Sweet Potato Wafers / Kananga Chips.

“Sweet Potato Wafers / Kananga Chips” … wanted to dispose off the oil used for frying wafers that I posted before … so here is the third and final one on line and look whom I caught picking one the crispiest and delicious hot wafers ... Yummy Yumz ….. 

** Again, it’s Wafers / Chips post and this time they are prepared out of Sweet Potatoes ie Kananga in Konkani. A very common wafers/chips prepared in most Konkani Saraswat homes and elsewhere too. As mentioned, I wanted to dispose of the oil that I used twice to fry, I had already prepared nendrabale kele (kerala banana) and carrot (gajar) wafers. I always use it back to back three times and that’s it, then it is done with. Here is another crispy thin wafers/chips a snack that is loved by almost everyone all round the world. I will not write more about wafers as I have said enough and I do not want to bore your or put you to sleep reading my non ending stories. Also, I can’t come up with something new to write about wafers even after cracking my brains except that my Mom used to prepare these and we relished it very much during our holidays. These are slightly sweet in taste as sweet potatoes are sweeter than ordinary potatoes, but both turn out into yummy wafers when fried and are loved by children very much. Frankly not only children, but I guess all of us elders too love them very much.

** No wonder wafers making factories have made millions out of these innocent potatoes and sweet potatoes that are available at a throw away prices. Try them in your own homes, after a few trials you will always be able to prepare them successfully. Again, they are much more healthier when prepared at home though the fat content is more in fried ingredients. You can rest assure on the oil part and of the potatoes too. Also, we don’t even know when they were purchased, when they reached the manufacturer, when they made the same and I shudder to think how long it has been resting inside the pack. And last but not the least when it reaches us as per the statistics it nearly takes almost months in process. Why not make a good habit today of trying them in your own homes, for your dear family. We can relish them to hearts content without having to worry. Think about it ??? Give it a thought and then give these wafers a try and you will never regret nor will your family. They are easy and fast to make, all you need is the desire to do. The recipe is the same as the previous ones I posted, but will still be posting it again for all of you. 

** Here is the Method of preparing “Sweet Potato Wafers / Kananga Chips” … My Mom’s Style … 

** In a small bowl add in 1 cup of water with 2 tsp of salt and mix well. Keep this ready aside. This is to be added into the oil when the chips are half done. The procedure adds in salt to the wafers and also gives the wafers/chips that added crispiness. Prepare the salt water and keep it ready aside.

** Preparing the Sweet Potato Wafers / Kananga Chips : Wash the sweet potatoes well, scrubbing of mud if any and wipe them dry. Now peel off the outer skin with a vegetable / potato peeler, put them in a bowl of water immersed and keep them ready aside. 

** Note : Sweet potatoes / kananga tend to get blackened soon when left in the open, soaking them in water keeps them in white condition till you are ready to prepare the same. 

** Keep a thick bottomed kadai / pan with plenty of oil for deep frying on heat to bring to smoking point. Meanwhile remove a sweet potato and wipe it dry till all traces of water has been remove. Now begin to slice it on a wafer slicers machine / chips maker and put it on a plate. 

** Note : Do not slice all the sweet potatoes in one go, they will tend to go black. So just slice only that much how much the oil in the kadai / pan may hold, leaving the rest in the water. Once the first batch gets almost fried to about 75% remove some more sweet potatoes, rube them dry and slice them ready for the second round of frying. 

** Once again, it is best not to slice sweet potatoes directly on hot oil, as some sweet potatoes are hard to slice and the pressure you impose may sometimes tilt the slicer and we do not want any accidents in the kitchen or you may drop the whole sweet potato into the hot oil too while applying pressure. So it is always better to be safe and prepare the same on a plate as shown on picture. 

** For Deep Frying : Check the oil, if it has to come to a smoking point, then lower the heat to medium and wait for 2-3 minutes. Now add in the sliced sweet potatoes a few at a time taking care to see that you don’t drop it all in one go in force lest the hot oil burst up. Add in only that much how much will cover a thick layer on top of the kadai. Do not overcrowd the kadai there should be enough space for the wafers to get cooked and keep the heat high now and maintain the same throughout frying of chips. 

** Once the sizzling sound of cooking the chips lessens add in 2-3 tblsp of the prepared salt water gently into the oil, taking care to stay a little bit far lest the bubbles erupt on your hand. The sizzling of the salt water stops in a few minutes and that is the indication that the wafers are done. It will have turned slightly reddish brown. 

** You can remove a few chips and put it on the absorbent paper, allow to cool and then check by trying to snap it with two fingers. This way you get to know if they are crisp, the other better way is always to eat a few and check for the same which I do. Also when 70% done remove another sweet potato from water wipe dry well and slice them on slicer and keep them ready for the next round ready. 

** Now with the help of a slotted/ringed spatula remove the wafers from the oil holding it for a few second above the oil, for excess oil to get drained into the kadai. Put them in a tray with has been lined with an absorbent paper. Proceed with the remaining sliced sweet potatoes in similar method and prepare the wafers / chips till all are done. 

** “Sweet Potato Wafers / Kananga Chips” are done and ready to be served. You can serve them fresh as a snack during tiffin time with some hot tea/coffee/soup and relish the same. Once it has cooled, put it in an airtight container and store in a dry place. They remain good for over 3 weeks, that is if they remain, in my home they are over in a week or two time. 

** There are many more varieties of wafers / chips that can be prepared with different types of veggies and I will be including them too soon enough. Till then do try these sweet potato chips and enjoy the winter season with your family and friends. You can also relish these wafers during dinner time accompanied with some hot soup like I do. 

** I have stopped eating a full meal or combo meal for dinners and prefer something like soup/peja or curd raitas. A few wafers added on makes it definitely more satisfying for sure. You can use the search option or go via the label section for wafer / chips and try out some of the other chips posted before in the blog. And relish them too with your family and friends.

** An Earnest Request : There are many more recipes of different types in the blog. For all my Recipes, use the search option or the label section in the Blog. If you are still not able to find it or have a query, please leave a message in comment section or mail me the same. I will try my best to get back to you as soon as possible. Do try out various types of dishes included in the Blog and Enjoy them with your family and friends and do give me a feedback if possible.

** I am happy to inform you that I have also started a food group for by the name "KONKANI DELICACIES" which is over and year old, with about 19K strong members. It is a pleasure to inform that you will find in the group many more recipes posted by our expert members and you too can share some of your own. The link to the group is posted on the left side of the blog page. Do join us in our culinary journey. I strongly believe in Sharing and always endorse that "Sharing Is Caring" … Thank You ….