Mumbai’s very own burger. The vada is made of a spicy potato filling deep fried in a gram flour batter. Along with a hot and spicy green chutney and sweet and tangy khajur imli ki chutney, it is served inside a small “Laddi Pav”.Vada pav is a staple food of many mumbaikars.

During my working days many a times vada pav was the only lunch I have had as it was easily available in all the airport canteens,always made fresh,served pipping hot and could easily be had on move.

Vada pav is one of the favourite food item of iconic cricketer Mr Sachin Tendulkar,every year on his birthday there is a stall in shivaji park who distributes free Vada Pav to all.

Ingredients:

8 Ladi Pavs.

4 tbsp Mint chutney.

4 tbsp Khajur imli chutney.

For the vada filling 

1 1/2 cups boiled and mashed Potatoes

2 tbsp Green chilli-ginger-garlic paste.

1 tsp Mustard seeds

1/2 tsp Methi seeds.

1/4 tsp Asafoetida

6 to 8 Curry leaves finely chopped

1/2 tsp Haldi powder

2 tbsp chopped Corriander leaves.

2 tbsp Oil

For the outer covering

2 cup Besan (Bengal gram flour)

1/4 tsp Haldi powder

a pinch of Fruit salt

1/2 tsp Dhana Jeera Powder.

Salt to taste

Oil for deep-frying

Method:

For the vada fillling :

Finely chop boiled and peeled potatoes,keep aside.

In a pan heat oil add mustard seeds,once they start crackling add mustard seeds,asafoetida and curry leaves sauté for a few seconds.
Add green chilli,ginger and garlic paste,sauté again for a few seconds.

Add the potatoes, turmeric powder and salt and mix well.Add chopped corriander leaves,mix well.
Remove from the fire,mash it a little and let it cool.

Divide into 8 equal portions. Shape into round balls,keep aside.

For the outer covering

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and make a batter using approximately 1/3 cup of water.

Dip each round ball of the vada filling into the batter and allow it to coat the mixture well .

Deep fry in hot oil, till golden brown on both the sides.

Drain on absorbent paper and keep aside.

How to proceed:

Take ladi pav.

Slice each pav into half.

Spread some green and some khajur imli chutney

Place one vada in each pav.

And press together.

Serve immediately.

Tips:For more spicy flavour dry red garlic chutney,finely chopped onions,schezwan sauce or a fried green chilly can be added to vada pav,butter can be used to make butter vada pav,slices of cheese or some grated cheese can be used to make cheese vada pav.Vada pav can also be slightly grilled with butter to make grilled vada pav.

Also besan crispies which are formed by batter drops while frying the vada are added to vada pav to give crispy texture in every bite.

Happy Cooking!!!

Sameera.