Spicy Potato Noodles (Bataka Sev)

South africa's west cape dutch influence is very strong in the cakes, custards, and fruit preserves.

Recipe Summary Spicy Potato Noodles (Bataka Sev)

I've been obsessed with this crispy fried snack ever since my friend brought the recipe back from South Africa in 1988. This is adapted from a recipe she learned in a cooking class taught by a renowned Indian food authority in Cape Town, Ramola Parbhoo.

Ingredients | Simple Dessert Recipes South Africa

¼ cup chopped fresh green chile peppers

1 tablespoon coarsely chopped garlic

2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon salt

⅛ teaspoon ground turmeric

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 pound potatoes, peeled

3 cups water

3 ½ cups chickpea flour

2 ½ teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

2 tablespoons mustard oil

vegetable oil for deep frying

Directions

Combine the chiles, garlic, ginger, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon turmeric, and 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in a food processor or mortar and pestle and process into a fine paste. (Add a tablespoon of water if you need more liquid.) Set aside.

Place the potatoes in a saucepan with the water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook the potatoes until they're soft and easily pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes. Reserve the cooking water.

Mash the potatoes while they're still warm, using some of the cooking water to get a smooth consistency. Mix in 1 tablespoon green chile paste, chickpea flour, 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon turmeric, and mustard oil. Add enough reserved potato-cooking water as needed to make a soft dough. Taste the dough for heat level and seasoning (the dough will taste raw, but should be salty and spicy; the flavors will mellow slightly during cooking). Add more salt and chile paste if desired.

Heat the cooking oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Use a potato ricer (or sev machine, if you have one) to press noodles into the oil. Fry until golden brown and crisp, about two minutes. Use a skimmer or slotted spoon to transfer the noodles to a paper towel-lined bowl. Repeat until all noodles are fried. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Be careful handling chiles: use rubber gloves to avoid getting the oils on your skin.

For step-by-step tips on how to fry, see our Deep Frying Advice article.

Info | Simple Dessert Recipes South Africa

prep: 45 mins cook: 40 mins total: 1 hr 25 mins Servings: 8 Yield: 10 cups

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Appetizers and Snacks, Spicy,