Non-vegetarian●●●Origin AwadhPrep 1 hour, plus cooling timeCook 20 minutesMakes 40
Crisp, flaky pastry cones packed with savoury spiced minced lamb and deep-fried to a rich golden brown. They offer a warming, aromatic blend of earthy spices balanced with ginger, garlic, and fresh herbs.
Ground spices for the filling
3.2 gStirred into the pan with the aromatics (step 3)
Combine 250 g flour with 0.3 g salt in a broad bowl. Work in 5 tablespoon ghee using your fingertips until the mixture takes on a coarse, breadcrumb-like texture. Add just enough water to bind it into a stiff dough, knead until smooth, and drape with a moist towel while preparing the meat.
Blitz 24 g garlic in a mini chopper or blender until completely pureed into a fine paste.
Warm 39.6 g ghee in a deep pan set over medium heat. Fry 300 g onion for 5 to 7 minutes until golden, then add the garlic paste, 4.8 g ginger, and the ground spices for the filling. Fry briefly, blending in 60 g plain yogurt a spoonful at a time.
Season with salt to taste, drop in 500 g meat, and cook for 5 minutes until evenly browned. Pour in 250 ml water, cover tightly, and simmer on low for 30 to 45 minutes until the mince is thoroughly tender and no free moisture remains. Stir in 2 g coriander leaf, remove from the heat, and allow the mixture to cool down fully.
Pinch off marble-sized balls of dough and roll them out thinly on a floured counter into flat rounds. Halve each circle through the centre. Lightly moisten the straight edge with water, fold it over to form a hollow cone, and squeeze the seam tight. Fill the cavity with 2 to 3 teaspoons of the cooled mince, brush the rim with water, and press the edges shut, crimping to seal.
Bring 500 g ghee or vegetable oil to 180°C (350°F) in a deep pan or kadhai, then ease the heat back slightly. Fry the samosas in small batches for around 5 minutes, flipping occasionally until golden brown and crisp all over, then lift out with a slotted spoon to drain on kitchen paper.
Use 15% to 20% of the weight (about 1 g for every 5 to 6 g fresh cloves). Whisk into sauces; gives a savoury, toasted garlic flavour without raw pungency.
Use 120% of the weight; melt gently over low heat to avoid burning the milk solids, which will yield a softer, creamier richness rather than a nutty aroma.
Use 80% of the weight, finely shredded and browned slowly with a pinch of asafoetida. Replicates the bulk and natural sweetness in gravies without allium.
Steep a tiny pinch (0.1 g per 2 g turmeric) in 2 tbsp warm water; use to match the rich golden hue. Contributes an aristocratic, honeyed floral flavour rather than earthy bitterness.