Motorshuti Kachori

Ingredients:

Maida/Flour - 1 cup

Motorshuti/ Peas - 100 g

Ginger - 1 inch

*Jeera and Shukno Lonka Bhaja Masala - 1 tbsp

Salt - To taste

Water - 1/4 cup

White Oil - as indicated

*Bhaja Masala (Roasted Spices )

Roast 2 tbsp jeera (cumin seeds) and 6 shukno lonka (dry red chillies) on low heat till jeera turns brown and chillies dark red. Do not char. Remove from heat and grind (use a coffee grinder). May be preserved for long periods and used for different preparations.

Preparing the Filling:

1. Grind motorshuti/peas and ginger with a little water into a paste.

2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a kadhai. Add the motorshuti and ginger paste and stir till dry.

3. Then add salt and Bhaja masala. Mix well and remove from heat.

Preparing Kachoris:

1. Take maida in a bowl. Add 3 tbsp oil, 1/4 tsp salt and mix well for 5 minutes.

2. Add water (approx. 1/4 cup) to knead into a tight dough. Divide into 16 balls.

3. Stuff each ball with about 1/4 tsp of filling and roll back into round balls. Too much filling will cause problems while flattening the balls.

4. Roll each into a flat pancake ensuring that the stuffing does not peep out. Use maida while flattening the balls into pancakes.

Frying Kachoris:

1. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a kadhai.

2. Add the flattened pancakes and fry each side till light brown (less than a minute)

3. Remove onto a paper towel to soak excess oil.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve with alur dom (potato curry). A hot Sunday breakfast for Bengalis. Worth a try!