Sweet Potato Bondas

These are a great substitute for potatoes – a lot healthier and in many ways lot tastier, although I may get the goat of all the aloo lovers by saying this – But from all accounts, Sweet Potatoes are actually beneficial for health and I would like you to take a quick peek into this link – from asthma to diabetes and from stomach ulcers to cancers, from digestion issues to arthritis, this yam does a whole lot of good!  So for all you potato lovers, time to make that change – Please read - http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-sweet-potatoes.html

I was expecting company over the weekend and had made these –

Two important points to NOTE – lessons from mistakes made

• Do not cook in pressure cooker (I did and it got too soft and soggy –rescue remedies indicated below)
• Don’t make them until you are almost ready to eat (the besan gets shriveled up because of the moisture of the veggies)
• So keeping them sort of dry can aver both situations

 Ingredients

4 Large Sweet Potatoes, peeled, cubed and boiled for 5-6 minutes on stove top or microwave

1 red onion – medium

2 green chilies

½ cup chopped cilantro

For the batter dip

½ cup of Besan or gram flour (kadalamavu)

½ cup of rice flour

1 tbsp of sambar/rasam or curry powder

A pinch of asafetida

Crushed curry leaves

1 cup of water plus to keep it fluid, yet thick – add more to thin it to reqd consistency

Oil to fry

(If your sweet potatoes get too mushy)

½ cup of crushed cashews

A handful of plain bread crumbs

Preparation

Cook Sweet potatoes just right

Mash them

Add the onions, salt, chilies and cilantro

Add some cashews for taste (enhances plenty)

For the batter,

Mix the flours and the rest of the ingredients

Add the salt

Make a ball of the veggie mix; 

Mix in the batter and drop in hot oil and fry

Serve HOT HOT HOT with your favorite Chutney - I used Coriander :) 

Have it on the side or...

Make a sandwich :)