PRAWN BALCHÃO & POTATO FRITTER SLIDERS

MAKES 24 / PREPARATION 25 MINUTES / COOKING 30 MINUTES

Balchão is a spicy and tangy seafood dish that originated in Goa, India. Dona Lou’s Prawn Balchão is made with small prawns, marinated and cooked in a flavourful spice blend, resulting in a delicious and aromatic dish. You can simply eat it with rice, crackers or crusty bread or it’s lovely as a condiment with fresh fish. I have used it to flavour potato fritters, which you can eat hot with a little extra balchão or, as I have here, served in a vada pav-style in a small soft bun.

600g floury potatoes

(about 3 medium-large), peeled 1 tablespoon plain oil,

plus extra for deep frying

1 onion, finely chopped

½ teaspoon salt

1-2 green chillies, finely chopped ½ teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon turmeric

1 egg

2 tablespoons Dona Lou’s Prawn Balchão,

plus extra to serve

3 tablespoons chickpea flour 125g butter, softened

2 cloves garlic, crushed

½ cup coriander leaves, finely chopped 24 soft bread rolls

Put the potatoes into a pan of water, bring to a simmer and cook until tender. Drain, mash and set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a frying pan over a medium-low heat, add the onion and salt and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the chilli, cumin and turmeric and cook for 2 minutes more. Set aside.

Whisk the egg in a bowl, then add the potato, onion mix, balchão and the chickpea flour and mix together well.

Heat 2cm oil in a wide pan to 170℃. Scoop out about a tablespoon of potato mixture and use two tablespoons to shape into a smooth oval-shaped quenelle. Working in batches of 5 or 6, fry the fritters for 2-3 minutes, then drain on paper towels. Make sure you bring the oil back to temperature before adding the next batch. These will keep covered in the fridge for a few days.

To serve as a slider, heat the oven to 180℃. Mix together the butter, garlic and coriander. Cut open the bread rolls and spread with half the butter. Add a fritter and a little extra balchão to each bun then spread the remaining butter over the top of the bun. Place in a baking tray that fits them snugly and cover with foil. Heat for 10 minutes and serve straight away.

THESE PRODUCTS TASTE GREAT AND ENHANCE DISHES WITHOUT DOING MUCH TO THEM .