Mixed Vegetable Chop: Cha’r saathey Ta
Bengali’s chop is very different from the rest of world’s chop. While chop essentially means a cut of meat to the rest of the world, to us it is a deep fried ball of all things yum which goes perfectly with our late afternoon or evening cup of tea. A rain soaked summer afternoon absolutely needed a batch of Mixed Vegetable Chop with our steaming hot cups of tea.
A quick bout of rain shower has refreshed everything around us bringing the July heat down by a notch. Nature is at its vibrant best during the monsoon months. And it is just as amazing how just a cup of tea along with your cookie or biscuit or deep fried snack makes the verdant evenings all the more perfect.
Growing up…
When I was growing up, Moori (puffed rice) along Telebhaja (any thing deep-fried) bought from the Telebhaja shop down the street would be a popular thing to serve at least couple of days a week with the evening tea. Now that we are more health conscious, we tend to shy away from deep fried stuff and only indulge once in a while.
If you are looking for healthy snacking options, try these Spicy Roasted Garbanzo Beans
How I have made these mixed vegetable chops is definitely not the traditional way of making it, but it sure is easy and works for us. I usually use whatever vegetables I have on hand. Cauliflower can be used in place of potatoes and it adds a wonderful crunch. I plan to try out a baked version of this soon but till then we will give in to these deep fried rare treats also known as telebhaja, which in this case is Mixed Vegetable Chops.
Ingredients: Mixed Vegetable Chop: Cha’r saathey Ta
- Potato – 1 big, boiled and mashed (I used russet potato and nuked it in the microwave for 5 minutes in its jacket)
- Onion – 1 red, medium sized, finely chopped
- Green Bell Pepper – 1, small, finely chopped
- Carrot & Peas – 1 1/2 Cups (I used frozen that I steamed for 5 minutes in the microwave. and squeezed out excess water. You can use your choice of veggies.
- Cilantro – 1/2 Cup, finely chopped
- Garlic – 2 fat cloves, minced
- Ginger – 1 tsp, grated
- Green Chili – 2 or more (depending on your heat preference), finely minced.
- Oil – 1 tbsp for cooking + enough for deep frying
- Salt to taste
- Garam Masala – 1 tsp, powdered (1 inch cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, 3 green cardamoms)
- Cumin Powder – 3/4 tsp
- Coriander powder – 3/4 tsp
- Chat Masala – 2 tsp
- Corn flour – 3 tbsp
- Enough water to make a slightly runny (pouring consistency paste) of corn-flour
- Bread crumb – 4 tbsp + 3/4 Cup (for dredging)
How to make Mixed Vegetable Chops
Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a heavy bottomed pan or kadai and fry the onions, minced garlic, grated ginger and bell pepper till the onions turn translucent. Add remaining veggies and fry till there is no moisture remaining. Sprinkle the masalas (Garam Masala, Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Chat Masala) along with the salt and minced green chilies. Cook for a few minutes and then fold in the mashed potatoes. Fry, stirring constantly and using your wooden spoon to mash the peas a little. Once everything comes together, add the finely chopped cilantro and 4 tbsp of bread crumbs and mix well. Take the mixture off the heat and let it cool.
Now it is time to shape the Mixed Vegetable Chops
While the mixture is cooling, make a paste of corn-flour and water. The consistency should be such it forms a layer when the veggie balls are dunked in it. This will help the bread crumbs to stick to it. You can use egg wash instead, but we prefer skipping the eggs for this.
Make equal sized balls with the veggie mix and shape it into your desired shape. I like to flatten mine a little using the palms of my hand. Dunk the balls in the corn-flour mix and dredge each in the bread crumbs. I used Italian bread crumbs which adds a little extra flavor. Whenever I am using plain bread crumbs, I like to season it with little salt and freshly crushed black pepper.
Now it is time to deep fry
Arrange on a plate or tray and let them hang out in the fridge till you are ready to fry them.
Now heat enough oil in a wok or deep bottomed pan to deep fry the Mixed Vegetable Chops.
I am sending this recipe of Mixed Vegetable Chop to Kolkata Food Bloggers‘ Monsoon event
