Onion Bhajia Recipes

Steps:

• Put the vegetable oil into a large pan and heat over a medium to high heat.
• Make the batter: In a large bowl, add the chickpea flour, baking powder, rice flour, turmeric, black onion seeds, chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt and the water. Mix together well and then add the sliced onion - mix the onion through until well coated.
• Check the temperature of the oil by dropping a small cube of bread in - it should brown fairly slowly - not burn or go dark brown straight away.
• Carefully drop spoons of the bhaji batter in to the oil, do NOT overcrowd as they will stick together. Fry them in small batches for 1 to 2 minutes until they are a golden brown and crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and allow them to drain on a paper covered plate in a warm oven.
• Repeat until all the bhaji batter is finished and they are all cooked.
• Sprinkle over a little salt and serve straight away with coriander chutney or cucumber raita.

Steps:

• Soak the onion in cold water while you make the base mix. Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl, then add the chilli powder, turmeric, chopped chilli and a good sprinkling of salt. Mix in about 100ml of cold water to make a thick batter - add a splash more if it feels too stiff.
• For the raita, peel the cucumber and grate it into a sieve set over another bowl. Mix the remaining ingredients with some seasoning and the drained cucumber - squeezing out any extra moisture with your hands - then spoon into a small serving bowl.
• Drain the onion well and mix it into the batter. Heat about 5cm of oil in a wok or deep pan. Do not fill the pan more than a third full. Add a tiny speck of batter. If it rises to the surface surrounded by bubbles and starts to brown, then the oil is hot enough for frying.
• Lower heaped tbsps of the bhaji mixture into the pan, a few at a time, and cook for a few mins, turning once, until they are evenly browned and crisp, so about 3-4 mins. Drain on kitchen paper, sprinkle with a little salt and keep warm while you cook the rest. Serve with the raita.

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the flour, turmeric, cumin, coriander, parsley and water. Season with salt and pepper. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to blend. Preheat the fryer to high heat.
• Preheat the oven to 75 °C (170 °F).
• With two teaspoons, place 15 ml (1 tablespoon) of batter and fry in the hot oil, a few at a time, for 3 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally. Drain on paper towel and keep warm in the oven. Fry the remaining fritters. Serve warm as a starter.
• Tips: You can find chickpea flour in health food stores and some supermarkets.

Steps:

• Sift flour, salt and baking powder into a bowl.
• Add onion and chillies and mix til pieces well coated.
• Beat egg and milk and mix into flour til soft batter is formed.
• Fry spoonfuls of mixture in hot oil until gold brown.
• These are excellent with a good chai.

Steps:

• Fill a large pot fitted with a deep fry thermometer halfway with oil. Heat over medium heat until the temperature reaches 325°F (160˚C). Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and set nearby.
• Set a mandoline slicer to ¼ inch and place over a large bowl. Carefully slice the onions on the mandoline, letting them fall into the bowl below (alternatively, use a sharp knife to cut the onions into ¼-inch-thick slices and add to the bowl). Sprinkle the salt over the onions, toss to coat, and let sit for about 5 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
• Add the coriander, chili powder, cumin, and turmeric to the onions and use tongs to toss until evenly coated, using your hands to break up any pieces of onions still stuck together. Let sit for 15-30 minutes, until the onions have softened.
• Add the green chile and cilantro and toss to combine. Add ½ cup of the chickpea flour and toss to coat the onions. Add 2 tablespoons of water and continue to toss until the water is absorbed. Repeat with another ½ cup gram flour and 2 tablespoons water. Add the remaining ½ gram flour and toss until the onions are coated in a thick, homogeneous batter. If the batter is too clumpy, add 1-2 more tablespoons of water and toss until smooth.
• Use your hands to grab a small clump of the onion mixture (a bit smaller than a golf ball) and very carefully drop into the hot oil (don't compact the clump too much; the edges should be somewhat scraggly and loose). Add 1-2 more clumps, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. The oil temperature should remain between 300-325°F (150-160˚C). Fry the bhajis for 3-5 minutes, flipping once or twice as needed for even browning, until deep golden brown in color. Use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer to the wire rack to drain. Immediately sprinkle with a bit of salt. Repeat with the remaining batter, letting the oil return to temperature between batches.
• Serve the onion bhajis with red and green chutney.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Peel the onions and slice them so they form rings. Slices should be as thin as possible (1/8 to 3/16"). Cut the rings to form strands about 1-2" long.
• Put onion in a large mixing bowl, add spices and salt and mix thoroughlly. Put about half of the vinegar in and gradually stir in the flour until it is possible to form 1 1/2 to 2" balls with the mixture. Use flour and remaining vinegar to adjust consistency.
• Heat the oil in a suitable deep fryer or pan (careful to avoid overflow when placing food in the oil. Also have a large water-soaked towel nearby in case of spillage onto the burner). Heat to 350°F.
• Form the onion/flour mixture into 1 1/2 to 2" balls and carefully place them in the oil using a metal spoon or suitable tool. Only fry enough at one time such that they don't stick to eachother. Fry to dark golden brown.
• Remove cooked bhajis from oil and drain as with other fried foods. Serve on absorbent towel to soak up excess oil.

Steps:

• Sift the flour, chilli powder, turmeric, baking powder and salt together in a bowl. Get as much air into it as possible.
• Crush the seeds in mortar and pestle, add to the bowl.
• Now add the green chilli, onions and the chopped coriander. Mix in some water to make a thick batter that holds the ingredients together.
• Heat the oil in a wok. Drop spoonfulls of the batter into the oil and fry till golden brown. Place on kitchen paper to allow the excess oil to run off.
• These can be eaten as they are or with a dip.