Potato Samosas

Source: America's Test Kitchen

These are quite a bit of work but they're amazingly delicious. Setting up an assembly line of sous chefs is quite helpful.

For dough:
2 Cups (10 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour, plus extra for the work surface
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsps plain whole milk yogurt
3 quarts plus 3 Tbsps vegetable oil
6 Tbsps cold water

For filling:

Spices:
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp brown mustard seeds
1/4 tsp ground fenugreek
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

2 pounds russet potatoes (about 4 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
Salt
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium onion, minced
3 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press (~ 1 Tbsp)
1 1/2 tsps minced or grated fresh ginger
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
Ground black pepper

1. In a food processor (or by hand) combine flour and salt. Drizzle with the yogurt and 3 Tbsps oil and process until the mixture resembles course corm meal. Slowly add 4 Tbsp water until the dough forms a ball. If it doesn't form a ball, slowly add up to 2 Tbsps more water. The dough should feel very soft and malleable.

2. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead by hand until it firms slightly, 2-3 minutes. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest for at least 20 minutes (or up to 1 day).

3. Cover the potatoes by 1 inch of water in a large saucepan and add 1 Tbsp salt. bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook until tender, 12-15 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.

4. Combine the spices in a small bowl. Heat the oil in a 12 inch nonstick skillet over medium-high hear until shimmering. Add the spices and saute until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Stir in the onion and 1 tsp salt and cook until softened, 5-7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the cooled potatoes and cook until they begin to brown around the edges, 5-7 minutes. Stir in the peas to combine.

5. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until completely cool, about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper (you can store the filling at this point for up to 2 days).

6. Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces. One at a time (so as not to let the rest dry out), roll the dough into a 5-inch round using a rolling pin. Cut each dough round in half to form 2 half moons.

7. To shape the samosas: Working with 1 half-moon piece of dough at a time, moisten the straight side with a wet finger and fold in half. Press to seal the seam on the straight side only and crimp with a fork to secure, leaving the rounded edge open.

8. To fill the samosas: Pick up the piece of dough and hold it gently in a cupped hand with the open, unsealed edge facing up and open in a cone shape. Fill with ~ 2 Tbsps filling and pack the filling in tightly in order to leave a 1/4 inch rim at the top. Moisten the inside rim of the cone with a wet finger, and pinch the top edge together to seal. Lay the samosa on a flat surface and crimp all the edges with a fork to secure.

8. Heat 3 quarts oil in a large Dutch oven to 375 degrees F. Add 8 samosas and fry until golden brown and bubbly (2 1/2 to 3 minutes), adjusting the heat to maintain 375 degrees. Using a slotted spoon, remove the samosas, return the oil to 375 degrees and fry the rest of the samosas, 8 at a time.

Posted by MER

Extra note: The recipe also called for adding 1/4 cup minced cilantro and 1 1/2 tsps lemon juice after cooling the filling, but I forgot to add them and the samosas were still ridiculously good so I probably won't bother with them in the future.