There was something liberating about the rain, maybe it was freedom from the constant 35 degree weather in the summer and the oppressive humidity
And that it washed the dusty hot city clean – though I can’t say the knee deep puddles and traffic jams as a result were enjoyable
Nevertheless, rainy, hot days laced with the smell of earth which to me is the most nostalgic essence of all is what brings to mind a treat of deep fried pakoras (chickpea flour-fritters, eaten as a snack) made with either potatoes, chillis, onions… the possibilities were endless
In my house we always made this okra version which admittedly was served not as a snack but rather as a vegetable accompaniment with a curry and rice…This recipe makes me yearn for some happy rain instead of this soggy London grey spitting variety! Ingredients: Okra (washed, dried and slit half way from the tips) – 1/2 kg Gram flour/chickpea flour (besan) – 1 cup Cumin (dry roasted and ground) – 1 tsp Coriander seeds (dry roasted and ground) – 1 tsp Turmeric – 1/2 tsp Red chilli powder – 1/2 tsp Amchoor powder (mango powder, available in all Indian shops, or substitute with the juice of half a lemon and add only in the end) – 1 tsp Water at hand Chaat masala – 1 tbsp Corn oil, sunflower oil or light olive oil for deep frying [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Sumayya Usmani[/caption] Method: 1
Once the okra is dry, make a batter-like paste of the gram flour and water with all the spices (except the chaat masala) and allow the okra to be coated with this
2
Heat about two cups of the oil in a deep frying pan and deep fry the batter-coated okra until it’s cooked and crispy
Then let it drain on a kitchen towel for a few minutes
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Sumayya Usmani[/caption] 3
To serve, sprinkle it with chaat masala and a squeeze of lemon – if you have not used the amchoor (mango powder)
This serves up to two people, best eaten with a curry and rice
It takes about 30 minutes to prepare Now ensure you look out the window on a soggy day and enjoy this with some hot chai – wherever you are! This post originally appeared here
| Date: | 05-Nov-2014 | Reference: | View Original Link |
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