Savoury Spice Infusion: Chinese Chilli Potato Recipe

If you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make starter or snack for your next party, then you might want to consider making Chinese chilli potato. This dish is a popular Indo-Chinese cuisine that is loved by many. It is a perfect blend of spicy, sweet, and sour flavours that will leave you wanting more.

To make Chinese chilli potato, you will need some essential ingredients such as potatoes, corn flour, green onions, garlic, ginger, green chillies, cumin seeds, soya sauce, green chilli sauce, salt, and oregano. Once you have all the ingredients ready, you can start preparing the dish by cutting the potatoes into long strips and boiling them until they are partially cooked. Then, you can fry them until they are crispy and golden brown.

Chinese chilli potato can be served as a starter or snack with some tomato ketchup or chilli sauce. You can also experiment with different recipe variations and tips to make the dish more interesting. For example, you can add some seafood to the recipe to give it a unique twist. Prawns, squid, and fish are some of the seafood options that you can use for cooking.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese chilli potato is a popular Indo-Chinese cuisine that is perfect for parties or as a snack.
• Essential ingredients for making Chinese chilli potato include potatoes, corn flour, green onions, garlic, ginger, green chillies, cumin seeds, soya sauce, green chilli sauce, salt, and oregano.
• You can experiment with different recipe variations and tips, such as adding seafood to the recipe to give it a unique twist.

Essential Ingredients

Main Components

To make Chinese chilli potato, you will need the following main ingredients:

• Potatoes: This recipe requires large potatoes, which should be peeled and cut into cubes or wedges.
• Oil: Any neutral oil with a high smoke point is suitable for frying the potatoes. Sunflower oil or vegetable oil are good options.
• Salt: Salt is needed to season the potatoes during boiling and frying.
• Garlic: Garlic is a key ingredient in Chinese cuisine and adds a pungent flavour to the dish.
• Spring Onion: Spring onions add freshness and a mild onion flavour to the dish.

Sauces and Seasonings

The following sauces and seasonings are essential for the Chinese chilli potato recipe:

• Corn Flour: Corn flour is used to coat the potatoes before frying, giving them a crispy texture.
• Green Chilli: Green chillies add heat and flavour to the dish. You can adjust the amount of chilli according to your taste.
• Chilli Sauce: Chilli sauce is a key ingredient in this dish, providing a spicy and tangy flavour.
• Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty umami flavour to the dish.
• Vinegar: Vinegar adds a sour note to the dish, balancing out the sweetness and saltiness.
• Tomato Ketchup: Tomato ketchup adds a sweet and tangy flavour to the dish.
• Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds are used as a garnish and add a nutty flavour to the dish.

If you want to add seafood to the dish, you can use prawns or squid. Simply fry the seafood separately and add it to the dish at the end.

Preparation Steps

Potato Prep

To start with, wash and peel 2 potatoes and cut them into 1/2 inch thick long strips. Cut them evenly to ensure that they cook evenly. You can also try using seafood such as prawns or calamari instead of potatoes for a seafood twist to the recipe.

Making the Batter

In a mixing bowl, add 1 cup of corn flour, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds and salt to taste. Mix well. Add water little by little to make a smooth batter. The batter should not be too thick or too thin. It should have a consistency similar to that of pancake batter.

Frying Technique

For the first coating, dip the potato strips in the batter and ensure that they are coated well. Then, heat oil in a frying pan on high flame. Once the oil is hot, add the coated potatoes to the pan and fry them until they turn golden brown. Remove them from the pan and let them cool for a bit.

For the second coating, dip the cooled potato strips again in the batter and coat them well. Fry them again in the same frying pan until they turn crispy and golden brown. Double frying will ensure that the potatoes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

That's it! Your Chinese chilli potato is ready to be served. You can garnish it with chopped chives or green onions, and serve it with chilli sauce and soya sauce.

Cooking Instructions

Creating the Sauce

To start off, you will need to create the sauce for your Chinese chilli potato recipe. In a bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of red chilli sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornflour slurry to create a thick paste. Set it aside for later.

Combining Elements

Next, heat a wok over high flame and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Once the oil is hot, add 1 chopped green onion and 1 chopped capsicum to the wok and sauté for a minute.

Then, add your diced potatoes to the wok and sauté for 5 minutes until they turn golden brown. You can also add seafood like prawns or squid at this point, if you wish.

Once the potatoes are cooked, add the sauce you created earlier to the wok and mix everything together. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce coats the potatoes and seafood (if added) evenly.

Your Chinese chilli potato recipe is now ready to be served hot! This dish is perfect as an appetizer or a main course and is sure to impress your guests with its spicy and tangy flavours.

Serving Suggestions

Accompaniments

Chinese chilli potato makes for a great snack, side dish or even a main course. It pairs well with a variety of dishes, and can be served with your favourite accompaniments. Here are a few suggestions:

• Fried Rice or Noodles: Chinese chilli potato can be served as a side dish with fried rice or noodles, such as hakka noodles. The combination of crispy potatoes and savoury rice or noodles is sure to satisfy your taste buds.

