Best Spicy Vegetable Fritters Recipes

SPICY VEGETABLE FRITTERS

Spicy Vegetable Fritters image

From "Raga Cuisine of India" comes another favorite local (to Seattle) restaurant recipe. The book says the same spiced batter could coat shrimp, cubed fish, or strips of chicken to serve as a substantial starter or part of a main course. The batter will thicken the longer it stands, so it's best to coat the vegetables and fry them right after it is made. Be sure to have the vegetables already trimmed and portioned before you begin to mix the batter. Pick a couple of contrasting chutneys--perhaps one spicy, one milder-- to serve with the fritters. Ajwain is a unique spice, related to caraway and cumin but with a flavor more reminiscent of thyme. It's available in Indian markets and specialty spice shops but can also be omitted from the recipe. Gram flour (not to be confused with graham flour) may also be labeled 'besan' or 'chickpea' or 'garbanzo' flour.

Provided by GinnyP

Categories Vegetable

Time 35m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 teaspoons oil, plus more for deep-frying
1 cup gram flour (chickpea)
1 teaspoon cumin seed, lightly crushed
1 teaspoon coriander seed, lightly crushed
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ajwain seed, lightly crushed (optional)
1 cup water, approximately
1 lb mixed vegetables, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces (such as cauliflower, zucchini, shiitake mushrooms, onion, and/or green beans)
chutney, for serving

Steps:

Pour oil to a depth of 3 to 4 inches into a deep-fryer or a large, heavy saucepan and heat over medium-high heat to 350F.
(The oil should come no more than halfway up the sides of the pan.) While the oil is heating, prepare the batter.
Combine the flour, 2 tsp oil, cumin, coriander, cayenne, garlic, salt, baking powder, and ajwain (if using) in a medium bowl.
While stirring, gradually pour in enough water to make a batter of coating consistency.
Working in batches, dip the vegetable pieces into the batter, letting the excess drip back into the bowl, then carefully lower the coated vegetables into the hot oil.
Do not crowd the pan.
Fry until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove the fritters from the oil with tongs or a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Continue with the remaining vegetables, allowing the oil to reheat between batches as needed.
Arrange the fritters on a warmed platter and serve immediately with chutney alongside for dipping.

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

Categories Appetiser Light Meal Starter

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

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