Paneer (Indian Cheese) Fritters (Pakoras/Bhajies)

Name: Paneer (Indian Cheese) Fritters (Pakoras/Bhajies)
Ingredients: One 500 gm. block of <a href="/recipe/how-to-make-paneer-indian-cheese/">Paneer</a> sliced into thick fingers; 250 gm. besan or chickpea/gram flour; 1/2 tsp. carom or ajwain seeds; Salt to taste; 1/2 tsp. chilli powder; 1/4 tsp. baking powder. This makes pakoras crisp.; 1/4 tsp. <a href="/recipe/garam-masala/">Garam Masala</a> (optional); Water to make batter; A few chopped coriander leaves (optional); 1-2 chopped green chillies; <b>Optional</b>: 1 small red onion, finely chopped; Oil for deep-frying; <a href="/recipe/chaat-masala-spice-mix/">Chaat Masala Mix - A Hot Spice Mix for Spicy Street Foods</a> for serving

Paneer Pakore

Mamta Gupta

Indian Snack Vegetarian

This is a quick and versatile snack. It can be made for breakfast, afternoon tea or as a snack with drinks.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

One 500 gm. block of Paneer sliced into thick fingers
250 gm. besan or chickpea/gram flour
1/2 tsp. carom or ajwain seeds
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp. chilli powder
1/4 tsp. baking powder. This makes pakoras crisp.
1/4 tsp. Garam Masala (optional)
Water to make batter
A few chopped coriander leaves (optional)
1-2 chopped green chillies
Optional: 1 small red onion, finely chopped
Oil for deep-frying
Chaat Masala Mix - A Hot Spice Mix for Spicy Street Foods for serving

Instructions

Making the batter:
Place all ingredients in a bowl, except paneer, coriander leaves and oil. Make a batter, with enough water to give it a coating consistency.
Beat thoroughly. Use an egg beater if you have one. This will make the batter light by whipping it up and trapping the air, which will make the pakoras light and crisp.
Now add and mix chopped coriander leaves, and green chillies and onions, if used.
Making pakoras:
Heat the oil in a wok or karahi. The oil should not be smoking hot. Correct temperature is reached when a blob of batter dropped in the oil sizzles and floats to the surface quickly.
Coat each individual piece of paneer finger in batter and drop it gently in hot oil from the side of the wok, taking care not to splash the oil.
Fry, turning frequently, until all pakoras are golden brown and crisp on all side.
Lift out of oil, drain on a kitchen paper and sprinkle with a little chat masala.
Serve immediately with a Green Mango Chutney, Chilli Sauce or Tomato Ketchup.

Notes

Pakoras do not taste as good if prepared in advance. However, if you have to, you can re-heat them by frying in hot oil for a few seconds again. Alternatively, spread them out on a baking tray, in a single layer, and heat in a very hot oven at 200°C/400°F for 10 minutes.