What do you feel like doing on any given day (these days)? A day where one is WFH or may be just chilling at home. To me it feels like infinite boredom! One way to get out of that is to cook up a quick and tasty snack ;)
Owing to the lockdown the lack of exercise can be a problem, but you can to an extend off-set it by eating less and eating healthy. Tikki-Pao is the ultimate home made junk food. It's quick to make, I tend to stick to the policy of "Health and taste" both. It can be a snack or a healthy meal.
Some quick tips
To give the Tikki a well fried texture one can use various items to roll on the surface. Semolina/Roasted Vermicelli or Bread Crumbs. With Semolina, even post frying the texture will NOT turn “golden brown”. It will become nice and crispy though. So be careful not burn the Tikki waiting for the golden colour in case you have rolled it with semolina.
Do not mash the potato like you might do for Mashed Potato. Mash it about 90%. Make sure it does NOT turn all squishy and gooey.
I use sliced raw onions as part of the dressing. This depends on taste. Indians tend to like it. It can cause bad breath. So you can either skip it or make sure to use mouth wash post enjoying this dish.
I use only vegetables because I am a vegetarian. You can add small chunks (boiled keema) of chicken in case its part of your diet. Other non vegetarian items are not recommended.
I used a kind of Indian bread called Pao. You can also use sliced bread and enjoy this like a sandwich.
Ingredients: Serves 4
3-4 Potatoes. Boiled, Peeled and Mashed. Set aside in a big bowl.
1/2 Cup chana lentil (Chickpeas)
1 Grated carrot
1/2 Cup frozen peas
Coriander leaves
1/2 Inch ginger
2 Green Chillies
Red chilli powder to taste
Pepper to taste
Salt to taste
1.5 tbs of corn flour.
2 Cups water
Dressing
Round sliced cucumber
Sliced tomatoes
Sliced Onions
Any dips or sauces you may like.
The Recipe
Put the Chana Lentils in a pressure cooker. Add 1.25 cups of water, cook in the pressure cooker upto 5-6 whistles. Make it nice and soft but NOT soggy.
Mash the chana dal.
Now add the chana dal to the potato,Mix Well.
Add all the vegetables.
Add salt, pepper and red chilli powder to taste.
Add the 1.5 tbs corn flour to it.
Mix all of them well. Its best done with hands. Wash them well before mashing.
Roll them into circles.
Add oil on surface to the mixture circle and roll in Semolina/Roasted and crushed Vermicelli / Bread crumbs. Make sure its well covered on the surface.
Flatten them slightly. Like a burger patty, but smaller.
Bake for 45 mins @ 180 Degrees (Celsius).You can deep fry or shallow fry if you are looking for taste. Normally i shallow fry. However I was focussing on health this time so I baked it.
Now prepare the fresh salad items as it bakes. If you are frying you might want to do this before you start cooking.
Now heat the Pao on both sides on a pan. Apply some ghee or butter on both sides if you wish to enhance taste.
Take the freshly baked Tikki, put them in between 2 Paos.
Dress with the cucumber, tomato and onions.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
You can also add Indian chutney like mint or you can use ketchup/cheese/mayo dip.
Pin them with a nice pick. You can also use toothpicks.
As mentioned earlier if one does not have Pao you can always use sliced bread and enjoy them as tasty Tikki sandwiches.
Thats it. Our tasty Tikki Pao or Tikki sandwich is ready! This is an easy dish to cook up. Adults enjoy it. Kids Love it!
If you have any queries on Indian food. Please reach out in the comments section and we will try and share with you.
