The Spice Kitchen,Delicious Delights,Cooking with Love,Flavors of Home,Quick & Easy Recipes,RECIPE

The Spice Kitchen,Delicious Delights,Cooking with Love,Flavors of Home,Quick & Easy Recipes,RECIPE is a medium Indian recipe that serves 4. 450 calories per serving. Recipe by AKFOODLAB on YouTube.

Prep: 55 min | Cook: 70 min | Total: 2 hrs 25 min

Cost: $30.13 total, $7.53 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Fine Semolina (Suji) (fine grade, for idli batter)
  • 1 cup Plain Yogurt (fresh, not overly sour)
  • 1 cup Water (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp Salt (to taste)
  • 1 cup Toor Dal (Split Pigeon Peas) (washed)
  • 2 cups Mixed Vegetables (carrot, pumpkin, bottle gourd, potato, eggplant, moringa pods – chopped fine)
  • 1 tbsp Tamarind Paste (adjust sourness)
  • 2 tbsp Sambar Powder (store‑bought)
  • 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
  • 10 leaves Curry Leaves (fresh)
  • 4 tbsp Vegetable Oil (for tempering and frying)
  • 4 Green Chilies (2 for sambar, 2 for coconut chutney, slit)
  • 1 cup Fresh Coconut (grated)
  • 2 tbsp Roasted Chana Dal (for coconut chutney)
  • 1 inch Ginger (peeled, for coconut chutney)
  • 1 cup Besan (Gram Flour) (for dry chutney batter)
  • 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
  • 0.25 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 4 Bread (Pav) (soft buns, sliced horizontally)
  • 2 medium Boiled Potatoes (mashed)
  • 1 tsp Coriander Powder
  • 0.5 tsp Garam Masala
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Coriander Leaves (chopped for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Semolina Idli Batter

    In a mixing bowl combine 2 cups fine semolina, 1 cup plain yogurt, 1 cup water and 1 tsp salt. Whisk until smooth, then let the batter rest for 30‑45 minutes until it slightly thickens and the semolina swells.

    Time: PT35M

  2. Steam Idlis

    Grease the idli plates lightly, pour batter into each cavity, and steam in a pre‑heated idli cooker for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: Steam (≈100°C)

  3. Cook Toor Dal for Sambar

    Rinse 1 cup toor dal and pressure‑cook with 2 cups water for 2 whistles (≈15 minutes). Set aside.

    Time: PT15M

    Temperature: High pressure

  4. Prepare Vegetables

    Wash and dice carrot, pumpkin, bottle gourd, potato, eggplant and moringa pods into bite‑size pieces (about 2 cups total).

    Time: PT10M

  5. Cook Sambar

    In a saucepan heat 2 tbsp oil, add 1 tsp mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add curry leaves, 2 slit green chilies, then the mixed vegetables. Sauté 2 minutes, add cooked dal, 1 tbsp tamarind paste, 2 tbsp sambar powder, salt to taste and 4 cups water. Simmer for 15‑20 minutes until vegetables are tender.

    Time: PT20M

    Temperature: Medium heat (≈180°C)

  6. Make Coconut Chutney

    In a blender combine 1 cup grated coconut, 2 green chilies, 1 inch ginger, 2 tbsp roasted chana dal, ½ tsp salt and enough water to blend into a smooth paste. Transfer to a bowl.

    Time: PT5M

  7. Prepare Dry Besan Chutney

    Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan, add 1 cup besan, 1 tsp red chili powder, ¼ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp salt and stir continuously on low heat until the mixture turns golden and aromatic (≈8 minutes). Let it cool, then grind to a coarse powder.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: Low heat (≈150°C)

  8. Prepare Potato Stuffing

    Mash 2 boiled potatoes in a bowl, add 1 tsp coriander powder, ½ tsp garam masala, 1 tbsp oil, 1 tsp lemon juice, salt to taste and mix well.

    Time: PT5M

  9. Assemble Ulpata Pav

    Slice each pav horizontally (do not cut all the way through). Open the pocket, spread a thin layer of coconut chutney, add a spoonful of potato stuffing, then a spoonful of dry besan chutney. Close the pav.

    Time: PT5M

  10. Fry Ulpata Pav

    Heat 2 cups oil in a kadhai over medium heat. Gently place the assembled pavs seam side down and fry until golden brown and crisp on both sides (≈6‑7 minutes each side). Drain on paper towels.

