On the 5th of September every year we celebrate World Samosa Day. It is a day to cherish the existence of this beloved fried pastry which has become a popular snack all over the world. Made with a flavourful filling of potatoes, vegetables and spices, these small triangular pockets are best enjoyed with a variety of chutneys like mint, coriander, tomato and tamarind. You can find samosas in every nook and corner of the country, and they are loved by all for their crunchy exterior and surprising fillings.
History Of Samosas
Samosas are believed to have originated in the 10th century in the Middle East and around 13th or 14th century, this fried snack reached India along with the traders. They quickly captured the taste buds of the locals and since then samosas have been ruling our palate. From being served as an appetiser in the house parties to paring with evening tea, nothing can compete the love Indians have for samosas. Apart from chutneys, samosas are enjoyed with chole as well, which is also a popular street food in our country.
Types Of Samosas
Samosas have plenty of variations based on one's creativity and preference. You can prepare the fillings with your favourite ingredients and cook them either by frying or baking. Here are five most popular varieties to try on World Samosa Day:
Potato Samosa
This is the classic variety of samosa which is loved by all. Made with potatoes, onions, peas and spices, it goes well with tamarind, red and green chutney. The spicy filling of this samosa can vary from region to region, but this variety is easily available all across the country.
Chicken Samosa
This samosa can be heaven for all chicken lovers. It is made with ground chicken, onions, peas and a variety of flavourful spices like garam masala and coriander powder. The fillings are wrapped in a dough of all-purpose flour and deep fried until golden brown. You can also replace chicken with egg or mutton as well.
Paneer Samosa
Paneer samosa is another popular vegetarian variety after the classic potato samosa. It is very popular in India and can be found in every restaurant’s menu. Made with crumbled paneer, coriander powder, red chilli and other flavourful spices, this mouthwatering samosa goes well with green chutney or tomato ketchup.
Cheese Samosa
If you are fond of cheese, then this samosa is a must try for you. Loaded with cheese, this snack is super delicious and can become a perfect appetiser for your house parties. Feta and mozzarella cheese are the best varieties used for preparing this recipe, but you can use whichever cheese you have in your fridge. You can enjoy it with any green or red chutney.
Keema Samosa
This variation is very popular during the festival of Ramadan. Made with a filling of minced mutton, yoghurt and a blend of flavourful spices, it is best enjoyed with mint or any other green chutney. They have a spicy and smoky taste which comes from its filling. You can also use chicken or turkey meat instead of mutton.
4 Tips To Prepare Samosas At Home
- Be careful with the oil: Before kneading the dough add a proper quantity of oil to the flour, this will help in making the samosas flaky. However, adding too much oil can harden the crust.
- The dough must be stiff: To prepare a perfect khasta samosa it is important to knead a stiff or tight dough. You must only add the required amount of water, do not add any extra.
- Let the dough rest: After kneading the dough let it rest for at least one hour. Then knead again for 4 to 5 minutes and continue with filling and frying.
- Fry in medium hot oil: Always fry the samosa in medium hot oil as using extremely hot oil can burn the outer crust and the inner crust will remain undercooked.