Aloo Tikki Eggs Benny

Drop potato cubes into medium saucepan and cover with lots of cold water. Season generously with salt and bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer and cook for ten minutes until potatoes are very tender. Drain in a colander, and allow to cool until you can handle with your bare hands.

Once cool, mash potatoes either with a potato ricer, food mill or as a last resort, a masher (the latter results in a heavier potato cake) into a large bowl.

Gently fold in remaining ingredients except for cornmeal. Taste for seasoning, and add extra salt and pepper as necessary. Divide into 8 portions, about 1/3 cup each. Roll a portion between your palms into a ball, then squash into a little cake of equal thickness (about ¾” thick). Repeat with the rest of the portions.

Pour cornmeal into a flat bowl or pie plate, and season well with salt and pepper. Dip each cake into cornmeal, coating each side evenly. Chill cakes for 10 to 15 minutes to firm up.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a rack on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and set aside. Place a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, pour oil to a ¼” depth.

When oil is hot (check by dropping a pinch of cornmeal into oil; if it sizzles immediately, it’s ready), carefully add 4 cakes to the pan. Cook until deep golden brown, about 4-5 minutes, then flip carefully (I’ll sometimes use two spatulas for this job), and cook another 4-5 minutes. Remove, using fish spatula to the baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and slide into the oven to keep warm. Scoop out and any crumbs from the oil and repeat with the remaining 4 cakes.

To fry eggs: pour off oil, and wipe out skillet. Turn heat to low. Add a tablespoon of oil, swirl around pan and then add eggs. They should crackle gently. Season with salt and pepper, then cover, cooking 3 minutes for that perfect spot between runny and firm.

Serve an egg over two tikkis (cakes), with a squeeze of lime, a flourish of cilantro and a couple of dollops of ruby red chutney or tamarind chutney.