Spicy Corn Pakoras With Mango Tamarind Chutney Food

SPICY CORN PAKORAS WITH MANGO-TAMARIND CHUTNEY

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine chickpea flour, all-purpose flour, cornmeal, salt, baking powder and turmeric.
• In a food processor, grind corn kernels to a rough purée. Add purée to flour mixture and stir well to make a stiff batter.
• Put ghee in a small pan over medium-high heat. Add cumin, fennel and mustard seeds. When seeds are lightly toasted and begin to pop, pour mixture into the batter. Add chile, scallions, cilantro and ginger, and stir well. (Batter may be prepared several hours in advance.)
• Pour vegetable oil into a cast-iron skillet to a depth of 1 inch. Heat on medium-high until oil looks wavy. Using two large soup spoons, carefully slip morsels of batter into the oil, working in batches if necessary. Adjust the heat so pakoras brown gently on one side, about 2 minutes. Turn pakoras and brown on other side, about 2 minutes more. Remove with a slotted spoon or spatula and blot on paper towels. Serve hot with lime wedges and mango-tamarind chutney, or another chutney if desired.

MANGO-TAMARIND CHUTNEY

Steps:

• To make tamarind juice, put the pulp in a bowl and cover with 1 cup boiling water. Stir well and let soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Set a fine-meshed strainer over another bowl, add soaked tamarind and press hard with a wooden spoon to extract the juice. This should yield 1/2 cup tamarind juice. Discard the solids left in the strainer. (If using prepared tamarind juice, skip this step.)
• Add brown sugar and salt and stir to dissolve, then add onion, chile, ginger and diced mango and toss gently to combine. (Chutney may be prepared several hours in advance.) Just before serving, add mint and cilantro, if using.