Potato passion: Potato Parcels

Me and Hubby Dear are what some might call munchers. You know, the kinds that could live on finger foods alone. Yes, now that I think back a little, we most certainly are one of those kinds.
The first time we went out, ever, we unsuccesfully tried to share a plate of french fries. I say we tried, because truly, I was was the one trying my best to get my fork into the plate while Hubby Dear conviniently walked at a much faster pace covering it with his arms. (Walking, since unlike the tradional way of going out to dinner for a first date, we chose to spend a day at the CNE.) Yes, the guy does like his fries, sometimes, I believe, even more than his pretty little wife. We spent the rest of the day bouncing between samosas, popcorn and fiery wings.
When we’re not having friends over, our Friday nights usually turn out the same each week - a bunch of movies enjoyed over a platter of assorted mini treats. As much as our choice of movies may differ, the only variable constant to our evening would be the finger food. Constant, because they mostly always find themselves to be potato-based. And variable, because they almost never taste the same.
I love experimenting with different flavours, and what better way to try a new flavour than to toss it over a bowl of plain boiled and mashed potatoes. From chat masala to chipotle-lime, the list of flavourings is endless, and the combinations one can come up with is overwhelming. We made this a couple of weeks ago. We, because while I fried, Hubby Dear ate, much to the dismay of his burning tongue. The things men do for food, or should I say, potatoes!
POTATO PARCELS
Prep time: 30 min | Cooking time: 20 min | Makes: 24 bite-size parcels2 large potatoes, peeled, boiled, and mashed
12 large spring rolls wrappers, cut in half to make 24 strips
1 tbsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/4 tsp garam masala
salt, to taste
light cooking oil, for frying
water, as neededMIX mashed potatoes with salt and spices, and set aside to cool.
PUT about a teaspoon of the potato filling on a cut-in-half spring-roll wrapper. Fold it up to form a tiny parcel. Seal the edges with water. Set aside on a platter covered with a damp cloth to keep them from drying out. Repeat for remaining strips.
HEAT oil in a non-stick frying pan and shallow-fry parcels a few at a time so as not to crowd the pan. Remove parcels when they turn crisp and golden on both sides. Drain excess oil by placing parcels on paper towels. Serve warm with ketchup or chutney of choice.


September 25th, 2007 10:23
yo,
Those potato parcels looks very promising. Nice tea time snack. A definite must try.
Meena, I have tried a couple of chicken recipes from ur site. The result was amazing. Kudos to your presentation. I am Hooked
September 25th, 2007 11:31
Those look fabulous (I’m a total sucker for potato parcels of any kind, pierogi, these, etc…). I am definitely keeping this recipe and your presentation is lovely.
September 25th, 2007 11:38
Hey Meena,
Lovely Potato Rolls… and the presentation is too good..This is the first time I am dropping by ur blog… U have a lovely collection of recipes Meena…:)
- Siri
September 25th, 2007 11:54
Meena,
Looks delicious! How was your cooking class?I wish I could have dropped by….
Also I love how you do a night with the hubby over finger food. A great take on date night.
Kanchana
September 25th, 2007 12:37
Meena,
My first comment here - you have a great foodie blog! Excellent idea with the potato parcels! How do you think these would work with rice wrappers? I am yet to find a brand of spring roll wrappers without egg! (Yeah, I’m fussy :))
September 25th, 2007 13:19
These look like blintzes. But instead of the laborious batter, spring roll wrappers. Great idea, Meena!
September 25th, 2007 13:22
They look delicious Meena! Great appetizer idea..
September 25th, 2007 15:23
These look awesome…sometimes finger foods are just the best! Very simple too
September 25th, 2007 16:27
I love that you call them parcels! How cute - they look tasty too.
September 25th, 2007 17:15
Wow. that sounds really delicious. I would never have made the pairing. Thanks!
September 25th, 2007 17:43
These parcels remind of Veggie puffs we get in India!
September 25th, 2007 21:43
Potatoes, all wrapped up is pure love
September 26th, 2007 06:59
so simple, yet soooo delicious , great pic, and this is a fast snack too.
September 26th, 2007 08:45
Potato based finger food is finger licking…yum!!
September 27th, 2007 14:41
Meena, they look so lovely! Which brand of spring rolls wrappers do you use? and where do you buy them?
September 27th, 2007 21:12
These look fabulous! I love finger food like this too.. especialy if its piping hot and spicy. Perfect pick-me-up for midday lethargy.. can’t wait to try this out.
September 27th, 2007 21:54
Hi Meena,
Those wrappers are truly v versatile. I have a question for you. Where and how long did you live in India?
Thanks
September 27th, 2007 22:21
wow..this is completely a new idea…am a first comer here and i like what i see…:)
September 27th, 2007 22:47
hi meena……k sometimes wakes up from his weekend siesta with “samosa or puff / patty hunger”…and we scramble to the nearest bakery to satiate this hunger…. i know what i can whip up next time….looks and sounds fab!!
September 28th, 2007 10:45
Hi Meena - I like to cook food from scratch. Do yoou know how I should substitute/make the spring roll wrappers ? I have also looked at other recepies of yours that use puff pastry wraps and avoided it for the same reason. I guess I need to use all purpose flour but am not entirely sure about the proportions. Any pointers would really help !
September 30th, 2007 18:59
Sounds like a great alternative use of the spring roll wrappers. Thanks for the idea.
October 1st, 2007 11:55
it looks fabulous
it’s my friday treat with the movies.
October 1st, 2007 16:18
hello Meena
THose potato parcels are gonna be parceled out of ur blog soon
They look very tempting and nice idea for a simple snack.
October 1st, 2007 23:17
Can you bake ‘em instead of frying? I loathe frying things as it creates a mess in the kitchen. These look yummy!
October 3rd, 2007 13:06
Love the sound of this. So easy and simple!
October 11th, 2007 21:25
I’m a college student, so finger foods like this are the basis of most meals around here. I can’t wait to try these, i think i’ll make a batch for my whole house!
October 16th, 2007 13:28
This is now what I call Instant gratification, I am planing to make it tonight, thanks for such easy n simple recipes…
December 19th, 2007 15:30
Meena, I love your recipie and i want to try it out.. where do i get these
spring rolls wrappers,can i make them at home also?
February 5th, 2008 08:06
Looks absolutely lovely. Very very neat presentation. You are so good in cooking. Where can I get these spring roll wrappers?
March 17th, 2008 22:25
wow..that is wonderful snack idea. It’s my first time here and I really got hooked to those awesome pics n gr8 recipes.
Thanks Lakshmi! I hope you try them out, they truly are delicious!
April 18th, 2008 08:52
Just a quick question, instead of deep frying, we can even oven bake them right?? - Siri
Depending on the kind of wrappers you use Siri, you might be able to. Just make sure to lightly brush them on both sides with oil so that they don’t dry up.
May 25th, 2008 17:14
Hey - just a question for you - we wanted to make these but the only spring roll wrappers we could find were rice wrappers and those you have to boil in water to loosen up first. The other wrappers were egg roll wrappers and wonton wrappers, what wrappers did you use specifically?
November 9th, 2008 01:26
Hi Mena, Just wondering if you have ever tried freezing these potato parcels? and if you would do that before frying or after?