There is something extremely cosy and happy about relishing chai with pakoras while watching the pitter-patter of the rain drops. The heat of the summer has abated, and the climate is cooler. The dark threatening clouds look gorgeous.
The trees sway, thunder cracks, and somewhere the peacock calls. This is the best time to enjoy a cup of tea with deep-fried pakoras.
Call it anything - pakora, pakora, bhajiya, bhajji, bonda, or vada, it is basically one dish with many names prepared with an assortment of vegetables, edible flowers, dals, and flours. Every region in India boasts of a special pakora and every Indian city has a popular shop selling unique pakoras.
Well-known nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar believes that monsoons are the best time to consume fried food. She feels chai and pakora are good for you in this season.
What Ayurveda Says
According to Ayurveda, any deep-fried food can aggravate kapha and pitta. However, it is considered good for vata as it is opposite to the light and dry qualities of vata. If you have a sluggish digestive system, it will be difficult for you to digest. Adding asafoetida and carrom seeds aid digestion. Pakoras should be consumed in moderation while being mindful of your doshas.
Recipes You Should Try
Every family has a favourite pakora recipe. Try these recipes this season apart from the regular ones.
Aloo Chutney Pakora
Ingredients
6 potatoes boiled (cooked but firm)
1 cup green chutney (Grind coriander leaves, green chillies, 2 tsp of roasted sesame seeds, salt and cumin seeds)
1 cup red chutney (Grind 1 cup dry coconut, 10 garlic cloves, salt and red chilli powder)
3 cups besan
½ tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp carrom seeds
Salt to taste
Oil for frying
Method
Slice the potatoes (1 cm thick)
Make a batter by adding salt, turmeric powder and carrom seeds to the besan. Add 2 tbsp of hot oil and mix well
Take two potato slices. Apply green chutney on one slice and red chutney on the other. Join the chutney sides together
Heat oil
Dip the joined potato slices in the batter and fry until golden
Serve hot with a cup of hot tea
This pakora needs no chutney
Bhutta Pakora
Bhutta arrives in heaps at the markets in India during the rains. Try these pakoras - they have the crunch, flavour, and taste.
Ingredients
1.5 kg fresh bhutta (corn kernels)
3 green chillies
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp red chilli powder
2 tbsp besan
1 cup of fresh coriander chopped
Salt to taste
Oil for frying
Method
Grate the corn kernels.
Add green chillies and cumin seeds. Blend it into a coarse paste
Add all the ingredients except the oil. Mix well
Heat oil
Add 1 tbsp hot oil to the corn mixture and mix
Add about 1 tsp of mixture to the oil to make pakoras.
These puff up well. Fry until golden
Serve hot with green chutney.
Bhindi Pakoras
Bhindi or ladies finger fritters are easy to make and taste great.
Method
Wash and dry the ladyfinger.
Cut it lengthwise.
Make besan batter with regular seasoning and add a pinch of mango powder
Dip the pieces and fry in hot oil.
Crispy and yummy pakoras are ready to be served.
Tori Pakora
Sponge gourd or tori is not a popular vegetable, but delightful pakoras can be prepared with it. These are the easiest to make.
Method
Wash, peel and thinly slice the sponge gourd.
Make a smooth batter of chickpea flour with turmeric powder, chilli powder, chopped coriander, and salt.
Add one tbsp of hot oil and mix.
Then dip the gourd slices individually and fry in hot oil.
Serve with any green chutney. The crispness of the outer covering compliments the subtle softness of the gourd making it yummy.
Gudhal ke Pakore
Hibiscus flower pakoras taste great. You need about 5-6 fresh flowers.
Method
Remove the centre part and separate the petals
Make a smooth but thick batter of chickpea flour with salt, red chilli powder and turmeric powder
Dip a petal and coat it well with the batter
Fry it on a medium flame in hot oil
Serve with any chutney
Tips to Make Awesome Pakoras
The pakora batter should be smooth and neither too thick nor thin.
Adding 1 tsp of rice flour and 2 tbsp of hot oil to the batter makes pakoras crispy
Avoid adding baking powder or soda to the batter
Oil for frying should be hot but shouldn’t reach the smoking point.
Add only the required quantity of oil. More can be added if required.
Discard the remaining oil after frying the pakoras. It is unhealthy
Eat them fresh. Refrain from frying the pakoras again.
Pakoras and fritters are universal favourites. This crunchy snack is the flavour of the Indian monsoon.
Try these recipes to enjoy the season!
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