Do you want to try a new crispy fry recipe at an affordable price? Today, I will share a crispy “viazi karai” recipe. This dish is most popular in East Africa. Do you know why it is famous? It’s well-known because of its mix of spiced potatoes & crunchy outside.
If you haven’t tried this recipe, you should. Whether a professional or a beginner, this easy recipe is for all.
In this blog post, I will share the easy process of making the “viazi karai” recipe and tips to make it perfect for the first time.
Contents
Crispy Fried Potato Snack from East Africa
Karai-style Viazi is a Swahili phrase meaning fried potatoes. It’s a famous dish or snack in Kenya and other East African nations.
Its outside is crispy and brown, while the inside is soft with plenty of flavor. People usually enjoy Viazi Karai with hot sauce for added zest or as an accompaniment to many dishes.
Easiest Way To Make Viazi Karai Recipe
Now, im going to discuss the step-by-step process to make this recipe. Let’s start with the ingredients we will use in it.
Ingredients We Use
Ingredients For Filling
8 medium potatoes, boiled and peeled
1 tablespoon garlic paste
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1-2 teaspoons red chili powder
½ teaspoon salt
Ingredients For Batter
1¼ cups chickpea flour (besan)
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
2 tablespoons hot oil
¾ cup water
Oil for deep frying
Ingredients For Chutney
1 cup grated coconut
¼ cup chopped raw mango
2-3 green chilies
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup water
Step By Step Procedure To Make Viazi Karai Recipe
Here’s the step-by-step procedure to make the viazi karai recipe most easily:
Step 1: Boil Potatoes
In the first step, boiling the potatoes can well be done. Put the chunks of the potato in a large pot and pour water over it. A little pinch of salt should also be added to the water to increase the flavor. Continue to heat the water and, when it boils, cook the potatoes to the state that they are soft but not in a fully cooked, mash consistency state. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
After boiling the potatoes, the next thing to do is to drain them and allow them to cool a little. Then, peel the skin of the potatoes, and if they are not in small pieces, you will have to chop them into small pieces.
Step 2: Mix The Filling
Add garlic paste, lemon juice, red chili powder, & salt. In the next step, mash potatoes in a separate bowl. You can use both a fork and potato mash to mash potatoes.
Add mashed potatoes with species and mix them well until species mix well in the potatoes. If you mix them well, it will give a smooth and even flavor.
Step 3: Make Batter
Mix chickpea flour, all-purpose flour, salt, and turmeric powder in a large bowl. Chickpea flour provides crispiness to this recipe. Add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil to a pan and heat it over a high flame.
Carefully add this hot oil to the dry ingredients for the next step. It will make your recipe extra crispy.
Step 4: Add Water to the Flour
Slowly pour water into the flour mixture & stir until a smooth paste formed. Continue to pour some water and mix until you get the consistency of the batter and it is soft. It should thickly cover the potatoes but not become too liquid.
Step 5: Frying Process
- When preparing the potatoes for Viazi Karai, spoon a small portion of the seasoned potato mixture, about the size of a golf ball & use your hands to shape it into a ball.
- However, you can form them into small, round, flat cake shapes. Stack them on a plate or tray in preparation for frying if you have made shaped potato balls or patties.
- After this, dip each potato ball or patty into the batter that has been prepared, making sure they are well coated. The batter should coat the potatoes well. Place the oil in the frying pan or pot, which should take about 1-2 inches of oil, & heat the oil on a high flame.
- I use this test to determine the readiness of the oil by dropping a little portion of the batter into the oil; if the batter bubbles and floats, the oil is ready. To avoid dropping the potato balls on the hot pan, gently use a spoon to lower them into the hot oil. Fry them in batches if needed.
- Fry the potatoes for 4 to 5 minutes or until golden brown. Once done, remove the fried potatoes from the oil using the slotted spoon and transfer them to a paper-lined tray to remove extra oil.
Step 6: Chutney Making Process
Add grated coconut, chopped raw mango, green chilies, salt, and water in a blender. Blend them well to make a smooth texture. If the chutney is thick, don’t worry; add some water until it reaches the consistency you love.
Tips for Perfect Viazi Karai Recipe: What to Avoid
Here are some things that you should avoid to make a perfect viaizi karai recipe:
Do not boil potatoes too much; it makes them mushy. Just boiled potatoes will easily be mashed. If you boil them too much, they become mushy, and the texture and taste of your recipe will be better.
Mix Spices Well
Make sure to mix spices well with potatoes. If you mix them well, they will provide you with the desired flavours. Make sure to adjust the flavor before giving them a shape.
Do Not Use Too Much Oil For Frying
Do not use too much oil when you fry potatoes. Use only as much oil as is enough for frying. If you use too much oil, it will be hard to handle & can change the shape of your recipe.
So, use sufficient oil to cover the potatoes by 1-2 inches in the pan.
Read also: Shirley Chung’s Scallion Pancake Recipe
Conclusion
If you want to try a new crispy recipe, it’s a perfect choice for you. You can try it anytime on any occasion because its recipe is tasty, easy, and budget-friendly.
Potatoes contain vitamins and minerals, but when fried, they become higher in calories and fat. You can use less oil for a slightly healthier version or even bake the potatoes instead of frying them.