Cauliflower and Tofu Pakora Batter
Fry pakoras at medium heat always, and pre-cook cauliflower pieces by steaming for a couple minutes. Tofu may be cut in strips. The spelt, an "old world grain", flour has the qualtiy of stickiness, adhesiveness, try it! White or Whole wheat flower may be substiuted, not quite as good. Spelt is an Excellent pakora batter additive. This recipe suits half a large-medium cauliflower, or 1/4 a large one, plus 1/2 cup extra-firm tofu cut into stips= equals protein. Offer to Srila Prabhupada with the tamarind chutney, water, salt, flower, and rice. Brahmanas may also offer through succession, to Radha Krishna; don't forget the Tulsi leaves!
Pakora batter; 0ne and 1/3 cups besan, 1/3 cup spelt flower
enough water to make a medium thick pancake-like batter.
one tspn. cooking molasses or one and a half tspns brown sugar
one/half tablespn olive oil
one and 1/2 teaspns tumeric
one and 1/2 tspns. coriander
2/3 tspn. black pepper
2/3 tspn. salt
2/3 tspn. methi leaf
one tspn. anise seeds or fennel, is optional
oh, and add one 1/4 tspn hing, never garlic
add 1/4 cup small-chopped red or green pepper,
or 1 tspn chopped green chili pepper for EXTRA heat
lemon juice optional
Mix with pure water until a medium-thick batter that will coat and stick to the cauliflower pieces, which have been allowed to cool before handling. Hand dip the pieces, medium to large pieces, into the batter, dropping from close to the top of the oil carefully without splashing. Use a tool if needed to avoid burns.
Deep Fry in medium heat, enough oil such as corn, to cover the pieces, fry until a golden-reddish color, turn once or twice as needed, do not undercook, please. Be sure to unstick them from the bottom of the pot, once put in the hot cooking oil, so that they can float or move in the pot while cooking to turn and cook evenly. Place in paper towel to soak up extra fat afterwards, and do not crowd or pile them much until cool, lest they turn soft. Store in open container, and offer hot immediately. If Blessed, take prasad that day, or next at latest. Gauraharibol !
Comments
As a vanaprastha, I am far too detached to say, YUMMY !!! Krishna!