Cabbage pakoda/Crunchy, crisp cabbage fritters

These are easily some of the best pakodas that I've made. Easy to make, these deep fried delights stay crisp and crunchy for a really long time. The only major chore involved is chopping cabbage, which I am usually not too fond of, but the recent addition of a chopper to my kitchen makes this snack a breeze to make.

What you need :
Cabbage - a small one, chopped thin and long (I measured and got approximately 4 heaped cups of cabbage)
Gram flour/besan - 1 cup (approx)
Rice flour - 2-3 tbsp
Red chilli powder - to taste
Salt - to taste
Onion - 1/4 cup, chopped fine
Ajwain/carom seeds - 1 tsp (optional. I am fond of the flavor and tend to throw this in wherever I can)
Oil - for deep frying

Take the chopped cabbage in a bowl. Sprinkle salt over it and leave aside for 10 minutes. The cabbage would have released quite a bit of water in this time. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well to form a thick dough. You will not need to add any extra water, but if you feel that your dough is too dry and crumbly, sprinkle a tiny bit of water and mix until it reaches a thick, just moistened consistency.
Heat oil in a kadai. Pinch out small bits of the dough and deep fry on medium heat until well browned and crisp. Drain on to a paper towel.
Serve with ketchup or chutney.

This is my second entry to Week 3 or Blogging Marathon #53 under the theme Fritters.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM

Pavakka pakoda / Bittergourd fritters

  I have spoken previously on the blog of my love for bittergourd. The husband and daughter share this love of mine for a vegetable that unfairly often gets a bad rap. Today, I have tried to come up with a deep fried dish using this veggie, where the bitterness is only slightly evident.

What you need:

Bittergourd - 2
Gram flour - 3/4 cup (approx)
Rice flour - 1/2 cup (approx)
Red chilli powder - 1 tbsp (adjust to taste)
Salt
Oil - for deep frying

Wash and dry the bittergourd. Discard both the thin ends. Chop into thin, even discs. If the seeds are too thick and tough, you can remove them. Otherwise, you can leave them in, like I did. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Sprinkle water a little at a time to get a thick dough.
Heat oil in a kadai. On a medium flame, fry the bittergourds, a few at a time until they are crisp and brown. Do not hurry this step or attempt to do it on a high flame.
Drain on to a paper towel. Enjoy as is or as a side with rice and curry.

This is my first entry to Week 3 of Blogging Marathon #53 under the theme fritters.

 

 Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM