Fried Indian Fritters: Potato and Mirchi Bajjis

This is a perfect snack for those chilly rainy evenings. Goes well with a cup of steaming masala chai.

Potatoes - 2

Big Green Chilis - 5 - Mild ones that are lighter in color

Oil - for deep fry

Batter for the Fritters:

Gram Flour/Besan - 1 cup

Carrom Seeds/Ajwain - 1 tsp

Red Chili powder - 1 tsp

salt - to taste

Baking Soda - 1 pinch

Water - required amount

Stuffing for Chilis:

Potatoes - 2 medium
Onion - 1/2 Red chopped fine
Ginger grated - 1 tsp
Green chili - 2 chopped fine
Citantro - few sprigs chopped
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Red chili powder - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Amchur powder - 1 tsp
Oil - 1 tbsp
Shajeera - 1 tsp

Toppings:
Red Onion - 1/2
Cilantro - chopped
Amchur powder/Lime Juice

Boil the potatoes until soft, peel and mash.
In a pan, heat 1 tbsp oil, add shajeera, and the onions and green chilis. Cook till soft, add the potatoes. Mix the rest of the masalas and salt. Add the cilantro and cool.

Mix all the ingredients for batter.

Slit the green chilis and stuff with the potato mix. Peel and slice the potatoes into thin slices.
Heat a frying pan with oil to deep fry. Dip the chilis and potatoes into the batter and deep fry.

Slit the chilis and add the onions, cilantro and sprinkle with the amchur powder or squeeze some lime.

Serve hot with Masala chai.

Nachos with Avocado and Black Beans

Small Corn Totillas - 6

Black Beans - Cooked and Crushed - 1 cup

Red Onion - 1

Avocado - 1

Jalapeno - 1

Salsa - 1/2 cup

Shredded Cheese - 1/2 cup

Cilantro - few sprigs

Sliced Olives - 5

Tomato - 1

Lime and Cilantro Yogurt Dressing - 1/4 cup 

(In a blender, add 1/4 cup yogurt, pinch of salt, squeeze half a lime, a small piece of avocado and a few springs of cilantro, half a jalapeno and blend)

Cut the tortillas into 6 pieces each. Arrange on a single layer on a baking sheet and bake in a 400F oven for 8 to 10 min until crisp.

Top the tortillas with beans, salsa, cheese and bake for 6 more min or until the cheese melts. Top with chopped veggies including onion, tomato, avocado, olives, Jalapeno and cilantro. 

Drizzle with the cilantro and lime dressing.