Sarbjit's Mixed Vegetable Pakoras

• 1 lb Mixed vegetables; (combination of potatoes, cauliflower, eggplant and mushrooms according to preference)
• 1 md Size onion
• 4 Spinach leaves
• 7 oz Gram; (chickpea) flour
• 2 1/2 ts Salt
• 2 ts Garam masala
• 1 ts Red chili powder
• 1/2 ts Cumin powder
• 1 ts Fresh ground ginger
• 4 sm Green chilies
• 1/4 pt Water
• Vegetable oil for deep frying

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer on a low heat.

2. 2

   1 Peel the potatoes, cut into quarters and slice to 5mm thickness.

3. 3

   Wash and trim all the other vegetables.

4. 4

   Cut the cauliflower into small nuggets and halve the mushrooms.

5. 5

   2 Peel, wash and slice the onion in half, and slice the two halves lengthways into long, thin slices.

6. 6

   Wash and shred the spinach leaves.

7. 7

   3 Place the vegetables and onion into a large mixing bowl.

8. 8

   Grind the green chillies and add with the gram flour and other ingredients to the mixture.

9. 9

   4 Add the water and mix with your hand or with a wooden spoon until you get an even consistency.

10. 10

    5 Turn the heat to medium.

11. 11

    Put a small drop of the pakora mix into the fryer to test the oil temperature.

12. 12

    When the mixture sizzles and rises to the top, the oil is at the right temperature.

13. 13

    6 Using a large dessertspoon, scoop up portions of the mixture, placing each one into the hot oil until the mixture slides off the spoon.

14. 14

    7 If you want to use your hand in the traditional Indian technique, take a handful of mix and drop into the oil at a close distance, using your thumb to ease off the mixture from your hand.

15. 15

    8 Cook 15-20 portions at a time, turning occasionally until golden and crispy.

16. 16

    The cooking time is about 10 minutes.

17. 17

    9 Place the fried pakoras onto paper towels to drain.

18. 18

    Serve hot with cool mint chutney.

19. 19

    10 For the Mint Chutney: Whisk the following ingredients together and serve with the pakoras: 4 large dsp plain yoghurt, 1 tsp mint sauce, 1/2 tsp salt and 5 large dsp milk.