Feb

12

Potatoes in Phyllo Recliners

February 12, 2008 |

cc2.jpg

Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie. - Jim Davis

Click on the logo to see previous posts in the series.

We had a little mutiny at our place last week. An army of potatoes took over our couch. They refused to vacate until they got their own designated seating.

Couch Potatoes

“Bucket seats and popcorn would do nicely,” growled the one-eyed don.

In our home, the three main food groups, in that order of preference, are potatoes, bread and chocolate. Can’t afford to piss off the spuds.

Phyllo dough to the rescue. We built them custom recliners.

We’ve never used phyllo/filo dough before. When our friend Sayed dropped in and demonstrated how he makes his died-and-went-to-heaven baklava, we realised how versatile and forgiving this product is. Unlike puff pastry, it’s also almost fat free.

Phyllo, also known as filo or fillo dough, (Greek ????? ‘leaf’ ) consists of paper-thin sheets of raw, unleavened flour dough. The Turkish name for phyllo is yufka, though there is also a Turkish flatbread named yufka.

Phyllo dough is made with flour, water, and a small amount of oil. It is almost always used in multiple layers separated by melted butter. When these are baked, they become crispy and the result resembles puff pastry, though the method is very different, and they are generally not substituted for one another …

In Turkish cuisine pastries prepared with phyllo are called börek, in Egyptian cuisine they are called gollash, in Albanian cuisine they are called byrek, in Austrian-German-Hungarian cuisine the dough is called Blätterteig and pastries made from phyllo are called strudel. (Source)

PHYLLO CUPS/RECLINERS

These are perfect party eats. The phyllo cups can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container. They are so crunchy and good, we ate several of them before the potatoes could occupy them.

Makes 16

Thaw phyllo dough and bring to room temperature.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

A tip we learnt from Sayed: To minimise tearing, use two sheets at a time. It also halves the amount of fat used.

Like THIS.

Take
2 sheets of phyllo dough

and put them on an aluminum baking sheet or cutting board.
Cover the rest with a damp towel, else they dry out and become brittle. Using a pastry brush, smear all over with ghee/melted butter (vegans can use vegetable oil).

We need about 1/4 cup melted butter/oil for easy dipping, though we will end up using only about half of it. You can flavour the oil with herbs/garlic/spices if you wish.

Put 2 more sheets of phyllo on top.

Brush again. Take a knife or pizza wheel, and cut into 16 pieces. (or 12 if you want bigger cups or have only one muffin tray)

Gently stuff these layers into muffin cups and open up the middle a tad. Prick the bottom with a fork. If the dough tears a bit, no problem.

Bake them for 7 to 9 minutes until they are golden brown and crisp. Put them on a wire rack to cool.

Out of curiosity, we made the second batch using the way it is described in most recipes - brushing butter one layer at a time. They turned out more melded.

See the difference. One sheet at a time (above) and two sheets at a time (below)

Tastewise, they were the same. The two-sheet method uses half the fat, involves less tearing, and less work.

The filling is a modified version of Ashwini’s Batata Song. For the tempering, we used dill seeds, ‘cos we happened to find some in our pantry. Cumin or crushed coriander seeds work fine too.

3 cups potatoes cubed to small pieces (we used new red potatoes)

Put them in a bowl with 1/4 cup water, cover and microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes.

Grind
6 dry red chillies
1 almond-sized piece of tamarind
2 garlic cloves
1/2 tsp coriander seeds

with just enough water to make a smooth paste.

Clockwise from bottom left: Dill seeds, garlic, tamarind, shallots and dried red chillies

Heat 1 tbsp oil.
Add 1 teaspoon dill seeds (cumin seeds work too)
Stir for a few seconds until they are toasted, add

2 chopped shallots

Fry until translucent, add some salt and the ground paste along with the potatoes (drain any leftover water).

Cook them on high until dry and coated with the spices. The potatoes should be cooked and mash easily when pressed with a fork.

