Aloo (Potato) Pie
Aloo (Potato) Pie – Cousins of samosas with the most amazing dough – Crispy and Crunchy – filled with a tasty combination of potatoes, corn and peas. Can be baked or fried.
I don’t need any excuses or an occasion to make pies; I just make them whether it’s summer, winter, or spring. Party time or not! Can’t seem to resist them. And after being on a hiatus for sometime now, about 3 months or so, I’m SUPER EXCITED to make and share these with you guys.
Relax, I’m not going to take your taste buds far off the coast…this time. This Aloo pie- aloo – Hindi word for potatoes – is quite familiar. They are a variation of samosas. You’ve tried samosas right? Crunchy and crispy dough stuffed with spicy potatoes, vegetables or protein. Of course you have.
These savory snacks, which hail from Trinidad and Tobago, are made all over the Caribbean Islands. Housewives pride themselves on a delicate touch with the dough but they are often street fare as well, ready for students and workers to grab for a snack on the run.If you have never tried one before you are in for a treat! These are delicious and the dough, I experiment with dough a lot and so far this is my favorite. The only drawback (I can’t lie to you guys) is that they are a big ol’ pain in the behind to make. They sometimes are time consuming and arduous to make from start to finish. BUT you can pull this off in less than no time –AND you will be so thankful when you are done. Even more thankful when you’re eating them like crazy, right out of the pan.
Or you can make the filling the night before and let the flavors come together or even make the whole thing a week before and freeze.
More shortcuts, you can use filo dough, instead of making your own pie dough. In this Aloo pie, I threw in some vegetables and more spice s in the mix. You can do the same or if looking for a traditional aloo pie just go with the potatoes only. I toned done the heat level so that my little one can have some.
You can make half the size suggested below for interesting cocktail party appetizers. This pie with chutney is dangerous. Spicy and sweet together – OH MY! They make a perfect pair.
Enjoy!
Aloo (Potato Pie)
Ingredients
Aloo Pie Dough
- 3 cups all purpose flour plus more as needed
- 1-2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoon ghee Clarified butter or oil
- 1 cup warm water or more
Aloo pie Filling
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ginger grated
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon or more hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ -3/4 pound potatoes cubed and boiled
- 1 cup frozen peas thawed
- 1 cup frozen corn thawed
1 green onion , diced
- 2-3 tablespoon parsley or cilantro
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or more optional
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ½ teaspoon or more curry powder or green seasoning optional
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Pie Filling
- In a medium- large skillet, add oil, onions, garlic, ginger and sauté, for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent any burns.
- Then add, cumin, hot sauce and paprika, and continue stirring with a heavy wooden spoon, about 2 minutes.
- Add boiled potato cubes, and corn. Slightly smash the potatoes, corn and peas then thoroughly mix until ingredients are fully combined, add green onions, curry powder ,white and cayenne pepper and a little bit of water to prevent any burns. Simmer for about 2 minutes. Finally throw in cilantro, adjust the seasonings and salt to taste. Remove from the heat and let it cool. You may prepare this a day in advance.
Aloo pie Dough
- In a large bowl add flour, baking powder, sugar and salt, then make a well followed by water, ghee or oil
- Knead to form soft and sticky dough.
- Place dough on a heavily floured board and knead for about 5-7minutes. Continue to flour dough as needed to facilitate kneading. Be careful not to over do it. Dough should be soft, elastic and smooth.
- On a lightly floured surface form the dough into 14 or more
Assembling Aloo Pie
- Roll the dough out to form a circle, using a lightly floured rolling pin; Spoon a generous 2 tablespoons or more filling in the center of a the circle; lightly moisten the dough edges with water or flour paste, using your finger. Fold over twist with fingers gently to seal the edges of the pies
- Another way of sealing is by pressing the tines of a fork along the edges of the dough.
- You may freeze to use later or proceed with cooking method.
- Heat up a medium skillet or cast iron with oil up to 2 inch- medium-high heat 350 degrees F. until hot but not smoking.
- Gently drop the aloo pie in the fry pan and fry in batches, turning once, until golden brown, about 5-8 minutes. Do not overcrowd the pan (it will absorb excess oil, resulting in a soggy pies)
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the aloo pies and place them on paper towels.
Baking Method
- Place on a baking sheet and brush with canola oil, then. Bake at 375 degrees
- For about 25- 30 minutes until golden brown
- Serve warm or at room temperature with this mango chutney or channa aloo
Tips & Notes:
- You can make the filling the night before and let the flavors come together or even make the whole thing a week before and freeze.
- You can use filo dough, instead of making your own pie dough.
- You can make half the size suggested below for interesting cocktail party appetizers.
Nutrition Information:
I have made this recipe a couple of times now. The pies freeze very well, and I love having easy meal options to pull out and heat up. The dough is *perfect*. I brushed it with egg white instead of oil before baking, and liked the outcome a bit better than canola oil (the egg white left the tops a bit shiny and more golden).
I’m not totally satisfied with how the filling is turning out for me, and I’m not great at tweaking spices. My filling comes out tasting a bit “harsh.” I think it has sufficient salt. Maybe more fat would smooth the flavor? But I obviously like it well enough to continue to make it!
I have been eating these with a dill/garlic/yogurt sauce. Not Trinidadian as far as I know, but the combination is divine!
Thank you for your comment:) How to balance harsh flavors often depend on why you think it’s harsh. If the yogurt sauce helps, then adding a tablespoon of butter or oil may help. But sometimes a squeeze of lemon juice will balance things out. Let me know if you try either one and how it turns out.:heart_eyes:
So yummy so moist , incredible we love it
Thank you from Germany
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback
I just want to thank you for sharing your Awesomeness with the world…, I’ve never been very good at baking until I came across your website. which is not Only delicious but easy to understand recipes that gives me goodies that are always perfect !!
Awww…thank you, Candy. This really warmed my heart :). Glad I could help.
Hi Imma! I’m writing from toronto canada wondering, What would you suggest as the best hot sauce for a classic aloo pie???
Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Solace! I don’t know if there is really one I can choose out of the whole lot. But from my experience, any hot sauce will work just fine for this recipe. So I would say, just go with your favorite.
Hi I’m from Trinidad and we normally have it with mango chutney, tamarind sauce, cucumber chutney just to ne a few things you can have it with
Great combinations. Thanks for sharing 🙂