    Time: PT15M

    Temperature: Medium‑high heat (≈190°C)

  11. Serve

    Arrange the fried Ulpata Pav on a plate, serve hot with steamed idlis, sambar, and extra coconut chutney on the side. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
450
Protein
12 g
Carbohydrates
70 g
Fat
12 g
Fiber
8 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains gluten, Contains dairy

Allergens: Gluten (pav bread), Dairy (yogurt)

Last updated: April 1, 2026

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The Spice Kitchen,Delicious Delights,Cooking with Love,Flavors of Home,Quick & Easy Recipes,RECIPE

Recipe by AKFOODLAB

A fun twist on the classic Indian street snack – Ulpata Pav (upside‑down pav) stuffed with spiced potato filling, served alongside fluffy semolina idlis, tangy sambar and fresh coconut chutney. Perfect for a hearty snack or a light dinner.

MediumIndianServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
1h
Prep
1h 15m
Cook
16m
Cleanup
2h 31m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$30.13
Total cost
$7.53
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Resting the semolina batter for at least 30 minutes.
  • Ensuring the sambar tempering (mustard seeds and curry leaves) is done correctly.
  • Frying the pav until crisp without burning.

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil can cause severe burns – handle with care.
  • Steam from the idli cooker is very hot – open lid away from face.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Ulpata Pav in North Indian street food culture?

A

Ulpata Pav, literally “upside‑down bread,” originated as a creative street‑food twist in Uttar Pradesh and surrounding regions. Vendors would stuff pav with flavorful fillings and fry it, offering a handheld, crunchy snack that became popular at fairs and roadside stalls.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Ulpata Pav in Indian cuisine?

A

In Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the pav is often filled with spiced potato and chutney, while in Maharashtra a similar concept called “Pav Bhaji” uses a vegetable mash. Some regions add paneer or boiled eggs for extra protein.

cultural
Q

How is Ulpata Pav traditionally served in Uttar Pradesh?

A

It is served hot, freshly fried, with a side of tangy sambar, coconut chutney, and sometimes a dry besan chutney. The pav is usually cut open, filled, and eaten with the hands.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is Ulpata Pav associated with in North Indian culture?

A

Ulpata Pav is a popular snack during monsoon festivals, local fairs (melas), and as an evening treat during family gatherings or after‑school gatherings in North India.

cultural
Q

What authentic ingredients are essential for traditional Ulpata Pav versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Traditional Ulpata Pav uses fine semolina for idli batter, fresh yogurt, and plain wheat pav. Acceptable substitutes include coarse semolina or rice flour for the batter, and burger buns if pav is unavailable.

cultural
Q

What other North Indian dishes pair well with Ulpata Pav?

A

Ulpata Pav pairs nicely with a bowl of hot sambar, fresh coconut chutney, a side of pickled onions, and a cup of masala chai for a balanced snack.

cultural
Q

What makes Ulpata Pav special or unique in Indian street snack cuisine?

A

Its unique feature is the “upside‑down” assembly – the pav is split, stuffed, and then fried, giving a crunchy exterior while keeping the interior soft and flavorful, unlike typical flat‑bread snacks.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Ulpata Pav at home?

A

Common mistakes include over‑filling the pav, which makes it burst, not resting the semolina batter long enough, leading to dense idlis, and frying at too high a temperature, which burns the outer crust before the interior heats through.

technical
Q

Why does this Ulpata Pav recipe use a semolina (suji) idli batter instead of rice batter?

A

Semolina absorbs water quickly and gives a softer, fluffier texture with less fermentation time, making it ideal for a quick live‑cook setting as demonstrated in the AKFOODLAB video.

technical
Q

Can I make Ulpata Pav ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. Prepare the idli batter, sambar, and chutneys a day ahead and refrigerate. Assemble the pav just before serving and fry immediately to retain crispness. Leftover fried pav can be reheated in a hot oven for 5 minutes.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when frying Ulpata Pav?

A

The pav should turn golden‑brown, with a crisp outer crust and a slightly soft interior. The stuffing should be visible through the cut, and the chutney should create a glossy sheen without making the bread soggy.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel AKFOODLAB specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel AKFOODLAB specializes in live interactive cooking sessions featuring Indian home‑cooking recipes, street‑food adaptations, and step‑by‑step tutorials that engage viewers in real‑time.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel AKFOODLAB's approach to Indian cooking differ from other Indian cooking channels?

A

AKFOODLAB focuses on live, audience‑driven cooking with spontaneous Q&A, emphasizing quick, practical recipes using everyday kitchen tools, whereas many other channels pre‑record polished studio videos.

channel

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