Gram Flour Potato Balls – Batata Vada

1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil

600g fluffy white or red potatoes, peeled, boiled and coarsely chopped

½ tsp each brown mustard seeds and turmeric and

¾ tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

2 green chillies, finely chopped

30g coriander leaves, washed and chopped

¼ tsp each ground cumin and baking powder

150g gram flour or besan

Vegetable or sunflower oil for deep frying

Heat 1tbsp oil in a heavy-based pan large enough to hold the potatoes. When the oil is hot enough, gently tip in the mustard seeds, then the turmeric, ½ tsp salt, the sugar, and chillies, and mix. Add the potatoes, coarsely mashing as you mix. Add the coriander and mash to make a lumpy mixture. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.

In a bowl, mix the sifted gram flour with the remaining salt, the cumin and baking powder, 1tsp oil and about 130ml cold water to make a batter the consistency of runny honey. Wet your hands and roll the mash into pieces the size of golf balls. Heat the oil in a fryer or wok to 190C/375F. Drop a little batter into the oil: if it sizzles, the oil is hot enough. Dip a few potato balls into the batter and turn to coat them evenly.

With a spoon, drop the coated balls into the hot oil and fry for 4 minutes, or until the outside of the balls is a deep golden brown. Lift them out with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Wrap in foil and keep warm while cooking all the potato balls. Serve hot with a coconut or tomato chutney or ketchup.