MIRCHI PAKODA / MIRCHI BHAJIYA

This is an another version of mirchi pakodas as I shared one before some days. The traditional mirchi pakodas are with  peanuts-coconut stuffing . This recipe is very easy to make and can be served as a side dish with dals, curd curry or any veg curry. It is quick and simple. I have made it with potato stuffing . You may stuff it with this potato stuffing /paneer stuffing/without stuffing . In Mumbai, you will get this mirchi pakodas at the roadside vendors or at any sweet shops. Stuffed mirchi pakodas with a hot cup of tea is an ultimate combination. The chilies used for this recipe are light green coloured and are known as bhajji/bhajiya chilies. This green chilies used here are a larger variety of chilies and they are not much spicy. One can use small green chilies also, but they would turn out to be too hot and spicy. So enjoy this bharwa/stuffed mirchi pakoda recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

8-10 Green Chilies [ Bhavnagari/ pickle green chilies]

Oil for frying

FOR the Filling: 

2 Boiled Potatoes

1 Tsp Green Chilly-Garlic Paste [As per requirement]

½ Tsp Carom Seeds

¼ Tsp Cumin Seeds

1 Finely Chopped Onion

2 Tbsp Finely Chopped Coriander

Salt as per your taste 

Chopped Mint Leaves [ optional]

For the Covering: 

1 Cup Gram Flour [Bengal Gram Flour ]

2 Tbsp Rice Flour [ Optional ]

½ Tsp Red Chilly Powder

Pinch of Turmeric Powder

¼ Tsp Carom Seeds

¼ Tsp Cumin Seeds

Salt as per taste

Pinch of Soda Bicarbonate[ If needed]

METHOD:

For the Filling:

STEP 1 – Boil the potatoes, cool ,peel and mash them coarsely by hands only. [don’t make the potato paste ]

STEP 2 – Add chopped onion,coriander and other ingredients for stuffing . Mix well and keep aside.

For the batter:

STEP 1 – Take the mixing bowl,add gram and rice flour. Add carom seeds, cumin seeds, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt to it .

STEP 2 – Add water and make the smooth batter. The batter has to be the dropping consistency but towards the thicker side . So add water accordingly. Keep the batter aside.

How to make mirchi pakoda :

STEP 1 – First wash the chilies and pat dry them with the kitchen towel.

STEP 2 – Make a vertical slit in each chilly with the knife ,from under the stem to the above the end of the chilly .[ Make sure you do not slit all the way to the bottom or cut through the other side of the chilly.]

STEP 3 – Remove the seeds as well as the membrane to reduce the heat .

STEP 4 – Now stuff the chilies with the potato stuffing mix, Spread the mixture evenly through the chilly.

STEP 5 – Like this, stuff all the chilies and keep them aside.

STEP 6 – Heat the oil in the wide frying pan for 5-6 minutes at high flame and then turn the heat to medium. The correct temperature is important.

STEP 7 – Now take one chilly at a time and dip in the gram flour batter, making sure that the chillies are well coated with the batter.

STEP 7 – Now drop it in the hot oil and fry the stuffed pakodas. With the spatula keep flipping the pakodas upside down for 6-7 minutes till the pakodas become golden brown.

STEP 8 – Like this, take another batch of pakodas and fry all of them. Once all the pakodas done , keep them on a kitchen towel and soak extra oil if any. Serve the pakodas hot.

Serve the pakodas hot with coriander chutney, mint chutney or simple tomato sauce. 

NOTES:  * If the chilies are too big and thick you will need more potato mix .

* If the chilies are big in size, you may cut them and make two pieces of them.