Chef Ranveer Brar’s Recipe For Perfect Monsoon Pakoras

After much teasing, the monsoon has finally arrived, giving us all some respite from the heat. And with the monsoon comes a certain monsoon tradition – no rainy day is complete without some chai and a plate of steaming hot pakoras. We only want the best for you, so we spoke to our favourite celebrity chef, Ranveer Brar. He’s been all over the world cooking up a storm and making a mark on TV audiences across India, but he’s taken some time out to help us all make the perfect (gourmet) eggplant pakoras.

 

Ingredients

8-10 slices of eggplant, cut to ¼ inch thickness 1 tsp red chilli powder ½ tsp turmeric powder ½ tsp black pepper powder 1 tsp lemon juice Salt as per taste Oil for frying  For batter: 1 cup besan (chickpea flour) ½ cup rice flour ½ tsp chilli flakes 1 tbsp, coriander leaves, finely chopped ½ tsp, turmeric powder ¾ tsp ajwain (carom seeds) Salt to taste Water as required Like this article? Also read: #FoodTrend: Eating Local

Process

• Combine red chilli powder, turmeric powder, black pepper powder, some salt and lemon juice. Rub the eggplant slices with prepared mixture and keep aside for 6-8 minutes.
• Combine all the ingredients mentioned for batter, adding a little water at a time and prepare a batter of medium consistency such that it coats the back of the spoon.
• Heat oil on medium in a deep bottom pan or kadhai. When the oil is hot enough, dip the eggplant slices one by one in the batter and slide them into the hot oil.
• Fry them till golden brown and crisp. Remove and drain excess oil on paper towels.
• Serve hot with chutney or sauce of your choice.

  Like this article? Also read: Your Guide To Staying Waterproof This Monsoon

Tips for Perfect Pakoras

1. Add a little water at a time and test consistency by checking if it coats the back of a spoon. So, neither too thick, nor too runny.
2. Add rice or maize flour for crispiness. Adding a spoonful of the hot oil to the batter just before you begin frying is also a good idea.
3. Heat oil on a medium flame and never on a high flame. Frying on a high flame will over-brown the pakoras and not cook the insides evenly.
4. Test the oil readiness before frying and, in between batches, drop in a bit of batter or a coriander leaf into the oil to see if it rises to the surface right away.
5. Test with a small batch first and check for salt, spice and crispiness at the beginning itself.
6. Do not overcrowd the vessel.
7. Keep the oil temperature uniform throughout. Always leave a few minutes gap for the oil to regain its temperature before you add in the next round.
8. Let each side of the pakora fry for a bit and turn golden brown before it turning over. ‘Let the food be’ is a mantra to follow at all times!

  As told to Neil Balthazar. Like this article? Also read: Add a Much-Needed Healthy Twist to Your Monsoon Munchies

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