Let Us Now Praise Homemade (mostly*) Indian Feast Night
I had my personal Thanksgiving feast upon getting home last night. My personal Thanksgiving tradition celebrates actual, rather than notional, Indians. Spicy yellow dal and garlic naan. The latter is from the freezer aisle of Trader Joe’s, hence the asterisk above. It is not homemade, but it is delicious.
Oh, and those rotund fellows at the top of the plate? So glad you asked. Let me tell you a little story.
A friend once said to me, I’m going to make you the most delicious samosas you’ve ever had.
I said, What, do you have a deep fryer?
She said, No, you make them with Pillsbury crescent rolls, and bake them in the oven. It sounds white-trashy but they are delicious.
I was dubious. But guess what? They WERE delicious. So delicious. Who knows what strange alchemy is wrought in the oven when crescent roll dough meets samosa filling, but trust me on this one, you guys. The recipe is here. I use actual boiled potatoes instead of canned potatoes, because seriously, canned potatoes? I mean, the recipe is clearly propaganda for Pillsbury-related brands. The canned peas are important, though. I don’t think these would taste properly samosa-y with fresh or frozen peas.
Oh, and don’t make the yogurt sauce that accompanies the Pillsbury recipe. Yogurt sauce is well known to be bullshit. Instead, make this Icy-Hot™ mint chutney. Substitute an unseeded jalapeno for the green chilies, or a couple of serranos if you’re feeling randy.
My next challenge: a properly sinus-clearing/tear-inducing VINDALOO. I hope you can stand the suspense till next weekend.
One final note: I am not too proud to admit that I planned yesterday’s refueling stop to occur at a gas station that I knew to be a purveyor of the fine New Glarus family of beers. O Wisconsin!
