Savory, juicy and crispy makkai patties or corn patties served in a spicy tomato sauce.
Think back on your life to the people you've most looked up to. For most of us, I am sure, it is not people who are rich and successful. Instead, most likely, it is those who always did exactly what they loved to do, even if they didn't make a lot of money doing it, or weren't considered successful by the usual parameters.
The people I envy are the young man who left a well-paid software job in the United States to start and run a school for poor children in rural India. The woman who runs a mobile veterinary clinic in an Indian city that spays and neuters stray dogs and vaccinates them for rabies. The couple who left powerful careers in New York City to retreat to a simple life in rural America where they grow their own food, live without most material trappings, and yet have lives that are blissfully rich and meaningful.
Sure, money and a fulfilling career have their rewards and can be the means by which to get to your goals, but setting limits in your pursuit of success, as the rest of the world defines it, is more important.
I am probably not a great person to advise people on reaching goals, but I do know the importance of keeping your dreams in sight because, for a while,I let mine slip away in pursuit of a better paycheck.
I've been very lucky. I've had interesting jobs: I've worked for newspapers in three countries, I've interviewed governors, members of Congress, movie stars, music stars, and even a First Lady. I've traveled extensively and learned things I'd never have learned otherwise: things I might never use again, but which I am glad to know nonetheless.
But before I started on my latest job where I work on issues close to my heart and interests, I spent nearly four years in the most boring newsroom, writing about education policy and working under an editor I did not respect. I thought I wanted the job because it paid a little better than the more interesting jobs I'd had before. Yet, when I look back on those four years now, all I can see are lost opportunities to do something I truly valued, and work with people I really cared about. The better paycheck was by no means a better trade.
So here's the point of this post: try not to let the pressures of day-to-day living take you off-course from pursuing what makes you truly, deeply, incandescently happy.
For some of you it could be being a good mom and homemaker. For others, it could be travel, or cooking great food that people dream of eating. Writing a novel. Writing a diary. Helping orphans in Africa. World peace. Gardening.
No dream is small or insignificant, especially if it's yours. Dream it, and then do it. And try not to get sidetracked.
***
Makai Patties, or corn patties, are a popular street food in some parts of India. While these corn patties would often be eaten with chutney or ketchup, Patil also included a recipe for a sauce made with tomato and ketchup and spring onions/scallions that sounded so delicious, it seemed worth my while to go the extra mile and make it.
So here we go, a quick but super-delicious recipe that's wonderful for a snack or even a light dinner.
More vegan corn recipes
Corn Patties in a Tomato Sauce (Makkai Patties)
Ingredients
For the makkai (corn) patties
- 1 Β½ cups cooked corn (I used frozen corn and zapped it in the microwave until really tender, about 7 minutes)
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil or any neutral oil
- 1 medium medium onion (finely diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 2 medium potatoes , skin on, diced and then boiled until tender (I zap them in the microwave for 10 minutes)
- 2 green chili peppers
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 small slices whole wheat bread (can use a gluten-free bread)
- β cup nondairy milk
- 3 scallions , green and white parts chopped
- Salt to taste
For the spicy tomato sauce
- 5-6 scallions , green and white parts chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 cup tomato puree
- β cup tomato ketchup
- Β½ - 1 teaspoon cayenne or paprika for less heat
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil or any neutral oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil and fry the onion and garlic until brown. Set aside.
- Soak the bread in the milk until the bread is soft, about 10 minutes.
Make the corn patties
- Place all the ingredients in a food processor and process just until you have a mixture that holds together when you pick up a piece and form a ball. Don't overprocess because you don't want a paste-- you should still have some texture from the corn and the scallions.
- Divide the dough into 10 balls and then flatten each into a pattie, about 2 inches in diameter (if, for any reason, you find the mixture is too runny, add some cornflour so it holds together. My measurements worked perfectly for me.)
- Smear or spray some oil over a cast-iron or non-stick skillet. Heat. Place as many patties as you can without crowding the skillet, and cook on each side until quite brown and crusty.
Make the tomato sauce
- Heat the oil in a skillet
- Add the spring onions and saute until they start to brown.
- Add the tomato puree and ketchup and cook until the mixture starts to turn darker.
- Add cayenne and salt to taste. Turn off heat.
- Serve with the Makai Patties.
Anonymous
HI Vaishali. Have you tried making the patties in advance and freezing them? Please let me know - thanks!
Vaishali
I've never frozen them, but it might work. Let me know if you try.
Sharmila
Ah! Love corn tikkies. Must try them with this sauce the next time .. looks very very tempting. π
Shri
The title of the post enticed me here and I am salivating over this..Lovely and a great read as always!
Vaishali
Hi Anuu, thanks so much! And thanks also for the feedback on my dad's not-mutton mushroom curry-- it is definitely one of my favorites, and I am glad you liked it too π
Pam
Scrumptious!
Enjoy!