Some Interesting Tasty Holiday Fritters--Dr. Rama

Here is a recipe for tasty holiday Indian Fritters.  They are easy and really good.  Enjoy!


Ingredients:

2 cups of chick pea flour (garbanzo flour)--rich in protein, has a low glycemic index (this means your blood insulin will not surge in response---to white sugars and white flour) and is relatively gluten free
1 cup of pure powdered rice flour
3 or four teaspoons of turmeric
3 teaspoons of coriander powder and cumin powder both--if you grind the seeds instead of using powder--the aroma is even better
2 or three teaspoons of salt
1 or two teaspoons or red cayenne powder

1/4 cup of clarified butter or ghee--(obtain from Whole Foods or an Indian Ethnic store)

two or three small finely chopped white onions--
3/4 finely chopped fresh cilantro bunch
1 or two finely chopped green cayenne peppers----eliminate if you are frightened!!

one or two cups of 1/2 water and 1/2 pure vegetable broth (vegan)

3-5 cups of canola oil or sesame oil---enough to fry --better yet if you have a mini deep fryer---


Method:

In a medium bowl---combine all dry ingredients--slowly fold in the raw onions, cilantro, fresh green cayenne peppers-and ghee-and mix thoroughly.----Add the water/broth slowly and with your hands (yes, you gotta use your hands!--gets a little sticky)-- Combine the mixture until you get a slightly wet --dough--a little more on the runny side but too watery, either.  In Indian cooking you have to train your intuition and inner knowing.  It gets easier with practice.

Take your cooking oil and gently heat.  Test the heat of the oil by placing a little of the dough mixture into the oil and watch it sizzle and float.  Then the oil is ready.

With your hands, carefully sprinkle the dough mixture and allow to deep fry ---Make sure you spread out the dough to cover the surface of the oil.  Allow to sizzle and cook until the dough is golden brown or moderately  more brown--Avoid plopping down large lumps of dough into the oil because you will find that the inside is raw even though the outside will be brown.

Scoop out the cooked and golden fritter pieces with a spatula that has holes in in it and place on paper towels to drain the oil.

Sprinkle some paprika, a little more salt and enjoy with Indian green or brown chutney--or mango fruit chutney--

Happy Holidays!