Batata Wada

Batata Wada needs no introduction, its a popular roadside snack eaten all across Maharashtra. First time I must have had batata wada was during my school days in our school canteen, then it used to be a 'must have' snack during our college days. This was probably more than 15 yrs back when they used to sell batata wada for 5 bucks (those were the days!!). Our girl gang used to literally attack the college canteen, every single day- land up eating batata wada & never got bored of eating it.
The Wada is made with boiled potatoes with added spices, coated with besan & deep fried. Batata Wada  is sandwiched between soft bun which is called Wada Pav.

Batata Wada

Ingredients
For the Wada

1. 8 medium size potatoes (boiled & mashed)
2. 2 onions (finely chopped)
3. 3 green chillies(if using spicy variety)
4. 2 " ginger
5. 6 cloves of garlic
6. handful of coriander leaves (finely chopped)
7. 3 tbsp lemon juice
8. Salt as needed
9. 2 tbsp oil for tempering
10. 2 tsp mustard seeds
11. 1 pinch of turmeric
12. 1 pinch of hing  
13. 2 stems of curry leaves
14. oil for frying

For the Batter

1. 1 cup besan (gram flour)
2. 1 tsp red chilly powder 
3. 1 tsp turmeric powder
4. salt to taste
5. pinch of baking soda
6. water as needed
7. 1 tsp hot oil

Method

1. Boil the potatoes, keep them aside to cool, mash/grate the potatoes when they come to room temperature,  
2. Grind the green chillies, ginger & garlic, add this to the mashed potatoes.
3. In a pan add oil, when it becomes hot add the mustard seeds, turmeric, hing, curry leaves & onions. fry until the onions turn transparent. keep it aside to cool.
4. Add the lemon juice & chopped coriander to the mashes potatoes, the onion mixture and mix well.
5. To make the batter mix the besan, red chilly powder, turmeric, salt & baking soda & hot oil. Add water as needed. mix it with the help of a whisk. See to it that there are no lumps in the batter. The batter should be thick but not very watery. Similar to a thick dosa batter.
6. Make flat patty of the potato mixture, dip it into the batter and deep fry until golden brown. Drain excess oil on kitchen towel.
7. Serve immediately with soft buns (pav).Batata Wada can be served with tomato ketchup, garlic chutney or fried green chillies. 
   To make the fried chillies, make a slit into the chilly, fry it on the gas stove, add salt serve immediately.