- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ajwain (carom seeds-- these are easily found in Indian grocery stores. They have a distinctive, sharp and spicy flavor that's great in the samosas)
- 2 tbsp vegan butter or coconut oil that's solid (in summer, refrigerate for a little bit if needed)
- 1 tsp salt
- Cold water to knead
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp black mustard seeds
- 2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas (drained of all liquid)
- 1 medium potato, cut into a very small dice, then cooked until tender
- 1 medium red onion, minced
- 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp green chili pepper like jalapeno, minced
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp chaat masala (optional, use juice of 1 lemon instead)
- 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)
- Salt to taste
- 2 tsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp nondairy milk
Place the flour in a bowl, mix in the salt and ajwain, then add to it the butter or coconut oil. With your fingers, crumble the bits of fat into the floor until it is evenly distributed and the flour looks grainy. This will ensure your crust is crisp.
Now, adding just a little cold water at a time, knead the flour into a stiff dough. You can do this in a food processor or mixer, but if you do, be sure to not overmoisten your dough and make it too wet.
Cover and set the dough aside while you make the filling.
Heat oil in a skillet or wok. Add the mustard seeds and when they sputter, add onions and cilantro and saute until the onions just start to brown, about 4-5 minutes on medium heat.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and the green chili peppers. Saute for another minute without letting the garlic burn.
Add the chickpeas and potatoes with the garam masala and chaat masala or lime juice. Add salt.
Stir well to mix together. Allow the stuffing to cook without covering the skillet until any moisture has evaporated. Season with salt.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Break off a ball of the dough about an inch in diameter and roll it into a ball between the palms of your hands.
Roll it out into a really thin round, about 5-6 inches in diameter
- Now roll in a single direction to make an oval.
- With a knife or a pastry-cutter, cut into two so you have two semi-circles.
- Smear water along the edges of each semi-circle. Now bring the edges together to form a cone. Press with your fingers to seal the edge.
Place 1 1/2 tbsp of filling into the cone, stopping short of filling all the way to the top.
With your fingers, push together the top of the cone, making a little pleat in the back if necessary. Seal tight, pressing along the edges, so nothing stumbles out during baking.
Prepare the rest of the samosas the same way. Place them on a baking sheet sprayed with oil or cooking spray.
Make the wash by mixing the oil and the nondairy mik. Brush the tops of the samosas lightly with this mixture.
Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 40 minutes or until the edges of the samosas are golden-brown. Flip the samosas once halfway through baking and coat the other side with the wash before returning to the oven.
Once the samosas are out of the oven, let them stand five minutes before serving with date-tamarind chutney.