Tea time snacks (Bajji masala and corn scoop chatpata)

Bajji masala takes simple aloo/aratikaayabajji (potatoe/plantain slices coated with batter and deep fried) to a next level with its mouthwatering stuffing sweetly called masala. This yummy recipe is associated with many childhood sweet memories. On a rainy day, mom used to makes bajjis with aloo/plantain and dad used to add real flavor masala to them. Bajji stuffed with masala (mixture of onions, salt, red chilly powder, sesame/till powder, chat masala and lemon juice) will sure be a tonguetizer and no one can eat just one.

Ingredients

Potatoes/plantain (cut them in to 1/4 thick round slices) - 1

Salt - 1 tspoon

Turmeric - 1 tspoon

Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tspoon

Baking soda (optional) - pinch

Chilly powder - 1 tspoon

Masala for stuffing

Sesame seeds powder - 1/2 tspoon

Onion (diced) - 1

Salt, Lime juice and chilly powder - for sprinkling as desired

Chat masala - 1/2 tspoon

Procedure

• Peel the skin off the potatoes/plantain and slice them to 1/4 inch thick rounds. Leave them in a bowl of cold water while you prepare the batter for bajjis.
• In a bowl, combine besan, chilli powder, salt, baking soda with enough water to make a slightly thick smooth batter. Keep consistency more like that of a idly batter. Set aside.
• In a deep pan, heat oil till piping hot. Reduce the flame to medium. Dip each potato or plantain slice in the wet batter till well coated and gently drop into the oil. Fry all pieces to golden brown in small batches taking care of not over-crowding the pan.
• When the bajjis start turning golden brown in color, increase the flame and let them fry for another minute. Remove and drain on a kitchen towel.
• Take each bajji, make a slit and stuff in the masala and serve! No one can eat just one!

Corn Scoop Chatpata (mexican scoops with desi chatpata fillings)
I had left over bajji batter and had no potatoe/plantain slices left. So, I made smaller than the bite size bajjis/pakodas with no veggies inside. These tiny bajjis were yummy and thought it could be a great fillers. I was left with few corn scoops, so used them as base and filled them with tiny pakodas and masala and enjoyed!
For the base, we need Tostitos corn scoops (available in walmart/any super market). Spread the corn scoops on a plate. If you have no corn scoops, you may substitute with any chips/fryums that are in scoop kind of shape or you may even use desi vadiyams/small papads as desired.

Procedure
Spread the corn scoops on a plate. Now fill in each corn scoop with tiny bajjis, onion cubes, coriander leaves, tomato ketchup, hot mustard/chilly sauce and chat masala. Sprinkle little lime on top and serve!