indian sooji pakora (semolina fritters)

(1 rating)
Recipe by
SATISH DHINGRA
CONCORD, MA

I got this recipe from my younger sister. Amazingly, I've searched many Indian cookbooks and have not found a similar appetizer/ tea-time snack. It's delicious and always a big hit with my American and Indian friends. Enjoy!

(1 rating)
prep time 30 Min
cook time 20 Min

Ingredients For indian sooji pakora (semolina fritters)

  • 1 c
    sooji (semolina/cream of wheat), available at indian grocery stores
  • add sufficient plain yogurt, stirring in a little at a time to make a stiff dough.
  • 2 Tbsp
    fresh ginger, finely chopped or grated.
  • 1/2 tsp
    turmeric, ground
  • 1/2 tsp
    salt
  • 1/4 tsp
    cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp
    baking soda
  • 1 tsp
    curry powder or garam masala (from indian grocery store)
  • 1 tsp
    cumin seeds
  • sufficient vegetable or corn oil for deep frying in a 6 or 8 inch dia saucepan or frier. oil depth should be at least 2 inches.

How To Make indian sooji pakora (semolina fritters)

  • 1
    Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl EXCEPT baking soda.
  • 2
    Add plain yogurt 2 to 3 tsp at a time and stir. Then add a tsp or two until you have a stiff dough. If the dough become a little soft, add sufficient sooji to obtain a stiff dough.
  • 3
    Cover the mixture with plastic wrap or wet cloth to prevent drying. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
  • 4
    Add BAKING SODA and stir vigorously for 2 minutes to start the "rising action" of the soda. Add a little yogurt if the dough is too stiff.
  • 5
    Heat oil for deep frying to 350 deg F. With a small ice-cream scoop, or a tablespoon (using another tbs to scoop out)carefully drop one scoop at a time near the surface of the oil. The size of the scoop should be about 3/4" dia. round. The dough will rise to the surface in 2 or 3 seconds. Keep moving the fritters with a slotted frying spoon. Be sure not to crowd the fritters in the frier. Fry until golden brown.
  • 6
    Drain on paper towels. Finish the remaining dough until all the fritters are done.
  • 7
    Serve hot. Enjoy with ketchup. Alternatively, for a more authentic experience, try corriander or mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or other chutneys available at Indian grocery stores.
  • 8
    You may need to slightly adjust the quantity of spices, on your next try, to suit your taste.
  • 9
    Leftovers can be reheated in a microwave for 15 SECONDS. Heat for 5 more seconds, if not hot enough. Beware that too long in the microwave could make the soft fritters hard.

Categories & Tags for Indian Sooji Pakora (Semolina Fritters):

ADVERTISEMENT