Cauliflower pakoda

Step 1

Separate the florets from cauliflower. Do not chop them to small florets. (check the pictures in the step-by-step guide)

Step 2

Heat 4 cups of water in a pot until hot (not boiling). Add the cauliflower florets and sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt. You may also add turmeric to the water. This step is done to bring out the worms if any in the florets.

Step 3

Leave them for a minute or 2 and then drain the water. Rinse them thoroughly. Drain to a colander.

Step 4

Transfer them to a mixing bowl. Add ginger garlic paste, chopped curry leaves & green chilies. Sprinkle chili powder, carom seeds and garam masala all over. Mix them well.

Step 5

Sprinkle gram flour, rice flour and salt all over evenly. Sprinkle 2 to 3 tbsps water and begin to coat the gobi well with all the dry ingredients.

Step 6

Keep splashing more water as needed and mix until all of the flour coats the cauliflower well. It should resemble a wet marinade. (check pictures above)

Step 7

Taste test the batter and add more salt if needed.

Step 8

Heat oil in a deep pan for frying until hot enough.

Step 9

To check if the oil is ready to fry, Drop a small portion of batter to the hot oil. The batter should rise if the oil is hot enough.

Step 10

Regulate the heat to medium. Gently drop each floret separately in the hot oil. Do not crowd a lot of them as they will get stuck and won't fry well.

Step 11

Do not stir for 1 to 2 minutes. Then use a perforated ladle and stir them gently. Fry until golden & crisp on a medium heat.

Step 12

The bubbles in the oil will reduce when the florets are fried well.

Step 13

Remove them to a steel colander. Serve cauliflower pakoda hot with a cup of hot tea or coffee.