Patra/Patrode With Bok Choy Leaves (Alu Wadi)

Patra or Patrode is a simple and healthy snack from western India. It is also called Alu Wadi in some regions. This dish is popular in karnataka too. Different regions, different names same dish. 

In this healthy snack usually the Arbi or Colacassia leaves are used. Spinach leaves can also be used, but they have to be big and thick. Since that variety is not available all the time I decided to give the dish a twist by using a different leaf altogether.  Bok Choy, or Pok choy  is a type of chinese cabbage.  The leaves are thick and nice so I decided to give the Patra a try with these leaves. It was a huge hit in my house and everyone came back for more. 

Since I was making this the first time, I made only a small quantity and with my folks asking for more have promised to make some again very soon. So, what I’m driving at is that if you are one of those people who loves this dish and wait for the Arbi leaves to arrive in the market, well don’t wait. Grab some Pok Choy and try it out. The Pok Choy is closer in taste to Spinach with which Patra are made, if not for Arbi/Colaccssia leaves. 

This is a steamed snack just like the Kothimbir Vadi, it can be fried too of you prefer. I have steamed and pan roasted them.

While you are here check out my other snack recipes like Mirchi Bajji, Semolina Cheese balls, Samosa Pie, Potato Cheddar Bake, Dhania wale Namak Parey and more…

 

Here is the recipe ot Patra with Bok Choy Leaf-

 

        PREP TIME: 15MINS                              COOK TIME: 30MINS

       TOTAL TIME: 45 MINS                             CUISINE: INDIAN

        COURSE :SNACK                                   SERVINGS: 5

        AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM

 

 

 

 

 

Bok choy/ Pok choy 2 heads ( clip leaves carefully, wash and dab dry with towel)

Besan/ Chickpea flour 2 cups

Salt as required

Red chilli powder 1 tsp

Coriander powder 1 tsp

Fennel powder 1 tsp

Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

Sugar 1/2 tsp

Tamarind pulp 2 tsp diluted in 1/2 cup water or make pulp with Gooseberry size tamarind ball.

Green chilli 1 finely chopped

Ginger 1/2 inch piece finely chopped

Sesame seeds a few 

Kopra / desiccated coconut 2 tsp

Oil 3 tsp for tempering

Directions: 

Carefully cut the leaves from the Bok choy, wash them in water and pat dry. Keep aside. Now in a bowl take the besan and add all the masala powders and salt. Mix well with fingers and now start adding the tamarind water little by little to make a thick paste/ batter. If using tamarind paste add paste along with masalas, mix and then use water to make the paste. The batter has to be smooth and thick that it sticks to the leaves and does not slide off. Now take the leaves, bigger ones. Apply the paste to 3 leaves, and arrange 3 of them over lapping the other as shown in the picture. This is the first layer. On this another 3 paste applied leaves have to be arranged. If the leaves are in different sizes, keep bigger ones below and smaller ones on top. Like this for 3 layers. Now start rolling the leaves from left to right, and as you role more of the paste has to be applied each time you roll the leaf. After rolling completely, apply the besan paste all over the rolled leaf. Place this in a greased cooker vessel.  Repeat for remaining leaves. I made two such rolls.  Place the second roll also in the cooker vessel and keep the vessel in the cooker to steam. Steam for 20 to 25 minutes. Put off the cooker and wait 2 minutes. Now open and cool the steams rolls completely. Once cooled cut them into 1/2 inch thick circles and keep aside. Take oil in a Tava or Pan and heat. Add mustard seeds, Jeera, asafoetida, green chillies, sesame seeds and ginger. When the mustard pops arrange the cut circles on the tava and roast on one side. When it turns a golden brown, flip and roast the other side. Sprinkle some Kopra/ desiccated coconut and remove the Parta off the Tava. Enjoy with some green chutney and chai. Bon Appetit!!!

 

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

 

1.Carefully cut the leaves from the Bok choy, wash them in water and pat dry. Keep aside.

 

 

2. Now in a bowl take the besan and add all the masala powders and salt. Mix well with fingers and now start adding the tamarind water little by little to make a thick paste/ batter. The batter has to be thick and smooth.

 

 

 

3. Apply the paste to 3 leaves, and arrange 3 of them over lapping the other as shown in the picture. This is the first layer. On this another 3 paste applied leaves have to be arranged. Make 3 such layers.

 

 

4. Now start rolling the leaves from left to right, and as you role more of the paste has to be applied each time you roll the leaf. After rolling completely, apply the besan paste all over the rolled leaf. Place this in a greased cooker vessel.  Repeat the process and put both rolls in cooker vessel.

 

 

5. Keep the vessel in the cooker to steam. Steam for 20 to 25 minutes. Put off the cooker and wait 2 minutes. Now open and cool the steams rolls completely. Once cooled cut them into 1/2 inch thick circles and keep aside. 

 

 

6. Take oil in a Tava or Pan and heat. Add mustard seeds, Jeera, asafoetida, green chillies, sesame seeds and ginger. When the mustard pops arrange the cut circles on the tava and roast on one side. When it turns a golden brown, flip and roast the other side. Sprinkle some Kopra/ desiccated coconut and remove the Parta off the Tava. Enjoy.

 

 

 

NOTES:

1. Select leaves which are fresh and big.

2. At the base of the leaf if the stem is hard, make a V shape cut to remove the hard veins.

3. Ensure the batter is thick like a paste or else it won’t stick to the leaf.  Incase the batter turns runny add more besan and adjust spice and continue with the recipe. 

4. While toasting on the Tava take care not to burn them or the taste will change.