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Baked Phulkopir Singara

Phulkopir Singara (Cauliflower Samosa)

Phulkopir Singara. Home-made samosas with a delectable cauliflower filling. The crunch of toasted peanuts. The luxury of that hidden raisin. And the fire of the odd chilli you occasionally bite into. Baked rather than deep-fried. Divine !!
Course Appetizer, Snacks
Cuisine Bengali, Indian

Ingredients
  

For the cauliflower stuffing

  • 1 medium sized cauliflower cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup fresh green peas
  • 1/4 cup peanuts roasted
  • 2 tbsp raisins soaked in water for 15 minutes
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp ginger paste
  • 1 tbsp green chilies finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 tsp bhaja masala
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • salt to taste

For the Singara cases

  • 1.5 cup plain flour
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 2.5 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • oil for brushing

For Bhaja Moshla

  • 1/4 cup cumin seeds
  • 3-4 bay leaves
  • 2-3 dry red chilies

Instructions
 

For the cauliflower stuffing

  • Heat oil in a pan, throw in the cumin seeds, allow them to sputter.
  • Now add the cauliflower florets and green peas, sprinkle in the turmeric powder, saute for 3-4 minutes over a high flame.
  • Stir in the ginger paste, add the green chillies, peanuts and raisins, cook over a medium flame for another 6-7 minutes till the cauliflower florets are just tender. (You don’t want the cauliflower to be over-cooked and mushy) Splash a little water if it is getting a wee bit too dry.
  • Season with salt, sprinkle the bhaja masala and mix well. Keep aside.

For the singara cases

  • Take the plain flour and whole wheat flour in a mixing bowl, sprinkle in the salt, add the vegetable oil. Mix well till the oil is well incorporated into the flour.
  • Make a well in the flour, add 1/4 cup of warm water. Gently mix the water and flour and start kneading with your fingers.
  • Gradually add more warm water as needed till the dough becomes firm but soft and pliable when rolled. Cover with a damp cloth for 30 odd minutes.
  • Divide the dough into medium balls, using a rolling pin, roll out each dough ball to an oval shape as shown in the picture.
  • Cut the oval diagonally just as shown in the picture. Brush the edges with a little water. Bring the straight edges gently together to form a hollow cone.
    Baked Phulkopir Singara
  • Hold the cone in your hand, just like I have done in the picture and fill it with cauliflower stuffing.
    Baked Phulkopir Singara
  • Now press the open mouth of the cone, as in the picture and give it a double fold to seal it. Your singara is now ready to be baked.
    Baked Phulkopir Singara
  • Repeat the same procedure for the remaining dough.
    Baked Phulkopir Singara
  • Preheat the oven to 180C. Brush the singaras with a little vegetable oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes or till the crust is golden outside.
  • Serve hot.

For Bhaja Moshla

  • I usually stock up my bhaja masala. Take all the ingredients and roast them patiently over a low flame and then grind to a powder. Stays fresh and aromatic for about a fortnight if kept in an airtight container.