Alloo Tikki

Aloo Tikki (type of potato croquette), is a popular variety of chaat sold by street vendors throughout India and Pakistan. It is typically served with a variety of chutneys and toppings, but as with all food – ‘The Alloo Tikki’ has been tweaked to adapt with “regional, seasonal and taste” preferences around the country. The authentic and typical ‘alloo tikki’ is made up of mashed potatoes, some flour and a host of herbs and spices, but as with everything edible – each street vendor has his own choice of special “add ons” to make his Alloo Tikki special.

The mixture of mashed potatoes, ground ginger, coriander powder, green chillies, lemon juice and fresh coriander is a staple and to this you may add some peas, grated carrots, spring onions and etc. A little flour is needed to bind all of the ingredients and make soft pliable dough. Using greased palms, bits of dough are formed into little patties—these patties are deep friend until golden brown on both sides.

 

 

 

The street vendors generally have huge Tavas (griddle pans) placed on gas burners –the fried Alloo Tikkis are lined up on the edge the tava and when an order is placed he brings 2-3 tikkis into the centre so that it can be cooked/heated in more oil before serving. Generally 2 tikkis are placed in a disposable container and topped with some cumin flavoured yogurt, tamarind chutney, coriander chutney, tomato and chilli chutney, chopped onions and etc. The diner rarely has enough time to make a choice of the toppings he/she would like—so you basically take what you are served up

 

In Mumbai alloo tikki is served with a spicy vegetable curry and in Punjab it is traditionally served with a topping of ‘alloo chole’ (potato and chickpea curry), some regions serve the tikki with a stuffing of peas and coconut, or split mung beans.

The Alloo Tikki is quite a popular sandwich filling in Cafes specialising in North Indian food. McDonalds-the fast food chain sells a McAlloo Tikki burger in some of the their outlets in India, (it is just one incredibly tasty burger – I do wish they would offer this in all their outlets—I loved it) The patty is made with the basic alloo tikki ingredients + a variety of vegetables and cooked lentils and then topped with sliced and grilled tomato slices, grilled red onion rings and a wonderful Indian inspired mayonnaise.

 

All of the above pictures were sourced from the internet.

In keeping with my ‘Healthy Recipes’, I will share with you an authentic recipe and then my tweaked healthy version. These recipes are just guidelines and the amount and variety of ingredients and the sauces and chutneys  can be adjusted to suit personal taste.

Alloo Tikki

500ml mashed potatoes

5ml finely chopped green chilli (optional)

30ml chopped spring onions

100ml finely chopped fresh coriander

10ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

2ml sugar

5ml salt

10ml freshly grated ginger

35ml corn flour

1l vegetable oil for deep frying

Method

• Mix all of the above ingredients (except oil), taste and adjust seasoning
• Using the corn flour make a soft dough-add more if necessary
• Grease the palm of your hands and take bits of dough and roll to form patties
• Heat oil on medium heat, and drop the patties in and allow to cook till both sides are golden brown
• Serve hot with your choice of chutneys and toppings

Alloo Tikki-Healthy Option

500ml mashed potatoes

250ml mashed butter beans

10ml finely chopped green chilli (optional)

30 ml spring onions

30ml finely grated onions

150ml finely chopped fresh coriander

20ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

5ml sugar

10ml salt

20ml freshly grated ginger

65ml vegetable oil for lining the pan

Method

• Mix all of the above ingredients (except oil), taste and adjust seasoning
• Grease the palm of your hands and take bits of dough and roll to form patties
• Place about 15ml oil (or use “Spray & Cook”) in a large flat non stick pan and heat
• Place patties on the heated pan and shallow fry them till golden brown on both sides
• Serve hot with chutneys and toppings

 

 

Tomato & Chilli Chutney

35ml sunflower oil

60ml finely chopped onion

5ml crushed ginger

10ml finely chopped seeded green chilli

10ml crushed coriander seeds

5ml crushed garlic

500ml grated tomatoes

5ml sugar

45ml lime juice

5ml lime zest

5ml salt

45ml chopped fresh coriander

45ml chopped spring onion

 Method

•  Heat oil in a medium size pan and cook the onions till lightly browned

• Now add the ginger, chilli and coriander seeds allow to cook for a few minutes before adding the garlic
• Lower heat and the tomatoes, sugar, lime juice, lime zest, and salt, cover the pan and allow to cook for about 15minutes on low heat
• Remove from heat and adjust seasonings if necessary and then add the fresh coriander and spring onions
• Serve with savoury dishes (extra can stored in the fridge for about 4-5days and about 2-3months in the deep freeze).