Onion Pakoda

Pakodas are crispy Indian fritters that are great tea-time snacks and munchies to indulge in during cold, damp evenings. They are also a great party favorite.

My in-laws prepared this awesome snack for a recent party. Here is the recipe for it.

Ingredients:

1. 2 medium sized onions, chopped
2. 2 cups besan / bengal gram flour
3. 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (or 1/2 cup) rice flour
4. 1-2 green chillies, finely chopped
5. 1 inch block of ginger, chopped
6. 1 teaspoon ghee / clarified butter
7. 1.5 teaspoons salt (or as needed)
8. 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
9. a few curry leaves
10. 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves / cilantro
11. 3-4 cups of vegetable oil for deep frying

Preparation:

1. Usually, the chopped onions and salt are mixed together and are left to marinate for 1-2 hours. The salt will draw out the water from the onions. The onions (along with the water that transpires from them) are mixed with the flours and other ingredients to form a mixture that is crumbly and slightly moist in texture - a few steps less of being a dough (as shown in the picture). If you don't have time to marinate the onions, follow the below steps.

   

   The consistency of the pakoda mixture



Forming the pakodas into chunks

2. Mix the onions with the besan flour and rice flour. Add the spices - salt, chilli powder, green chillies, ginger, ghee, curry leaves, and cilantro and knead/mix well. Sprinkle some water if the mixture is too crumbly. You should be able to form small chunks out of the mixture (to deep fry). The picture shows the consistency.
3. Heat oil in a heavy bottom vessel on medium-high heat. Test if the oil is hot by dropping a small piece of the prepared pakoda-mixture. If it begins to sizzle and fry immediately, the oil is hot. Reduce the heat to medium, and form small chunks of the mixture (as shown) and drop them into the oil. Turn them around to ensure even cooking. Remove the pakodas when they are golden brown. 

 Drain the pakodas on paper towels and serve with sauce or ketchup. If serving later, keep the pakodas in an oven safe dish and place in a warm oven (170 F).