Birds Nest (with potato & vermicelli)

     I came across these lovely little potato vermicelli birds nests in a potluck conducted at office some 3 years ago. One of my teammates had done this along with many other dishes. I couldn't get a bite of it as there were many hands fighting for the few nests :D From that day, I wanted to try this mentally bookmared eye-catcher dish...
     This would surely serve as a very good irresistible starter for the guests in any party. The visual appeal of this dish would be a great hit among kids and keep everyone hooked to it...

Prep Time: 20 mins for Boiling potato + 15 mins || Cook Time: 10 mins || Yields: 6 || Category: Starters/Kids Recipes/Finger Food

Ingredients:
1. Potatoes - 1  (Boiled)
2. Green Peas - 1/4 cup (steamed)
3. Chat masala - 2 tsp
4. Garam masala - 1 tsp
5. Red chilly powder - 2 tsp 
6. Coriander powder - 2 tsp
7. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
8. Asafoetida (hing) - 2 tsp
9. Amchur powder - 2 tsp (optional)
10. Salt - as required
For Coating:
11. All purpose flour (Maida) - 1/2 cup
12. Corn flour - 1 tbsp
13. Rava (Sooji) - 2 tbsp
14. Salt - as required
15. Roasted Vermicelli - 1 cup (Broken to small pieces)
16. Oil - For deep frying

Method:
1. Mash the boiled potatoes completely without any lumps. To this mash, add about 3/4 quantity of the peas (I used steamed frozen peas. Hence soaked in hot water for 2 mins to bring it back to the soft texture). Add the masalas and powders (chat, garam, coriander, red chilly, turmeric, amchur), asafoetida, salt and mix well to form a soft mass.

 2. Make a thick paste with maida, corn flour, salt adding required amount of water. Make small balls out of the potato peas batter. Shape them in the form of nest and give a gentle dent at the center to make small oval cups. 

 3. Dip the potato nests in the maida paste and then in pre-roasted vermicelli. Rest the dipped nests for 2-3 mins in freezer.

 4. Deep fry the potato nests in hot oil until they turn golden brown. In a bowl add the remaining green peas, 1 tsp chat masala, salt and mix well. Fill the potato nests with 4-5 green peas and serve with tomato ketchup.

Suggestions:

• Can add ginger garlic paste if desired.
• The amount of masala powders can be adjusted according to availability and one's requirement.

Serve with Tomato ketchup or Raw mango chutney.