Odisha Bhel Puri/ Raj Kachori
Raj kachori is a popular Indian street food and a variant of the traditional kachori, which is a deep-fried pastry filled with a spicy mixture. Raj kachori, specifically, is known for its large size and elaborate toppings, making it a substantial and flavorful chaat (snack) item.
Ingredients
- For the dough:
- Plain flour maida - 1 cup
- Semolina sooji - ¼ cup
- Baking soda - 2 pinches
- Water - as needed to make a soft dough
- For frying:
- Oil - for deep frying
- For stuffing:
- Moong dal green gram pakodas - soaked, prepared, and drained
- Boiled potatoes - chopped
- Boiled green grams moong
- Yogurt curd - whisked
- Green coriander chutney
- Sweet tamarind chutney
- Pomegranate seeds
- Sev
- Salt
- Cumin seeds
- Black rock salt
- Red chili powder
Instructions
- Preparing the Dough:
- In a bowl, mix together plain flour, semolina, and baking soda.
- Gradually add water and knead into a soft dough, similar to poori dough.
- Cover the dough with a cotton cloth and let it rest.
- Shaping and Frying the Kachoris:
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Divide the dough into small lemon-sized balls.
- Roll each ball into a smooth round ball.
- Roll out each ball into a thin circle, similar to a poori, ensuring it's not too thin at the center.
- When the oil is hot, gently slide a rolled kachori into the oil.
- Press lightly with a slotted spoon so it puffs up.
- Fry until golden brown and crisp, flipping once to ensure even frying.
- Remove from oil and drain excess oil on paper towels. Let them cool completely.
- Stuffing the Kachoris:
- Once cooled and crispy, gently break a small opening in each kachori.
- Stuff each kachori with:
- Moong dal pakodas
- Chopped boiled potatoes
- Boiled green grams
- Whisked yogurt (curd)
- Green coriander chutney
- Sweet tamarind chutney
- Pomegranate seeds
- Sev
- Sprinkle with salt, cumin powder, black salt, and red chili powder to taste.
- Drizzle a little more yogurt and sweet chutney over the stuffed kachori.
- Serving:
- Serve the stuffed Raj kachoris immediately after assembling.
Notes
Tips:
• Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve crispy kachoris.
• Let the fried kachoris cool down completely to achieve the desired crispiness.
• Prepare all the stuffing ingredients ahead of time for easier assembly.