'Appetizers"-Bread Pakoda

So after yesterdays try on Rava dhokla.....which failed, decided to look for some easy appetizer recipe for tonight's 'Navaratri Potluck'.Found this interesting site -'www.showmethecurry.com'.
Those women are doing a great job with the recipes and they even have videos on the website.It's pretty helpful to be actually able to see the recipe being cooked.

I decided to give their 'bread pakodas' a try.

Near my college in Pune,there was this small snacks bar named 'Bipin',which served similar bread pakoras..they called it 'bread patties'. They would make a sandwich of bread with spicy aloo stuffing,dip in besan and then deep fry the whole sandwich like pakoras.It was served with this amazing sweet-sour tamarind- jaggery chutney and chopped onions on top! Ohh boy...my mouth is already watering..with those memories.It was such an amazing snack..especially after long days at lab..practicals...lectures...rainy days. Of course we had to keep our 'calorie consciousness' aside to enjoy that tasty pakora!

Anyways...

Here's the recipe from 'Showmethecurry':
Ingredients:
Sandwich Bread – 3 slices
Tomato Ketchup
Cilantro or Mint Chutney
Oil – for deep frying

For the Batter:
Chickpea Flour – 1.5 cups
Water – 1/4 cup
Baking Soda – 1/8 tsp
Salt – to taste
Red Chili Powder – to taste
Turmeric Powder – 1/8 tsp
Roasted Cumin Powder – 1/4 tsp
Chaat Masala – 1/2 tsp

Method:
1. Cut the edges off the bread slices.
2. Open the bread and spread Mint/Cilantro Chutney.
3. On the other side spread the Tomato Ketchup. Keep aside.
4. In a flat bottomed platter, add in the dry ingredients for the batter. Mix well.
5. Slowly add in the water.
6. Mix well to a smooth batter, making sure there are no lumps.
7. Heat the Oil (for deep frying) on medium heat.
8. Once the Oil is hot, dip the bread sandwich in the batter.
9. Make sure to get all the sides and corners.
10.Place gently in the Oil and allow it to cook (golden).
11.Turn and cook on all sides.
12. Once done, take the Pakoda out and place on a paper towel.
13. Allow it to cool down just a little and cut into desired sizes.
14. Serve hot.
Tips:
1. For a variation, dip plain bread slices in the batter and fry.
2. Allow the Oil to heat up at Medium heat…and evenly.

I made little variations:

1) Made Mint+Cilantro chutney

2) Added owa/Ajwain seeds to the batter

3) Added 1/2tbsp rice flour to the batter.

Though I liked the ease of this recipe (no aloo stuffing needed) and looks attractive after cutting,the taste is surely not as delicious as 'Bipins' bread patties. Next time,I will surely make aloo stuffing and try out 'Bipins' way..and serve with that tangy tamarind and jaggery chutney.

As for today...these bread pakoras will be the appetizer for tonight's party! Let's see what my friends at the potluck party,have to say about these?

'For Little Tummies'-Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini Fritters

What to make for snack? Everyday the same question....and have to meet the following criterion-must be healthy and nutritious, easy to digest, must appeal to 'E's eyes, tasty,easy to pick up with his little fingers etc etc.Last evening remembered the 'ghosavalyachi bhaji/fritters' my mom made @ home in Pune. Vegetable resembling ghosavala....ummmm..ummm...tadah!....Zucchini! And luckily had a zucchini in the fridge,so tried this out.Came out really well....and appealed to my little 'E' who by the way gets his 'picky eater' genes from 'M'.I served it with Ketchup...coz....anything dippable in Ketchup...is 'yummy' (As E thinks)!

Ingredients:

1 medium Zucchini cut into thin rounds

1/2 cup besan/gram flour

1tbsp rice flour

1/8 tsp owa seeds/ajwain seeds

Oil to fry

salt,chili powder,turmeric,asafoetida powder to taste.

Method:

1) Mix besan,rice flour,turmeric,salt,owa seeds,chili powder etc together.Add water and make into smooth paste.Not to watery nor too thick.Must coat the zucchini well.

2)Dip each zucchini round into the batter and fry in heated oil till golden brown and crisp.

3) Serve with ketchup/mint chutney.

4) Enjoy hot!