Meanwhile, cook 1/2 cup fresh peas with 2 tablespoons of water covered in the microwave on HIGH, or just thaw them if frozen.

Just before switching off the flame add the peas and 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper (optional). Stir once, take off the heat. Adjust the seasonings and add

1/4 cup chopped cilantro.

Let this mixture cool a bit.

Spoon the filling carefully into the cooled phyllo cups.

This manual on Getting Potatoes off your Couch goes to Dhivya’s Potato Fest @ Culinary Bazaar and Sia’s Ode to Potato @ Monsoon Spice.

Not to forget, this dish is my Valentine’s Day offering to my darling J, along with a poem.

to my beloved

the xhtml-compatible code
that you inscribed
on the template of my heart

elicits gushes
of bad verse …

dispatched through FTP.
see, i can’t rhyme
for the life of me

so enjoy the potato treats
but be warned ….
they make you gassy.

how do i know?
ummm… i ain’t sassy
enough to share,
but the evidence lingers
… in the air.

i promise
it won’t happen when you’re around
it’s just not romantically sound …

when you love someone to death
you don’t make them hold their breath

i know you will do no such thing
‘cos you’re as gentlemanly as they um .. bring …

what makes you so sweet
is that you’re discreet

‘cos suppressing a fart
when it wants to fly
has gotta be the toughest part
about being a guy.

b.

Pouches of Potato Love

These also go to dear Pooja @ My Creative Ideas for her Valentine’s Day event.

Also see: Bouquets for My Valentine

Related posts

PRINT THIS POST PRINT THIS POST EMAIL THIS POST EMAIL THIS POST

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


SPEAK YOUR MIND

55 Comments so far

  1. Madhu on February 12, 2008 2:58 pm

    Potato cups looks so cute and colourful. Poem is very :D

  2. Sam on February 12, 2008 2:58 pm

    Looks lovely! I’ll definitely give a try.

    For a sweet version, put a spoonful of pudding into the phyllo cups and top with cut up fruits.

    :laugh: :laugh: re: the poem!!!

  3. Ana on February 12, 2008 2:59 pm

    Phyllo cups looks delish…

    But its ur poem that cracks me :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

  4. Mamatha on February 12, 2008 3:13 pm

    :rofl: @ your poem. Phyllo cups look delectable.

  5. Pooja on February 12, 2008 3:34 pm

    What a Lovely entry Bee ;;).
    And that poem ,I just loved it, did u wrote it ?
    I am glad to have you around :dance:, Seems like the first winter in USA is not easy for me :huh: , feeling little sick due sudden change in weather , I guess. Your email with this wonderful pic brought smile to my face in this dull mood of sickness ,thats what the magic of your photography Bee :yes:. thanks a lot for sharing , going to post something which i think is suitable for click too :love:. May be will post it by tonight , Hugs to you dear for participating and being around.

  6. sreelu on February 12, 2008 4:27 pm

    Nice pics bee, very mouth watering :)

  7. Ashwini on February 12, 2008 5:03 pm

    Goodness Bee… now I do love batata song but your song? Hands down one of the most romantic odes ever written!

    I am trying to ’supress’ a loud guffaw at work :D

  8. musy on February 12, 2008 5:51 pm

    Potato love indeed :-D

  9. vimmi on February 12, 2008 6:07 pm

    Have thought of using phyllo a number of times. will do it. The recipe looks great.

    And what a poem. What more can a husband ask for on valentine’s day??? Good thing u did not make beans

  10. manju on February 12, 2008 6:39 pm

    I completely lost it when I read your poem — a surer sign of true love has not been writ! Your imagination and photography continue to inspire, as always! Happy Valentine’s to you and Jai!

  11. Superchef on February 12, 2008 6:55 pm

    :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:@ the poem.. the phyllo cups are soo cute for the potatoes!! :)

  12. bhavani on February 12, 2008 7:28 pm

    bee, i almost split my sides laughing at your poem. :rofl: i now demand that all your entires be accompanied by such funny verse. :laugh: i love the photos (as usual) and the appetizers are so mouth-watering.. this from someone who hasn’t had an appetite in two days…can’t wait to try these.

