I love all types of pastries, I could eat them every day if it was more beneficial to my health than to my soul. In Turkey, we serve pastries when a guest visits, and we buy pastries when we visit a friend or relative. This is how much pastries connect people in my culture.
At the same time, it causes high cholesterol and diabetes so, better to watch your portions if you are consuming pastries on a regular basis. Once in a while does not hurt to spoil your health, I promise. Originally, samosas are fried in vegetable oil but, I prefer to bake them to make them “healthy-ish”.
You can stuff them with anything you like. I like to make them with boiled potatoes, vegan cheese, or zaatar. You can find the samosa leaves in the frozen aisle of any hypermarket. And let me tell you, if you serve these for your guests, you will be their favorite host.
Appetizers and snacks from India, samosas are known for their flaky pastry exterior and delicious savory filling. While fried samosas are the norm, baking them is a healthier alternative. Vegan samosas are a great way to enjoy a traditional Indian dish without straying from your plant-based diet. Here’s how to make vegan samosas that are baked instead of fried, so they’re healthy without sacrificing flavor.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- Two cups of flour for all purposes
- 0.5 tsp salt Vegetable oil, 1/4 c
- 2 boiling and mashed medium-sized potatoes
- 12 cup of green peas that have been cooked
- 1 tiny onion, finely chopped
- 2 minced cloves of garlic
- grated ginger (one teaspoon)
- 14 cup of ground cumin
- 1 tsp. of ground coriander
- Half a teaspoon of red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish), seasoned with salt to taste, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
Instructions:
Mix the dough’s main ingredients—salt and all-purpose flour—in a large bowl. When the ingredients have the texture of bread crumbs, add the vegetable oil and combine well. The dough should be kneaded until it is smooth and elastic, and the water should be added gradually, a bit at a time. The dough needs to rest for 15 minutes to 20 minutes, during which time it should be covered with a damp cloth.
Filling Preparation
Vegetable oil should be heated in a pan over low heat. After adding the cumin seeds, give them a moment to start popping. After the onion, garlic, and ginger have been chopped, add them. Saute the onions until they are translucent and just beginning to turn golden.
You need to season it with salt, chili powder, turmeric, and ground coriander. Combine the onions and seasonings by stirring them together. Mix in the mashed potatoes and green peas that have been sautéed. It’s important that everything is well mixed. Add another 2–3 minutes of cooking time. Put the filling away from the heat and let it cool.
Make and assemble the samosas by preheating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the dough into very small, uniform pieces. Form each portion into a skinny circle or oval. The circle is cut in half such that there are now two semicircles.
Take one of the semicircles and fold it into a cone by bringing the straight edge over the overlapped portion and squeezing to seal. Fill the cone with one tablespoon of the prepared filling. Moisten the samosa’s open side and apply pressure to seal it. Repeat the process with the dough and filling that is left over.
Once a baking sheet has been prepared, the samosas can be baked. Brush the tops with a small amount of vegetable oil to give them a golden color. Samosas require 20–25 minutes in a preheated oven, or until they reach the desired crispness and golden color.
Take the samosas out of the oven once they’re done baking and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with finely chopped fresh cilantro. Serve the vegan baked samosas with a dipping sauce or chutney of your choice. These tasty and nutritious samosas are perfect for any meal, from appetizers to dinner.
In conclusion, vegan baked samosas are a healthier alternative to conventional Indian fare without sacrificing any of the flavor or texture. Baking, rather than deep-frying, may provide crisp samosas with a delectable potato and pea filling encased in a light and flaky pastry. Get the ingredients together, follow the directions, and satisfy your taste buds with these delicious baked vegan samosas.