Chefs Binge · Indian · Serves 20 Bhajis

Crispy Onion Bhaji with Chilli Dipping Sauce

Onion bhaji made with gram flour and turmeric, fried until crisp, with a fresh red chilli dipping sauce to go alongside.

Prep

25 min

Cook

25 min

Total

50 min

Serves

20 Bhajis

Per serving

80 kcal

Ingredients

1¼ cups Gram flour - (175g) (chickpea flour)

1 Egg - (skip for vegan version)

4 White onions, medium size - cut in half and finely sliced

1 Green chilli - finely sliced

1 Potato, medium size - peeled and cut into thin matchsticks

1 tbsp Garlic and Ginger paste - or 2 cloves of garlic and a thumb-sized piece of ginger, finely grated

1 handful Fresh coriander - finely chopped

1 tsp Mild chilli powder

1 tsp Ground coriander

1 tsp Ground turmeric

1 tsp Ground cumin

1 tsp Salt

3 cups Vegetable oil - (for deep frying)

For Chilli Dipping Sauce

1 Red chilli - seeds removed and sliced (consider adding another chilli for extra heat)

1 Red bell pepper - diced

1 Garlic clove

½ Lemon, juice only - (increase to a whole lemon for extra tang)

1 small bunch Fresh coriander - stems and leaves

¼ tsp Ground cumin

4 tbsp Water

½ tsp Sugar

¼ tsp Salt - (adjust to taste)

1 tbsp Olive oil

Method

Preheat Oil. Heat your deep fat fryer or a small pot filled with oil to 170°C (340°F). Use an electric probe thermometer to check the oil temperature accurately.

Prepare Onion Mixture. In a large bowl, combine sliced onions, potato matchsticks, green chilli, garlic ginger paste, fresh coriander, salt, and spices. Mix thoroughly to ensure the onions are well coated.

Add Egg. Crack one egg into the bowl and blend it well with the onion mixture, ensuring an even distribution.

Incorporate Chickpea Flour. Gradually add the chickpea flour, stirring constantly. Mix until there are no dry patches of flour. (Tip: Allow the mixture to rest for 10-15 minutes before frying, to enhance the texture and flavour.)

Shape Bhajis. With gloves on, gently form a small portion of the mixture into a ball (1tbsp), avoiding over-compression. Carefully place it into the hot oil.

Fry Bhajis. Fry each bhaji until golden-brown, flipping halfway for even cooking. Remove from oil with a spider strainer or tongs and drain on kitchen paper.

Serve. Continue frying the remaining bhajis. Serve warm, or reheat in the oven if necessary before serving.

Blending the Ingredients. Place all the ingredients into your blender. Blend them until you reach a smooth consistency, perfect for a chilli sauce.

Taste and Adjust. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it's too thick, add a bit more water or lemon juice.

Allowing the Sauce to Settle. Transfer the blended sauce into a bowl. Give it some time to rest, letting any air bubbles rise to the surface and dissipate.

Serving the Sauce. Once the air bubbles have cleared, pour the sauce into your chosen serving dish, ready to be enjoyed.

Chef’s notes

Onion Thickness: Thinly slice the onions for a delicate texture in the bhajis. Thick slices can make the bhajis bulky and affect even cooking.
Oil Temperature: Maintaining the oil at the right temperature (170°C/340°F) is crucial. Too hot, and the bhajis will burn on the outside while remaining raw inside; too cool, and they'll absorb too much oil and become greasy.
Frying in Batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying. Cook the bhajis in batches to maintain the oil temperature and ensure they cook evenly and get crispy.
Drain Excess Oil: After frying, place the bhajis on kitchen paper to drain any excess oil. This helps keep them crisp.
Nutritional Note: As this is a deep-fried dish, be mindful of the oil intake. Using a spider strainer or slotted spoon helps reduce oil absorption when removing the bhajis from the pot.

chefsbinge.com/crispy-onion-bhaji-with-chilli-dipping-sauce

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