• Spring Onion Greens: Adding finely chopped spring onion greens to the dish can give it a fresh and vibrant flavour. You can sprinkle them on top of the dish as a garnish, or mix them in with the potatoes and sauce.

• Seafood: If you're feeling adventurous, you can add seafood to the dish for an extra flavour boost. Shrimps or prawns are a great option, and can be added to the dish towards the end of the cooking process.

Garnishing Tips

Garnishing your Chinese chilli potato dish can add an extra layer of flavour and texture to the dish. Here are a few tips:

• Roasted Sesame: Toasted sesame seeds can add a nutty flavour to the dish. Simply roast the sesame seeds in a pan until they turn golden brown, and sprinkle them on top of the dish.

• White Sesame Seeds: White sesame seeds can also be used as a garnish. They add a subtle flavour and a pop of colour to the dish. You can sprinkle them on top of the dish or mix them in with the potatoes and sauce.

• Spring Onion Greens: As mentioned earlier, finely chopped spring onion greens can also be used as a garnish. They add a fresh and vibrant flavour to the dish, and can be sprinkled on top or mixed in with the potatoes and sauce.

By using these accompaniments and garnishing tips, you can elevate your Chinese chilli potato dish to the next level. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations and Tips

Alternative Ingredients

Chinese chilli potato is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your preferences. Here are some alternative ingredients that you can use:

• Paneer: If you're a vegetarian, you can use paneer instead of potatoes. Paneer is a type of Indian cheese that has a similar texture to tofu. You can fry the paneer cubes and then toss them in the chilli sauce.

• Tofu: If you're vegan, you can use tofu instead of potatoes. Tofu is a protein-rich ingredient that can absorb the flavours of the sauce. You can fry the tofu cubes and then toss them in the chilli sauce.

• Gobi: If you're looking for a healthier option, you can use cauliflower instead of potatoes. Cut the cauliflower into florets and then fry them until they're golden brown. Toss the cauliflower florets in the chilli sauce and serve.

• French Fries or Potato Wedges: If you're short on time, you can use frozen French fries or potato wedges instead of making your own. Fry the frozen potatoes according to the instructions on the packet and then toss them in the chilli sauce.

• Seafood: For a twist on the classic recipe, you can add seafood to the dish. Shrimp or prawns work well with the chilli sauce. You can fry the seafood and then toss them in the chilli sauce.

Dietary Adjustments

If you have specific dietary requirements, you can make adjustments to the recipe to suit your needs. Here are some tips:

• Gluten-free: To make the recipe gluten-free, use cornstarch instead of plain flour to coat the potatoes. Check the labels of the other ingredients to ensure that they're gluten-free.

• Vegan: To make the recipe vegan, use tofu instead of potatoes and replace the honey with agave nectar or maple syrup.

• Low-fat: To make the recipe lower in fat, bake the potatoes instead of frying them. You can also use a non-stick pan to fry the potatoes without adding oil.

• Low-carb: To make the recipe lower in carbs, use cauliflower instead of potatoes. You can also reduce the amount of sugar in the sauce and use a low-carb sweetener instead.

• Cook's Tip: Double fry the potato strips for a crispier texture. You can also add honey to the sauce for a sweet and spicy flavour.

Try these variations and dietary adjustments to make the Chinese chilli potato recipe your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make a crispy version of this dish?

To make a crispy version of Chinese chilli potato, you will need to fry the potato strips until they turn golden brown and crispy. This will give the dish a crunchy texture, which is perfect for a starter or a snack. You can also use corn flour to coat the potato strips before frying, which will make them even crispier.

Can you suggest a simple method for preparing this at home?

Yes, preparing Chinese chilli potato at home is quite simple. You will need to cut the potatoes into thin strips and fry them until they are golden brown and crispy. Then, you can prepare the chilli sauce by mixing together soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and chilli paste. Finally, you can toss the fried potatoes in the chilli sauce and serve them hot.

What's the best way to include chicken in this dish?

If you want to include chicken in this dish, you can cut boneless chicken into small pieces and fry them until they are cooked through. Then, you can toss the chicken pieces in the same chilli sauce that you used for the potatoes. This will give the dish a nice flavour and texture. Alternatively, you can use prawns or squid as a seafood option.

Is it possible to create a honey version without frying?

Yes, it is possible to create a honey version of Chinese chilli potato without frying. Instead of frying the potatoes, you can bake them in the oven until they are crispy. Then, you can prepare a honey sauce by mixing together honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and chilli paste. Finally, you can toss the baked potatoes in the honey sauce and serve them hot.

Are there any health considerations to be aware of when eating this dish?

Chinese chilli potato is a fried dish, so it is high in calories and fat. It is best to enjoy this dish in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. You can also use healthier cooking methods, such as baking or grilling, to reduce the fat content of the dish. Additionally, you can use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce the amount of sugar in the sauce to make it healthier.

What are the typical ingredients used in this dish?

The typical ingredients used in Chinese chilli potato include potatoes, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, chilli paste, garlic, ginger, and green onions. You can also add other vegetables, such as bell peppers or carrots, to the dish to make it more nutritious. As suggested earlier, you can use prawns or squid as a seafood option.