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Layered Swiss Chard spirals {Aloo Vadi}

Layered Swiss Chard Spirals are spicy, sweet and tangy rolls, pan fried to perfect crispiness and sprinkled with sesame seeds. 

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Calories: 166 kcal
Course: Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 24 large swiss chard leaves
  • ¾ cup gram flour
  • 1 tablespoon Kashmiri red chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
  • 3 tablespoons jaggery brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon brown sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped optional
  • 1 tablespoon frozen grated coconut optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Trim the thick stems and wash the swiss chard leaves a couple of times. Pat dry each leaf with paper towels. Fold each leaf into half with the stem vein running in the middle of the leaf. Carefully cut the thicker vein, while trying to keep the leaf still in one piece. Sometimes the leaves do split into two on the top, which is ok. The key is to trim thicker stem which makes rolling the leaves easy.
  2. Mix gram flour, red chili powder, turmeric, tamarind pulp, jaggery and salt with some water. Make a smooth paste that is not too thick or thin. Add water slowly to get a good consistency that is slightly thinner than peanut butter.
  3. Each roll can use 10-12 leaves. So depending on how many leaves you have, I would divide up the leaves into different piles, each having leaves that go from smallest to biggest leaf. I had about 24 leaves, of all different sizes so I decided to make 2 rolls.
  4. Start with the biggest leaf, lay it upside down on a large cutting board. Apply about 2 to 3 teaspoons of the gram flour paste evenly to the leaf. After the first leaf has a thin layer of paste applied all over, take another leaf that is slightly smaller or same size as the first leaf. Put it on top of the first and apply some paste to the back of the second leaf. Repeat this process for the first 10-12 leaves, starting with the biggest leaf to the smaller ones. Then start rolling the stack of leaves starting from the narrow end. Roll as tightly as possible and folding any thin edges inward. Keep the roll aside.
  5. Repeat the same process for the remaining leaves and make another tightly folded roll. Arrange the rolls in a lightly greased steamer rack.
  6. Add 1 cup of  water to the steamer pot and put on medium-high heat. Put the steamer rack with the rolls in them in the pot. Cook covered for 15 mins. Turn the heat off. Let the rolls cool down completely. Then cut each roll into ¼ inch thick slices. 
  7. Heat a skillet on medium high heat and grease with 1 tablespoon oil. Arrange the slices on the skillet. Sprinkle half of the sesame seeds on top. Cook for 4-5 mins on medium heat, spread remaining oil over them and then carefully flip over. Sprinkle remaining sesame seeds on top. Cook for another 4-5 mins or until the Vadi are golden brown and crispy.
  8. Layered swiss chard spirals or Aloo Vadi can be optionally garnished with chopped cilantro and fresh grated coconut. Enjoy hot!

Notes

  • Notes:
  • To steam in the Instant Pot, add 1 cup of water to the stainless steel insert. Place the steamer basket inside and close the lid with pressure valve to venting. Select the Steam option and cook for 10 minutes with an external timer.  Turn the Instant Pot off and open after 5 minutes as the rolls finish cooking. Open the Instant Pot and take the steamer out. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 166kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 4g (6%) Sodium 829mg (35%) Potassium 920mg (26%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 12145IU (243%) Vitamin C 57.8mg (64%) Calcium 128mg (13%) Iron 4.8mg (27%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 166

% Daily Value*

Calories 166kcal 8%
Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 4g 6%
Sodium 829mg 35%
Potassium 920mg 20%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 12145IU 243%
Vitamin C 57.8mg 64%
Calcium 128mg 13%
Iron 4.8mg 27%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.