Chicken Vada Pav: India’s Favourite Marathi Snack

Of all the things that India has blessed the world with three of them have been of utmost importance. These three things are Chess, the number Zero and Vada Pav. Said to have originated in the city of Mumbai, Vada Pav is probably one of the most famous, easily available and cheap snacks which is predominantly available in the western part of the country.

Easily put, it is a ball of mashed potato which is flavoured with a number of different spices which is sandwiched between local buns known as Pav. The credit of inventing this delicious snack goes to a Mumbaikar named Ashok Vaidya in the year 1966. That is because in the 1960’s Balashaheb Thackarey appealed to Maharashtrains to become entrepreneurs. This inspired Vaidya and he opened outside Dadar station. A number of mill workers used to pass by the station and started enjoying the snack with the chutney. It became an instant hit. 

It is quite intriguing to see that giants like McDonalds and Burger King, who have surely prospered, have not been able to replace Vada Pav. One of the reasons for this is that who would want to miss such a delicious snack which is easily available on the street in a mere 20 rupee note.

Ingredients-

1. 1 tablespoon Oil

2. 1 tablespoon Mustard Seeds

3. ¼ Asafoetida

4. 1 tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste

5. 1 tablespoon Green Chilli

6. 10-12 Curry Leaves

7. ½ tablespoon Turmeric 

8. 2 tablespoon Chopped Coriander

9. 250 gms Minced Chicken

10. Salt

11. 1 Cup Gram Flour

12. Water

13. Oil

14. Pav 

Steps-

The Chicken Vada

1. Take a wok or a sauce pan and add 2 tablespoons of oil in it. Add mustard seeds and let them pop. Add ¼ tablespoon of Asafoetida, 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste, green chillies, curry leaves, ½ tablespoon turmeric, and chopped coriander leaves

2. Mix it well and cook it for at least five minutes

3. Take 250 gms of minced chicken and mix this spice mixture with the meat. Mix Well. Make sure the entire meat is coated with the spice mix.

4. In a separate bowl take a cup of gram flour. Add a pinch of salt. Now, slowly add water to the mixture and while swirling the mixture. Make a smooth mixture

5. Take bite size balls of the chicken meat and roll them to form balls

6. Dip the meat balls in the gram flour mixture. Make sure to the balls are completely coated with the flour mixture

7. In a separate wok, heat around a cup of oil. Deep fry the meat balls till they get a crispy outer layer 

Assembling-

1. Take the Pav and cut it from the middle with the help of a knife

2. Spread the chutney and the spice powder (optional) and put the Vada on top

3. You can have it with a green chilli too if you want to add extra spice

4. And Voila! Your favourite Chicken wrapped in all the Marathi flavours.