Aloo tikki, meet the scotch egg. Our vegetarian twist on the scotch egg—a classic pub favorite of a soft-boiled egg, wrapped in sausage, breaded and fried—replaces the traditional sausage coating with a flavorful potato mixture inspired by aloo tikki (a beloved Indian street snack). The potatoes are flavored with powdered chillies, Pragati Turmeric, Nagauri Cumin and a hefty dose of amchur powder. If you don't have amchur, substitute a few teaspoons of lemon juice to get that sour taste.

Enjoy with a steaming cup of Sana's Spicy Kadak Chai, a cold beer, or an icy libation (we love them with a sour cocktail like Kokum Sharbat with sparkling water and a lil shot of vodka or gin).

If you want to make these gluten free, substitute the panko bread crumbs with gluten-free bread crumbs.

If you want to make these vegan, omit the soft-boiled egg and go for crispy mini tikki balls—form the potato mixture into balls the size of walnuts and use egg substitute (like Just Egg) when breading them.

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Ingredients

12 ounces (3/4 pound) russet or Yukon gold potatoes, cut into large pieces (quartered for large potatoes, halved for smaller ones)
5 large eggs
1 small carrot, finely diced (about a little smaller than the size of a corn kernel)
1/4 cup frozen corn
1/4 cup frozen peas
1 1/2 teaspoons powdered Byadgi Chillies, Guntur Sannam Chillies or Kashmiri Chillies, depending on how spicy you want it
1 1/2 teaspoons whole Jodhana Cumin
1 teaspoon amchur powder
3/4 teaspoon Pragati Turmeric
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 serrano chile, minced
1/4 cup cilantro, tender leaves & stems, finely chopped
2 tablespoons, plus 1/3 cup cornstarch
1 1/4 cups panko breadcrumbs
Neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed, for frying

For serving

Your favorite chutney, achaar or just some plain yogurt

Methods

Place the potatoes in a large pot of cold, abundantly salted water (you want it to taste like the sea) and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium high and continue to cook at a gentle boil until the potatoes are easily pierced with a knife, about 15–20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked potatoes to a large bowl and set aside.
Increase the heat to high and bring the water back to a boil. Gently lower in 4 eggs and cook 7 minutes for soft-boiled and 8–9 minutes for medium-to-hard-boiled. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Peel the eggs and set aside.
Bring the water back to a boil and add the carrots and cook for 1 minute, then add the corn and peas and cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp, about another 2–3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, but still warm, remove the peels and compost or save for another use. Gently mash the potatoes with a fork or your hands until the potatoes have a smooth texture (it's okay if there are a few lumps, but you want it to be pretty smooth). Add the powdered chillies, cumin, amchur, turmeric, salt, serrano, cilantro, and cooked mixed vegetables, and mix well. Add the 2 tablespoons cornstarch and mix until it is fully incorporated.
Before assembling the scotch eggs, prepare your breading station: Place the remaining 1/3 cup cornstarch in the first shallow bowl or plate; lightly beat the remaining 1 egg in a second shallow bowl or plate; place the panko bread crumbs in the last shallow bowl or plate.
To assemble the scotch eggs, divide the potato mixture into four, equal portions. Take one peeled egg and roll it in the cornstarch, gently shaking off any excess. Take one of the potato portions and, using your fingers, form it into a disk and then start to press it into a cup form, about 1/2-inch thick. Place the cornstarch-coated egg in the center of the cup and then gently mold the potatoes so the egg is fully encased. Carefully roll the potato-encased egg between your palms to form a large oval. Place on a plate and repeat with the remaining 3 eggs.
To bread the eggs, take one of the prepared eggs and roll it in the cornstarch, then the egg mixture and then coat it in the panko bread crumbs, pressing the bread crumbs to adhere to the outside of the scotch egg. Place the egg back on the plate and repeat the breading process with the remaining 3 eggs.
To fry, heat 3 inches neutral oil to 375°F in a large, high-rimmed pot or Dutch oven. Gently lower in 2 breaded eggs and fry until crisp and deep golden, flipping halfway through, about 2–3 minutes per side. Transfer to a wire rack-lined baking sheet or plate lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat the frying process with the remaining 2 eggs.
To serve, slice in half and sprinkle the egg with a little extra powdered chillies and flaky sea salt. Enjoy warm or at room temperature with your favorite chutney, achaar or plain yogurt.

