Ajwain Patton ki Pakodi with Kalonji Dip

Can pakodas be healthy? Yes! Try this recipe by Chef Bhairav to make a delicious Ajwain Patton ki Pakodi at home. The leafy vegetable is known to improve digestion and give relief from cold and caugh.

Ingredients
15 ajwain (carom) leaves, fresh
4 tbsp rice flour
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
two pinches asafoetida  
1 tsp onion seeds
buttermilk as required  
salt to taste  
oil for frying

Method
Clean and wash the ajwain leaves and set aside in cold water.
In a mixing bowl, add rice flour, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida, onion seeds and salt.
Add buttermilk and mix well to make a semi thick batter.
Remove the ajwain leaves from water and wipe excess water from it by using a kitchen towel.  
In a frying pan, heat oil.
Dip the ajwain leaves in to the batter and very gently drop it in the oil.
Deep fry it well from both the sides till a nice golden crispy texture appears.
Remove from oil and set it on a thick paper towel to drain excess oil.
Serve hot and crispy ajwain fritters with chutney.

Kalonji Dip
Ingredients
2 tbsp onion seeds (kalonji)
2 tbsp hung curd
1 red chilli powder
salt to taste

Method
In a pan, roast the onion seeds well and set aside.
In a mixer bowl, add curd and salt to taste and mix well.
Transfer in a serving bowl and garnish with roasted onion seeds and red chilli powder. Serve fresh with the pakodi.