Piyaji/Pyaj Pakoda

For most Indians,Pakodas are  the perfect and comforting food during cold weathers or rainy season. It is a very popular and comforting Indian snack. Best enjoyed over a hot cup of tea, the cripsy and spicy Pakoda makes  tea time something special, almost like a bonding time between family and friends .Its not just cold weather or rains which makes me crave for pakodas, I can have them all year around as they are not only tasty but can be prepared in a jiffy and with ingredients which are usually available in home...

Among all the pakodas piyaji or pyaj pakoda is one of my most fav one..which is prepared from a batter of besan (bengal gram flour), rice flour, onions, curry leaves and green chillis...are deep fried till they attain a beautiful golden brown color. The less water used to mix the flours, the harder the batter is, to prepare crisp pakodas...

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups besan (bengal gram flour)
½ cup rice flour
4-5 green chillis, finely chopped
2 large onions, sliced
2 tbsp melted ghee (clarified butter)
few sprigs curry leaves
salt to taste
pinch of baking soda
oil for deep frying


Method

Combine both the flours with salt, soda, green chillis, curry leaves and onions.
Add the melted ghee and mix well with fingers. Combine well till u have a crumbly texture.
Add few tablespoons of water and mix well that it forms a hard batter. Don’t add too much water.
Heat enough oil in a deep frying pan. It should be piping hot.
Drop spoonfull of the pakoda batter and reduce heat to medium ( 2-3 pakodas at a time )
Press the pakodas a lil by using the spoon to give them a round shape.

Deep fry till they turn golden brown. Use a ladle to keep turning the fritters so that it cooks on all sides.
Once they turn golden brown remove them on to absorbent paper.
Serve as evening snacks over a hot cup of masala tea or ny cold drinks...