Madhur Jaffrey Pakora Food

PAKORA (INDIAN VEGETABLE FRITTERS)

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!

MADHUR JAFFREY'S NAAN BREAD

Steps:

• Put the milk in a bowl. Add 1tsp of sugar and the yeast. Stir to mix. Set aside for 15-20 minutes or until the yeast has dissolved and the mixture is frothy.
• Sift the flour, salt and baking powder into a bowl. Add the remaining 1tsp sugar, the yeast mixture, 2tblsp vegetable oil and yogurt and egg. Mix to form a ball of dough.
• Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and satiny (I did this in a stand mixer). Form into a ball. Pour 1/4tsp oil into a large bowl and roll the ball of dough in it. Cover the bowl with clingfilm and set aside for 1 hour until doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to it's hottest temperature. Put your heaviest baking tray to heat in the oven. Preheat your grill.
• Punch down the dough and knead again. Divide into six equal balls. Keep covered when not working with the balls of dough. Roll the ball of dough into a tear-shaped naan, about 25cm long and 13cm wide at it's widest point.
• Remove the tray from the oven and slap a naan on it. Put in the oven for 3 minutes, it will puff up. Now place the tray under the grill for about 30 seconds to brown slightly (I didn't bother with this as my naan browned in the oven). Wrap the naans in a tea towel or foil. Make all the naans this way. Serve hot.
• I kept them warm wrapped in foil in a turned off warm oven, you can reheat them in the microwave for 40 seconds or so.

MADHUR JAFFREY'S SWEET AND SOUR OKRA

Steps:

• If fresh okra is used, trim off any tough stems.
• If frozen okra is used, defrost and drain.
• Cut each pod into 3/4 inch lengths.
• Put the garlic, pepper flakes and three tablespoons of water in the blender and blend as thoroughly as possible.
• Empty the mixture into a small bowl and add the ground cumin, coriander and turmeric and blend well.
• Heat the oil over medium high heat in a nine inch skillet and add the whole cumin seeds.
• Cook briefly until the seeds start to sizzle and add the spice paste.
• Cook, stirring, about one minute.
• Add the okra, salt, sugar and lemon juice and the remaining four tablespoons of water.
• Stir to blend.
• Bring to a simmer, cover closely and cook over very low heat about ten minutes.