Cauliflower Bhajis (Print Version)

Golden, spiced cauliflower fritters made with chickpea flour, served with a refreshing yogurt dip. A perfect Indian-inspired appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bhaji Batter

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→ Yogurt Dip

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# How to Make It:

01 - In a small bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, mint, cilantro, lemon juice, ground cumin, and salt. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
02 - In a large bowl, combine chickpea flour, rice flour, cumin seeds, ground coriander, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, baking powder, and salt.
03 - Add cauliflower florets, red onion, cilantro, and green chilies (if using) to the flour mixture. Toss to coat well.
04 - Gradually add water, stirring to form a thick batter that coats the vegetables. The mixture should be sticky but not runny.
05 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok to 340°F.
06 - Using a spoon or your hands, drop small portions of the batter into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
07 - Fry the bhajis in batches for 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp.
08 - Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with the chilled yogurt dip.

# Additional Tips::

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  • The chickpea flour creates this incredible crispy exterior that somehow stays light and airy inside
  • They come together in under 40 minutes but taste like something you'd order at a proper Indian restaurant
  • The cool yogurt dip cuts through the spices perfectly, making each bite an adventure
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  • The batter consistency is everything, too thick and the bhajis will be doughy inside, too thin and they'll absorb too much oil
  • Don't be tempted to flip them too early, let them develop a proper crust on one side before turning
  • These are best eaten straight from the fryer, though you can reheat them in a hot oven for a few minutes to recrisp
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  • Double the recipe for a crowd because these disappear faster than you'd expect
  • Keep cooked bhajis warm in a 200°F oven while you fry the remaining batches
  • If you're out of rice flour, cornstarch works as a substitute for the extra crunch factor
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