Food Entry: Vegetable Pakoras

Hola!

For the first time EVER last week, I set about to make home made pakoras for a final get to together with some uni pals. My friend had asked me to bring along some "traditional" food and after a little deliberation, I decided that taking fish and chips to a party, that too on public transport would not be the best choice and so I opted to make some pakoras instead - and guess what!? They came out fantastic alhamdulilah. I was soo soo so happy with how they came out, especially since I had no help in preparing it and only had my older sister's wise recipe words that she shared with me on the phone. Anyway. It is very simple so I'd recommend you all to try it out when the weather is damp and you want something spicy and warm :-)

And btw, for those of you who don't have the faintest about what a pakora is, click here to find out a little more about the deep fried snack!

Recipe:

4 medium potatoes - peeled, thinly sliced and then sliced again in quarters
1 medium onion - sliced into quarters
1 medium/large tomato - chopped
1 small bunch of coriander - chopped
1 egg
1/4 tbsp of turmeric
1/2 tbsp of chilli powder
1 tbsp of coriander powder (dhaniya powder)
1 tsbp of cumin powder (jeera powder)
Chilli-flakes - add as much/little as you desire
Salt accordingly
Some plain flour (have no measurements as I just guessed - sorry!)
A little corn flour (have no measurements as I just guessed - sorry!)
Some water for mixing.
Oil for frying

Okay. Here are the instructions:

1. Pour vegetable oil/cooking oil into a fryer and leave to warm up on the lowest heat setting.
   
2. Peel and chop the potatoes and onions and put in large mixing bowl.
3. Chop the tomatoes and coriander and then add to the mixing bowl.
4. Now begin to add all the dry spices and then mix with the veg.
5. Then add some plain flour. Put enough in to just cover the veg and no more.
6. Break an egg and mix with the mixture.
7. Now add some cornflour. The amount you use should be much less than the plain flour amount. The cornflour will add a crunch to the batter!
8. If the batter begins to get dry, add some warm water and mix again. The batter should not be too runny nor too dry and the veg should have a batter that just clings on.
9. Keep mixing until you are satisfied with the consistency.
10. Now add the salt and chilli flakes as per your taste and mix.
    
11. Once happy with the mixture, pour a tablespoon of mixture into hot oil (on a low heat) and deep fry.
    
12. Once cooked, remove from the fryer and drain the excess oil onto a kitchen towel plate.
13. Enjoy!