( Pakodewali kadhi )
RECIPES
Indian cuisine tasty & spicy fare
People are embracing vegetarian and vegan lifestyles in large numbers . Individuals have various reasons for skipping meat and animal products , and fortunately there are plenty of recipes that underscore how flavorful such diets can be .
Vegetarian cooking long has been a staple in parts of India . “ Yogurt Curry with Fried Dumplings ” is one of the most famous curries from the state of Uttar Pradesh . It is typically served with rice and hot mango relish . Enjoy this recipe , courtesy of “ India ’ s Vegetarian Cooking ” ( Kyle Books ) by Monisha Bharadwaj .
Yogurt Curry with Fried Dumplings
( Pakodewali kadhi )
INGREDIENTS
1⅓ cups plain yogurt 1 cup chickpea flour ( besan ) 1 fresh small green chile , finely chopped 1 / 2 teaspoon turmeric 2 teaspoons sugar
Salt , to taste 2 tablespoons , sunflower oil 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 10 black peppercorns 6 cloves 2 tablespoons ghee ( optional ) 1 / 2 teaspoon chili powder
For the dumplings : 1 cup chickpea flour ( besan ) 1 medium onion , finely chopped Pinch of cumin seeds Sunflower oil for deep-frying
DIRECTIONS
1 . Whisk the yogurt with the chickpea flour , green chile , turmeric , sugar , salt , and 11 ⁄ 4 cups of cold water . 2 . Heat the oil in a heavy pan and add the cumin seeds , peppercorns , and cloves . 3 . Give the yogurt mixture a good blend , ensuring that there are no lumps left , and pour into the pan . Bring to a boil .
Reduce the heat and cook , stirring frequently , until the consistency resembles that of a thick gravy and the raw flour aroma has gone . Remove from the heat . 4 . For the dumplings , make a thick batter with the chickpea flour , onion , and cumin seeds , and add water as necessary . 5 . Heat the oil in a heavy pan . When it starts smoking , lower the heat and drop in 2 to 3 separate teaspoonfuls of batter at a time . Fry until golden , drain , and dip them into a bowl of water to soften a bit . Remove immediately , squeeze out the water , and add them to the yogurt curry . Make all the dumplings in this manner . 6 . Heat the ghee ( if using ) in a small pan ( you could use the hot sunflower oil instead ) and add the chili powder . Pour this mixture over the curry at once and serve without stirring . n
32 Valdosta Scene | February 2025