Garlicky Vada Pav "Burger"

Vada Pav is a unique Maharashtrian snack. In Mumbai, where ever you see, there'll be a local vada pav joint slinging the best quick snack for people who are always on a go. I made a tweak to this delicious snack & turned it into an easy spicy, garlicky veg burger.  Try it. 

Serves 2-3 

FOR POTATO VADA

2-3 Large potatoes, Steamed or Boiled 

2 Large Garlic cloves, finely chopped or crushed in mortar and pestle

1 or 2 Green Chillies, finely chopped or crushed in mortar and pestle

1 Tsp Brown Mustard seeds 

7-8 Curry leaves 

1/2 Tsp Turmeric powder 

1/4 Tsp Chilli powder

Salt to taste 

1 Tbsp coriander leaves, chopped 

2 Tbsp oil

FOR BATTER

1 cup Besan 

1 pinch asafoetida 

1/2 Tsp Turmeric powder 

1/2 Tsp Baking powder 

1/2 cup water plus 2 tbsp

Salt to taste 

FOR DRY GARLIC CHUTNEY

1 Tsp Oil

7-8 Garlic Cloves 

1 cup Coconut fresh or frozen (You can substitute with dessicated coconut, just use 1/2 cup)

5 Dry Kashmiri Red chillies 

1 Tsp Red chilli powder 

Salt 

1. On medium heat in a pan heat oil, once hot add mustard seeds and let it splutter. 

2. Then add curry leaves, garlic and chillies and fry until just cooked, no need to brown them. 

3. Add turmeric powder and chilli powder, fry for 10 sec. Add splash of water to stop the cooking process and then add mashed potatoes and salt. Mix everything well. 

4. In the end add coriander leaves and mix. Keep filling aside to cool down. 

5. Once cool enough to handle, take some potato vada filling in your hand, and roll it into lemon ball shape. Roll all the filling this way and keep it aside. You can make bigger size balls too.

1. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients from under batter section and make a smooth batter. The batter should not be too thick or too thin. 

2. Now, on medium heat, in a wok or pot, heat enough oil for frying.  Dip potato vada balls in batter using hands or gently with fork, mix it around until well coated. 

3. Carefully slide it in hot oil and fry until golden brown. Remove on paper towel and keep it aside.

1. In a pan, heat oil. Add garlic cloves with skin on, and roast on low-medium heat. Once garlic has some colour, add coconut.  

2. Roast coconut until it turns a bit toasty and gets some colour. Keep an eye and don't burn it. 

3. Now add red chillies and toast for 2-3 min. Then add Chilli powder, salt, and mix everything. Turn off the heat and let it cool. 

4. Once cool, Grind coarsely.

1. Heat a pan, Slather some butter on sliced buns, toast the buns on the pan.

2. Take Some dry garlic chutney and spread it on buns. Put as much or as little as you like. 

3. Take one (or two, like me) potato vada and press it gently to flatten it. Add between the buns and enjoy this easy vada pav 'burger' with some Chai.

NOTES 

You can make the potato vada balls beforehand, and keep it in the fridge. Just fry them in batter when you are ready to eat it. 

You can also add mayonnaise to this burger.