Asha's Aloo Tikki Scotch Eggs

Recipe By: Asha Loupy

Serves 4

Enjoy with a steaming cup of Sana's Spicy Kadak Chai, a cold beer, or an icy libation (we love them with a sour cocktail like Kokum Sharbat with sparkling water and a lil shot of vodka or gin).

If you want to make these gluten free, substitute the panko bread crumbs with gluten-free bread crumbs.

Ingredients

12 ounces (3/4 pound) russet or Yukon gold potatoes, cut into large pieces (quartered for large potatoes, halved for smaller ones)
5 large eggs
1 small carrot, finely diced (about a little smaller than the size of a corn kernel)
1/4 cup frozen corn
1/4 cup frozen peas
1 1/2 teaspoons powdered Byadgi Chillies, Guntur Sannam Chillies or Kashmiri Chillies, depending on how spicy you want it
1 1/2 teaspoons whole Jodhana Cumin
1 teaspoon amchur powder
3/4 teaspoon Pragati Turmeric
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 serrano chile, minced
1/4 cup cilantro, tender leaves & stems, finely chopped
2 tablespoons, plus 1/3 cup cornstarch
1 1/4 cups panko breadcrumbs
Neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed, for frying

For serving

Your favorite chutney, achaar or just some plain yogurt

Methods

Place the potatoes in a large pot of cold, abundantly salted water (you want it to taste like the sea) and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium high and continue to cook at a gentle boil until the potatoes are easily pierced with a knife, about 15–20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked potatoes to a large bowl and set aside.
Increase the heat to high and bring the water back to a boil. Gently lower in 4 eggs and cook 7 minutes for soft-boiled and 8–9 minutes for medium-to-hard-boiled. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Peel the eggs and set aside.
Bring the water back to a boil and add the carrots and cook for 1 minute, then add the corn and peas and cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp, about another 2–3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, but still warm, remove the peels and compost or save for another use. Gently mash the potatoes with a fork or your hands until the potatoes have a smooth texture (it's okay if there are a few lumps, but you want it to be pretty smooth). Add the powdered chillies, cumin, amchur, turmeric, salt, serrano, cilantro, and cooked mixed vegetables, and mix well. Add the 2 tablespoons cornstarch and mix until it is fully incorporated.
Before assembling the scotch eggs, prepare your breading station: Place the remaining 1/3 cup cornstarch in the first shallow bowl or plate; lightly beat the remaining 1 egg in a second shallow bowl or plate; place the panko bread crumbs in the last shallow bowl or plate.
To assemble the scotch eggs, divide the potato mixture into four, equal portions. Take one peeled egg and roll it in the cornstarch, gently shaking off any excess. Take one of the potato portions and, using your fingers, form it into a disk and then start to press it into a cup form, about 1/2-inch thick. Place the cornstarch-coated egg in the center of the cup and then gently mold the potatoes so the egg is fully encased. Carefully roll the potato-encased egg between your palms to form a large oval. Place on a plate and repeat with the remaining 3 eggs.
To bread the eggs, take one of the prepared eggs and roll it in the cornstarch, then the egg mixture and then coat it in the panko bread crumbs, pressing the bread crumbs to adhere to the outside of the scotch egg. Place the egg back on the plate and repeat the breading process with the remaining 3 eggs.
To fry, heat 3 inches neutral oil to 375°F in a large, high-rimmed pot or Dutch oven. Gently lower in 2 breaded eggs and fry until crisp and deep golden, flipping halfway through, about 2–3 minutes per side. Transfer to a wire rack-lined baking sheet or plate lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat the frying process with the remaining 2 eggs.
To serve, slice in half and sprinkle the egg with a little extra powdered chillies and flaky sea salt. Enjoy warm or at room temperature with your favorite chutney, achaar or plain yogurt.