Paneer Pakoras -Haldirams Style

You're the Meaning  in my life ,you're the INSPIRATION!...

This is from way back...when I was in pigtails and wore my school backpack like kids in kinder garden.....but the strains of this song still linger...and of course this is inspired.My sneaky eyes saw an unsuspecting cook at a Haldirams outlet prepare a batch of their famous  Paneer Pakoras .So here goes!

This is Paneer Pakoras -Haldiram Style I know ,where Peter Cetera fits in?Well Haldirams is the father of all  Fast Food Mithai Joints..Sweet Shops that sell everything sweet and fried- in Delhi,and every thing they have to offer is too marwari,too oily,too laden with nuts and raisins or too sweet.They are probably the only ones to add raisins to all kinds of chaat...No complaints ,but savoury is best left un-meddled with.
Their Paneer Pakoras are no doubt, good ,fortunately god sense prevailed on time and they didn't destroy this with nuts and raisins,problems-Re fried ,Deep fried and of course this being Ranchi....we can only dream!

So here, we cater for small sizes,keeping the sweet and savoury where they should be. APART!
I am aware that most of you have your own successful sets of recipes of making pakoras,but then hey,that's why I,BLOG!
Here's mine ...OK,you can just add or subtract whatever you think will make your own recipe better.
All you need are many people around your coffee table,whatever your poison...tea ,coffee or even a bottle of beer,and the Paneer Pakoras will disappear before you can say BOO! or hello...I wanted another pakora!
This I fell is the best way for food to go,you get all the pleasure from the first few bites and none of the guilt that you partook of too much-Almost like your first kiss...with that longing for more.
Moderation was the word I was looking for,but who doen not love a cute story to go with it.
What an analogy huh? A paneer pakora and your first kiss! But then these are things that you never forget.

For the
Paneer Pakoras -Haldirams  Style...
you need

200 gms / 8 oz fresh Paneer(In Case you are wondering Paneer =Cottage Cheese...homemade or store bought)
2-3 green chillies
1/2 -3/4 inch piece ginger
2-3 cloves garlic
1 tsp Kasoori Methi( These are dried fenugreek leaves,if you have fresh....great use them)
a small fist full of coriander
1 tsp ajwain or carom seeds
6-7 tbsp /1 cup besan / gram flour
salt and red chili powder to taste
1 pinch turmeric
1/4 tsp Baking powder
2 tsp yogurt(optional)
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp Chaat Masala
Oil to shallow or deep fry

Start with the aromatics

You can either chop them fin e or do what I do....use the nut and chili cutter.

BTW,the newspaper is to mop up all the spills and make cleaning up easier.I do not read while cooking.
To all of the above add the chopped coriander.

Now the ajwain/carom seeds.

The kasoori methi,

The spices and ...the magic ingredient...Baking Powder-This makes the batter awesomely crisp!

Now the besan,you can if you want to  ,sieve it...but I couldn't be bothered to...

The yogurt

Now use cold water to make the batter using a whisk.....ensuring you do not have lumps.I have Lemon seasoning,if you do...yay!If you don't...don't fret, use lemon juice.

In the meanwhile put your oil up to heat.
Now the paneer.Cut the paneer into almost cubes.1 inch by 1 inch by 3/4 inch.

Make a small pocket in the cube,ensuring that you don't separate the cube into two pieces.

Smear the insides of the pocket with the chaat masala. Press lightly to close and ensure no air pockets.

Looks really ugly this way...but there is a price you pay for all things good.
Dip the paneer in the batter.removing the extra dripping batter and slide into hot oil.

Turn once.

Cut into triangles to show the masala inside the pakora and serve with ketchup or mustard sauce.Hot ....and enjoy!

In  the left over batter ,I dipped thin slices of potatoes and made alloo ka pakoras.

You can do onion rings,aubergine/brinjal...(our humble baingan ka pakora) cauliflower,fat green chillies....anything.You just need a good batter...and the sky will be your limit.
After 5 minutes..

So what are you baking today???