Vankaya Bhajji ( Baingan Pakora )

Pakoras are famous savory fritters in India made of various vegetables like potato, tomato, eggplant, cauliflower, peppers, onions, paneer etc, covered with chickpea flour and some spices which are deep fried.

This is a picture of brinjal or eggplant pakora . However, you can make pakoras with other vegetables of your choice in just the similar way.

Ingredients:

• Sliced Vegetables - 1 cup
• Oil - for deep frying
• Chat masala - Just to sprinkle ( optional )

for batter :

• Besan ( chickpea flour ) - 1 cup
• Water - 1/2 cup or as needed to make a batter.
• Ajwain ( Carom Seeds ) - 1/4 tsp
• Cumin Seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Asafoetida - a pinch
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Red Chili Powder - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - to taste

Directions:

• In a mixing bowl, take all the ingredients required for batter , except water and mix well.
• Add water gradually, little by little and make a thick batter.
• The consistency of the batter should not be too thick or too thin.
• Heat oil for deep frying in a pan on medium .
• Thinly slice the vegetables. Dip these slices into the batter and coat both the sides and slowly slide them into the hot oil one by one.
• you can fry around 6-10 pakoras at a time depending upon how but the pan is.
• Let them fry for 2-3 minutes then, toss them to fry the other side.
• When they are crisp and golden brown, remove them on kitchen towels to drain the excess oil.
• You can sprinkle a pinch of chat masala on pakoras and serve them hot with ketchup or green chutney or tamarind chutney.