Indian Spiced Vegetables Recipes

PAKORA (INDIAN VEGETABLE FRITTERS)

Steps:

• Make batter: Place chickpea flour in a bowl with the spices (turmeric, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, chilli). Slow whisk in the water.
• Mix in Vegetables: Add potato, cauliflower, onion, ginger, chilli and coriander. Mix well with a wooden spoon. It should be a thick batter, almost paste-like.
• Preheat oven to 80°C/175°F - to keep cooked pakoras warm. Set a rack over a tray.
• Heat oil: Heat 4cm / 1.5" oil in a large heavy based pot to 180°C/350°F (Note 6).
• Form patties: Drop 2 tbsp of batter roughly formed into a patty shape into the oil. I use my hands (as is typical in India!) but you can also use 2 tablespoons (be careful of splash-age). Don't crowd the pot, it will lower the temperature too much.
• Fry pakoras: Fry 2 - 3 minutes until golden. Drain on paper towels. Keep cooked pakoras hot in the oven on a rack set over a tray.
• Serve: Serve pakoras with Coriander Mint Sauce or Minted Yogurt Sauce!

INDIAN-SPICED PICKLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250°F with rack in middle.
• Trim end from cucumber, then halve lengthwise. Scrape out and discard any seeds with a small spoon, then cut into 2- by 1/2-inch sticks.
• Cook cauliflower and carrots together in a large pot of boiling salted water (1 1/2 tablespoons salt for 3 quarts water), stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Drain in a colander, then put colander in an ice bath. Drain again in colander, then pat vegetables very dry.
• Arrange cauliflower, carrots, and cucumber in 1 layer in a 17- by 12-inch shallow baking pan and bake, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are dry and slightly limp, about 30 minutes.
• Pulse garlic and ginger with 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor until finely ground, then transfer to a bowl. Pulse mustard seeds in spice grinder until coarsely ground, then stir together with remaining spices. Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates instantly. Pour oil down side of wok, then tilt wok to swirl, coating side. When oil just begins to smoke, add chiles and spice mixture and cook, stirring, 10 seconds. Add garlic mixture and cook, stirring, until golden, about 15 seconds. Add vegetables, vinegar, and brown sugar and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Transfer to a shallow dish and cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour.
• Transfer to an airtight container and chill, shaking once or twice a day, 1 week (to allow flavors to develop).

INDIAN SPICED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Combine the ingredients for the spice blend and reserve.
• Place the potatoes in a pot and cover them with water. Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a boil. Take off the lid and add salt. Boil the potatoes for 6 to 7 minutes, then add the cauliflower to the same pot. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer, then drain. The potatoes and cauliflower should still be a little undercooked.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil, then the butter. When the butter melts into the oil, add in the onions and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the drained potatoes and cauliflower and the chick peas and combine. Stir the reserved spices into the vegetables and cook for a minute or two to develop the flavors. Stir in the stock and turn the vegetables to evenly distribute. The dish will turn a bright yellow. Cook over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes longer. Add the peas and turn off the heat. The carry-over heat will warm them through. Taste to adjust the salt in the dish.
• In a large bowl, combine the shredded lettuce with the almonds, radishes, mint, and parsley or cilantro. Dress the salad with the lemon juice, a drizzle of vegetable oil, and some salt. Pile the salad on plates, top with the hot vegetables, and serve.

SPICY INDIAN (GUJARATI) GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the green beans in the pot, and cook briefly, removing after 3 to 4 minutes. Drain, and rinse with cold water.
• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the mustard seed and garlic, and cook until golden brown. Mix in the chile pepper. Place the green beans in the skillet, and season with salt and sugar. Cook and stir 8 minutes, or until tender. Season with pepper to serve.