Topic: Onion Bhaji's

[seekingcurry]

Just knocked up some Onion Bhaji's, using CA's recipe as a base, though I soon found out I didn't have a few of the ingredients in, and didn't fancy a few others as I was trying to replicate my local TA (which servers the best bhaji's in the world!). Note, I only made 4 golf ball sized bhaji's but the recipe should scale up fine

Recipe
Just made some of these, I used what I had in so it was the below recipe;

4 Small onions (very small) sliced finely
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried methi leaves
1/4 tsp chilli powder
1/4 tsp tumeric powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp fennel seeds
1/4 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp amchoor
Enough Gram flour to cover everything well
Very small amount of water

Basically stick everything in a bowl, cover with the flour (mix in to make sure there's enough), add tiny bits of water at a time mixing in by hand. You want a stiff batter, something that can be formed into balls by hand.

Form into balls

Fry in deep fryer at 160 degrees for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally.

Here are some (blurry iphone) pics of my results;

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/2010/img0055kht.jpg
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7866/img0056y.jpg

I must say I thought they were excellent, though would leave out the chilli powder next time as I find it out of place in bhaji's. The cooking method and texture was just right, identical to my local TA, the flavour was also excellent, not far away at all!

[Unclefrank]

Thanks seekingcurry will try this recipe out in the week.

[JerryM]

seekingcurry,

i've had a packet of amchur (mango powder) for quite a while (just realised bbf date june 2000) but never really found a use for it.

does it make a difference ie have u tried bhajis with and without. it's got quite a sour taste.

[Cory Ander]

i've had a packet of amchur (mango powder) for quite a while (just realised bbf date june 2000)

Bl**dy h*ll Jerry!    THAT must be the understatement of the year then!  ;D

[JerryM]

CA,

must admit the date surprised myself. doesn't time fly.

[seekingcurry]

Perhaps the amchoor having gone off 9 years ago is a reason why it is sour!

Personally, I feel the amchoor adds a little something, but really this recipe is quite flexible and it's mainly the amount of flour/water and the cooking method which give the results, spices can be played with a little to personal taste. I was just trying to recreate a local restaurant and feel this is a pretty close approximation.

[qprbob]

Considering Mangos when they are ripe, are quiet sweet, Amchoor(dried Mango powder) is quiet bitter to taste on its own, but never the less it seems to add something when cooked with other ingredients.

[JerryM]

seekingcurry/qprbob,

many thanks. i will buy new packet (the taste by the way don't seem to have changed since it was 1st opened).

i've not tried it in bhajis but given what u say i'll give it a go.

very much agree on the flour/water and cooking method (the stiff batter & 160 are what i currently use).