Sanjivani Broccoli Bhajiya/Pakoda

Health Benefits:

 Sanjivani Broccoli Bhajiya/Pakoda is a spiced fritter made with protein rich gram flour and rice flour. Bhajiya is a popular deep-fried snack of South Asia and at Sanjivanihealth we have improvised it with a healthy twist. Yes, this healthy snack has all the significant nutrients of superfood, broccoli, and Indian spices. It is mostly used as an appetizer, however, we recommend using it as a side-dish or between the meal snack. Go, pamper the taste buds without compromising the health with this crispy, tasty Broccoli bhajiya!

Ingredients:

• Besan/Gram flour-1 cup
• Rice flour-2 tablespoons
• Broccoli florets-1½ cup

Spices:

• Turmeric powder-1 teaspoon
• Red chili powder-1 teaspoon
• Carrom seed/Ajwain-1 teaspoon
• Baking soda-1 pinch
• Salt to taste

Liquids:

• Canola oil/Cooking oil-2 cups (for batter and for deep frying)
• Water-1/3 cup (Approximately)

Cooking Instructions:

• To prepare the batter, take a big bowl and add besan and rice flour in it. Rice flour will help to make the bhajiya/pakoda
• Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, ajwain, 2 tablespoons oil, baking soda and salt. Mix well.
• Add as much water as needed to make a thick pancake like batter. A wire whisk is useful in making a smooth batter.
• Heat 2 cups of oil in a frying pan. To check if the oil is hot enough for deep-frying, put a drop of batter in the oil. If it rises quickly to the surface, then the oil is ready.
• Dip the florets in the batter and carefully put them in the hot oil. Some prefer to put them in the oil with their hands or some use a tablespoon to lower them in the oil. Depending on the size of the pan, 6-7 florets can be fried in one batch. Keep the oil hot on a medium high flame.
• Flip them carefully to not let the hot oil splash on you and fry all sides of the bhajiya to light yellow brown color which may take about 4-6 minutes both the sides of the broccoli florets and carefully take them out with a frying ladle on a kitchen paper towel and wipe off the excessive oil with paper napkins.

Serve them hot with Sweet and Sour chutney or Spicy Green chutney.