Besan Fritters in Flavorful Gravy: Authentic Kadhi Pakora
Kadhi Pakora is a popular North Indian dish that consists of fried gram flour (besan) fritters in a tangy yogurt-based gravy. Here is a simple recipe for Kadhi Pakora:
Ingredients for Kadhi:
- 1 cup yogurt (dahi)
- 3 tablespoons gram flour (besan)
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (lal mirch)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds (rai)
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced (lehsun)
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated (adrak)
- 2-3 dried red chilies (sukhi lal mirch)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt to taste
Ingredients for Pakora:
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (lal mirch)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder (dhaniya)
- A pinch of baking soda (mitha soda)
- Salt to taste
- Water as required
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions:
- To prepare the kadhi, whisk the yogurt and gram flour in a bowl until there are no lumps.
- Add water to the mixture and whisk well to make a smooth batter. Set it aside.
- Heat oil in a deep-bottomed pan and add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and dried red chilies. Fry for a few seconds until the mustard seeds crackle.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger and fry for a few more seconds.
- Pour the prepared yogurt and gram flour mixture into the pan and stir well to combine.
- Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Mix everything well.
- Let the kadhi cook on low flame for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, prepare the pakoras. In a bowl, mix together the gram flour, red chili powder, cumin seeds, coriander powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add water gradually to the mixture and whisk well to form a smooth and thick batter.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown.
- Once the pakoras are ready, add them to the kadhi and let them cook for a few more minutes.
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with steamed rice.
Enjoy your delicious Kadhi Pakora!