Cauliflower Pakora Fritters With Cilantro Recipes

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!

CAULIFLOWER PAKORA FRITTERS WITH CILANTRO

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the chaat masala. Place the cauliflower florets in a bowl and toss with salt and red pepper flakes. Set aside to let the flavors blend. Prepare the basic batter. Mix in the chickpea flour, cilantro, green chile peppers, garam masala, and ajwain seeds. Add the florets to the batter. Heat the oil and fry the florets as per directions in INFORMATION AND SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: __Frying Fritters (Pakorae Talna).2. Let cool, then press each fritter between the palms of your hands to flatten. As you do this, the batter goating will break and reveal parts of the florets. Refry the dense florets in hot oil until the pakoras are lightly browned and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Transfer all the fried pakoras to a serving platter, sprinkle the chaat masala on top, and serve.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.