Okay, folks, let’s dive into my little kitchen adventure today – whipping up some quick and easy Indian vegetarian snacks! I’ve been craving some savory bites, but I’m also super lazy, so “quick and easy” is the name of the game.
My Game Plan
First, I scoured my pantry. I’m a big fan of having basic Indian ingredients on hand, like chickpea flour (besan), spices, and some frozen veggies. Turns out, I was pretty well-stocked!
I decided to make two simple snacks:
- Besan Chilla (Chickpea Flour Pancakes): These are super versatile, and you can toss in whatever veggies you have.
- Spicy Potato Bites: Because, honestly, who doesn’t love potatoes?
Making the Besan Chilla
I started making this snack.
For the chilla, I grabbed a big bowl and whisked together:
- 1 cup besan (chickpea flour)
- About ¾ cup water (added it slowly to get the right consistency – like a thick pancake batter)
- A pinch of turmeric powder
- Some chili powder (because I like a little kick!)
- Salt to taste
- Finely chopped onion, some frozen peas and carrots that I quickly thawed.
Then, I heated a non-stick pan with a tiny bit of oil. Once it was hot, I poured a ladleful of the batter onto the pan, spreading it out thinly. I cooked it for a couple of minutes on each side, until it was golden brown and cooked through. Easy peasy!
Whipping Up the Spicy Potato Bites
Next up, the potato bites.I had a few potatos,and I make it.
I already had some boiled potatoes in the fridge (leftover from dinner last night – score!). I cubed those up. Then, in a separate pan, I heated some more oil and tossed in:
- Mustard seeds (they pop and sizzle – it’s fun!)
- Curry leaves (if you have them, they add an amazing flavor)
- A pinch of asafoetida (hing) – this stuff is pungent, but a little goes a long way
- More chili powder (because, again, I like spice!)
- Turmeric powder
- Salt
Once the spices were fragrant, I added the cubed potatoes and stirred everything together until the potatoes were nicely coated and heated through. I sprinkled some chopped cilantro on top for a bit of freshness.
The Final Result
I have two simple snacks!
And that’s it! Two super simple, tasty Indian vegetarian snacks, made in under 30 minutes. I plated them up, grabbed some chutney I had in the fridge, and enjoyed my little snack feast. They were so good, and exactly what I was craving. It also used some stuff up some stuff. I hate wasting food. Definitely doing this again!