Carrot and curry leaf bhajis, pickled carrots

Name: Carrot and curry leaf bhajis, pickled carrots
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4 as an entree
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 400ml water; 150ml white wine vinegar; 5 tbsp castor sugar; ½ tsp cumin; ½ tsp black mustard seeds; 8 yellow baby carrots, peeled; 100g chickpea flour; ½ tsp bi-carbonate of soda; ½ tsp turmeric; 1 tsp salt; Vegetable oil for shallow frying; 1 medium brown onion, peeled and finely sliced; 6 baby purple carrots, scrubbed and coarsely grated; 1 small handful curry leaves

Jeremy and Jane Strode

October 19, 2011

Carrot and curry leaf bhajis, pickled carrots.Marco Del Grande

Time:< 30 minsServes:4 as an entree

Bhajis that look as if there is not quite enough batter to hold the vegetables together give the best results and stay together surprisingly well. Other vegetables, such as cauliflower, can be used, seasoned with your favourite spices.

Ingredients

400ml water
150ml white wine vinegar
5 tbsp castor sugar
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp black mustard seeds
8 yellow baby carrots, peeled
100g chickpea flour
½ tsp bi-carbonate of soda
½ tsp turmeric
1 tsp salt
Vegetable oil for shallow frying
1 medium brown onion, peeled and finely sliced
6 baby purple carrots, scrubbed and coarsely grated
1 small handful curry leaves

Method

Bring 300 millilitres water, vinegar, sugar, cumin and mustard seeds to the boil in a saucepan. Place yellow carrots in a clean container and pour over hot liquid. Leave in the fridge overnight to lightly pickle.
Place chickpea flour, bi-carbonate, turmeric and salt in a bowl. Add remaining water and stir to make a smooth paste. Heat oil in a pan. Add remaining ingredients to paste and combine. Add heaped tablespoons of bhaji mix to hot oil and fry until puffed and golden, turning once.
Drain on paper towel and serve with pickled carrots.