I don’t typically cross-post across my two blogs, preferring to compartmentalize my life (hah) but I’ve been so busy recreating this recipe I didn’t get round to writing anything else.  So indulge me.

Portland Trails is holding a “Trail Gourmet” Recipe Contest and I won’t beat around the bush.  I’d like to win.  I thought long & hard about which of my recipes to enter, and while walking the Fore River Sanctuary this week it came to me.  SAMOSAS.  I’d created a fantastic low sodium recipe for samosas four years ago, shortly after launching The Daily Dish.  While a little time intensive to make, these samosas freeze beautifully and would showcase one of Maine’s premier agricultural crops: Potatoes!  Samosas are perfect hiking fare.  Small and portable, yet hearty and filling.  They’re a healthy meal in an incredible, edible wrapper.  And they’re DELICIOUS – especially with the tangy subtle sweetness of the mango dipping sauce, which is easily toted in any lightweight lidded container. Double dipping a MUST!  So if you’re craving something extraordinary the next time you head out on the trail, look no further than Fore River Sanctuary Samosas with Mango Dipping Sauce.  Gourmet vegetarian snacks that pack a healthy, meal-like punch – NO SILVERWARE NECESSARY!

Yields 16 samosas + 2 cups sauce.

SODIUM CONTENT:  123 mg per samosa + sauce (with salt) and 12 mg per samosa + sauce (salt free)

INGREDIENTS

MANGO SAUCE:
4 c. diced mango (2 ripe mangoes, peeled and seeded)
1 1/4 c. water
1/4 c. vegetable oil
2 T. Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar (or equivalent)
2 T. minced onion (about 1/2 of a small fresh onion)
1 T. minced garlic (about 3 medium cloves)
1 T. minced fresh ginger (roughly 2 inch piece, peeled)
1 T. no salt added tomato sauce
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground cumin
1/2 t. ground mustard
1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 t. salt (optional)

SAMOSA FILLING:
5 1/2 c. diced potato (about 5-6 medium Maine potatoes, peeled)
3/4 c. finely diced onion (1 small/medium onion)
2 T. minced garlic (about 6 medium cloves)
1/2 T. minced fresh ginger (roughly 1 inch piece, peeled)
3 T. unsalted butter
1 t. fennel seed
1 t. ground coriander
1 t. ground turmeric
1/2 t. ground cumin
1/2 t. salt (optional)
1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 c. Stonyfield Farm Organic Low Fat Plain Yogurt
1 c. green peas, cooked
1 T. fresh cilantro, chopped

SAMOSA DOUGH:
2 c. all-purpose flour (or better yet, Maida, Indian all-purpose flour, sold at Masala Mahal & elsewhere)
1/2 t. salt free chili powder
2 T. Stonyfield Farm Organic Low Fat Plain Yogurt
2 T. unsalted butter
10 T. cold water

48 oz. vegetable oil (for frying)

DIRECTIONS

Measure all ingredients for the mango sauce into a large saucepan. Place over medium heat, bring to a boil and simmer, stirring frequently, 15 minutes. Remove from heat and puree smoothly using an immersion blender, standard blender or food processor. Set aside.

Place the diced potato into a pot and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for about 20 minutes, until tender. Remove from heat and drain. Mash potatoes in pot, then transfer to a mixing bowl and set aside.

Melt the butter for the filling in the (now empty) pot used for the potatoes over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, 4 minutes. Add spices and cook, stirring, another minute. Remove from heat and add the mashed potato and yogurt to the pot. Stir well to combine, then gently fold in the peas and cilantro. Set aside.

Measure the flour or maida into a large mixing bowl. Add the chili powder and whisk to combine. Add the yogurt and toss to combine. Cut the butter into the mixture using your (freshly washed) fingertips and continue processing until you have a soft dry crumb. Add the water one tablespoon at a time, gathering the dough with your hands with each addition. Once the dough comes together, turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic.

Cut the dough into 8 equal parts.

Roll each piece of dough into a ball, then use a rolling pin to flatten into a (roughly) 7-inch circle. Cut the circle in half.

Take one half and fold the cut (straight) edge over on itself, then pinch the flat seam together.

Gently pick up the dough and orient it so that the pinched seam is along a side, the opening at the top.  Hold the open cone in your hand.

Measure about 1/4 – 1/3 c. of the samosa filling into the cone

then firmly pinch the open top edges together to enclose the filling. The samosa is now formed and should look like a soft triangular pyramid.

Repeat process with remaining dough and filling to form a total of 16 samosas.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat or (better yet) a deep fryer to 375 degrees. Place samosas into the oil, about 3 at a time, and cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove from oil and drain on towels. Serve warm or cold with the mango dipping sauce.