Vegetable puffs

Here is a simple snack/appetizer when inviting guests over for dinner. It takes hardly any time to put together and is totally delicious. This warm layered pastry with a spicy vegetable filling is always guaranteed bring accolades from anyone who has a bite of it.

I was very fond of the vegetable puffs/pattice available in mithai shops back in India and missed it a lot when I came over to stay in USA. I did not like much the ones available in the Indian grocery stores here and so decided to make some on my own. With the store bought puff pastry sheets, making this lovely snack becomes a breeze.

Ingredients:

1 sheet Pepperidge Farms puff pastry sheet
1 big Onion diced into small pieces
2 Potatoes boiled n diced into small pieces
1 cup Frozen peas
Raisins n Cashews
Butter/Oil
1 tsp Cumin seeds
pinch of Asafoetida
1 inch Ginger
4-6 Green chillies or more
2 tsp Garam masala
pinch of salt

Pepperidge Farm puff pastry sheets are easily available in any of the American grocery stores in the freezer section. Be sure to buy the sheets as there are plenty of other Pepperidge products, shells, etc. available in the freezer section. In one pack, there are two sheets. One sheet makes 6 large size puffs. So depending on the amount you need to make thaw either just one or both the sheets.


Process:

Start off with thawing the puff pastry sheet. It usually takes around 45 minutes after you remove it from the freezer.

Meanwhile put butter/oil in a pan and let it get heated. Once heated add the cumin seeds, asafoetida to it and let it splutter for a while. Then add in the diced onions and saute on medium flame. Once the onions are pinkish brown in color, add in the cashews and stir it for a while. Once this is done, add in garam masala, turmeric, red chilli powder, ginger, green chillies and mix. After all the above spices are mixed in nicely add the peas, raisins, and diced boiled potatoes and salt and mix it well. Voila, your filling is now ready.

The puff pasty sheet is folded in three vertical sections. Once thawed nicely, cut along those lines so that you will have three long cut sections with you. Then cut each section halfway so that you have six pieces. On a well floured surface, roll out each piece so that it is even.

Preheat oven at 350 F.

Now you can place the filling in and seal the edges using water. Place onto a well-greased baking sheet and place it into the oven for around 40 minutes. Keep for more time if needed. They should have a brown biscuity feeling to it (similar to khari). Oven time may vary based on different ovens but to be sure when making for the first time one can just peek into the oven a little after 30 minutes and shorten the oven time if need be.

I will be uploading the pics soon.