Vegetable Puffs

I am always on a lookout for recipes that are easy to make. When I was having a party at home, I was looking for finger food and quick to make snacks and asked my good friend Pooja for some ideas. She suggested veg puffs. I made them and they were a big hit. I've made these puffs often since. The egg and chicken version of these puffs also turn out very well.

I wouldn't dream of making these puffs in India simply because of the unavailability of the ready made puff pastry sheets there. However, why would you want to make these in India, when any reputed bakery will serve hot, melt in the mouth puffs. I particularly remember the yummy veggie puffs from Iyengar's bakery in Bangalore. They used to be my weekend breakfast or tea snack.

For those really patient souls among you, who would want to make the puff pastries from scratch, here is a very good video and recipe from one of my favorite food chefs, Sanjay Thumma

I however, would like to stick to my reliable pepperridge farm puff pastry sheets to make these.This is my recipe for the Puff Stuffing

Ingredients
•Boiled Potato – 1 Large
•Boiled Mixed Vegetables - 1/2 cup
•Onion : 1 small finely chopped
•Ginger-Garlic paste -1/2 tsp
•Turmeric Powder – 1/2 tsp
•Red Pepper/ Chilly powder - 1 tsp.
•Garam Masala -1 tsp
•Cilantro /Coriander leaves finally chopped
•Cumin Seeds: ½ tsp
•White Vinegar/ Lime juice
•Salt as per taste
•Oil a little
•Water: to close the pastries.

Kitchen Items Required
•Vessel to make the stuffing with a spatula
•Microwave safe vessel to boil the veggies and potato
•Cookie Sheet/ Alluminium Foil to make the puffs

Method

1)Remove the required number of puff pastry sheets from the packet and leave them out for defrosting. I make 9 puffs from one sheet.
2)Add oil to the hot pan. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Now add in the onions and fry till golden brown.
3)Add the ginger garlic paste, green chillies, and the rest of the spices ( turmeric, chilli and garam masala) and stir
4)Toss in the boiled potatoes (coarsely mashed) and the mixed vegetables into the masala and mix it well. Add salt.
5)Add in the cilantro and lime juice/vinegar and stir.
6)Remove from heat and keep aside for cooling
7)Cut each of the puff pastry sheets into 9 individual rectangles
8)Using a spoon, scoop in enough filling in each of the rectangles and fold. Use water to close the ends and you can use a fork to give it a nice edged shape
9)Preheat oven to 350 degrees. When hot, place the filled in puffs in the top rack for baking. Bake for 10-15 mins. Remove when puffs have turned into a lovely golden color.
Note:
a) You can fold the puffs into any of the desired shapes. While squares and triangles are the popular ones, some people even roll the pastry sheet into rounds and make a half moon shaped pastry. I don’t roll the sheet. I like to use it as is for maximum puffing up of the pastry.
b) You can even brush on some egg wash on the pastries before baking them. This will give them a nice glazed look and color.
c) You can use any stuffing of your choice to make these pastries. Samosa stuffing or vada paav stuffing can also be used instead of the stuffing mentioned above.
d) Make egg or chicken puffs in a similar fashion using boiled eggs ( ½ an egg per puff) or ground chicken. Experiment and make your own signature puff pastry. Good Luck :)