CHILLI PATATO

Chilli Potato is a popular Indo-Chinese street food that combines crispy fried potato strips with a flavorful, spicy, and tangy sauce. It’s a favorite appetizer in Indian restaurants and a hit at parties. Here’s how you can prepare it at home:

---

🥔 Ingredients

For the Potatoes:

• 4 medium-sized potatoes
• 2 tablespoons cornflour
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (maida)
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
• Salt to taste
• Oil for deep frying

For the Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
• 2-3 green chilies, chopped
• ¼ cup finely chopped onions
• ¼ cup finely chopped capsicum (bell pepper)
• 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
• 2 tablespoons red chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped spring onions for garnish

👩‍🍳 Method

1. Prepare the Potatoes:
   • Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut them into thin, long strips (like French fries).
   • Soak the potato strips in cold water for about 15 minutes to remove excess starch.
   • Drain and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
2. Coat and Fry:
   • In a bowl, mix cornflour, all-purpose flour, red chili powder, black pepper powder, and salt.
   • Add the potato strips to the flour mixture and toss to coat evenly.
   • Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, deep fry the coated potato strips in batches until golden brown and crispy.
   • Remove and place them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
3. Prepare the Sauce:
   • In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat.
   • Add chopped garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
   • Add chopped onions and capsicum. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until they soften.
   • Add tomato ketchup, red chili sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, and salt. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Combine:
   • Add the fried potato strips to the sauce and toss gently to coat them evenly.
   • Cook for another 2 minutes, ensuring the potatoes are well coated with the sauce.
5. Garnish and Serve:
   • Garnish with chopped spring onions.
   • Serve hot as an appetizer or snack.

---

🔥 Tips for Extra Crispiness

• Soaking Potatoes: Soaking the potato strips helps in removing excess starch, leading to crispier fries.
• Double Frying: For extra crunch, you can fry the potatoes twice. First, fry until they’re cooked but not browned, then remove and let them rest. Fry again until golden and crispy.
• Air Frying Option: If you prefer a healthier version, you can air fry the coated potato strips at 180°C for about 15-20 minutes, shaking halfway through.