  13. cynic on February 12, 2008 7:28 pm

    I always thought that filo dough was just a folder full of money.

  14. revathi on February 12, 2008 8:30 pm

    Where from do you discover such poems :tongue:!!!! The pouches are mouth-watering-

  15. Nags on February 12, 2008 8:32 pm

    hahahaha.. that’s one romantic poem ;)

  16. Suganya on February 12, 2008 8:38 pm

    I find storing phyllo very difficult. Even after 2 layers of protection, once opened, they become dry and brittle. Thengai pooranam for kozhukattai tastes great with phyllo. Did Jai blush readin your poem? ;)

    he has thick skin. never blushes. - b.

  17. enjay on February 12, 2008 8:54 pm

    Cute!!

  18. Meera on February 12, 2008 9:00 pm

    Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Jai. Your recipe is great.

    Goodness, your poem!! I really forgot what I was going to say, Bee! :-) You really have a great sense of humor.
    I can’t stop laughing. :laugh: :rofl:

  19. Lakshmi on February 12, 2008 9:06 pm

    :rofl: :rofl: Poem is making me rolll….exzellent Bee…
    Those potato pouches left me drooling..

  20. Jayashree on February 12, 2008 9:38 pm

    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:….love the poem.

  21. shanti on February 12, 2008 9:40 pm

    those r looking lovely ….nice pic

  22. shilpa on February 12, 2008 9:42 pm

    Hahahahahaha..I can’t stop laughing…You are hilarious..and a good poet too :D.

    Those are beautiful cups…How do you come up with such unique things Bee?

  23. Srivalli on February 12, 2008 10:11 pm

    bee, you took the breath off me…god I can imagine the poor state Jai must’be having now…’you mean girl telling the whole world abt it!’…he must be cursing you.. :rofl: :rofl:

  24. Dhivya Karthik on February 12, 2008 10:20 pm

    :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

    I cant stop laughing and I am already 8 min into it! My better half actually came running to see what happ! ! i still cant control myself…I keep hearing that thanks to valentine “Luves in the air”..but at ur place something else seems to be in the air! Not that I am complaining ..the phyllo cups luks so adorable…but still :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: that poem…has my sides splitting in 2!!!

  25. Dhivya Karthik on February 12, 2008 10:26 pm

    And I am still laughing..thanks for the great entry Bee! and Jai for being an inspiration for Bee’s versi’cal’ talents!!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

  26. jnirmala on February 12, 2008 10:52 pm

    Bee :rofl: excellent poem! Paavam Jai. He wouldn’t have known that these nice cutie cups would bring along this poem too ;)

  27. sra on February 12, 2008 10:56 pm

    :rofl: ‘Truly’ romantic :love: aren’t you, Bee?

  28. raaga on February 13, 2008 12:43 am

    I wish we got puff pastry and phyllo pastry here in India… I just keep on looking at these recipes!

  29. sia on February 13, 2008 12:57 am

    :rofl: :rofl: @when you love someone to death
    you don’t make them hold their breath    … this is a perfect ode to potato ;):devil: thank you J & B

  30. Happy Cook on February 13, 2008 1:28 am

    Oh bee what a morning I am in tears laughing :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
    I shoule show the poem to my hubby, but then when he farts he says it is my fault as i make channa or beans :embarrass

  31. Meeta on February 13, 2008 3:56 am

    You are the sweetest Bee - hope J appreciates all that talent he has. I’m sending you both a huge hug for Valentine’s. Those potato cups look deliciously insane.

  32. Asha on February 13, 2008 5:56 am

    LOVE LOVE LOVE the couch Potatoes photo. Seems like I was on that couch with them whole last year! :laugh:
    Great dish and easy too Bee. Happy V day to you both if you are into it. (We don’t care much about this V day though!)

