Authentic and flavorful samosa recipe from Southern Africa: Delicious triangular pastries filled with spiced goodness

• Samosa Dough:

• Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 to 3/4 cup water (room temperature)

• Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.
2. Add the vegetable oil and mix it into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the water, a little at a time, and knead the dough until it comes together into a smooth and pliable ball. You may need more or less water, so add it slowly to achieve the right consistency.
3. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 30 minutes. This resting time will make the dough easier to roll out and work with. After resting, divide the dough into small equal-sized balls, about the size of a walnut.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball into a thin oval or circular shape. Aim for a thickness of about 1-2 mm. Keep the rolled-out dough covered with a damp cloth while you work on the rest of the balls to prevent them from drying out.
5. Now, the samosa dough is ready to be filled with your desired filling and folded into the classic triangular shape. 
6. Follow your chosen samosa filling recipe and fry or bake the filled samosas until they are golden brown and crispy. 

Enjoy making samosas with this homemade dough, and savor the delightful flavors of this popular South African snack!

3 delicious samosa fillings to try:

Vegetable Samosas:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, potatoes, etc.), finely chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Samosa pastry sheets (store-bought or homemade as above)

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and sauté the chopped onions until translucent.
2. Add the mixed vegetables and cook until tender.
3. Stir in curry powder, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute.
4. Allow the vegetable filling to cool.
5. Take a samosa pastry sheet and fold it into a triangular shape.
6. Place a spoonful of the vegetable filling in the center of the pastry.
7. Fold and seal the edges to form a samosa.
8. Repeat the process with the remaining pastry sheets and filling.
9. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan and fry the samosas until golden and crispy.
10. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with chutney or dipping sauce.

Chicken Samosas:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked and shredded chicken
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Samosa pastry sheets (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and sauté the chopped onions until translucent.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Stir in the shredded chicken, curry powder, turmeric, ginger, salt, and pepper, and cook until well combined.
4. Allow the chicken filling to cool.
5. Follow the same folding and frying process as the vegetable samosas.
6. Serve the chicken samosas hot with a side of mint chutney or tamarind sauce.

Beef Samosas:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked and minced beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Samosa pastry sheets

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and sauté the chopped onions until translucent.
2. Add the minced beef, ground cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook until the beef is well seasoned.
3. Allow the beef filling to cool.
4. Follow the same folding and frying process as the vegetable samosas.
5. Serve the beef samosas hot with a side of spicy tomato chutney or yogurt dipping sauce.

Samosas offer a versatile canvas for various savoury and sweet fillings. Here are some delightful filling ideas for both types:

Savoury Samosa Fillings:

• Spiced Lamb: Cooked minced lamb with aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, ginger, and garlic.
• Potato and Pea: Classic filling made with mashed potatoes, green peas, and Indian spices.
• Paneer and Spinach: Crumbled paneer (Indian cottage cheese) mixed with sautéed spinach and spices.
• Chickpea and Vegetable: A hearty filling of cooked chickpeas and mixed vegetables, seasoned with curry spices.
• Chicken Tikka: Marinated and grilled chicken pieces with a blend of Indian spices and yogurt.

Sweet Samosa Fillings:

• Apple Cinnamon: Diced apples cooked with cinnamon and sugar for a comforting sweet filling.
• Banana Nutella: Sliced bananas and Nutella hazelnut spread for a delicious and indulgent treat.
• Mango Coconut: Fresh mango chunks with shredded coconut, sweetened with a touch of condensed milk.
• Chocolate and Almond: Chocolate chips and chopped almonds for a rich and nutty sweet filling.
• Sweet Ricotta: Sweetened ricotta cheese with a hint of vanilla and orange zest for a creamy delight.

These filling options cater to a variety of tastes and can be customized to suit your preferences. Whether you prefer the traditional savoury samosas or venture into the realm of sweet samosas, experimenting with different fillings will add excitement to your culinary journey.

Enjoy these samosa recipes with different fillings, and embrace the delectable flavors of Southern Africa's beloved snack!