 minutes. Drain.

  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Swirl in 1/4 cup oil. Add cumin, mustard, and coriander; cook until fragrant and mustard seeds begin to pop, about 1 minute. Add onion, ginger, chile, and garlic. Season with 1 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add potatoes and cook, stirring and mashing with the back of a fork, until the texture of very chunky mashed potatoes. Add lemon juice, cilantro, and peas. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt. Let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.

  4. Once dough is rested, roll into a log about 10 inches long. Cut into 10 pieces (each about 1 1/2 ounces). Cover with plastic wrap. Working with one piece at a time on an unfloured surface, roll out to a 6-inch circle. Cut circle in half to create two half-moon shapes. Shape each half-moon into a cone by folding it in half and pinching the straight sides together. Fill each cone with heaping 2 tablespoons filling, then pinch closed to create a stuffed triangle. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.

  5. In a deep, heavy pot, heat remaining 2 quarts oil (it should come 2 inches up sides of pot) to 350 degrees. Working in batches so as not to crowd pot, fry samosas, turning occasionally, until golden brown all over, about 4 minutes. Adjust heat as needed to keep oil temperature between 340 and 360 degrees. Transfer to a wire rack to drain. Serve with chutneys, if desired.

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