Recipe: Besan Pastry

Summary: Besan, or chickpea, is a delicious vegetable used in many recipes, including hummus, falafel, and other favorites. And besan flour can be used to make a great tasting pastry that can be used as a starting point for pies and lots of other dishes. Plus it’s gluten free, so it’s perfect for those with allergies and intolerances to gluten. It has high fiber and contains very little fat.

Ingredients

• You’ll need 1 and 1/2 cups of besan flour
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• Up to 1/2 cup of water (you may not need to use all of it). Besan flour can be found at most health food stores and organic markets.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
2. Use your food processor’s dough blade to combine the salt and the flour. While the motor is running, add the oil and process the mixture until it begins to resemble breadcrumbs.
3. Add the water slowly until you have formed a dough. The dough should be bright yellow, slightly sticky, and easy to knead.
4. Ready for your samosas Roll the pastry flat, between 2 sheets of baking paper makes it easy no flour required, cut it into appropriate-sized pieces. 
5. Place cooled samosa filling in the center and fold, press edges together to seal, a light brush of water can help.
6. Bake the pastry for 10-15 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) or shallow fry. Finished pastry should be golden brown in color. 

Ingredients

•       250 grams boiled potatoes (cut into cubes)
•       75 grams green peas
•       1 tsp ginger (chopped)
•       1 tsp green chili peppers (chopped)
•       1 tsp chili powder (red)
•       1 tsp cumin seed
•       1 tsp garam masala (powder)
•       1 tbsp cilantro leaves (finally chopped)
•       fresh lime juice (extracted)
•       2 tbsps oil
•       oil
•       salt (as per taste)

Directions:

1. In a pan, heat oil, add cumin seeds. When cumin splutter, add chopped ginger, green chilies, then add boiled diced potatoes.
2. Add red chili and garam masala, stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add green peas and put flame to medium.
4. Stir and cook for 4 minutes.
5. Add chopped cilantro and add fresh lime juice on top. Stir and let it cool.
6. Any other vegetables, lentils or Legumes can be used, keep the mix moist but not wet.
7. Fill Basen dough cut out in rounds to make samosas and cook.
8. Serve with your choice of sauce.