Onion Bhaji | Pyaz ke pakode | Onion Fritter

Bhaji is a spicy deep-fried snack. It is prepared by adding onion and seasoned batter. It is a common appetizer in Indian Cuisine.

Onion Bhaji | Pyaz ke Pakode

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4 people (20 pieces)

Ingredients:

2 large onions, thinly sliced
200 gm chickpea flour (besan flour)
2 tablespoon rice flour
3-4 green chillies finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped coriander
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp carom seeds (ajwain or owa)
1 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin seeds, coarsely ground
100 ml water
salt to taste
500ml oil for frying

Method:

1. Take a large bowl. Add the onions, chickpea flour, rice flour, green chillies, coriander, baking powder, carom seeds, turmeric powder, chilli powder, cumin seeds, salt and water.
2. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until the onions are well coated with batter. The mixture should be gooey enough to dribble down a spoon.
3. Put oil into a large pan and heat over a high heat.
4. Once the oil is heated, carefully drop spoons of the mixture (bhaji) batter into the oil. Keep the oil on high flame while dropping the bhaji. Take care not to overcrowd the pan with bhaji as they will stick to each other.
5. After 2 minutes, reduce the flame to medium and fry them until they are golden brown and crispy.
6. Remove the fried bhaji with a slotted spoon. Allow the extra oil from bhaji to drain on a tisse paper covered plate.
7. Fry the remaining batter in batches.
8. Serve it with coriander chutney or tamarind chutney or tomato sauce for dipping.

Tomato Pulao | Tomato Pulav

Tomato Pulao (popular as Mumbai Mast Tomato Pulav) is a rice dish with amazing combination of flavors - spicy and tangy.

Tomato Pulao

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 people

Ingredients:

2 tbsp oil
2 large onions cut into cubes
2 large tomatoes cut into cubes
1 medium capsicum cut into cubes
2 green chilies finely chopped
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
1/2 cup tomato ketchup
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp pav bhaji masala
1 cup water
1 cup paneer cubes, frozen green peas or fried vegetable of your choice (cauliflower, french beans, carrot) (optional)
6 cups of boiled basmati rice
salt to taste
finely chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:

1. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan.
2. Add ginger garlic paste and onions cut into cubes. Saute till the onions become translucent.
3. Add tomato cubes and cook till they become soft.
4. After tomato is cooked, add tomato ketchup, 1tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 2tsp pav bhaji masala, capsicum cubes, and green chilies.
5. Add 1 cup water and cook for 2 minutes.
6. Add paneer cubes, green peas or fried vegetables if you wish.
7. Add salt to taste and saute for a minute.
8. Finally add boiled basmati rice and combine the contents.
9. Cook for 5 minutes on low flame.
10. Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.