  33. Latha on February 13, 2008 6:59 am

    :rofl: that was too good Bee! Love u’re poem!
    As always, pictures are beautiful! I know what u mean about phyllo dough - i have used it mostly to make baklava so far - thos epotato baskets look adorable - i would’nt want to eat them!

  34. Núria on February 13, 2008 7:29 am

    Bee, you are amazing! I LOVE the poem, ha, ha, ha, Great musicality with Percussion on the back!!! :D

    And the phyllo dough… what can I say???? There’s one emoticon missing: The one with the open mouth down to her feet: that’s me!

  35. bindiya on February 13, 2008 7:29 am

    You are too good Bee,guess you should start a “poem” blog too!! :laugh:

  36. Pelicano on February 13, 2008 8:01 am

    :D Bee, the potato cups with dill seeds are lovely…but, you’re CRACKED! :bruised:

  37. Anuzi on February 13, 2008 9:00 am

    Such a cute v-day poem and a wonderfully delectable dish to go along with the theme. You have a very lucky hubby…then again maybe he is the lucky one…to have you ;)Excellent entry dear bee…I am in awe as always. :bow: :D

  38. rina on February 13, 2008 9:20 am

    Love the poem and the potatoe pouches :love: :yes:

  39. rashmi on February 13, 2008 9:45 am

    :laugh: :rofl:@poem..indeed potates do make one gassy…lol… :rofl: :rofl:

    they look so cute….

  40. Priya on February 13, 2008 10:19 am

    I made a similar thing using puff pastry inspired from this. I’ve used filo dough for making puff and bakalava before, but used the puff pastry sheets just cos I did not have the patience to layer the filo sheets. I also filled a few of those cups with mixed berries, sugar and AP flour for a dessert version. Both were yummyy !

  41. Manasi on February 13, 2008 10:20 am

    :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
    LOVE the poem!!!!

    the phyllo cups with potato filling are awesome, they will make a wondeful snack!

  42. Laavanya on February 13, 2008 11:07 am

    That poem is so funny :rofl:
    And the spuds look pretty happy in their phyllo seats. It’s been so long since I last made baklava… am craving some now.

  43. Priya on February 13, 2008 11:41 am

    My first time here and what a post :)! You guys have a great blog.. I have been reading since morning and ended up making tomato rice for lunch..we love it :yes:!

    Priya

  44. Priya on February 13, 2008 12:05 pm

    awesome ..in the “related post section” ,u should post a link of what jai did last yr ( the bouquet of vegetables) for V Day.

  45. Namratha on February 13, 2008 12:13 pm

    :rofl: Bee that was the cutest poem ever!! “Evidence lingers in the air…..” thank goodness the internet doesn’t transmit smells :laugh:

    Phyllo dough is no doubt a lot better than puff pastry, working with them can get a little tricky though. I bet the spuds are more than content after these ‘recliners’ :)

  46. Cynthia on February 13, 2008 4:24 pm

    I really love working with phyllo dough, they transform any dish they are presented in from the ordinary to extra ordinary.

  47. Siri on February 13, 2008 7:39 pm

    :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

    Bee u are :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :love: :love:

    - Siri :horn:

  48. Coffee on February 13, 2008 7:41 pm

    :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

    I here by swear not to read your bllog when at work!! I attract some undue attention :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

  49. Pelicano on February 13, 2008 7:47 pm

    [shouts]HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAI!!!

  50. Pelicano on February 13, 2008 9:13 pm

    Oooops…Vicodin makes me senile- I’m getting things screwed up! :-D Not birthday, Valentine’s Day…to you both! But I’m glad the birthday wishes are finished so I can cross it off my list. :laugh:

  51. Miri on February 13, 2008 10:20 pm

    :laugh: :laugh: Great ode and a beautiful Valentine’s day treat :) Happy V day to you!

  52. Anjali on February 16, 2008 12:13 pm

    Hee hee..I’m gonna