Homemade Capsicum And Potato Pakoras Fritters For A Rainy Day Food

PAKORA (INDIAN VEGETABLE FRITTERS)

Pakora (Indian Vegetable Fritters) image

Recipe video above. Vegetable fritters can be so bland and uninspiring ... but not in the hands of Indian cooks! Pakoras are a traditional Indian street food made with all sorts of vegetables. I've used onion, potato and caulifloiwer, but see Note 5 for other options. Serve as starter for an Indian menu, light meal or pass around as canapes. They're gluten free and vegan so everybody can enjoy them!Spiciness: Mild. Large chillies are not that spicy, and we are using 2 across lots of pakoras! Feel free to omit/reduce the fresh chilli and chilli powder.No deep fry method - See Note 7 for shallow pan-fried version.

Provided by Nagi

Number Of Ingredients 26

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups chickpea flour ((Note 1))
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp fenugreek powder ((Note 2))
1/2 tsp chilli powder ((pure chilli powder, Note 3))
2 tsp salt ((cooking/kosher salt))
3/4 cups + 2 1/2 tbsp water
1 1/2 cups onions (, grated using standard box grater (~1 1/2 onions))
2 cups potato ((~1 large), peeled and grated using standard box grater (Note 4))
2 1/2 cups cauliflower ((~1/4 large head), finely chopped into rice size pieces (or grate))
2 large red chillies ((cayenne peppers), finely chopped (adjust spiciness to taste, or leave them out))
1 tbsp fresh ginger (, finely grated)
2 tbsp coriander/cilantro leaves (, finely chopped)
3 - 4 cups vegetable or canola oil ((4cm / 1.5" depth in pot))
2 cups mint leaves
1 cup coriander/cilantro leaves
1/4 cup eschalot (, sliced)
3 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp caster sugar
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
2 ice cubes ((loosens + keeps sauce green))
1 cup plain yoghurt
1/2 cup mint leaves (, packed)
1/4 tsp salt

Steps:

Make batter: Place chickpea flour in a bowl with the spices (turmeric, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, chilli). Slow whisk in the water.
Mix in Vegetables: Add potato, cauliflower, onion, ginger, chilli and coriander. Mix well with a wooden spoon. It should be a thick batter, almost paste-like.
Preheat oven to 80°C/175°F - to keep cooked pakoras warm. Set a rack over a tray.
Heat oil: Heat 4cm / 1.5" oil in a large heavy based pot to 180°C/350°F (Note 6).
Form patties: Drop 2 tbsp of batter roughly formed into a patty shape into the oil. I use my hands (as is typical in India!) but you can also use 2 tablespoons (be careful of splash-age). Don't crowd the pot, it will lower the temperature too much.
Fry pakoras: Fry 2 - 3 minutes until golden. Drain on paper towels. Keep cooked pakoras hot in the oven on a rack set over a tray.
Serve: Serve pakoras with Coriander Mint Sauce or Minted Yogurt Sauce!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 64 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 2 g, Fat 3 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, TransFat 1 g, Sodium 155 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving

PAKORA

Pakora image

This pakora recipe from Jaswinder Gill produces perfectly spiced and crispy Indian snacks. Ideal for a family feast, serve with your favourite chutney

Provided by Good Food team

Categories Side dish, Snack, Starter

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 green chilli, chopped
thumb-sized piece ginger, roughly chopped
1 tomato, roughly chopped
200g gram flour
1 ½ tsp chilli powder
1 ½ tsp garam masala
1 ½ tsp ground coriander
2 medium potatoes, peeled, halved and thinly sliced, then halved into quarter moons
½ aubergine, thinly sliced, then halved into quarter moons
½ cauliflower, cut into florets
1 large onion, finely sliced
½ lemon, juiced
vegetable oil, for frying
chutney, to serve

Steps:

Heat oven to 120C/100C fan/ gas 1/2. Make a paste by blitzing the chilli, ginger and tomato together, then set aside.
Mix the gram flour with the spices. Add all the prepared vegetables and toss in the mix. Slowly add 150ml water until the batter coats the vegetables - they should be well coated, but not swimming in it.
Add the tomato mixture and get your hands in there, mixing well until everything is incorporated. Add a little lemon juice and seasoning.
Heat the oil to 180C. Take a handful of the mix and squeeze it into a loose little ball, to ensure the vegetables stick to each other when lowered in the oil. Use a spoon to carefully drop the ball into the oil.
Fry for about 4 mins until golden and crispy, then taste to test for seasoning and consistency. You may also need to add a little water or gram our to the mixture at this point if your tester ball didn't hold together. Repeat, frying the remaining mixture in batches.
Drain on kitchen paper and keep warm in the oven as you go. Serve immediately with chutney.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 309 calories, Fat 13 grams fat, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 35 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 6 grams sugar, Fiber 7 grams fiber, Protein 11 grams protein, Sodium 0.1 milligram of sodium

CRISPY VEGETABLE PAKORAS

Crispy Vegetable Pakoras image

These are very yummy, and if any of you have ever had Japanese tempura coated veggies, you'll love this recipe. It's similar, yet it is unique in it's taste. Serve with a chili sauce, mint yogurt sauce, or sweet and sour sauce. Try other vegetables for dipping, such as sweet potatoes, broccoli and asparagus.

Provided by veggigoddess

Categories Appetizers and Snacks Spicy

Time 25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 cup chickpea flour
½ teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garam masala
2 cloves garlic, crushed
¾ cup water
1 quart oil for deep frying
½ head cauliflower florets
2 onions, sliced into rings

Steps:

Sift the chickpea flour into a medium bowl. Mix in the coriander, salt, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala and garlic.
Make a well in the center of the flower. Gradually pour the water into the well and mix to form a thick, smooth batter.
Over medium high heat in a large, heavy saucepan, heat the oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Coat the cauliflower and onions in the batter and fry them in small batches until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 216.5 calories, Carbohydrate 15.9 g, Fat 15.9 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 4.6 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 406.4 mg, Sugar 4.3 g